Pride FC Open Weight Grand Prix Round 2

July 1st, the 2nd Round of the Open Weight Grand Prix takes place. Things now get more interesting with Fedor stepping aside (due to injury) and Wanderlei Silva stepping in. This is the cream of the crop fighting in perhaps, the greatest MMA tournament to date.

Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro " Nogueira (27-3-1) vs Fabricio Werdum (8-1-1): This should be a ground and submission battle, with both being very skilled here. Fabricio has been working on his stand up with Cro Cop, but Rod has a thick Noggin and a KO probably wont' be a factor. Minotauro has more experience and skills. Antonio should win this bout and continue on as the favorite to win the Grand Prix. WINNER-Nogueira by submission rd.2

Mirko "Cro Cop" (18-4-2) vs Hidehiko Yoshida (7-3-1): This will be a close fight, or a blowout (I like to cover my ass on picks). Yoshida is the judo master on the ground, while Cro Cop is one of the most feared strikers in the world. Cro Cop can sprawl well, and must, keeping Yoshida away with the jab setting up a high kick. Mirko must not let this get to the judges card either, where he has tasted recent defeats and Yoshida being the hometown hero. Yoshida will brawl (as evident with his fights against Silva) and Cro Cop should try to lure him into a slugfest. Cro Cop has come so close to being "the" elite fighter, he is hungry enough to do whatever is takes to advance on in the tournament. WINNER-Cro Cop by TKO rd.1

"The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva (30-5-1) vs Kazuyuki "Ironhead" Fujita (13-4): Yet another great match made by Pride (UFC take note). Both men are stand up fighters who throw to absolutely kill you. Fujita has never been KO'd and has much more weight on Silva. Wanderlei will be must faster with strikes as well as more accurate. Don't look for the submission in this fight (Note:Silva has never submitted anyone in his 36 fights!). This fight will probably go on and on. Silva must win on points and avoid being KO'd. WINNER-Silva by decision

Josh "Lovehandles" Barnett (17-3) vs Mark "Larger Love Handles" Hunt(5-1): Both men like to bang, but Barnett has far more skills on the ground and all around better game. Still, only Yoshida has been able to take Hunt down and do anything with it. Recent losses aside, Barnett has been very impressive in his career and should find a way to win this provided, he avoids the KO blow. WINNER-Barnett by decision

Non-Tournament Matches:

Nakamura (8-5) vs "Cyborg" Santos (14-8): Both of these men are susceptible to being caught off guard. Cyborg is making his debut against the Japanese Judo expert. Its Chute Box (Santos) vs Yoshida Dojo, two great camps. Obviously, the ground will defeat Santos while the stand up will be owned by Cyborg. WINNER-Nakamura by submission rd.1

Vitor "The Disappointment" Belfort (13-7) vs Yoshiki Takahashi (28-13-3): Merry X-Mas Vitor! Pride has given you a 37 year old gift to beat by KO. This is a building match, trying to get Vitor respectable again, so they can feed him to Wanderlei later this year. Look for Vitor to screw it up some way or another. I almost can't watch, leery of what nonsense Vitor will pull next. Since the thigh is magically healed.....WINNER-Belfort by KO rd.1 (surely?)

Antonio Rogerio "Minotoro" Nogueira (11-2) vs Alistair "Demolition Man"Overeem (24-7): Look closely ladies and gents, this may not be who you think it is. Rogerio not Rodrigo (who is fighting on this same card against Werdum). MinotOro not MinotAUro. Get it? Anywho, Nog's twin brother is returning after a loss in June of last year. Overeem is coming off a win in a lame ass bout (I can't use the word fight) against Belfort. MinotOro is a decision fighter who doesn't finish fights well while Overeem can strike and submit when in good shape. This could be a very close fight with two solid fighters. Clincher, Overeem already beat this guy by decision in February of 2005. I don't see this rematch much differently. WINNER-Overeem by decision

Yoshihiro "Kiss Of Death" Nakao (4-0) vs Lee Eun Su (?-?): Nakao is the guy who in K-1, thought he should give Heath Herring a kiss before their match on New Year's Eve. Heath promptly KO'd him before the match began, and Nakao is taken out on a stretcher. Fastforward to now, Nakao is the "Heavyweight Hope" for the Japanese. I have no friggin clue who Lee Eun Su is, but I'm guessing he is a punching bag for the "Next Fujita." Nakao is hyped up so much for the Japanese he should do something stupid here (like maybe try to grab Su's ass before the fight). WINNER-Nakao by TKO rd.1

Pawel Nastula (0-2) vs Edson Drago (9-0): I'm going out on a limb on this one....WINNER-Drago by KO rd.1

Besides the final fight, this is a stacked card with some of the best fighters in the world. The PPV is worth it for the tournament part alone. UFC should pay attention after the horrible show they put on Wednesday (Ultimate Fight Night 5). There should be a lot of really close matches on this card so sit back and enjoy!-MMA Mafia