Yep, it's that time again where I sling some picks at you, so without further babbling let's get started
Clay Guida Vs. Marcus Aurelio (155, Lightweight)
Aurelio is yet another Pride fighting making the switch to the UFC. Coming off a split decision loss to Gomi is nothing to be ashamed of, while Guida is also coming off a split decision loss to Tyson Griffin and in that fight they stole the show. Expect a fast moving exciting fight and another decision, probably split, but as to who wins, I say flip a coin. Should be an awesome fight though.
Frank Mir Vs. Antoni Hardonk (Heavyweight)
Former Heavyweight champ Frank Mir returns, but maybe he should stick to mic work for the WEC. Hardonk is a hard luck fighter, he can't seem to find a way to kick his game into full throttle and get off the roller coaster up and down track he's been on. Two ways this fight goes: Either Mir takes him to the ground and uses his superior BJJ skills or Hardonk forces him to the later rounds and Mir gases out as he always does. I'll take Hardonk by decision.
Renato Sobral Vs. David Heath (205, Light Heavyweight)
David Heath is up and coming, Sobral is well established but people seem to be dumping on him after back to back losses to The Iceman and The Punisher, which I think is wrong. Sobral is beyond a doubt the most talented grappler in the weightclass, but his striking needs a lot of work still. Sobral is a gutty fighter who you have to put clean out or he'll find a way to finish you. Heath is coming off a loss to Machida who's a monster, but Heath needs to keep this on the feet. I see Sobral finding a way to force this to the ground.
Ryan Jensen Vs. Thales Leites (185, Middleweight)
Jensen is a submission wiz from the lower fight circuit making his debut, not a fun fighter to debut against. Leites punishes people in his fights and is looking for a good brawl. I suspect cage shock and Leites heavy hands with give Leites the win.
Patrick Cote Vs. Kendell Grove (185, Middleweight)
Cote has had great success in Canada, but it doesn't seem to be translating here in the UFC. Cote came close to beating Lutter for a shot at Anderson Silva, but a mental mistake cost him. Grove trains with Tito, and while I despise Tito, there is no one who trains as hard as Tito. Expect a decent stand up war, but for Grove to take it to the ground where Cote has shown he is weak. Grove squeaks out a victory.
Kurt Pelligrino Vs. Joe Stevenson (155, Lightweight)
Batman is a solid fighter (have to be to have a 16 and 2 record), but Joe is the man now that Franca and Sherk have been suspended. Expect Joe to show his experience factor and to dominate the ground game and win. I expect Joe to establish himself as next in line for a shot at the king in this fight.
Josh Koscheck Vs. George St. Pierre (170, Welterweight)
Two talented men looking for a title shot, should make for a great fight if Kos shows a little agression which was sorely lacking in his last fight with Diego. GSP will have his hands full with Koscheck's wreslting and take downs, but his hands should be dominant in this fight. GSP should win by keeping it on the feet and showing Kos that dancing in the octagon is not the way to win a fight.
Roger Huerta Vs. Alberto Crane (155, Lightweight)
King of the Cage vet Crane steps up to the big show and brings his submission crazy offensive with him. But Huerta seems to be the new face of the division and will probably be facing Stevenson shortly to either determine a number one contender or as a Lighweight title fight to fill a vacancy left by the suspended by the suspension of Sherk. I think Huerta wins by keeping it on the feet.
Randy Couture Vs. Gabriel Gonzaga (Heavyweight Title Fight)
Oh Captain America, is there anything you can't do? And Mr. Gonzaga, where did you learn to steal Cro Cop's game? This should be an outstanding main event. Randy will push the fight to Gonzaga, something the counter fighter Cro Cop didn't do. Randy's hands were shown to be better than anyone thought against Sylvia, but Gonzaga knocked out the most feared striker in the heavyweight division in Cro Cop, I'll call it a draw here. Randy has the edge in wrestling, but Gonzaga is a BJJ expert. Somehow, someway I believe Randy guts this out and retains his title in a 5 round war.
THat's it folks, let me know what you think
Clay Guida Vs. Marcus Aurelio (155, Lightweight)
Aurelio is yet another Pride fighting making the switch to the UFC. Coming off a split decision loss to Gomi is nothing to be ashamed of, while Guida is also coming off a split decision loss to Tyson Griffin and in that fight they stole the show. Expect a fast moving exciting fight and another decision, probably split, but as to who wins, I say flip a coin. Should be an awesome fight though.
Frank Mir Vs. Antoni Hardonk (Heavyweight)
Former Heavyweight champ Frank Mir returns, but maybe he should stick to mic work for the WEC. Hardonk is a hard luck fighter, he can't seem to find a way to kick his game into full throttle and get off the roller coaster up and down track he's been on. Two ways this fight goes: Either Mir takes him to the ground and uses his superior BJJ skills or Hardonk forces him to the later rounds and Mir gases out as he always does. I'll take Hardonk by decision.
Renato Sobral Vs. David Heath (205, Light Heavyweight)
David Heath is up and coming, Sobral is well established but people seem to be dumping on him after back to back losses to The Iceman and The Punisher, which I think is wrong. Sobral is beyond a doubt the most talented grappler in the weightclass, but his striking needs a lot of work still. Sobral is a gutty fighter who you have to put clean out or he'll find a way to finish you. Heath is coming off a loss to Machida who's a monster, but Heath needs to keep this on the feet. I see Sobral finding a way to force this to the ground.
Ryan Jensen Vs. Thales Leites (185, Middleweight)
Jensen is a submission wiz from the lower fight circuit making his debut, not a fun fighter to debut against. Leites punishes people in his fights and is looking for a good brawl. I suspect cage shock and Leites heavy hands with give Leites the win.
Patrick Cote Vs. Kendell Grove (185, Middleweight)
Cote has had great success in Canada, but it doesn't seem to be translating here in the UFC. Cote came close to beating Lutter for a shot at Anderson Silva, but a mental mistake cost him. Grove trains with Tito, and while I despise Tito, there is no one who trains as hard as Tito. Expect a decent stand up war, but for Grove to take it to the ground where Cote has shown he is weak. Grove squeaks out a victory.
Kurt Pelligrino Vs. Joe Stevenson (155, Lightweight)
Batman is a solid fighter (have to be to have a 16 and 2 record), but Joe is the man now that Franca and Sherk have been suspended. Expect Joe to show his experience factor and to dominate the ground game and win. I expect Joe to establish himself as next in line for a shot at the king in this fight.
Josh Koscheck Vs. George St. Pierre (170, Welterweight)
Two talented men looking for a title shot, should make for a great fight if Kos shows a little agression which was sorely lacking in his last fight with Diego. GSP will have his hands full with Koscheck's wreslting and take downs, but his hands should be dominant in this fight. GSP should win by keeping it on the feet and showing Kos that dancing in the octagon is not the way to win a fight.
Roger Huerta Vs. Alberto Crane (155, Lightweight)
King of the Cage vet Crane steps up to the big show and brings his submission crazy offensive with him. But Huerta seems to be the new face of the division and will probably be facing Stevenson shortly to either determine a number one contender or as a Lighweight title fight to fill a vacancy left by the suspended by the suspension of Sherk. I think Huerta wins by keeping it on the feet.
Randy Couture Vs. Gabriel Gonzaga (Heavyweight Title Fight)
Oh Captain America, is there anything you can't do? And Mr. Gonzaga, where did you learn to steal Cro Cop's game? This should be an outstanding main event. Randy will push the fight to Gonzaga, something the counter fighter Cro Cop didn't do. Randy's hands were shown to be better than anyone thought against Sylvia, but Gonzaga knocked out the most feared striker in the heavyweight division in Cro Cop, I'll call it a draw here. Randy has the edge in wrestling, but Gonzaga is a BJJ expert. Somehow, someway I believe Randy guts this out and retains his title in a 5 round war.
THat's it folks, let me know what you think
