UFC 149: Faber vs. Barão
July 21, 2012
ScotiaBank Saddledome
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Yet another UFC card decimated by injury but we plug along with yet another pointless "Interim" belt bout, though the match itself could produce a "Fight of the Year" candidate. In the Canada vs The World bouts I see the world topping out with 4 wins while the Canucks come up short with 3. Hector Lombard makes his long awaited and quite overdue entrance to the UFC literally looking to murder someone while Anderson Silva and Domick Cruz watch their future foes with great interest in Cargary, Alberta, Canada (as Lance Storm used to say).
July 21, 2012
ScotiaBank Saddledome
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Yet another UFC card decimated by injury but we plug along with yet another pointless "Interim" belt bout, though the match itself could produce a "Fight of the Year" candidate. In the Canada vs The World bouts I see the world topping out with 4 wins while the Canucks come up short with 3. Hector Lombard makes his long awaited and quite overdue entrance to the UFC literally looking to murder someone while Anderson Silva and Domick Cruz watch their future foes with great interest in Cargary, Alberta, Canada (as Lance Storm used to say).
Interim Bantamweight Title Bout
Urijah Faber (26-5) vs. Renan Pegado (28-1) The "California Kid" vies for gold yet again after Dominick Cruz tore an ACL and will be out of action for quite some time. That always means the UFC needs the ever important shiney piece of metal on leather that awes the occasional MMA fans. The "Kid" blew out former Champion Brian Bowles and going 3-1 at his newest weight. "Barao" has won 28 fights in a row only losing his professional debut bringing crazy effective striking and Jiu-Jitsu from the vaunted Nova Uniao camp. Renan is known to fade in bouts while Faber has made a career of long MMA wars featuring sick scrambles, heavy hands, and tight submissions. Its hard to root against Urijah and so I won't. The Team Alpha Male leader is a brilliant tactician who weathers the beginning and pulls ahead late to set up the needed Rubber Match with the champ.
Upset Pick WINNER-Urijah Faber by Decision
Hector Lombard (31-2-1) vs. Tim Boetsch (15-4) MMAFO has long awaited the arrival of one of the legitimate meanest fighters in the world who is sporting a 24 fight winning streak against less that stellar opponents. The ATT Cuban can do it all but loves to straight smash fools with fast powerful striking that looks to kill you. The "Barbarian" has looked solid at Middleweight going 3-0 since dropping weight and last out crushed Yushin Okami by throwing him through the Octagon! Look for Lombard's speed to keep Tim off kilter while punishing the "Barbarian" who wears down as the night goes on. This is a solid debut test for Hector and the possibility of a title match with Anderson Silva looms but he must show he belongs after a long history in minor promotions crushing tomato cans.
WINNER-Hector Lombard by Decision
Cheick Kongo (17-7-2) vs. Shawn Jordan (13-3) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's elbow wasn't yet ready to go and the Jackson/Winkeljohn product gets the call. Shawn is much shorter than Kongo which may protect Jordan from the coming onslaught of low blows Cheick loves to employ illegally. I'm weary of seeing the freak of nature fight below all potential while the surprisingly athletic fire hydrant has shown improved skill in his last two wins. Everyone sees Kongo descending the Heavyweight rankings but he has hung around against all odds. Just ask Pat Barry. The "Savage" shouldn't struggle out working Cheick while avoiding being underneath the much taller opponent is a must. Its time for someone to rid us of Kongo and his patented chest bump and kiss to the sky.
Upset Pick WINNER-Shawn Jordan by Decision
Brian Ebersole (50-14-1) vs. James Head (8-2) The "Hairrow" quickly returns to action after out gaming TJ Waldburger at his own game. "Heed" is a very strong wrestler who can hang in the pocket and must avoid his amateur wrestling which will put him in the veterans savvy submission game. Brian has unique striking and reach not to mention he just out thinks his opponents in the cage all the time. The high fight IQ will serve him well against the always coming "Heed" has possesses heart and stamina but Ebersole is an underrated fighter in his 67th bout and looking to make a true run whether here at Welterweight or perhaps Lightweight.
WINNER-Brian Ebersole by Decision
Chris Clements (11-4) vs. Matt Riddle (6-3) Why can't someone put the idiot that is Matt Riddle out of the UFC yet? The guys throws away all strategy during bouts and quite frankly isn't good yet sneaks by with wins over terrible Welterweights. The Canadian "Menace" has won his last 5 and wants to turn this into an all out brawl that Riddle won't be able to resist. If Matt was smart he would ground his opponent and out wrestle his mat challenged foe, but he probably won't. Maybe I'm too jaded in my hate of the douche bag but I'm leaning toward the underdog.
Upset Pick WINNER-Chris Clements by Decision
Prelims (FX):
Court McGee (13-2) vs. Nick Ring (12-1) [Rematch] A sort of Rematch from an amateur TUF bout between two fighters that continue to be unimpressive in their averageness. The "Crusher" starts slow but seems to excel as the fight goes along especially when he gets hit. Ring's power top game is going to stuff McGee into uncomfortable positions grinding him down while the crowd gets a short nap. Nick can also employ a power bottom defense bucking off his assailant and scrambling for his own finish though the bout goes the distance.
WINNER-Nick Ring by Decision
Roland Delorme (8-1) vs. Francisco Rivera (8-2) The "Stunning" Canuck has won both of his UFC bouts with the classic RNC while "Cisco" will be looking to bang things out on the feet only. Roland is known for taking punishment and Francisco is ready to deliver with serious power that will rattle Delorme early and often.
WINNER-Francisco Rivera by Rd.2 TKO
Ryan Jimmo (16-1) vs. Anthony Perosh (13-6) "Big Deal" has won 16 bouts in a row only losing in his professional debut! The veteran "Hippo" has been surprisingly effective the last couple of years and will look to pull the Canadian to the ground avoiding his opponents strongest area and getting things into his Jiu-Jitsu world. Jimmo is going to punish Tony who lacks decent and protective stand up defense employing his will while taking things carefully.
WINNER-Ryan Jimmo by Rd.2 TKO
Bryan Caraway (16-5) vs. Mitch Gagnon (8-1) The man known as "Miesha Tate's Boyfriend" won his Zuffa return bout with his 14th career submission training with Team Alpha Male. The Canadian is riding a nice 6 fight winning streak and will oblige the ground game going choke for choke. Bryan has been better tested in his career and excels with the game plan from one of the top teams in MMA.
WINNER-Bryan Caraway by Decision
Court McGee (13-2) vs. Nick Ring (12-1) [Rematch] A sort of Rematch from an amateur TUF bout between two fighters that continue to be unimpressive in their averageness. The "Crusher" starts slow but seems to excel as the fight goes along especially when he gets hit. Ring's power top game is going to stuff McGee into uncomfortable positions grinding him down while the crowd gets a short nap. Nick can also employ a power bottom defense bucking off his assailant and scrambling for his own finish though the bout goes the distance.
WINNER-Nick Ring by Decision
Roland Delorme (8-1) vs. Francisco Rivera (8-2) The "Stunning" Canuck has won both of his UFC bouts with the classic RNC while "Cisco" will be looking to bang things out on the feet only. Roland is known for taking punishment and Francisco is ready to deliver with serious power that will rattle Delorme early and often.
WINNER-Francisco Rivera by Rd.2 TKO
Ryan Jimmo (16-1) vs. Anthony Perosh (13-6) "Big Deal" has won 16 bouts in a row only losing in his professional debut! The veteran "Hippo" has been surprisingly effective the last couple of years and will look to pull the Canadian to the ground avoiding his opponents strongest area and getting things into his Jiu-Jitsu world. Jimmo is going to punish Tony who lacks decent and protective stand up defense employing his will while taking things carefully.
WINNER-Ryan Jimmo by Rd.2 TKO
Bryan Caraway (16-5) vs. Mitch Gagnon (8-1) The man known as "Miesha Tate's Boyfriend" won his Zuffa return bout with his 14th career submission training with Team Alpha Male. The Canadian is riding a nice 6 fight winning streak and will oblige the ground game going choke for choke. Bryan has been better tested in his career and excels with the game plan from one of the top teams in MMA.
WINNER-Bryan Caraway by Decision
Prelims (Facebook):
Antonio Carvalho (13-5) vs. Daniel Pineda (17-8) Pineda has gone 2-1 for Zuffa losing a spirited Decision to now retired former Champion Mike Thomas Brown. Daniel is a very aggressive fighter but "Pato" would like to strike as well which leads to his downfall as he just isn't as good as his opponent anywhere.
WINNER-Daniel Pineda by Decision
Mitch Clarke (9-1) vs. Anton Kuivanen (16-5) The Fin has made the move to ATT and is looking to rebound from his debut loss with his good grappling game. The homeland Canadian also lost his debut and is looking for the submission. Mitch has a solid chance on the ground but Anton is more well rounded and has the advantage standing and in grappling if he avoids the sub.
WINNER-Anton Kuivanen by Decision
Antonio Carvalho (13-5) vs. Daniel Pineda (17-8) Pineda has gone 2-1 for Zuffa losing a spirited Decision to now retired former Champion Mike Thomas Brown. Daniel is a very aggressive fighter but "Pato" would like to strike as well which leads to his downfall as he just isn't as good as his opponent anywhere.
WINNER-Daniel Pineda by Decision
Mitch Clarke (9-1) vs. Anton Kuivanen (16-5) The Fin has made the move to ATT and is looking to rebound from his debut loss with his good grappling game. The homeland Canadian also lost his debut and is looking for the submission. Mitch has a solid chance on the ground but Anton is more well rounded and has the advantage standing and in grappling if he avoids the sub.
WINNER-Anton Kuivanen by Decision
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