September 5, 2014
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Ledyard, Connecticut
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Ledyard, Connecticut
Main Card on Fox Sports 1:
Ronaldo Souza (20-3) vs. Gegard Mousasi (35-4-2) Rematch
Its been 8 years since these 2 men met back in DREAM, and both have significantly improved their games. This, should be a real impressive and entertaining Main Event with two of the best Middleweights in the game today!
Ronaldo Souza (20-3) vs. Gegard Mousasi (35-4-2) Rematch
Its been 8 years since these 2 men met back in DREAM, and both have significantly improved their games. This, should be a real impressive and entertaining Main Event with two of the best Middleweights in the game today!
“Jacare” was always known as a Jiu Jitsu player back when he was Strikeforce Champion, but now the X Gym member is really putting the hands together and has true power in the hands. This guy, THIS GUY, is MMAFO’s only pick to eventually defeat Chris Weidman!
We have always trumpeted the game of “Sweet Sassy” Mousasi, but he does have porous takedown defense which is a worry for sure against one of the greatest grapplers ever in MMA! Gegard lit up Mark Munoz in May before tapping him out, and really hung well in a stock rising loss to Lyoto Machida back in February. Striking with distance is the key for the “Dreamcatcher.”
This is easily one of the best match ups of the year and free on TV! Its hard to see Gegard being able to avoid the takedown for the full 25 minutes. The rub, is that as the fight goes on, “Jacare” slows, while Mousasi improves. This is anybody’s fight but we just slightly favor Souza to win enough rounds, especially early, to hang on for the judges nod.
WINNER Ronaldo Souza by Decision
Alistair Overeem (37-13,1) vs. Ben Rothwell (33-9)
Really? You’re better now that you kicked the TRT Mr. Rothwell. Really? You’re a cheater and you’ve never been a good fighter. “Ubereem’s” gonna knee you in the gut so hard you shit onto the Octagon mat before the world. Tim Sylvia could beat Ben and that’s not a shot at Sylvia, but more of a why doesn’t anyone in the MMA world give big Tim any credit? The “Reem” might just win by decapitation but however it happens, Rothwell loses.
WINNER Alistair Overeem by Total Destruction
Matt Mitrione (7-3) vs. Derrick Lewis (11-2,1)
Lewis won his debut, and feeling his oats, called out “Meathead” which Mitrione initially shrugged off, until Joe Silva agreed that it could be a good fight.
This is easily one of the best match ups of the year and free on TV! Its hard to see Gegard being able to avoid the takedown for the full 25 minutes. The rub, is that as the fight goes on, “Jacare” slows, while Mousasi improves. This is anybody’s fight but we just slightly favor Souza to win enough rounds, especially early, to hang on for the judges nod.
WINNER Ronaldo Souza by Decision
Alistair Overeem (37-13,1) vs. Ben Rothwell (33-9)
Really? You’re better now that you kicked the TRT Mr. Rothwell. Really? You’re a cheater and you’ve never been a good fighter. “Ubereem’s” gonna knee you in the gut so hard you shit onto the Octagon mat before the world. Tim Sylvia could beat Ben and that’s not a shot at Sylvia, but more of a why doesn’t anyone in the MMA world give big Tim any credit? The “Reem” might just win by decapitation but however it happens, Rothwell loses.
WINNER Alistair Overeem by Total Destruction
Matt Mitrione (7-3) vs. Derrick Lewis (11-2,1)
Lewis won his debut, and feeling his oats, called out “Meathead” which Mitrione initially shrugged off, until Joe Silva agreed that it could be a good fight.
Lewis is an enormous Heavyweight who actually cuts to make the 265 lb. limit! The guy can punch holes through men but needs to get in close to do so.
Mitrione don’t give a fuck! Matt’s got great leg kicks, is a natural and fast athlete, and we at MMAFO are big fans (homers!). “Meathead” has really great angles to his striking and using the kicks to keep at distance, Matty picks him apart for 15.
Upset Pick WINNER Matt Mitrione by Damned Decision
Joe Lauzon (23-9) vs. Michael Chiesa (11-1)
Its a battle of the Jiu Jitsu masters! “J Lau” is as game as they come, bringing the heart that makes Bostonian’s proud, and attacks with submissions from any position!
Upset Pick WINNER Matt Mitrione by Damned Decision
Joe Lauzon (23-9) vs. Michael Chiesa (11-1)
Its a battle of the Jiu Jitsu masters! “J Lau” is as game as they come, bringing the heart that makes Bostonian’s proud, and attacks with submissions from any position!
Chiesa is just as good on the ground, and loves, loves, loves, the RNC. Mike’s striking is just gawd awful but he makes things ugly to get you where he wants you.
So, initially you would think these two men are mirror images of each other, but not so much. Joe is hittable but the guy does have boxing to go with his long arms unlike the fellow long limbed Mikey. If, IF, Joe has the gas in the tank like he did against Jim Miller, its his fight by a narrow margin.
Upset Pick WINNER Joe Lauzon by Decison
Nik Lentz (25-6-2) vs. Charles Oliveira (18-4) Rematch
These two originally met at 155, but nothing was settled after an illegal knee rendered the fight a NC. Now they do the damn thing again at 145 looking for an honest winner.
Upset Pick WINNER Joe Lauzon by Decison
Nik Lentz (25-6-2) vs. Charles Oliveira (18-4) Rematch
These two originally met at 155, but nothing was settled after an illegal knee rendered the fight a NC. Now they do the damn thing again at 145 looking for an honest winner.
“Do Bronx” is only 24, but has a ton of experience against the likes of Frankie Edgar, Cub Swanson, Jim Miller, Donald Cerrone, and defeated Jonathan Brookins and even tapped contender Hatsu Hioki last June. Oliveira’s Jiu Jistu is crazy good, and the long limbed Brazilian can use his range to strike as well.
The “Carny” is a super tough wrestler who can usually aggressively wear opponents down. Lentz is a punisher but not so naturally athletic and needs top position to be effective.
Nik has shown transitional striking which sneaks up on opponents, but the younger and more dynamic Oliveira is easily a better striker. The Jitz game is so slick and dangerous, you can be tapping before you know you’re in a submission. Charles was also whipping that ass in the 1st meeting and has only gotten better in the time since.
WINNER Charles Oliveira by Rd.2 Submission
John Moraga (14-3) vs. Justin Scoggins (9-1)
“Scogger” stormed into the UFC looking like Zach Makovsky in that he can chain strikes into takedowns like it ain’t not thang, and can run for days. MMAFO came in calling this guy a future title contender and thus, caused him to lose his last fight to Dustin Ortiz. Sorry ‘bout that kid.
WINNER Charles Oliveira by Rd.2 Submission
John Moraga (14-3) vs. Justin Scoggins (9-1)
“Scogger” stormed into the UFC looking like Zach Makovsky in that he can chain strikes into takedowns like it ain’t not thang, and can run for days. MMAFO came in calling this guy a future title contender and thus, caused him to lose his last fight to Dustin Ortiz. Sorry ‘bout that kid.
Moraga has been to the top and though he didn’t threaten Demetrious Johnson much in the title tilt, he’s faced the Champ, perennial #1 contender John Dodson, and defeated Dustin Ortiz who just defeated Scoggins. Moraga is good, not great, in a rather shallow division.
ATT’s Justin, has a karate background and brings crazy good strikes from all angles not to mention, he’s also better on the mat that Moraga who struggles to get off his back. John will need to do the Ortiz and hold Scoggins down and good luck with that.
WINNER Justin Scoggins by Decision
ATT’s Justin, has a karate background and brings crazy good strikes from all angles not to mention, he’s also better on the mat that Moraga who struggles to get off his back. John will need to do the Ortiz and hold Scoggins down and good luck with that.
WINNER Justin Scoggins by Decision
Prelims on Fox Sports 1:
Al Iaquinta (8-3-1) vs. Rodrigo Damm (12-7)
Al had the win in the bag last out, until the Serra/Longo coaches in his corner told him how great he was doing on the mat and he went out and immediately got tapped in the 2nd. Clearly, Al is a powerful striker and is no doubt, working the Jiu Jitsu with Matt “We’re Breathing Chris” Serra.
Al Iaquinta (8-3-1) vs. Rodrigo Damm (12-7)
Al had the win in the bag last out, until the Serra/Longo coaches in his corner told him how great he was doing on the mat and he went out and immediately got tapped in the 2nd. Clearly, Al is a powerful striker and is no doubt, working the Jiu Jitsu with Matt “We’re Breathing Chris” Serra.
Damm is known for his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which by reputation should keep Iaquinta desperate to stay vertical. Rodrigo can also get clipped and go down which is likely before the judges get their say.
WINNER Al Iaquinta by Rd.2 TKO
Rafael Natal (17-6-1) vs. Chris Camozzi (19-8)
“Grenade Chest” is on a 3 fight skid but the guy brings the fight which is why the UFC is giving him this final chance. Chris has faced top tier competition and has a wealth of UFC experience. Camozzi isn’t going to KO anyone anytime soon, but his volume causes a lot of problems and damage for opponents.
“Sapo” has never impressed the MMAFO staff throughout his UFC run. He is a grappler, and nothing more. Sure the ground skills are good, not great, but that is all he has and the gas tank reads empty more often than it should.
Camozzi should get this just on out working the Brazilian in a long, long fight.
WINNER Chris Camozzi by Decision
Chris Beal (9-0) vs. Tateki Matsuda (10 5)
Beal is a crazy good striker as evident with his flying knee KO debut for Zuffa. The kid is an all around athlete and Matsuda, who comes in on short notice, is also a boxer, just not as good.
WINNER Chris Beal by Decision
Sean Soriano (8-1) vs. Chas Skelly (12-1)
Well, our good ole buddy Chas, yes again, his name is Chas, is back after fighting a mere 13 days ago looking to break Chris Leben’s 14 day record for fastest UFC turnaround. Skelly, of Team Takedown which is primarily a wrestling camp, is a much better grappler than his opponent and that is where he must ply his trade.
WINNER Al Iaquinta by Rd.2 TKO
Rafael Natal (17-6-1) vs. Chris Camozzi (19-8)
“Grenade Chest” is on a 3 fight skid but the guy brings the fight which is why the UFC is giving him this final chance. Chris has faced top tier competition and has a wealth of UFC experience. Camozzi isn’t going to KO anyone anytime soon, but his volume causes a lot of problems and damage for opponents.
“Sapo” has never impressed the MMAFO staff throughout his UFC run. He is a grappler, and nothing more. Sure the ground skills are good, not great, but that is all he has and the gas tank reads empty more often than it should.
Camozzi should get this just on out working the Brazilian in a long, long fight.
WINNER Chris Camozzi by Decision
Chris Beal (9-0) vs. Tateki Matsuda (10 5)
Beal is a crazy good striker as evident with his flying knee KO debut for Zuffa. The kid is an all around athlete and Matsuda, who comes in on short notice, is also a boxer, just not as good.
WINNER Chris Beal by Decision
Sean Soriano (8-1) vs. Chas Skelly (12-1)
Well, our good ole buddy Chas, yes again, his name is Chas, is back after fighting a mere 13 days ago looking to break Chris Leben’s 14 day record for fastest UFC turnaround. Skelly, of Team Takedown which is primarily a wrestling camp, is a much better grappler than his opponent and that is where he must ply his trade.
The Blackzilian’s Soriano is a striker’s delight, who has quick combinations but it pretty raw everywhere else. Kawajiri also showed he has troubles with the takedown defense which will land him right into Skelly’s world.
Sean could put the punches early and stop Chas, but Chas, yes Chas, has all the advantages after the 1st few minutes. Take Skelly to use his fearless attitude and want to impress the Zuffa brass.
WINNER Chas Skelly by Rd.3 Submission
WINNER Chas Skelly by Rd.3 Submission
UFC Fight Night Connecticut Start Times
Prelims on Fox Sports 1: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Main Card on Fox Sports 1: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
Prelims on Fox Sports 1: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Main Card on Fox Sports 1: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
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