UFC Fight Night 23 “Fight for the Troops 2″
January 22, 2011
Fort Hood, Texas
Main Bouts (On Spike TV):
Melvin Guillard (26-8-2) vs. Evan Dunham (11-1) Everyone fell in love with Dunham after he was robbed of a decision over Sean Sherk, which cost him his undefeated record, and he handled it with total class and grace. Mel is still Mel even if you put him in Greg Jackson's camp. Since joining the Arizona MMA team Mel has matured but also lost his killer instinct. Evan has far more honed tools in the MMA toolbox and as long as he avoids the 1-punch KO power, he should hold sway in an exciting main event.
WINNER-Evan Dunham by Decision
Matt Mitrione (3-0) vs. Tim Hague (12-4) Everyone has started to love "Meathead" as well but he has earned my adoration with amazing poise in the Octagon as well as very fast hands and an iron chin. Hague is a big guy but will not have the hand speed to stand with Matt and would be best served to hit the mat and look for some G&P. It won't happen. Expect a fun stand up war with Mitrione smiling all the way to the bank with superior footwork and athleticism.
WINNER-Matt Mitrione by Decision
Mark Hominick (19-8) vs. George Roop (11-6-1) Should Hominick win this bout, he will become the new £1 contender for Jose Aldo. Roop was not given the same oration. George has improved greatly in recent years and his 6'1" frame and length give everyone problems but Hominick has just vastly more stand up experience though I doubt his stopping power. Neither man will be earning a Jiu Jitsu blackbelt any time soon but they are both decent as well. The odds makers really like Hominick but I think this fight could be much closer than people think and I'm not confident betting on either man.
* Both men fight for Team Tompkins but it was Roop who had to leave and find a new camp for this bout.
WINNER-Mark Hominick by Decision
Pat Barry (5-2) vs. Joey Beltran (12-4) "HD" is back from a debilitating loss to Mirko Cro Cop as Beltran returns from a spirited loss to Barry's homeboy Matt Mitrione. I really like the "Mexicutioner" but I just don't think he can hang at the UFC level. The guy has good cardio, hands, and heart, but perhaps not the talent. Pat comes in the K-1 striking machine who could get tapped out on the floor by Kimbo Slice. Joe had better duck and run because Barry is angry, in great shape, looking to erase the high fives, kissing and injuries that mocked his last outing. Joey has a chin, but death looms.
WINNER-Pat Barry by Rd.2 TKO
Cole Miller (17-4) vs. Matt Wiman (12-5) The "Shit Talking Nerd" meets "Handsome" in a winner stays relevant and loser does not. I have no clue in picking Wiman fights. Sometimes he comes in looking like a world beater and sometimes he looks like a total shit C-level fighter. Cole is consistently intense and ATT has made this kid good. Miller is just dirty on the floor and has made great strides in his striking as Ross Pearson found out. I have changed my mind on Miller (now believing he is a good fighter) and expect him to tap Matt but with that cat who knows?
WINNER-Cole Miller by Rd.3 Submission
Prelims (On Facebook.com/UFC):
Cody McKenzie (12-0) vs. Yves Edwards (39-16-1) Yves is making his last run in the UFC and faces the goofy master of the guillotine. Cody has what must be a record 10 bouts in a row with said guillotine. That's cute but Edwards is going to show this kid how a true mixed martial artist veteran fights. This is the most lopsided bout on the card for me and think Edwards makes some easy money here.
Prelims (On Facebook.com/UFC):
Cody McKenzie (12-0) vs. Yves Edwards (39-16-1) Yves is making his last run in the UFC and faces the goofy master of the guillotine. Cody has what must be a record 10 bouts in a row with said guillotine. That's cute but Edwards is going to show this kid how a true mixed martial artist veteran fights. This is the most lopsided bout on the card for me and think Edwards makes some easy money here.
WINNER-Yves Edwards by Guillotine!
DaMarques Johnson (11-8) vs. Mike Guymon (12-4-1) I don't care for either fighter and neither will be employed with the UFC at the end of '11 so whatever.
WINNER-DaMarques Johnson by Decision
Prelims (Non-Televised):
Mike Thomas Brown (24-7) vs. Rani Yahya (15-6) "MTB" has not pleased with losing a Split-Decision last time out and jumped at the chance to fill in and start 2011 correct. Yahya will always be a limited fighter with Jiu Jitsu and nothing else while MTB is going to crush your soul. It won't be pretty and Rani should just run as Devildriver would say.
Waylon Lowe (9-3) vs. Willamy Freire (17-3) I'll take the Shooto Champion to represent Japan well and pull off a submission.
Charlie Brenneman (12-2) vs. Amilcar Alves (11-2) I'm a big Brenneman proponent and believe he will control Alves just like another wrestler in Mike Pierce did in Amilcar's last outing.
Will Campuzano (8-3) vs. Chris Cariaso (10-2) This should be a fun Bantamweight battle.
Prelims (Non-Televised):
Mike Thomas Brown (24-7) vs. Rani Yahya (15-6) "MTB" has not pleased with losing a Split-Decision last time out and jumped at the chance to fill in and start 2011 correct. Yahya will always be a limited fighter with Jiu Jitsu and nothing else while MTB is going to crush your soul. It won't be pretty and Rani should just run as Devildriver would say.
*MTB is the only ranked fighter on the entire card.
WINNER-MTB by Destruction
Waylon Lowe (9-3) vs. Willamy Freire (17-3) I'll take the Shooto Champion to represent Japan well and pull off a submission.
WINNER-Will Freire by look above
Charlie Brenneman (12-2) vs. Amilcar Alves (11-2) I'm a big Brenneman proponent and believe he will control Alves just like another wrestler in Mike Pierce did in Amilcar's last outing.
WINNER-Charlie Brenneman by Decision
Will Campuzano (8-3) vs. Chris Cariaso (10-2) This should be a fun Bantamweight battle.
WINNER-Cariaso?
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