Got a little bored today and thought I'd throw some predictions out there, even on the undercard bouts that are not going to be televised.
Brian Geraghty Vs. Matt Wiman
This is an interesting matchup and should be a decent fight. However, I think that Wiman has a more complete game and will beat Geraghty.
Allen Berube Vs. Leonard Garcia
"Monstah" showed very little in his fight on the Ultimate Fighter and really was only memorable for helping to instigate a fight that got three people kicked out of the house, not exactly impressive. Coupled with the fact that he openly said he did it just to get some publicity for his restaurant and the picture that forms for me is that he doesn't really want this. Garcia was quiet, but has a significant advantage in experience (15 fights to 3 for Berube) and in his fight with Huerta he was able to keep from being stopped, granted he lost but Huerta is up and coming and may soon find himself facing either Sherk or Franca for the Lightweight title. Naturally I'm taking Garcia big over Berube.
Rob Emerson Vs. Gray Maynard
This fight should be very interesting. Maynard has trained with Penn before the show and showed a solid approach to fighting and Emerson showed a ton of heart. Emerson should not have lost the decision to Corey Hill, but that's a whole other story. This should be one of the most interesting fights of the night. I think it will boil down to who has done the best training. Emerson has intangibles and Grey seems to be the stronger of the two, but with B.J. training him and how fired up Penn is for his fight against Pulver, I'm taking Maynard.
Andy Wang Vs. Cole Miller
Wang doesn't impress at all. For a man with a Black Belt in Jujitsu he seems to stand and bang too much. He was clearly outmatched in his standup fight and never changed gears to take advantage of his strength, plus he seems to have a bad track record of not listening to his corner. Cole Miller seems to listen to his corner more and recognizes when he needs to change levels/approaches. I think Cole can win on the feet and because Wang is stubborn he can bait him into a slugfest, take Cole to win.
Brandon Malendez Vs. Joe Lauzon
I was sure that Joe was going to win the whole show after I saw him stun Pulver at UFC 63. His last fight on the Ultimate Fighter seemed to have a problem with being dominated, it almost looked like he was lost. Malendez appears to be a more methodical, well rounded fighter who prefers to pick his spots. Lauzon on the other hand seems to be a house on fire who wants to overwhelm his opponents right out of the gate. This fight will turn on whether Malendez can withstand that early barrage from Lauzon, I think Lauzon will be determined to erase that last fight he had and return to the form that stunned Pulver.
Floyd Sword Vs. Thales Leites
To be honest, I have not seen Sword fight. Leites I've seen a few times, his fights versus Kampman and Sell were interesting. I really don't have any information on Sword other than the fact that he's had 5 more fights than Leites, but the level of competition is the real question. I have to lean toward Leites.
Roger Huerta Vs. Doug Evans
Evans may be undefeated, but he's running into a fast riser in the UFC in Huerta. Huerta is very close to a title shot as far as I'm concerned, but I'm sure Pulver, Penn, Franca and Sherk would have alot to say about that. However, I think Huerta will take this fight and keep inching closer to a shot at the belt.
Manny Gamburyan Vs. Nathan Diaz
Diaz is damn touchy for a fighter, seems to have the same nasty borderline jackass attitude that his brother Nick has. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing and seems to help fuel Diaz in his fights. Gamburyan, cousin of Karo Parysain, is just a little tank that fights hard. The size differential is drastic, 7", but then again size has been shown by Couture against Sylvia. This fight will come down to who wants it more. Right now, I'm going with Diaz from the X-Factors of reach and size, though Manny winning would not stun me in any way.
Jens Pulver Vs. B.J. Penn
The main event is something I've been waiting for for years. Penn is a former Welterweight champ, Pulver one of only two Lightweight champs. One problem I see with Pulver is he is largely one dimensional, but that may have changed considering the camp he works with, I don't think you slam around with Hughes and learn nothing. However, BJ is one of the most interesting and athletic fighters in UFC history, but his conditioning and dedication is a question mark. However, I think BJ is going to win by getting this fight to the ground.
That's how I see things, but feel free to throw in your opinions and such. Just keep in mind it's just a thought, nothing more. It should be a pretty good night of fights.
Brian Geraghty Vs. Matt Wiman
This is an interesting matchup and should be a decent fight. However, I think that Wiman has a more complete game and will beat Geraghty.
Allen Berube Vs. Leonard Garcia
"Monstah" showed very little in his fight on the Ultimate Fighter and really was only memorable for helping to instigate a fight that got three people kicked out of the house, not exactly impressive. Coupled with the fact that he openly said he did it just to get some publicity for his restaurant and the picture that forms for me is that he doesn't really want this. Garcia was quiet, but has a significant advantage in experience (15 fights to 3 for Berube) and in his fight with Huerta he was able to keep from being stopped, granted he lost but Huerta is up and coming and may soon find himself facing either Sherk or Franca for the Lightweight title. Naturally I'm taking Garcia big over Berube.
Rob Emerson Vs. Gray Maynard
This fight should be very interesting. Maynard has trained with Penn before the show and showed a solid approach to fighting and Emerson showed a ton of heart. Emerson should not have lost the decision to Corey Hill, but that's a whole other story. This should be one of the most interesting fights of the night. I think it will boil down to who has done the best training. Emerson has intangibles and Grey seems to be the stronger of the two, but with B.J. training him and how fired up Penn is for his fight against Pulver, I'm taking Maynard.
Andy Wang Vs. Cole Miller
Wang doesn't impress at all. For a man with a Black Belt in Jujitsu he seems to stand and bang too much. He was clearly outmatched in his standup fight and never changed gears to take advantage of his strength, plus he seems to have a bad track record of not listening to his corner. Cole Miller seems to listen to his corner more and recognizes when he needs to change levels/approaches. I think Cole can win on the feet and because Wang is stubborn he can bait him into a slugfest, take Cole to win.
Brandon Malendez Vs. Joe Lauzon
I was sure that Joe was going to win the whole show after I saw him stun Pulver at UFC 63. His last fight on the Ultimate Fighter seemed to have a problem with being dominated, it almost looked like he was lost. Malendez appears to be a more methodical, well rounded fighter who prefers to pick his spots. Lauzon on the other hand seems to be a house on fire who wants to overwhelm his opponents right out of the gate. This fight will turn on whether Malendez can withstand that early barrage from Lauzon, I think Lauzon will be determined to erase that last fight he had and return to the form that stunned Pulver.
Floyd Sword Vs. Thales Leites
To be honest, I have not seen Sword fight. Leites I've seen a few times, his fights versus Kampman and Sell were interesting. I really don't have any information on Sword other than the fact that he's had 5 more fights than Leites, but the level of competition is the real question. I have to lean toward Leites.
Roger Huerta Vs. Doug Evans
Evans may be undefeated, but he's running into a fast riser in the UFC in Huerta. Huerta is very close to a title shot as far as I'm concerned, but I'm sure Pulver, Penn, Franca and Sherk would have alot to say about that. However, I think Huerta will take this fight and keep inching closer to a shot at the belt.
Manny Gamburyan Vs. Nathan Diaz
Diaz is damn touchy for a fighter, seems to have the same nasty borderline jackass attitude that his brother Nick has. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing and seems to help fuel Diaz in his fights. Gamburyan, cousin of Karo Parysain, is just a little tank that fights hard. The size differential is drastic, 7", but then again size has been shown by Couture against Sylvia. This fight will come down to who wants it more. Right now, I'm going with Diaz from the X-Factors of reach and size, though Manny winning would not stun me in any way.
Jens Pulver Vs. B.J. Penn
The main event is something I've been waiting for for years. Penn is a former Welterweight champ, Pulver one of only two Lightweight champs. One problem I see with Pulver is he is largely one dimensional, but that may have changed considering the camp he works with, I don't think you slam around with Hughes and learn nothing. However, BJ is one of the most interesting and athletic fighters in UFC history, but his conditioning and dedication is a question mark. However, I think BJ is going to win by getting this fight to the ground.
That's how I see things, but feel free to throw in your opinions and such. Just keep in mind it's just a thought, nothing more. It should be a pretty good night of fights.
