World Series Of Fighting Inaugural Card Picks & Prognostications

World Series Of Fighting

Main Card 
Andrei Arlovski vs. Devin Cole The “Pitbull” won 2 in a row and then got a NC for booting arch rival Tim Sylvia in the face in a bout he was about to win and for all purposes still won.  Cole has won 2 in a row but hasn’t fought this year as he dealt with a rape charge which thwarted his journeyman career.  We all still question the glass jaw of Arlovski but he has gained a bit of confidence training with Jackson/Winkeljohn and still possesses fast powerful hands though he does lack the courage to engage fully at times despite his posing with a scary mouthpiece.  There shouldn’t be much coming from Cole who was never that great and at age 36 he’s not getting any better.  Devin can throw a bit but the percentages say Andrei gets the win in calculated fashion.
WINNER-Andrei Arlovski by Decision

Anthony Johnson vs. D.J. Linderman “Rumble” torpedoed his early career failing to make weight time and time again.  Johnson finally wised up realizing it wasn’t a good idea to try and drop 50 lbs. per fight and the massive 205er kept his power and reach while compiling a 3 fight winning streak since getting bounced from the UFC.  Johnson will use his agility to light up DJ peppering him with strikes and looking for the high head kick which he loves to throw and has been improving with his Blackzilian camp.  Linderman has a solid chin and is hard to finish but he’s out of his depth here as he tests his ability to take punishment like Sasha Grey’s asshole. 
WINNER-Anthony Johnson by Decision

Miguel Torres vs. Marlon Moraes “Angel,” another former UFC star cast aside, fights his 1st non-Zuffa bout and comes in with a massive experience edge of 45 professional bouts and was the former WEC Bantamweight Champion.  Moraes fights out of the Armory and won 2 in a row over at XFC but he is about to get annihilated by a motivated and angry veteran.  The master mullet will be looking to make a statement but hopefully the utterance isn’t another ill received rape joke.  I mean, I thought they were funny but most did not. 
WINNER-Miguel Torres by Rd.1 TKO

Tyrone Spong vs. Travis Bartlett The “King of Fighting” makes his MMA debut after becoming a successful K-1 kickboxer at a young age.  Spong sported a kickboxing record of 68-6 with 42 KO’s and there is no doubt about his striking prowess.  The question is whether Tyrone can avoid the ground or if taken there survive.  This bout reminds me of when Cung Le made his MMA debut and like in that case we get a sacrificial lamb who didn’t feel the need to make weight.  Its highlight reel time as Spong destroys Bartlett unleashing terrible violence.
WINNER-Tyrone Spong by Rd.1 KO

Gregor Gracie vs. Tyson Steele Gregor has a certain last name that I guess still sells, but he is, of course, a Jiu-Jitsu bad ass.  Steele is also a submission fighter which means he is in a world of hurt not being able to threaten Gregor on the feet.  We have a grappling match and there Tyson has little hope unless he can summon Obi Won Kenobi.
WINNER-Gregor Gracie by Rd.2 Submission

Prelims
Ronys Torres vs. Brian Cobb Ronys got a bit of a bad rep losing both of his UFC bouts but the cat is a legit lightweight from the heralded Nova Uniao camp in Brazil.  Torres has since won 11 bouts in a row (granted to lesser competition) with only 3 reaches the judges.  The “Bandit” is a decent wrestler who will be willing to grapple versus Torres’ Jiu-Jitsu in a clash of styles.  Don’t expect much on the feet but plan on seeing one of the closer fights on the card with Cobb getting the judges favor.
WINNER-Brian Cobb by Decision

Steve Carl vs. Ramiro Blackmon Carl is a submission stud who taps victims 72% of the time while the “General” has won 7 in a row relying on his sick Olympic level wrestling but is also facing father time at age 40.  The difference is that Steve is a more well rounded fighter who can strike a bit as well and won’t need a walker to enter the cage.
WINNER-Steve Carl by Rd.3 Submission

Gerald Harris vs. Josh Burkman Two more UFC veterans look to get the favor of big brother once again in an important bout for both men's careers.  The “Hurricane” has won 4 in a row but hasn’t really got his groove back since going 3-1 for Zuffa.  The finishing ability has not been there recently and you wonder where Gerald’s head is at these days as he has scraped by.  Josh fell off the planet when he left the Baldfather’s roster but got back in the swing winning twice this year.  The TUF alum both enjoy wrestling but Harris is making his 2nd attempt at Welterweight where Josh has long fought.  Just because I like Gerald and am annoyed by Burkman I’ll take the “Hurricane” to go all Sandy on Josh’s ass.
WINNER-Gerald Harris by Decision

Gesias Cavalcante vs. TJ O'Brien “JZ” was once an elite Lightweight until the dreaded 2008.  Then “JZ” went 2-5-2 battling a myriad of injuries and suffered his 1st KO loss in his last outing.  TJ has been much more successful as of late but he hasn’t faced the same level of competition by any stroke of the imagination.  Can “JZ’s” work with the Blackzilians turns things around or will he fall to another average fighter?  If Cavalcante has absolutely anything left, he has to let it go here against a submission only fighter or face the death of his career.  Back against the wall I’m giving Gesias one last chance to show a semblance of what he used to be.
WINNER-Gesias Cavalcante by Decision

Dave Branch vs. Dustin Jacoby The Renzo Gracie student has always been sturdy only faltering toward the top of Middleweight division.  Jacoby is strike heavy but will find himself being ground down over the course of 15 minutes unable to get anything of note going against a more diverse fighter.
WINNER-Dave Branch by Decision

Waylon Lowe vs Fabio Mello Waylon is an ATT Featherweight known primarily for his fabulous sun tattoo over his belly button striking fear into queens everywhere.  Lowe has powerful hands but they are slow coming and tends to grapple.  The 37 year old has won 7 in a row but his career highlight is lasting 15 minutes with UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo.  Its a who wins who cares kinda thing but I'll go with the guy I've actually seen.
WINNER-Waylon Lowe by Decision