UFC 154
November 17, 2012
Bell Centre
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
November 17, 2012
Bell Centre
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Main Card (PPV):
Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre (22-2) vs. Carlos Condit (28-5) GSP has been gone a very long 19 months and as he returns 100% healthy, the true question is whether or not his fragile mind will buckle if “NBK” begins to hurt the champ as the fight moves along. As far as the fabled “ring rust” goes, Condit has also sat for 9 months refusing to defend his #1 contender’s belt. Carlos is a viper who never gives up as shown against Pierre doppelganger Rory MacDonald coming from behind late to carve up the youngster while I personally have questioned Georges’ mind set during fights when he wavers and seeks the reassuring voice of Greg Jackson who won’t be in any corner for this title fight. As relentless in training as GSP is, will he trust his body in the cage if the going gets rough? Condit will end up on his back. A lot. “Rush” has a 77% success rate in taking fools down not to mention Condit has porous takedown defense. He’ll even tell you he cedes the takedowns sometimes to work from his back which he does do better than many in the game today. But past judging has shown this to not be a very profitable game plan if you fail to pull a submission. Still, Carlos has 13 submissions and 13 (T)KO’s to his credit only hearing from the judges 4 times in 33 professional fights! That is an evil finishing rate. Despite the more mixed arsenal from Carlos, GSP is a better effective striker amassing damage over the long haul as opposed to the challenger who can put you away quickly as seen against Don Hyun Kim. The bout plays out in my mind much like it did when GSP fought Jon Fitch. GSP will control the fight on the ground earning takedowns over and over again while avoiding submission attempts and grinding up Condit along the way. The hungry Condit will fight valiantly (as did Fitch) but he’ll be unable to keep the fight standing, as he gets rag dolled till the decision.
WINNER-Georges St-Pierre by Decision
Johny Hendricks (13-1) vs. Martin Kampmann (20-5) Though not official from the UFC, you can pretty much look at this bout as a #1 contender’s match to face the winner of the Main Event. The “Bigg Rigg” has been rolling suffering only a lone decision loss in ’10 for his career and dominating on his way to this fight winning 4 in a row impressively. The “Hitman” traveled a different path winning 3 hard fought battles in a row where he had to come back from near death to snatch victory. Impressive as it was, Kampmann is known for getting himself into bad circumstances in fights enduring a lot of damage and slow starts. Hendricks is known for his smothering wrestling more than for his recently successful power striking and that is what will vex Martin. The Xtreme Couture fighter gets taken to the mat constantly and though he has never been submitted, which Johny won’t threaten him with anyway, Kampmann gets busted up and loses rounds much like he did against Diego Sanchez and Jake Shields. This is a good match up for the Team Takedown member as he uses his crushing top game to bruise up Martin for all to see.
WINNER-Johny Hendricks by Decision
Francis Carmont (19-7) vs. Tom Lawlor (8-4) “Limitless” has won 8 bouts in a row and much like his Tristar teammate GSP, he is a physical freak of nature. Carmont will have a test against the known spoiler Lawlor who employs an unexciting ground game and a penchant for annoying and unfunny costumes for the weigh-ins. This is Francis’ fight to take if he uses his ground game to confuse Tom into a mistake which he is prone to do. If Carmont can’t beat this one dimensional fighter, he is not the prospect we all think he is.
WINNER-Francis Carmont by Decision
* I hate Lawlor's stupid weigh-in skits and this one was no different. I get it, the old wrestling parody. Still not funny. Carmont end this fool and bounce him from Zuffa already.
Nick Ring (13-1) vs. Constantinos Philippou (11-2) The Serra/Longo fighter has excelled since debuting in the UFC on a loss and many never expected much from him. Now Phillippou has a 4 fight winning streak and looks better and better with his power striking and takedown defense. The fabulous Ring has not impressed though he limped into a 3-1 record for Zuffa while trying to remain healthy for more than 5 minutes at a time. Constantinos has heavy, accurate hands and continues to keep opponents from taking him to the earth as Ring must do to stay in this bout. Nick might score a takedown but he’ll be eating leather and getting frustrated as Philippou lights him up and breaks him down.
WINNER-Constantinos Philippou by Rd.3 TKO
* Just when I stopped making fun of Nick Ring for sounding so ghey, because he made the UFC 149 event by coming out with Bret Hart and to the "Hart Attack" entrance music, the guy walks out in an obvious gay porn mustache! C'mon man, are you doing this on purpose?
Mark Hominick (20-11) vs. Pablo Garza (11-3) Its been one disaster after another for the “Machine” since his failed title shot against Jose Aldo. Three losses later and the Canadian must have a win to save a once promising career. The “Scarecrow” is facing his toughest test to date and is also coming off a 2 fight slide but he must rely on a prayer for submissions in a bout in which he finds himself significantly out gunned no matter his reach advantage (remember Hominick vs George Roop). Garza pulled a beautiful flying armbar once but that apparition aside, he’s not going to threaten the 31 fight veteran. Mark is going to use his far superior standing skills to out point Pablo showing the large talent gap between these two competitors.
WINNER-Mark Hominick by Decision
Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre (22-2) vs. Carlos Condit (28-5) GSP has been gone a very long 19 months and as he returns 100% healthy, the true question is whether or not his fragile mind will buckle if “NBK” begins to hurt the champ as the fight moves along. As far as the fabled “ring rust” goes, Condit has also sat for 9 months refusing to defend his #1 contender’s belt. Carlos is a viper who never gives up as shown against Pierre doppelganger Rory MacDonald coming from behind late to carve up the youngster while I personally have questioned Georges’ mind set during fights when he wavers and seeks the reassuring voice of Greg Jackson who won’t be in any corner for this title fight. As relentless in training as GSP is, will he trust his body in the cage if the going gets rough? Condit will end up on his back. A lot. “Rush” has a 77% success rate in taking fools down not to mention Condit has porous takedown defense. He’ll even tell you he cedes the takedowns sometimes to work from his back which he does do better than many in the game today. But past judging has shown this to not be a very profitable game plan if you fail to pull a submission. Still, Carlos has 13 submissions and 13 (T)KO’s to his credit only hearing from the judges 4 times in 33 professional fights! That is an evil finishing rate. Despite the more mixed arsenal from Carlos, GSP is a better effective striker amassing damage over the long haul as opposed to the challenger who can put you away quickly as seen against Don Hyun Kim. The bout plays out in my mind much like it did when GSP fought Jon Fitch. GSP will control the fight on the ground earning takedowns over and over again while avoiding submission attempts and grinding up Condit along the way. The hungry Condit will fight valiantly (as did Fitch) but he’ll be unable to keep the fight standing, as he gets rag dolled till the decision.
WINNER-Georges St-Pierre by Decision
Johny Hendricks (13-1) vs. Martin Kampmann (20-5) Though not official from the UFC, you can pretty much look at this bout as a #1 contender’s match to face the winner of the Main Event. The “Bigg Rigg” has been rolling suffering only a lone decision loss in ’10 for his career and dominating on his way to this fight winning 4 in a row impressively. The “Hitman” traveled a different path winning 3 hard fought battles in a row where he had to come back from near death to snatch victory. Impressive as it was, Kampmann is known for getting himself into bad circumstances in fights enduring a lot of damage and slow starts. Hendricks is known for his smothering wrestling more than for his recently successful power striking and that is what will vex Martin. The Xtreme Couture fighter gets taken to the mat constantly and though he has never been submitted, which Johny won’t threaten him with anyway, Kampmann gets busted up and loses rounds much like he did against Diego Sanchez and Jake Shields. This is a good match up for the Team Takedown member as he uses his crushing top game to bruise up Martin for all to see.
WINNER-Johny Hendricks by Decision
Francis Carmont (19-7) vs. Tom Lawlor (8-4) “Limitless” has won 8 bouts in a row and much like his Tristar teammate GSP, he is a physical freak of nature. Carmont will have a test against the known spoiler Lawlor who employs an unexciting ground game and a penchant for annoying and unfunny costumes for the weigh-ins. This is Francis’ fight to take if he uses his ground game to confuse Tom into a mistake which he is prone to do. If Carmont can’t beat this one dimensional fighter, he is not the prospect we all think he is.
WINNER-Francis Carmont by Decision
* I hate Lawlor's stupid weigh-in skits and this one was no different. I get it, the old wrestling parody. Still not funny. Carmont end this fool and bounce him from Zuffa already.
Nick Ring (13-1) vs. Constantinos Philippou (11-2) The Serra/Longo fighter has excelled since debuting in the UFC on a loss and many never expected much from him. Now Phillippou has a 4 fight winning streak and looks better and better with his power striking and takedown defense. The fabulous Ring has not impressed though he limped into a 3-1 record for Zuffa while trying to remain healthy for more than 5 minutes at a time. Constantinos has heavy, accurate hands and continues to keep opponents from taking him to the earth as Ring must do to stay in this bout. Nick might score a takedown but he’ll be eating leather and getting frustrated as Philippou lights him up and breaks him down.
WINNER-Constantinos Philippou by Rd.3 TKO
* Just when I stopped making fun of Nick Ring for sounding so ghey, because he made the UFC 149 event by coming out with Bret Hart and to the "Hart Attack" entrance music, the guy walks out in an obvious gay porn mustache! C'mon man, are you doing this on purpose?
Mark Hominick (20-11) vs. Pablo Garza (11-3) Its been one disaster after another for the “Machine” since his failed title shot against Jose Aldo. Three losses later and the Canadian must have a win to save a once promising career. The “Scarecrow” is facing his toughest test to date and is also coming off a 2 fight slide but he must rely on a prayer for submissions in a bout in which he finds himself significantly out gunned no matter his reach advantage (remember Hominick vs George Roop). Garza pulled a beautiful flying armbar once but that apparition aside, he’s not going to threaten the 31 fight veteran. Mark is going to use his far superior standing skills to out point Pablo showing the large talent gap between these two competitors.
WINNER-Mark Hominick by Decision
Prelims (FX):
Patrick Cote (17-8) vs. Alessio Sakara (15-9) Its a strikers delight as the vastly overrated “Legionarius” struggles not to be KO’d for what would be the 5th time in his career. Cote will be happy to test that questionable chin finding a full training camp this time after a late replacement loss against the surging Cung Le in his Zuffa return in July. Bring on the soccer chants as the “Predator” lives up to the nickname stalking Alessio before putting him to sleep and hopefully out of the UFC.
WINNER-Patrick Cote by Rd.1 KO
* Cote looked in much better shape for this fight than he did against Cung Le. The KO is coming for the Canadian.
Cyrille Diabate (18-8-1) vs. Chad Griggs (11-2) “Gravedigger” makes the necessary move down to Light Heavyweight realizing he just isn’t big enough to hang with the UFC Heavyweight monsters after his debut shellacking by Travis Browne. The “Snake” is an enigma that sometimes looks solid and other times disinterested in bouts. Cyrille employs a kickboxing style aided by his long frame but at 39 his best years have passed him by. Multiple times I have witnessed Diabate fade in fights while Griggs just never stops coming. “Pork Chops” is gonna hulk smash the “Snake” pressuring relentlessly until Diabate says uncle.
Upset Pick WINNER-Chad Griggs by Rd.3 TKO
Mark Bocek (11-4) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (17-6) Dos Anjos seems to hit that glass ceiling in the Lightweight division over and over again but his striking continues to improve and his blackbelt level Jiu-Jitsu is always steady. Mark has struggled to improve past the standard grappling but he does not wear down and has serious heart in the cage though he also struggled when he reaches top tier talent. This going to be a close coin flip fight but I question Rafael's heart and gas tank down the stretch as Mark soaks in the homeland love.
Upset Pick WINNER-Mark Bocek by Decision
Sam Stout (17-8-1) vs. John Makdessi (9-2) The “Bull” has real power in his hands and really nothing else to offer. Stout the always technical kickboxer looked like he has studied GSP’s takedowns as of late and his footwork should give John trouble. Without a hail mary bomb Stout is going to dance all over Makdessi to victory.
WINNER-Sam Stout by Decision
Patrick Cote (17-8) vs. Alessio Sakara (15-9) Its a strikers delight as the vastly overrated “Legionarius” struggles not to be KO’d for what would be the 5th time in his career. Cote will be happy to test that questionable chin finding a full training camp this time after a late replacement loss against the surging Cung Le in his Zuffa return in July. Bring on the soccer chants as the “Predator” lives up to the nickname stalking Alessio before putting him to sleep and hopefully out of the UFC.
WINNER-Patrick Cote by Rd.1 KO
* Cote looked in much better shape for this fight than he did against Cung Le. The KO is coming for the Canadian.
Cyrille Diabate (18-8-1) vs. Chad Griggs (11-2) “Gravedigger” makes the necessary move down to Light Heavyweight realizing he just isn’t big enough to hang with the UFC Heavyweight monsters after his debut shellacking by Travis Browne. The “Snake” is an enigma that sometimes looks solid and other times disinterested in bouts. Cyrille employs a kickboxing style aided by his long frame but at 39 his best years have passed him by. Multiple times I have witnessed Diabate fade in fights while Griggs just never stops coming. “Pork Chops” is gonna hulk smash the “Snake” pressuring relentlessly until Diabate says uncle.
Upset Pick WINNER-Chad Griggs by Rd.3 TKO
Mark Bocek (11-4) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (17-6) Dos Anjos seems to hit that glass ceiling in the Lightweight division over and over again but his striking continues to improve and his blackbelt level Jiu-Jitsu is always steady. Mark has struggled to improve past the standard grappling but he does not wear down and has serious heart in the cage though he also struggled when he reaches top tier talent. This going to be a close coin flip fight but I question Rafael's heart and gas tank down the stretch as Mark soaks in the homeland love.
Upset Pick WINNER-Mark Bocek by Decision
Sam Stout (17-8-1) vs. John Makdessi (9-2) The “Bull” has real power in his hands and really nothing else to offer. Stout the always technical kickboxer looked like he has studied GSP’s takedowns as of late and his footwork should give John trouble. Without a hail mary bomb Stout is going to dance all over Makdessi to victory.
WINNER-Sam Stout by Decision
Prelims (Facebook):
Antonio Carvalho (14-5) vs. Rodrigo Damm (10-5) I don’t know how Rodrigo pulled a damn win out of his ass in his Octagon debut but he ain’t so good. “Pato” is much more dynamic boxing which puts away the oft finished Rodrigo early. WINNER-Antonio Carvalho by Rd.2 TKO
* Damm looked very drawn out and lathargic at the weigh-ins but he did make weight. Could be interesting to see if he had a bad weight cut and if he can rehydrate properly.
Matt Riddle (6-3) vs. John Maguire (18-4) Great, the idiot is back. We have yet another gimme from matchmaker Joe Silva to Riddle who seems to just get matched up with guys that don’t pose the finish threat. I like the “Gypsy Jiu-Jitsu” practitioner but he’s just going to get out muscled and dry humped like he did in his last outing against John Hathaway. This would be a good bout to use the bathroom or get some snacks unless you enjoy watching "derp" face for 15..
WINNER-Matt Riddle by Decision
Ivan Menjivar (24-9) vs. Azamat Gashimov (7-1) “Hazmat” is welcomed to the UFC by long time veteran Menjivar who has had 25 more bouts than his opponent. The “Pride of el Salvador” has seen it all and training at Tristar only makes him better. Gashimov is going to flounder early against a far more savvy foe.
WINNER-Ivan Menjivar by Rd.1 Submission
Steven Siler (21-9) vs. Darren Elkins (14-2) “Super” has significantly improved since his days on TUF and is a shocking 3-0 for Zuffa. Elkins has gone 4-1 for said company this could be a surprisingly good fight people aren’t paying attention to. I see Siler giving Darren some of the same frustrations he found against similarly lanky Charles Oliveira in ’10. I surprise myself taking Steven by improved striking in a tough fight.
Upset Pick WINNER-Steven Siler by Decision
Antonio Carvalho (14-5) vs. Rodrigo Damm (10-5) I don’t know how Rodrigo pulled a damn win out of his ass in his Octagon debut but he ain’t so good. “Pato” is much more dynamic boxing which puts away the oft finished Rodrigo early. WINNER-Antonio Carvalho by Rd.2 TKO
* Damm looked very drawn out and lathargic at the weigh-ins but he did make weight. Could be interesting to see if he had a bad weight cut and if he can rehydrate properly.
Matt Riddle (6-3) vs. John Maguire (18-4) Great, the idiot is back. We have yet another gimme from matchmaker Joe Silva to Riddle who seems to just get matched up with guys that don’t pose the finish threat. I like the “Gypsy Jiu-Jitsu” practitioner but he’s just going to get out muscled and dry humped like he did in his last outing against John Hathaway. This would be a good bout to use the bathroom or get some snacks unless you enjoy watching "derp" face for 15..
WINNER-Matt Riddle by Decision
Ivan Menjivar (24-9) vs. Azamat Gashimov (7-1) “Hazmat” is welcomed to the UFC by long time veteran Menjivar who has had 25 more bouts than his opponent. The “Pride of el Salvador” has seen it all and training at Tristar only makes him better. Gashimov is going to flounder early against a far more savvy foe.
WINNER-Ivan Menjivar by Rd.1 Submission
Steven Siler (21-9) vs. Darren Elkins (14-2) “Super” has significantly improved since his days on TUF and is a shocking 3-0 for Zuffa. Elkins has gone 4-1 for said company this could be a surprisingly good fight people aren’t paying attention to. I see Siler giving Darren some of the same frustrations he found against similarly lanky Charles Oliveira in ’10. I surprise myself taking Steven by improved striking in a tough fight.
Upset Pick WINNER-Steven Siler by Decision
5 comments:
Good breakdowns
Good breakdowns
Good breakdowns
Riddle does suck.
GRAVE DIGGER!!!!!!!!!!
Post a Comment