|
 UFC's
comes back home to Las Vegas for UFC 81 which is usually the second biggest
show of the year. I am looking more forward to UFC 81 than I am to the
Super Bowl as the Patriots beat my home team, the Chargers, in the championship
game last week...Oh well. Anyway, when is MMA not more exciting than football?
I don't know the odds for all the fight which for me, I like. This way
it doesn't affect my analysis of the fight or fighters. I usually go 6-3
on a night so for sound betting advice, see EZFlyer's analysis.
UNDER CARD
Keita Nakamura Vs. Rob Emerson -
Nakamura is coming off two losses in the UFC with his last loss coming
from Drew Fickett. Rob Emerson was very lucky in getting a draw in his
UFC debut when Gray Maynard pulled a Lindland and knocked himself out
while taking Emerson down. This fight is taking place at 155 which is
a lower weight class than Nakamura has fought in in the past. I think
that Nakamura will be able to take Emerson down (and NOT knock himself
out) on the way to a first round submission.
David Heath Vs. Tim Boetsch -
Heath is coming off a humiliating loss when Babalu held onto a choke
and put Heath to sleep. Babalu was released from the UFC for his efforts,
I mean actions... As far as Boetsch goes, I honestly don't know much about
him. He is making his UFC debut and claims that his strengths are his
wrestling, heart, and a strong chin. David Heath's only 2 losses have
come in his last 2 outings in the UFC. I think that Heath will grind out
a decision to get back into the win column.
Marvin Eastman Vs. Terry Martin -
I would love to have Rampage join Rogan and Goldie in the announcer's
booth for this one. It would be hilarious to hear his talk about "black
on black crime." Both of these fighters have dropped from 205 and
are now at 185. Eastman is making his debut at this weight class. I expect
that while these fighters are standing some tough punches are going to
be thrown. I give the edge here to Martin as long as he doesn't get cocky
like he did against Leben. As far as the fight going to the ground, I
believe that Martin has the advantage here as well. I think Martin will
take this fight in the second round by TKO.
Chris Lytle Vs. Kyle Bradley -
I recently re-watched The Ultimate Fighter 4 finale between Lytle and
I have to say that Serra did squeak out the decision. With Bradley making
his UFC debut, I once again don't know much about him. Bradley does have
a lot of experience with a 13-4 MMA record, but we will see how he does
in his UFC debut especially considering that he is fighting at WW which
is up from his normal 155 lbs. class. My big concern with Lytle is that
he is not a full time fighter, he is a fire fighter in Indianapolis. Bradley
has a lot to win here with nothing to lose and I think that he will win
this fight by decision.
Gleison Tibau Vs. Tyson Griffin -
As of now, fight is listed as a "May not be broadcast." With
only four fights listed on the main card, this fight better be the first
fight on the pay-per-view. In my opinion, this fight is disappointing
for Tyson Griffin. Griffin is 10-1 in MMA with his last two wins coming
over Clay Guida and Thiago Tavares. His fights are always entertaining
as well. Tibau has an impressive 27-3 record, but has not faced or defeated
the competition that Griffin has. I expect this to be an exciting fight
as are all of Griffin's fights. Tibau better bring his cardio because
Griffin always does. Tyson Griffin by UNANIMOUS decision.
MAIN CARD
Ricardo Almeida vs. Alan Belcher -
Seriously, there are some fighters that really need to change their nicknames
and Alan Belcher is one of them. With a 12-4 record he does have talent,
but to call himself "The Talent?" Alan Belcher's last win over
Kalib Starnes helped to really push him up the MW ladder. But now he is
playing with the "big dogs." Ricardo "Big Dog" Almeida
is making his UFC re-debut. After losing 2 of his 3 fights in the UFC,
the Renzo Gracie student left the UFC and has won 6 straight including
wins in Pancrase over Kazuo Misaki and Nate Marquardt and a win in Pride
over Ryo Chonan. I think that Almeida is going to make a name for himself
in the UFC this time. With 5 of his 8 MMA wins coming via decision, I
think he will find his 6th decision win against Belcher.
Jeremy Horn Vs. Nate Marquardt -
Once again Thales Leites was forced to pull from his fight with Nate
Marquardt. Quite frustrating. I am glad that the UFC tapped Horn as the
replacement for this fight. My BIG concern for this fight is that it has
the potential to be Marquardt vs. Salaverry all over again. Both fighters
may not be the most exciting, but do what it takes to win the fight. Marquardt
will take Horn down and fight much like he did against Dean Lister grinding
out a decisive decision.
Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar -
Former UFC champion vs. former WWE champion. This works for great marketing
purposes, but as for Lesnar it should also read former NCAA Division 1
heavyweight champion. For as long as I have thought about and analyzed
this fight, I can not pick a winner. I thought maybe writing out my thoughts
would help, so lets see. There are so many variables in this fight that
make it difficult to pick a winner. Let's start with Frank Mir. Since
his return to the Octagon from his accident he has been much less impressive,
even coming into fights with a spare tire. While his ground game is amazing
for a heavyweight, Mir has never been known for having great cardio even
before the accident. As far as Brock Lesnar goes, there are too many questions.
A couple of things we can expect from Lesnar are great takedowns, cardio,
and strength. Will his wrestling be enough to give him the positioning
to defend subs? What will his stand-up look like? Can he take a punch?
I think that Mir's strategy should consist of keeping the fight on the
feet and keeping distance. If Lesnar gets in, he will definitely overpower
Mir. If the fight gets to the ground, Mir needs to be constantly looking
and trying for submissions.
I hope that Lesnar is able to bring athleticism to the HW division. Lesnar
needs to take Mir down, use his positioning, and deliver some vicious
ground-and-pound.
Since my background is in wrestling, I will take Lesnar by decision.
We will have a lot of answers about this "superstar" soon. Is
he really UFC championship material?
Tim Sylvia vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira -
This is for the the INTERIM HW title. UFC is refusing to strip Randy
which I think is more of a PR move than anything else.
Is anyone else tired of seeing Sylvia either wearing the belt or getting
shots?
This is one fight that Sylvia has wanted for quite sometime now. A fight
against a top Pride competitor. Tim has very good takedown defense and
although he is slow has good stand-up. Tim's size gives him a huge advantage
against many fighters and unfortunately has led to a number of boring
fights from him. Nogueira has one fight in the UFC against Heath Herring
and was not impressive in his showing. I even think the fight should have
been stopped after the head kick from Herring. Anyway, Nog has fought
the best in the world at HW and has only a few losses including 2 losses
to Fedor.
I believe, like Randy Couture does, that Sylvia will walk out of UFC
81 the UFC interim HW champion. Noguiera's takedowns, like many BJJ practitioners,
is mediocre at best. This will not get the big man to the ground. This
fight will be fought on the feet with Sylvia getting the better of it
and winning the belt with a decision.
My prediction for the Super Bowl? I think the Patriots will finish their
perfect season and take home the trophy. |
