November 4, 2017
Madison Square Garden
New York, N.Y.
Main Card on Pay-Per-View (9CT):
Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping (30-7) -110 vs. Georges St-Pierre (25-2) -105
Bisping is on the longest winning streak of his career (in the UFC) and his confidence never wains. We have no ill will for the guy to get a big payday here as he has made a career of facing PED users and nearly lost an eye in the process to lifelong cheater Vitor Belfort. AT 38, Mike knows his time is coming to an end and will likely retire here after a win or a loss. "The Count" is a technically proficient striker with occasional kicks. The Brit is underrated on the ground simply because he has tight takedown defense and tends to find a way back to his feet no matter what. Bisping will also enjoy a nice size advantage.
"Rush" has been "retired" for 4 years which could be good or bad. GSP had a lot of lingering injuries and he seemed to need the mental break even more than the physical. Georges has one of the best double-leg takedowns of all time (#1 in the UFC for most takedowns ever at 87) and in top control is where the man is most potent. St-Pierre has a high in cage I.Q. always seeming to know what needs to be done to get the win (GSP has never lost a decision) . However, none of us can know who sharp he will be after such a long absence.
Neither of these men wear damage well and we could very well see a long bloody war. Bisping might have an advantage having been working all these years, but he is also wearing down physically. GSP might be refreshed, but does he still possess the stamina and ability to wound a larger opponent in a new higher weight? They mysteries of this fight are what make it so damn fun! Flip a coin, go with your gut, or pick your favorite, but MMAFO has a hunch "our boy" will come up a tad short in a Split Decision loss to the cherished GSP who is beloved by fans and judges.
* Interesting note, GSP is 2nd all time in UFC wins at 19, right behind Mr. Bisping who has 20.
Upest Pick WINNER-Georges St-Pierre by Decision
Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt (11-0) -175 vs. #2 TJ Dillashaw (15-3) +155
Cody straight embarrassed Dominick Cruz last December annihilating the guy at his own game. Garbrandt has a chin and fist of iron and truly believes in himself with cocky confidence. Ole "Terrible Tats" isn't the smartest cat in the world and can be lured into just about anything, but he hasn't had to pay for it yet.
There is no debate that the man took the money and left Sacramento for greener pastures and the loving arms of his coach Duane Ludwig. There is nothing inherently wrong with that as he has the right to do what is financially best for himself. However, he probably could have handled the situation better, and the reputation of being a PED user and one who gets enraged in the gym hurting training partners had dogged him. "Killashaw" is a blur of motion in the cage with deft footwork and stinging strikes from all angles.
How about old Garbrandt releasing the fabled footage of himself knocking down Dillashaw two days before the fight? That our MMA fans, is gamesmanship. Unless, Cody has to pay for doing push-ups and cocky dances in the Octagon, he'll land the much harder punches and after what he did to Dominick Cruz (who defeated TJ), how can you not believe in Cody?
WINNER-Cody Garbrandt by Decision
Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-0) -750 vs. #5 Rose Namajunas (7-3) +525
"Thug" Rose got fast tracked to her 2nd title shot due to her popularity, defeat of fellow attractive fighter Michelle Waterson, and the fact Joanna has beaten almost the entire Top 10. Namajunas is a good fighter and has improved exponentially under the tutelage of underrated coach Trevor Wittman. Rose really excels in the grapping game with slick transitions and a penchant for the kill.
Where is Rose going to be better than Joanna? In the clinch? Nope. Boxing? Nope. Can she out-muscle her? Nope. There just isn't a strong path to victory for Namajunas while "Joanna Violence" has all the tools and will likely smash Rose in horrific fashion.
WINNER-Joanna Jedrzejczyk by Rd.4 TKO
#4 Stephen Thompson (13-2-1) -185 vs. Jorge Masvidal (32-12) +160
"Wonderboy," why won't you throw some of your karate kicks? Thompson last "competed" in the Worst MMA Title Fight of All Time in March for his rematch with Tyron Woodley. The worst. Ever. It was dreadful. Stephanie is a striking expert and all but damned if he wasn't frightened into a frozen stasis while dreading the takedown. Kid has gotta get out of his own head and throw something.
"Gamebred" is nothing if not a fighter. Masvidal loves a good scrap but he also has well rounded MMA skills. The ATT competitor is a complete moron of a human being, still stuck in the arrested development of a teenager who thinks he can intimidate rivals with strong swearing.
Both of these men can come out and show moments of brilliance, or just stand there and stare at their opponent, waiting to counter. You just never know with these two. Eh, we'll go with the pundits and side with narrowly with "Wonderboy."
WINNER-Stephen Thompson by Decision
"Wonderboy," why won't you throw some of your karate kicks? Thompson last "competed" in the Worst MMA Title Fight of All Time in March for his rematch with Tyron Woodley. The worst. Ever. It was dreadful. Stephanie is a striking expert and all but damned if he wasn't frightened into a frozen stasis while dreading the takedown. Kid has gotta get out of his own head and throw something.
"Gamebred" is nothing if not a fighter. Masvidal loves a good scrap but he also has well rounded MMA skills. The ATT competitor is a complete moron of a human being, still stuck in the arrested development of a teenager who thinks he can intimidate rivals with strong swearing.
Both of these men can come out and show moments of brilliance, or just stand there and stare at their opponent, waiting to counter. You just never know with these two. Eh, we'll go with the pundits and side with narrowly with "Wonderboy."
WINNER-Stephen Thompson by Decision
Johny Hendricks (18-7) +220 vs. Paulo Henrique Costa (10-0) -260
Jesus Christ "Pigg Rigg" is an absolute disaster. Hendricks has gone 2-4 since losing his belt and coincidentally, the inception of USADA in the UFC. "Fatty McLazyness" has been missing weight for his battles (even when he moved up to 185, WTF) and looks like a shell of his former self. Hendricks was hauled on a forklift to Jackson-Wink where he trained for a whole 5 minutes which is indeed an improvement.
"Borrachinha" is a monster! Homie is absolutely jacked to the gills and comes out swinging for murder. The young Brazilian has only exited the initial round a single time in his career and one wonders how his cardio will do if pushed to 7 minutes.
This is either the UFC saying, "fuck you goodbye," to Hendricks, or they haven't been paying attention. PHC is gonna come out ruthless and knock Johny's head into the balcony.
WINNER-Paulo Henrique Costa by Rd.1 KO
Joseph Duffy (17-2) -155 vs. James Vick (11-1) +135
"Irish Joe" has a brand spanking new contract in his hands and a warrior's spirit in his heart. The Irishman is impressive! Duffy has been a professional boxer and it shows in the cage with shoulder rolls, a low left hand, and great footwork. Joey can grapple just as well if not better finishing 10 opponents with various submissions.
James Vick trains at Team Gang Rape. MMAFO brings it up every time one of these cats has a bout because it is simply disgusting and should be revisited. How the media has not latched on to this horrific story (http://www.cagepotato.com/so-i-guess-we-should-talk-about-the-whole-lloyd-irvin-rape-thing/)
and demanded the UFC to ban all fighters who train with impotent Lloyd Irvin, is beyond us. Vick is a good fighter and its just as shame he is with such horrible people.
We see this going down as a close scrap on the feet with Vick's long reach giving Duffy problems early, only for Joe to take things down a notch and teach a grappling lesson to the guy to trains with the camp that loves to hold people down.
WINNER-Joseph Duffy by Rd.2 Submission
Walt Harris (10-6) -410 vs. Mark Godbeer (12-3) +330
The "Hand of" Godbeer is back. Yup. Let's move on now.
Harris needs to get one back and he'll do so here. No offense to Marky Mark, but he's not very athletic and rudimentary in each aspect of the game. Walt starches the Scot before he can get going.
WINNER-Walt Harris by Rd.1 TKO
Corey Anderson (10-3) +140 vs. Ovince Saint Preux (21-10) -160
"Beastin' Overtime" seems to have natural gifts but can't seem to put it all together. Corey is a wrestling based fighter though he doesn't always commit 100%. Anderson is a pretty good striker but it is apparent that the man is still green, though growing, and needs to move to an elite camp.
Speaking of never making the move to an elite camp, we have OSP.
The Tennessee Volunteer could have made great strides, but now at 34, its getting close to being too late. Saint Preux is a strong handed striker but he leaves himself open to counters all the time. Ovince seems to have mastered the Von Flue Choke but if he catches anyone at this point, its really on them for not knowing the basics.
Anderson's best shot here is a mixed bag of attacks and looking to wear down OSP who has shown wrestling wears him down. Corey doesn't necessarily excel on the shot and if he struggles with the takedown, OSP will piece him up on the feet. OSP also comes at opponents with such unorthodox attacks, that he could bewilder Anderson into inactivity.
WINNER-Ovince Saint Preux by Decision
Gall is set to compete for the 1st time in 2017 and takes a slight step up in competition (though how could he go lower) after facing the likes of Sage Northcutt and Phil Brooks. Mickey still trains with the Miller Brothers primarily but he has been smart enough to move around and gain wisdom from many fathers. Mickey is a slick grappler but is fairly overconfident in his striking skills. Gall got touched up pretty easily by Northcutt and needs to shore up his defensive liabilities.
Jamaica's "Rude Boy" has done alright for himself going 3-2 for the UFC and getting there via the Looking For A Fight show like fellow youngster Gall. Brown is a kickboxer who severely lacks ground experience.
This is a perfect test for both men in the early stages of their respective careers. Both have obvious flaws but great potential as well. Whenever we feel a fight is very close, we compare the combatants best traits. In a grappler versus kickboxer type of scenario like this, MMAFO generally sides with mat work as it is so much easier to gain the takedown than the knockout. Gall might get pieced up a bit on the feet, but he'll eventually earn the takedown and there Brown is near helpless.
WINNER-Mickey Gall by Rd.2 Submission
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass (5:30 CT):
Michał Oleksiejczuk (12-2) +425 vs. Ion Cutelaba (13-3, 1) -550
Olekensayjuckczuckington is actually Ion's junior at 22 and he's debuting on a 9 fight winning streak. Michal likes to force war as well and bombs will be thrown.
Oleks is more suited to 185's and a size disadvantage is not going to help against such an overwhelming force. Ion delivers the pain in highlight fashion.
WINNER-Ion Cutelaba by Rd.3 TKO
Aleksei Oleinik (52-10-1) +300 vs. Curtis Blaydes (7-1, 1) -360
"Razor" Blaydes is at the opposite end of his foe. Curtis has only been a pro for 3 years but he has equated himself well thus far only dropping a single bout to the red hot and feared Francis Ngannou. Curtis is the consummate wrestler who is still working on the other aspects of the game.
We gots a lotta love for Oleinik but his tendency to wear down, and his need to take a ton of punishment to get the game in his area, may be too much at his ripe old age against such a youngster. Blaydes wins a tepid outing.
WINNER-Curtis Blaydes by Decision
Aiemann Zahabi (7-0) +160 vs. Ricardo Ramos (10-1) -185
Firas Zahabi's lil' brother make a successful debut in the UFC in February and is looking to piggyback off that success. Aiemann seems to have that classic Tristar stare and wait approach which isn't going to due him any favors, but the guy is vastly lacking experience against opponents of note. Let's be honest, he hasn't been very active and got the shot due to his bro's name. He isn't quite ready for this level yet.
RLR also has a single win for the Endeavor company and has made the RNC his signature move. Ramos' striking has really shown improvement though his takedown defense has not. Ricardo should be able to get the nod in 15 minutes.
WINNER-Ricardo Ramos by Decision
MMAFO continues with mixed results in the picking games. Hey, at least we're honest about it. 2017 has been a rough year. But things change ain't that right boys! Here are the results from our last three outings.
Ultimate Fight Night 119 6-6
Ultimate Fight Night 118 9-2
Bellator 185 3-2
No comments:
Post a Comment