April 21, 2012
Philips Arena
Atlanta, Georgia
Possibly the biggest fight of the year is here and the crowd was divided at the weigh-ins but more boo's for "Bones" who continued to show he's a fraud dancing around killing time before stepping on the scale and mocking "his" crowd. There's some bad blood between "Angel" and the cocky smirking McDonald, a couple of TUF winners meet in the cage, and some guys missing and barely making weight. We also have not 1, not 2, oh wait, it is 2 Upset Picks!! Its gonna be fun. One final note, Mr. Joe Rogan, bring back the hair, you look sickly.
Philips Arena
Atlanta, Georgia
Possibly the biggest fight of the year is here and the crowd was divided at the weigh-ins but more boo's for "Bones" who continued to show he's a fraud dancing around killing time before stepping on the scale and mocking "his" crowd. There's some bad blood between "Angel" and the cocky smirking McDonald, a couple of TUF winners meet in the cage, and some guys missing and barely making weight. We also have not 1, not 2, oh wait, it is 2 Upset Picks!! Its gonna be fun. One final note, Mr. Joe Rogan, bring back the hair, you look sickly.
Main Card (PPV)
Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones (15-1) vs. Rashad Evans (17-1-1) Finally, we get to end the long coming family feud as the two best Light Heavyweights meet in a bad blood fight. There are openings and opportunities for "Suga" but eventually the length of "Bones" will rock Evans as he's trying to bridge the gap and get to the much taller Champion. Evans is a Middleweight fighting a Heavyweight here with limited offense against an oncoming onslaught that can come from anywhere. Jones has never been taken down in his UFC career and its a bad idea here for Rashad against a guy looking to catch you coming in for either the takedown or the overhand right. Bullying and getting into the head of Jon may be Rashad's only hope but it doesn't happen as "Bones" uses his massive size to frustrate "Suga" who fails getting inside and eventually it will be Jon who hits the takedown slamming elbows into his former friend's face before the referee stops the assault. I hope I'm wrong and Evans spins Jon's head around in Beetlejuice fashion but I doubt it.
WINNER-Jon Jones by Rd.2 TKO
Rory MacDonald (12-1) vs. Che Mills (14-4) I'm with everyone else in the MMA world in wondering why Che is getting the Co-Main Event treatment after only a single fight in the UFC where he bested also ran Chris Cope who isn't even going to test a mid-card fighter. Rory is on his way to becoming a superstar training under Georges St. Pierre who calls him a "future champion," at Tri-Star and is going to just throw Mills to and fro bouncing Che into the realization he is far out of his element and most likely just here to make MacDonald look good on his way up the Welterweight ladder.
WINNER-Rory MacDonald by Rd.2 Smashing
Brendan Schaub (8-2) vs. Ben Rothwell (31-8) Schaub took 8 months to recover from getting stomped by legend Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a classic moment in Brazil while big Ben is looking to rebound from one of the most embarrassing Heavyweight bouts in UFC history against Mark Hunt (who doesn't deserve a title shot by the by) as both men gassed out shamefully in an awkward evening before a sea of rightfully angry fans. Rothwell looks to be in the best shape of his life and this isn't an easy fight for the "Hybrid." Ben can bring the thunder and is a bit underrated on the floor not to mention the guy is tough as nails and cannot be broken in a fight why there are questions about Schaub's heart and chin. Brendan will be faster and a crisper striker following a safe game plan moving in and out winning the judges favor though to me this is a coin flip fight.
WINNER-Brendan Schaub by Split-Decision
Miguel Torres (40-4) vs. Michael McDonald (14-1) Mike has been very cocky and almost mocking in the way he has spoken about the former Bantamweight Champion who is looking to make an example of the arrogant kid. Torres despite some rough years recently is a uber-well rounded fighter who has only upped his game splitting time training at Tri-Star and with the Blackzilians while calming his notoriously blitzkrieg style for a more mature approach. "Mayday" is a brilliant striker who is coming into his own but Torres has far more tools, especially on the ground than his younger opponent. The rumors of "Angel's" demise have been greatly exaggerated and an respect will be paid when the final bell tolls.
Upset Pick WINNER-Miguel Torres by Decision
Mark Hominick (20-10) vs. Eddie Yagin (15-5-1) Aw, Ed is a cute little fella. I'm not sure I have ever see the "Machine" have a height advantage ever but Yagin doesn't have much of a chance in this one. Hominick is back and looking for blood after an embarrassing 7 second loss to Chan Sung Jung where he ran out and into a punch getting KO'd for being over excited. Mark is better than that and better than Yagin who gets fed to the wolves as Hominick re-starts his run at the title in a division where he is better than most Featherweights, just not the Champion Jose Aldo.
WINNER-Mark Hominick by Decision
Mark Bocek (10-4) vs. John Alessio (34-14) Alessio is back in the UFC 6 years later (though he did make a run in the WEC until 2008) more mature and with better hair. Speaking of hair, the staunch steady ginger is far more well rounded with sick grappling that John is not going to be ready for. Alessio is a replacement after all and a decent fighter, but not on the level of Bocek at all who is going to make the "Natural" look silly on the mat.
WINNER-Mark Bocek by Rd.3 Submission
Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones (15-1) vs. Rashad Evans (17-1-1) Finally, we get to end the long coming family feud as the two best Light Heavyweights meet in a bad blood fight. There are openings and opportunities for "Suga" but eventually the length of "Bones" will rock Evans as he's trying to bridge the gap and get to the much taller Champion. Evans is a Middleweight fighting a Heavyweight here with limited offense against an oncoming onslaught that can come from anywhere. Jones has never been taken down in his UFC career and its a bad idea here for Rashad against a guy looking to catch you coming in for either the takedown or the overhand right. Bullying and getting into the head of Jon may be Rashad's only hope but it doesn't happen as "Bones" uses his massive size to frustrate "Suga" who fails getting inside and eventually it will be Jon who hits the takedown slamming elbows into his former friend's face before the referee stops the assault. I hope I'm wrong and Evans spins Jon's head around in Beetlejuice fashion but I doubt it.
WINNER-Jon Jones by Rd.2 TKO
WINNER-Rory MacDonald by Rd.2 Smashing
Brendan Schaub (8-2) vs. Ben Rothwell (31-8) Schaub took 8 months to recover from getting stomped by legend Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a classic moment in Brazil while big Ben is looking to rebound from one of the most embarrassing Heavyweight bouts in UFC history against Mark Hunt (who doesn't deserve a title shot by the by) as both men gassed out shamefully in an awkward evening before a sea of rightfully angry fans. Rothwell looks to be in the best shape of his life and this isn't an easy fight for the "Hybrid." Ben can bring the thunder and is a bit underrated on the floor not to mention the guy is tough as nails and cannot be broken in a fight why there are questions about Schaub's heart and chin. Brendan will be faster and a crisper striker following a safe game plan moving in and out winning the judges favor though to me this is a coin flip fight.
WINNER-Brendan Schaub by Split-Decision
Miguel Torres (40-4) vs. Michael McDonald (14-1) Mike has been very cocky and almost mocking in the way he has spoken about the former Bantamweight Champion who is looking to make an example of the arrogant kid. Torres despite some rough years recently is a uber-well rounded fighter who has only upped his game splitting time training at Tri-Star and with the Blackzilians while calming his notoriously blitzkrieg style for a more mature approach. "Mayday" is a brilliant striker who is coming into his own but Torres has far more tools, especially on the ground than his younger opponent. The rumors of "Angel's" demise have been greatly exaggerated and an respect will be paid when the final bell tolls.
Upset Pick WINNER-Miguel Torres by Decision
Mark Hominick (20-10) vs. Eddie Yagin (15-5-1) Aw, Ed is a cute little fella. I'm not sure I have ever see the "Machine" have a height advantage ever but Yagin doesn't have much of a chance in this one. Hominick is back and looking for blood after an embarrassing 7 second loss to Chan Sung Jung where he ran out and into a punch getting KO'd for being over excited. Mark is better than that and better than Yagin who gets fed to the wolves as Hominick re-starts his run at the title in a division where he is better than most Featherweights, just not the Champion Jose Aldo.
WINNER-Mark Hominick by Decision
Mark Bocek (10-4) vs. John Alessio (34-14) Alessio is back in the UFC 6 years later (though he did make a run in the WEC until 2008) more mature and with better hair. Speaking of hair, the staunch steady ginger is far more well rounded with sick grappling that John is not going to be ready for. Alessio is a replacement after all and a decent fighter, but not on the level of Bocek at all who is going to make the "Natural" look silly on the mat.
WINNER-Mark Bocek by Rd.3 Submission
Prelims (FX)
Travis Browne (12-0-1) vs. Chad Griggs (11-1) This is a straight fight between two Heavyweights who have zero desire to take things to the mat. Its gonna be fun while it lasts. "Gravedigger" is a hoot to watch and an affable guy with amazing pork chops but he's a Light Heavyweight fighting above his weight class against a giant Heavyweight with an insane reach advantage. Both have power and either could fall but the odds say go with the bigger, longer, up and comer over the part time MMA feel good story.
Upset Pick WINNER-Travis Browne by Rd.1 KO
Matt Brown (13-11) vs. Stephen Thompson (6-0) "Wonderboy" is back without the power of flight but a ridiculous arsenal of karate attacks that generally work. I have never been impressed with anything Brown does save for being able to absorb a lot of abuse but that is about to change against this young offensive phenom. Thompson has better cardio and striking and if he avoids the hail mary punch Thompson abuses the "Mortal" and hopefully bounces him from Zuffa.
WINNER-Stephen Thompson by Rd.3 TKO
John Makdessi (9-1) vs. Anthony Njokuani (14-6) Naughty naughty, Mr. Makdessi missed weight and forfeits 20% of his purse. Njokuani has a massive reach advantage and a bevy of striking ability over the "Bull" who really doesn't wow you in any category. The "Assassin" is continually and up and down fighter but more well rounded and since the "Bull" enjoys standing and trading he plays right into Anthony's Muay Thai's elbows and knees.
WINNER-Anthony Njokuani by Decision
Mac Danzig (20-9-1) vs. Efrain Escudero (18-4) Two "Ultimate Fighter" winners who have struggled in their respective careers hook it up in a much needed win situation. Efrain has been known as a half assed trainee but Danzig never skimps on the schooling. Look for Danzig to exploit the mistake prone Efrain using the slow and steady wins the race mentality.
WINNER-Mac Danzig by Decision
Travis Browne (12-0-1) vs. Chad Griggs (11-1) This is a straight fight between two Heavyweights who have zero desire to take things to the mat. Its gonna be fun while it lasts. "Gravedigger" is a hoot to watch and an affable guy with amazing pork chops but he's a Light Heavyweight fighting above his weight class against a giant Heavyweight with an insane reach advantage. Both have power and either could fall but the odds say go with the bigger, longer, up and comer over the part time MMA feel good story.
Upset Pick WINNER-Travis Browne by Rd.1 KO
Matt Brown (13-11) vs. Stephen Thompson (6-0) "Wonderboy" is back without the power of flight but a ridiculous arsenal of karate attacks that generally work. I have never been impressed with anything Brown does save for being able to absorb a lot of abuse but that is about to change against this young offensive phenom. Thompson has better cardio and striking and if he avoids the hail mary punch Thompson abuses the "Mortal" and hopefully bounces him from Zuffa.
WINNER-Stephen Thompson by Rd.3 TKO
John Makdessi (9-1) vs. Anthony Njokuani (14-6) Naughty naughty, Mr. Makdessi missed weight and forfeits 20% of his purse. Njokuani has a massive reach advantage and a bevy of striking ability over the "Bull" who really doesn't wow you in any category. The "Assassin" is continually and up and down fighter but more well rounded and since the "Bull" enjoys standing and trading he plays right into Anthony's Muay Thai's elbows and knees.
WINNER-Anthony Njokuani by Decision
Mac Danzig (20-9-1) vs. Efrain Escudero (18-4) Two "Ultimate Fighter" winners who have struggled in their respective careers hook it up in a much needed win situation. Efrain has been known as a half assed trainee but Danzig never skimps on the schooling. Look for Danzig to exploit the mistake prone Efrain using the slow and steady wins the race mentality.
WINNER-Mac Danzig by Decision
Prelims (Facebook)
Keith Wisniewski (28-13-1) vs. Chris Clements (10-4) Keith is inexplicably back in the UFC but probably not for long. Clements is a far better striker and there is a lot of wear on the tires of the well traveled Wisniewski. The Canadian is making his 1st run for Zuffa and stays on the feet punishing the "Polish Connection" over 15 minutes.
WINNER-Chris Clements by Decision
Marcus Brimage (4-1) vs. Maximo Blanco (8-3-1) Max looked like he struggled a bit making weight but was successful though he reached for the revitalizing water as if he had struggled through the desert before hitting a sauna. Brimage is a "Rampage" fanboy which should tell you something about his notorious immaturity. None the less, Blanco is far more advanced and a vicious attacker provided he can stay calm enough not to break the rules as he has done in the past. Its the big time and Max will keep his head though Marcus may not.
WINNER-Maximo Blanco by Rd.2 TKO
Keith Wisniewski (28-13-1) vs. Chris Clements (10-4) Keith is inexplicably back in the UFC but probably not for long. Clements is a far better striker and there is a lot of wear on the tires of the well traveled Wisniewski. The Canadian is making his 1st run for Zuffa and stays on the feet punishing the "Polish Connection" over 15 minutes.
WINNER-Chris Clements by Decision
Marcus Brimage (4-1) vs. Maximo Blanco (8-3-1) Max looked like he struggled a bit making weight but was successful though he reached for the revitalizing water as if he had struggled through the desert before hitting a sauna. Brimage is a "Rampage" fanboy which should tell you something about his notorious immaturity. None the less, Blanco is far more advanced and a vicious attacker provided he can stay calm enough not to break the rules as he has done in the past. Its the big time and Max will keep his head though Marcus may not.
WINNER-Maximo Blanco by Rd.2 TKO
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