May 26, 2012
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada
The all Heavyweight main card UFC event is here highlighting the big boys but the undercard is also filled with good fights of various weight classes making this one of the best shows of the year from top to bottom. "Cigano" looks to avenge master Nogueira and defend his crown while Mir looks for his 3rd run at the title and immortality. "Mayhem" tries not to embarrass himself again while we welcome Jaime Varner, Shane Del Rosario, and "Bigfoot" to the UFC. The man called Cain, MTB, and the "Outlaw" fight for redemption and we all root against CB and "X-Mas" together.
Main Card (PPV):
Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos (14-1) vs. Frank Mir (16-5) "Cigano" has gone 8-0 for Zuffa taking the strap in just over a minute KOing Cain which he has done 10 times in his young career. Master Mir has won 4 of 5 since the Brock Lesnar rematch getting a chance to be the Champ for the 3rd time when Alistair Overeem pissed hot as expected. It is well known Mir prefers the ground game snapping the arms of Tim Sylvia and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in his 9 career submissions but his durability has been questioned in the face of adversity being stopped by strikes 5 times in his career but never losing a decision which many don't note. And yet, when the uber-fast power striking is brought down from the avenging Santos, Frankie is going to be in a world of hurt. I highly doubt Mir gets this to the ground once and even then the tapout is not guaranteed as many expect. Junior is well versed in the ground game especially after his mentor was felled so recently and so painfully. "Cigano" takes his time early establishing distance and not fearing Mir's hands. Once settled in, Santos brings the rain and Frank crashes down to Earth like the Soviet space station.
WINNER-Junior Dos Santos by Rd.2 TKO
Cain Velasquez (9-1) vs. Antonio Silva (16-3) We'll catch a glimpse of "Bigfoot" in the UFC, but don't blink. Cain is a man on a mission looking to erase his title defeat and the giant has a glass chin sculpted from Easter Island making it an easy target for the heavy handed Mexican. If the ATT fighter can get you down he'll club you to death caveman style but Cain's stellar wrestling, KO power, and AKA education will do him just fine. Velasquez can even ground Antonio and the beating will be severe. Wherever the fight takes place Cain is going to destroy.
WINNER-Cain Velasquez by Rd.1 KO
Roy Nelson (16-7) vs. Dave Herman (21-3) "Big Country" meets furry Herman in an early stand up battle before Roy has had enough fun and submits Davy. "Peewee" is known for shitting the bed during fights he is supposed to win and he isn't even supposed to win this. Nelson could embarrass the youngster on the mat if he feels like it, but more likely he'll play on the feet for a while before getting that tapout bonus money.
WINNER-Roy Nelson by Rd.3 Submission
Shane Del Rosario (11-0) vs. Stipe Miocic (8-0) The battle of the undefeated prospects showcases two thunder strikers. Shane was a bona fide blue chipper until a tragic car accident took him out of the scene for over a year. Stipe (pronounced steepay) is already 2-0 for Zuffa behind his solid wrestling and KO power. Del Rosario is more well rounded and faster though he would lose the power battle. Shane takes this downward and shows who the true MMA artist in going the distance for the 1st time in his career.
Upset Pick WINNER-Shane Del Rosario by Decision
Stefan Struve (23-5) vs. Lavar Johnson (17-5) "Big" J gets another lucky break getting matched up against the "Skyscraper" whose jaw is is oh so questionable. I like Stefan a lot and he definitely has a superior all around game but he is easy to hit and when Lavar hits you, bad things happen in an instant. Freaking 6 (T)KO losses scream very loudly to me as the Hollander never gets the option to use any of his slick submissions before a giant punch turns the lights out for a spectacular collapse. Lavar be rolling!
Upset Pick WINNER-Lavar Johnson by Rd.1 KO
Main Card (PPV):
Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos (14-1) vs. Frank Mir (16-5) "Cigano" has gone 8-0 for Zuffa taking the strap in just over a minute KOing Cain which he has done 10 times in his young career. Master Mir has won 4 of 5 since the Brock Lesnar rematch getting a chance to be the Champ for the 3rd time when Alistair Overeem pissed hot as expected. It is well known Mir prefers the ground game snapping the arms of Tim Sylvia and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in his 9 career submissions but his durability has been questioned in the face of adversity being stopped by strikes 5 times in his career but never losing a decision which many don't note. And yet, when the uber-fast power striking is brought down from the avenging Santos, Frankie is going to be in a world of hurt. I highly doubt Mir gets this to the ground once and even then the tapout is not guaranteed as many expect. Junior is well versed in the ground game especially after his mentor was felled so recently and so painfully. "Cigano" takes his time early establishing distance and not fearing Mir's hands. Once settled in, Santos brings the rain and Frank crashes down to Earth like the Soviet space station.
WINNER-Junior Dos Santos by Rd.2 TKO
Cain Velasquez (9-1) vs. Antonio Silva (16-3) We'll catch a glimpse of "Bigfoot" in the UFC, but don't blink. Cain is a man on a mission looking to erase his title defeat and the giant has a glass chin sculpted from Easter Island making it an easy target for the heavy handed Mexican. If the ATT fighter can get you down he'll club you to death caveman style but Cain's stellar wrestling, KO power, and AKA education will do him just fine. Velasquez can even ground Antonio and the beating will be severe. Wherever the fight takes place Cain is going to destroy.
WINNER-Cain Velasquez by Rd.1 KO
Roy Nelson (16-7) vs. Dave Herman (21-3) "Big Country" meets furry Herman in an early stand up battle before Roy has had enough fun and submits Davy. "Peewee" is known for shitting the bed during fights he is supposed to win and he isn't even supposed to win this. Nelson could embarrass the youngster on the mat if he feels like it, but more likely he'll play on the feet for a while before getting that tapout bonus money.
WINNER-Roy Nelson by Rd.3 Submission
Shane Del Rosario (11-0) vs. Stipe Miocic (8-0) The battle of the undefeated prospects showcases two thunder strikers. Shane was a bona fide blue chipper until a tragic car accident took him out of the scene for over a year. Stipe (pronounced steepay) is already 2-0 for Zuffa behind his solid wrestling and KO power. Del Rosario is more well rounded and faster though he would lose the power battle. Shane takes this downward and shows who the true MMA artist in going the distance for the 1st time in his career.
Upset Pick WINNER-Shane Del Rosario by Decision
Stefan Struve (23-5) vs. Lavar Johnson (17-5) "Big" J gets another lucky break getting matched up against the "Skyscraper" whose jaw is is oh so questionable. I like Stefan a lot and he definitely has a superior all around game but he is easy to hit and when Lavar hits you, bad things happen in an instant. Freaking 6 (T)KO losses scream very loudly to me as the Hollander never gets the option to use any of his slick submissions before a giant punch turns the lights out for a spectacular collapse. Lavar be rolling!
Upset Pick WINNER-Lavar Johnson by Rd.1 KO
Prelims (FX):
Diego Brandao (14-7) vs. Darren Elkins (13-2) "Ceara" reps Jackson/Winkeljohn winning 4 fights in a row at Featherweight all by stoppage. Elkins is a solid enough chap able to withstand some punishment but not the Marlon Brandao sized storm coming his way.
WINNER-Diego Brandao by Decision
Edson Barboza (10-0) vs. Jamie Varner (19-6) Super hyped Barboza returns to dazzle us yet again while Varner makes his 1st forray into the UFC after fake retiring only to return going 3-1. Both men are solid but Ed needs to be careful with the leg kicks lest he be take down by the wrestling Varner. Barboza's day is now as the former WEC Lightweight Champion meets the new age 155er.
WINNER-Edson Barboza by Decision
Jason Miller (23-8) vs. C.B. Dollaway (11-4) "Mayhem" just humiliated himself against the "Count" in a spectacular failure while CB continues to be CB the guys who sometimes wins sometimes loses but always annoys. Dollaway is average at best and not that Miller is going to contend for a title anytime soon, he is more durable, vastly more experienced, and desperate to erase the mortifying loss in the UFC fans short memory. The monkeys will cheer as Miller gets it done capitalizing on the almost guaranteed Dollaway brain fart en route to a points victory.
WINNER-Jason Miller by Decision
Dan Hardy (23-10) vs. Duane Ludwig (21-12) The "Outlaw's" back is so publicly against the wall losing an unprecedented 4 fights in a row only to be saved by merciful friend and co-UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta while "Bang" is just trying to stay relevant as his career winds down at a old too soon 33. This is a striker's delight but the English rebel has been training stateside trying to shore up the holes in his game. When its win or die time Dan finds a way winning a back and forth "Fight Of The Night" caliber slugfest.
WINNER-Dan Hardy by Decision
Diego Brandao (14-7) vs. Darren Elkins (13-2) "Ceara" reps Jackson/Winkeljohn winning 4 fights in a row at Featherweight all by stoppage. Elkins is a solid enough chap able to withstand some punishment but not the Marlon Brandao sized storm coming his way.
WINNER-Diego Brandao by Decision
Edson Barboza (10-0) vs. Jamie Varner (19-6) Super hyped Barboza returns to dazzle us yet again while Varner makes his 1st forray into the UFC after fake retiring only to return going 3-1. Both men are solid but Ed needs to be careful with the leg kicks lest he be take down by the wrestling Varner. Barboza's day is now as the former WEC Lightweight Champion meets the new age 155er.
WINNER-Edson Barboza by Decision
Jason Miller (23-8) vs. C.B. Dollaway (11-4) "Mayhem" just humiliated himself against the "Count" in a spectacular failure while CB continues to be CB the guys who sometimes wins sometimes loses but always annoys. Dollaway is average at best and not that Miller is going to contend for a title anytime soon, he is more durable, vastly more experienced, and desperate to erase the mortifying loss in the UFC fans short memory. The monkeys will cheer as Miller gets it done capitalizing on the almost guaranteed Dollaway brain fart en route to a points victory.
WINNER-Jason Miller by Decision
Dan Hardy (23-10) vs. Duane Ludwig (21-12) The "Outlaw's" back is so publicly against the wall losing an unprecedented 4 fights in a row only to be saved by merciful friend and co-UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta while "Bang" is just trying to stay relevant as his career winds down at a old too soon 33. This is a striker's delight but the English rebel has been training stateside trying to shore up the holes in his game. When its win or die time Dan finds a way winning a back and forth "Fight Of The Night" caliber slugfest.
WINNER-Dan Hardy by Decision
Prelims (Facebook):
Jacob Volkmann (14-2) vs. Paul Sass (12-0) Sassle brings his trademark "Sassangle" sass to bear on the crippling and terribly boring L&P of right wing idiot, "X-Mas." Paul can catch anyone anywhere and anytime with his smooth submission game, but unfortunately if he can't illicit the tap, he's in for 15 minutes of bump n' grind boredom. I hate Christmas almost as much as I hate "X-Mas" the republican douche bag, but he wins again.
WINNER-Jacob Volkmann by Decision
Kyle Kingsbury (11-3) vs. Glover Teixeira (17-2) Glover, Glover, come on over. We've been waiting, anticipating for Teixeira to make it stateside for years and he is finally here. Now is the time he proves himself against a tough but beatable King who is more concerned about unfunny weigh-in outfits than improving his game.
WINNER-Glover Teixeira by Decision
Mike Thomas Brown (25-8) vs. Daniel Pineda (17-7) Since dropping the WEC Featherweight title, MTB has gone 3-3 battling personal demons and failure. The "Pit" has won 7 bouts in a string finishing every goddamn one of them in varied style. Call me loony tunes, but I like the winning mentality and mixed attack over the schizo troubles Brown has been bringing to the table.
Upset Pick WINNER-Daniel Pineda by Decision
Jacob Volkmann (14-2) vs. Paul Sass (12-0) Sassle brings his trademark "Sassangle" sass to bear on the crippling and terribly boring L&P of right wing idiot, "X-Mas." Paul can catch anyone anywhere and anytime with his smooth submission game, but unfortunately if he can't illicit the tap, he's in for 15 minutes of bump n' grind boredom. I hate Christmas almost as much as I hate "X-Mas" the republican douche bag, but he wins again.
WINNER-Jacob Volkmann by Decision
Kyle Kingsbury (11-3) vs. Glover Teixeira (17-2) Glover, Glover, come on over. We've been waiting, anticipating for Teixeira to make it stateside for years and he is finally here. Now is the time he proves himself against a tough but beatable King who is more concerned about unfunny weigh-in outfits than improving his game.
WINNER-Glover Teixeira by Decision
Mike Thomas Brown (25-8) vs. Daniel Pineda (17-7) Since dropping the WEC Featherweight title, MTB has gone 3-3 battling personal demons and failure. The "Pit" has won 7 bouts in a string finishing every goddamn one of them in varied style. Call me loony tunes, but I like the winning mentality and mixed attack over the schizo troubles Brown has been bringing to the table.
Upset Pick WINNER-Daniel Pineda by Decision
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