Acer Arena
Sydney, Australia
Sunday, February 21, 2010
First time UFC holds an event in Australia. There are some good bets for this fight. I would put money on Velasquez and Bisping. I think Velasquez is a better wrestler than Nogueira and can oppose his will. Bisping is a great striker and Silva has not looked great in his last few fights.
Main Card
Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez
Heavyweight Bout
Wanderlei Silva vs. Michael Bisping
Middleweight Bout
Joe Stevenson vs. George Sotiropoulos
Lightweight Bout
Keith Jardine vs. Ryan Bader
Light Heavyweight Bout
Mirko Filipović vs. Ben Rothwell
Heavyweight Bout
Preliminary Card
Stephan Bonnar vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
Light Heavyweight Bout
Mandalay Bay Events Center
February 6, 2010
Las Vegas, Nevada
Second big UFC event of 2010 comes to Las Vegas in February. The safe bet on this one is Randy Couture. Coleman been iffy in his last few bouts and this fight is more of a fan favoriate than a close match. Some places are offering a “pick the round proposition” with a -150 for Couture decision. I would take this bet if you can as I think this fight is going the distance to please the fans. Another safe bet is Marquardt over Sonnen. Marquardt has looked great recently and I can see this trend over Sonnen (who is developing as a great fighter). A good money bet, I would go with Thiago over Swick. Swick did not look good versus Hardy and lost his chance to face GSP for the belt, which means Swick has to win this one or get moved down the card. However, Thiago’s last couple of fights have been decisions and he needs to do something to impress the match makers. Either way, this could be a close one and Thiago could pull out either a decision or a submission.
Randy Couture (-450) vs. Mark Coleman (+325) Light Heavyweight
IHK Pick: Coture, decision
Notes: The bout between Randy Couture and Mark Coleman was originally scheduled for UFC 17 in 1998, but a Couture injury forced the cancellation of the bout. Here’s how this match will go: they will stand up for a while, one will shoot the other to the fence, they’ll hit the ground, wrestle, wrestle, wrestle, Couture wins and sells more shirts, Coleman is once again a main card fighter and everyone’s a winner.
Actual: Couture, 2nd, submission. Coleman should retire. Period. Thirteen years in the ring is longer than any human should fight. Couture pulled out a great submission and his striking was great – 205 is his weight. It will be interesting to see who they match Couture up with next.
Nate Marquardt (-360) vs. Chael Sonnen (+280) Middleweight bout
IHK Pick: Marquardt, 2nd, TKO
Notes: Nate likes to stand and throw and Sonnen likes to go the distance. I think Marquardt wants another shot at the belt (that Anderson Silva has, so good luck with that one) and needs some good decisive wins to show he deserves a shot. However, Sonnen is not a spring chicken and should be ready for what Marquardt will bring.
Actual: Sonnen, decision. Another upset. Sonnen dominated Marquardt. Two guillotine attempts by Marquardt did little to Sonnen. Sonnen shows he has the skills to neutralize a strong opponent.
Mike Swick (-360) vs. Paulo Thiago (+280) Welterweight bout
IHK Pick: Swick, decision
Notes: I still can’t believe Swick lost to Dan Hardy. Now he’s given Thiago to see what life is left in the guy. I think Swick will take this fight to show he’s still a contender, but after his performance with Hardy, Swick has a long rope to climb to face GSP.
Actual: Thiago, 2nd, submission. Note to Swick: stop whatever you are doing to prep for a fight. It’s not working. Lame fight on your part, but good performance for Thiago.
Swick is falling down the ladder. I was wrong on this pick, but right in saying it’s a good money bet.
Demian Maia (-220) vs. Dan Miller (+180) Middleweight bout
IHK Pick: Maia, 2nd, submission
Notes: This fight will end in a submission. Maia has won Submission of the Night three times and has his own Jiu Jitsu DVD out. Miller likes to submit people as well, so the fight will come down to who can out grapple who. Both fighters are coming off Losses, so there is an added incentive for them to get a W.
Actual: Maia, decision. What a terrible fight. Thank god I didn’t put any money on this. Three rounds and one submission attempt? I hope they noticed the crowds boos throughout the fight.
Matt Serra (-155) vs. Frank Trigg (+125) Welterweight bout
IHK Pick: Serra, 3rd, TKO
Notes: Serra is on his way out. Losses to GSP and Hughes do not bode will with UFC management. I think Serra needs this win more than Trigg. I think for Trigg, MMA is a means to an end since he does so many other things besides fight. Serra needs to show he’s not overhyped from the GSP win at UFC 69. I think Trigg is a good match to show he still belongs in the UFC. I think Triggs’ UFC days are numbered.
Actual: Matt Serra, 1st, TKO. Frank didn’t put up much of a fight. I think he’s going to get cut from the UFC. Serra looked good and maybe he’ll get some better competition next time.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship kicks off the New Year with an explosive light heavyweight main event that has serious implications on the title picture at 205 pounds.
Former world champion and Ultimate Fighter® season ten coach ‘Suga’ Rashad Evans begins his quest to regain his crown as he takes on Brazilian powerhouse Thiago Silva, who is coming off a spectacular 95 second knockout of Evans’ friend and training partner Keith Jardine.
Note: this event has been cursed from the start. It was supposed to be Lesner’s big return, but now it’s a running joke of injuries and people pulling out. I wouldn’t put a dime on this fight. Wait until 108 – there are some great match-ups with good betting potential.
If you are going to put money on a fight, then I would bet on Evans or Dos Santos. Both fighters should have few problems against their opponents. Stout isn’t a bad bet either – he has a good knock-out punch.
Rashad Evans -220
Thiago Silva +180
Prediction: Evans, TKO, 3rd.
Notes: The winner of this fight will go on to fight Rampage. Lame. Evans and Jackson should be fighting this fight. Jackson has been just a tool in the last six months and I would enjoy seeing Evans fight him. Evans will use this fight to send a message to Jackson (which will equate to a big pay-per-view for the Evans/Jackson fight).
Actual: Rashad Evans def. Thiago Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Good fight, but not too surprising. This fight will set-up the fight between Evans and Jackson once Jackson is done filming A-Team.
Paul Daley -105
Dustin Hazelett -115
Prediction: Hazelett, 2nd, submission
Notes: This will be a close one, but I would give a slight edge to the more experienced Hazelett. I think this fight will hit the ground and Hazelett will pull out one of his many submissions.
Actual: Paul Daley def. Dustin Hazelett via KO (punch) – Round 1, 2:24. I thought this fight would have been a lot closer!
Joe Lauzon -295
Sam Stout +235
Prediction: Lauzon, TKO, 1st
Notes: I really want Stout to win. I don’t think he will, but I want him to. I think these two will stand and bang. Stout may pull out a win. He needs to. Stout has too many losses in the UFC and they could dump him if he doesn’t win tonight.
Actual: Sam Stout def. Joe Lauzon via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27). This was the “money fight”. Stout was over +200 on most lines. I should have put money on Stout than the Oregon Ducks.
Duane Ludwig +295
Jim Miller -365
Prediction: Miller, decision
Notes: I think Miller will take the decision win over Ludwig. Probably not an overly exciting fight.
Actual: Jim Miller def. Duane “Bang” Ludwig via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:31. Not too surprising.
Junior Dos Santos -275
Gilbert Yvel +235
Prediction: Dos Santos, TKO, 1st
Notes: This could be fight of the night. Both fighters like to strike. Dos Santos could pull off a KO, but I doubt it. Yvel is another Dutch fighter (what’s with all the Dutch fighters showing up lately??) entering the UFC. I think Yvel could have a good run in the UFC, but not now.
Actual: Junior Dos Santos def. Gilbert Yvel via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:07. Not too surprised on this one. The line reflected Dos Santos strength over Yvel.
Saturday December 12th, 2009
UFC Lightweight Champtionship
FedEx Forum in Memphis Tennessee
Start 7pm PST
Main Card
Lightweight Championship
BJ Penn -325
Diego Sanchez +250
Pick: BJ Penn, submission, 2nd
Pre-fight notes: BJ has looked great in his last couple of fights, so if he is injury free and his opponent isn’t French Canadian, then I think BJ will take this one.
Actual: BJ Penn, TKO (doctor stoppage), 5th round. I’m not 100% on what Diego’s plan was going into this one, but it sure didn’t work. Penn looked great on all five rounds, so his card is getting better.
Frank Mir
Cheick Kongo
Pick: Frank Mir, submission, 3rd
Pre-fight notes: Kongo has a terrible ground game. I think Mir will take Kongo to the fence and drag him down for an eventual submission. Kongo was just schooled in his last fight, so this won’t be an easy one for Mir, but Kongo is no Lesner and I think Mir has something to prove in this fight.
Actual: Mir, submission, 1st. Holy crap. Mir looked great. I would like to see Mir and either Crawin or Cain next.
Jon Fitch
Mike Pierce
Pick: Fitch, decision
Pre-fight notes: Fitch is the experienced one, with one loss to GSP in his UFC fights and, for some odd reason, has taken his fights to decision. In the UFC, taking a fight to decision has met some very bad/controversial results. I think these two will go the distance and Fitch will come out a winner.
Actual: Fitch, decision. Why does Fitch want to go to decision? It’ll cost him one day.
Kenny Florian -215
Clay Guida +175
Pick: Florian, 1st, TKO
Pre-fight notes: I think Florian is going to take Guida’s head off. There is a reason why both Florian and Penn are on the same card. I think Florian wants another shot at BJ and will use this fight to say: I’m down but not out. Guida is going to come out in a crazy manner (as he usually does), but Florian will weather this first round storm and use his boxing skills to TKO Guida. I met Guida at the UFC 100 expo – great guy. He stood at the Expo for eight hours and met every fan that wanted to meet him. I love to see the guy fight.
Actual: Florian, submission. Looks like Guida will be going to the blood bank. I love Clay Guida – he is such an awesome guy.
Paul Buentello
Stefan Struve
Pick: Struve, submission, 1st
Pre-fight notes: The striker (Buentello) versus the submission guy (Struve). Buentello is just in from the recently folded Affliction and needs a “W” to stick around in the UFC. Struve has been putting guys away lately and I expect him to do the same in this fight.
Actual: Struve, decision. I can’t believe Struve couldn’t pull out a submission in the first. Struve looked terrible against a guy who hasn’t been in the UFC since 06. He didn’t prove much in this fight and not a main card fight.
Pre-fight comments: Tito hasn’t fought for close to two months and Forrest was prepping to fight Sliva a few months ago. Plus, no one expects Tito to win this one anyway.
Actual: Forrest Griffin def. Tito Ortiz via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28). I have Griffin winning two rounds (1st and 3rd) and Ortiz winning the 2nd. Good fight for Griffin.
Anthony Johnson -135
Josh Koscheck +105
Pick: Johnson, TKO, 1st
Rick’s pick: Johnson via TKO in 3rd round.
Pre-fight comments: Koscheck has been spotty over the last few fights and Johnson is the upcoming star. I’m pretty sure this will be over in the first. I’m gunning for Koscheck, but I think Johnson will take it.
Actual: Josh Koscheck def. Anthony Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:27. It looked like Koscheck was reaching for Johnson’s brains with the four finger eye poke. Ugly fight, but Koscheck’s wrestling won out in the end.
Phil Baroni +190
Amir Sadollah -230
Pick: Baroni, TKO, 2nd
Rick’s Pick: Sadollah via submission in the 2nd round
Pre-fight comments: why is this fight on the main card? Sadollah has been in three pro fights and Baroni has been fighting on just about every promotion known to man. I think Baroni will step in the ring and pound Sadollah to show he should stay in the UFC.
Actual: Amir Sadollah def. Phil Baroni via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). Note to Baroni – less time tanning and more time conditioning. I think Baroni is a tool.
Luiz Cane +120
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira -150
Pick: Nogueira, TKO, 2nd
Rick’s Pick: Cane via decision.
Pre-fight comments: this is Nogueira’s first UFC fight and I think he’ll out strike Cane. Nogueira is a great boxer and trains with his brother Nogueira (the heavyweight) and Anderson Sliva. I don’t know what Cane will throw at Antonio, but I doubt it’s anything he hasn’t already seen.
Actual: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Luiz Cane via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:56. Nogueira looked great. Good striking skills. He could be a threat at 205.
Dustin Hazelett
Karo Parisyan
Pick:
Rick’s pick: Hazelett via tko in the 2nd.
Pre-fight comments: Parisyan backed out of the fight.
Actual: Hazelett will get the fight purse.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Marcus Davis -260
Ben Saunders +200
Pick: Davis, KO, 1st.
Rick’s pick: Davis via tko in the 3rd
Pre-fight comments: Both guys are coming off tough losses. Saunders loss against Swick and Davis split decision against Hardy (I thought Davis won). I think Davis is the better fighter and will win. Saunders is going to shoot and try to get this match on the ground and I think Davis will catch him when he does.
Actual: Ben Saunders def. Marcus Davis via knockout (knees) – Round 1, 3:24. Well…apparently Saunders has been practicing knees because he nailed Davis with about 50 of them. Saunders looked great and this is another tough loss for Davis.
Paulo Thiago -170
Jacob Volkmann +140
Pick: Thiago, 2nd, submission
Rick’s pick: Thiago via submission in the 2nd
Pre-fight comments: Volkmann’s first fight in the UFC and Thiago is coming off a loss to Finch at UFC 100. I think this one is going to the ground.
Actual: Paulo Thiago def. Jacob Volkmann via unanimous decision (29-28, 30- 27, 30-27). Thiago has so many opportunities for a submission, but never took them. Not a great fight for Thiago.
Kendall Grove +165
Jake Rosholt -205
Pick: Rosholt, submission, 1st
Rick’s pick: Kendall via tko in the 3rd
Pre-fight comments: I like Kendall Grove since TUF, but I think Rosholt is the better submission guy.
Actual: Kendall Grove def. Jake Rosholt via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 3:59. Grove shocked everyone and got a very good win.
Brian Foster +400
Brock Larson -600
Pick: Larson, submission, 2nd
Rick’s pick: Brock via tko in the 2nd
Pre-fight comments: Someone is getting submitted in this one! Larson needs to win if he wants to move up on the fight card.
Actual: Brian Foster def. Brock Larson via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 3:25. Someone made *a lot* of money on this fight (and it wasn’t me!).
Fabricio Camoes +145
Caol Uno -174
Pick: Camoes, TKO, 1st
Rick’s pick: Caol Uno via tko in the 3rd
Pre-fight comments: Uno lost a pretty lame match to Spencer Fisher and his fights will go to decision where as Camoes will push the pace and try to end this one in the first. I think Camoes will get the TKO on this one.
Actual: Caol Uno vs. Fabricio Camoes declared majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28). This fight wasn’t shown, which is too bad as I like Uno.
Jason Dent +400
George Sotiropoulos -600
Pick: Sotiropoulos, decision
Rick’s pick: George in the 2nd via tko
Pre-fight comments: Dent is fighting for his life in the UFC, so expect Dent to come out swinging on this fight. However, I think George will take this one.
Actual: George Sotiropoulos def. Jason Dent via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:36. I would be very surprised if Dent sees another fight in the UFC.
Pre-fight notes: Coture is now fighting at 205 (he was one of the lightest heavy weights in the heavy weight division) for the first time. After two losses to Lesner (where he lost his belt) and Nogueira, it was obvious that something had to change with Couture. That “something” was dropping to 205 and signing an eight fight contract to end off his career. Vera is coming off a good win against Krzysztof Soszynski. Neither guy is ever going to fight Silva for the belt, so what’s the point of this fight? People (including me) love Coture. He’s a hero in Las Vegas and I’ll tune in to see him fight, but I could care less if he gets a win or a loss. I think Vera has the upper hand because it’s obvious what Couture will do: pin Vera against the fence and try to drag him down to use his wrestling. Vera will try to keep the fight standing and try to get a TKO. If Vera can break away from Coture then he can win.
Money: you would be crazy to put anything on this fight.
Actual: Randy Couture, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). What a crazy fight. I thought Vera should have got a split decision. Good for Couture!
Mike Swick
Dan Hardy
IHK’s Pick: Swick, 1st, TKO
Pre-fight notes: Swick is next in line to fight George St. Pierre (my favorite fighter). A loss to Hardy could jeopardize Swick’s shot at St. Pierre. Hardy is a popular British fighter who was supposed to fight Kim Dong-hyun, but Dong-hyun got injured and Swick stepped in. Swick will want a very decisive victory to show that he will be a threat to St. Pierre (ya, right), so expect a TKO in the 1st. Rumor has it that St. Pierre will fight someone for his belt, March 2010 in Vancouver, GM Place. It will be a huge fight and Swick will want a piece of it.
Money: Swick will be a safe one here.
Actual: Dan Hardy, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). I can’t believe Swick lost. I honestly can’t believe it.
Michael Bisping
Denis Kang
IHK’s Pick: Bisping, TKO, first
Pre-fight notes: Bisping will win this one. He has so much riding on this fight: the fight is in Bisping’s back yard and he is coming off one of the most brutal KOs from Dan Henderson at UFC 100. Kang is 6-4 in his last ten fights. 1-1 in the UFC. Plus, he’s had so many injuries in the last while (hand, ankle, bicep, etc.) that you have to wonder how much longer Kang can keep on fighting. Bisping will come out like a lion and put Kang away so people will think the Henerson loss was just a blip. Kang is too experienced to get KOed, but he’ll get TKOed from Bisping’s stand up.
Money: Put the cash on Bisping to win.
Actual: Michael Bisping, TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:24. That was safe money in my books.
James Wilks
Matt Brown
IHK’s Pick: James “Lightning” Wilks, decision
Pre-fight notes: Matt Brown is favored in this fight, but I like Wilks to take this one. Both are coming off some good wins and I think this will go all three rounds. However, both fighters like to finish in the first two rounds.
Money: pretty risky – I think this could go either way
Actual: Matt Brown, TKO (punches) – Round 3, 2:27. Not a huge surprise.
Ross Pearson
Aaron Riley
IHK’s Pick: Aaron Riley, decision
Pre-fight notes: Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson is just off TUF and he looked really good on the show, however, I think Riley will punch this one out and make sure Pearson doesn’t get him into trouble on the ground.
Money: Pearson is still unknown and could pull out a win, so I wouldn’t put anything on this one.
Actual: Ross Pearson, TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 4:38
Undercard Terry Etim
Shannon Gugerty
IHK’s Pick: Terry Etim, submission, 1st.
Pre-fight notes: this will be: “who can submit who”. I think Etim will come out on top with a choke or arm-bar.
Money: Etim would be a safe bet.
Actual: Terry Etim, submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:24
Paul Taylor
John Hathaway
IHK’s Pick: John “The Hitman” Hathaway, TKO, 1st
Pre-fight notes: Hathaway is undefeated and I expect the streak to continue.
Money: none
Actual: John Hathaway, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Nick Osipczak
Matthew Riddle
IHK’s Pick: Matthew Riddle, decision
Pre-fight notes: Two TUF finalists, both undefeated are facing off. I think Riddle is a better fighter than Osipezak (or, at least, has more tools). I think this will go to decision.
Money: None.
Actual: Nick Osipczak, TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:53
Paul Kelly
Dennis Siver
IHK’s Pick: Paul Kelly, decision
Pre-fight notes: Kelly will want to keep it standing and Siver will want to go to the ground. Kelly will fight to keep the action standing and get the decision.
Money: none
Actual: Dennis Siver, TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:53
Alexander Gustafsson
Jared Hamman
IHK’s Pick: Hamman, 1st, KO
Pre-fight notes: flip a coin – first fight for both in the UFC. Both like to punch and I expect the fight will be over in the first round. This could be fight of the night.
Money: none
Actual: Alexander Gustafsson, knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:41. Wow – what a fight!
Andre Winner
Rolando Delgado
IHK’s Pick: Winner, decision
Pre-fight notes: Winner is very strong and showed a lot of heart versus Pearson. I think this could go back and forth until the third round.
Money:
Actual: Andre Winner, knockout (punch) – Round 1, 3:22
MAIN (PPV) CARD Lyoto Machida -450
Mauricio Rua +325
IHK’s pick – Lyoto, Second, TKO
Notes: Lyoto always starts out his matches slow. I predict little action in the first and then some “sharp shooter” punches/kicks in the second. Rua has had a few good fights in recent years, but none at Lyoto’s level. Lyoto has been criticized as being “boring” so I would expect some good action in the second. Considering this is a title defense, you could see Lyoto hanging out until the third. Rua will push the pace as the odds of him lasting five rounds is not good.
Money: any money I can scrape up to put on Machida to win. I’m hoping to get a line below 400, but that’s only going to happen on an injury rumor.
Actual: Lyoto, decision. This was a terrible fight for Lyoto. He wasn’t aggressive and I gave more rounds to Rua than Lyoto. Rua is back to his old self (Pride days). I’m sure many people are seeing Rua in a new light. I think a rematch is not far off. Lyoto was lucky and he had better change whatever he is doing to prepare for his fights or he’ll lose his belt.
Cain Velasquez -280
Ben Rothwell +210
IHK’s pick – Cain, first, TKO
Notes: Cain wants a shot at the Heavyweight title and Rothwell is a good match-up to see how Cain will react to a heavy guy. I think Cain will take things to the ground early and do his ground and pound. Rothwell has the reach advantage, so he’ll make Cain pay for any attempt at shooting. I think Cain wants it more than new UFCer Rothwell.
Money: I may put some on Cain, but only if Lyoto odds change.
Actual: Cain, second, TKO. This should have been stopped in the first. Velasquez took down Rothwell at will, but relied on his “ground and pound” and didn’t do any submissions when he had the chance. Rothwell got an early stoppage, but, in reality, he was getting dominated.
Gleison Tibau (lines TBD)
Josh Neer (lines TBD)
IHK’s pick: Tibau, 1st, submission
Notes: Neer is a late replacement for Swick (a front runner for a GSP title match) and has been in and out of the UFC a number of times. Late replacements never do very well (but don’t tell Kimbo Slice that!) when faced with someone who has been gearing up for a big fight (notable: Cain vs. Congo). Tibau’s ground is really good and I would expect to see a submission early on. I predict a really lame match.
Money: none
Actual: Tibau, decision. What a lame fight. Tibau takes Neer down numerous times but can’t do anything. Not one submission. Lame fight. Tibau looked gassed in the third. I think Swick would have one this one.
Joe Stevenson -220
Spencer Fisher +175
IHK’s pick: Stevenson, decision
Notes: I think these two will go back and forth. Neither are amateurs. I would give the nod to Stevenson due to the number of points Stevenson can gain on his stand up and ground game. Either way, I wouldn’t put money on this one as the match is too unpredictable. I can’t wait to see it.
Money: none
Actual: Stevenson, 2nd, TKO. Fisher was cut early and didn’t have an answer to Stevenson’s game plan. Stevenson looked great.
Anthony Johnson -300
Yoshiyuki Yoshida +220
IHK’s pick: Johnson, 1st, TKO
Notes: They are matching up the experienced Yoshida with the younger Johnson. Both like to stand up. Yoshida hasn’t gone past the second round in any of his fights. I believe Yoshida will push the pace in the first round prompting Johnson to respond. I’m giving this one to Johnson due to his size and ability to finish. He’ll have his hands full on this match.
Money: none
Actual: Johnston, 1st, TKO. Easy one for Johnson.
UNDERCARD Pat Barry -105
Antoni Hardonk -125
IHK’s pick: Hardonk, TKO, 2nd
Notes: I think Hardonk needs a win a little more than Barry and Hardonk will use this fight to show that he can fight in the main card. Hardonk is a good striker and I believe he’ll get a TKO in the 2nd.
Money: none – this one is far too uncertain.
Actual: Patrick Barry, TKO, 2nd
Yushin Okami -250
Chael Sonnen +185
IHK’s pick: Okami, decision
Notes: both these guys are long in the tooth fighters and will battle it out over three rounds. Don’t expect an overly exciting fight.
Money: none – too uncertain with these two. Both have had injuries recently, so who knows.
Actual: Sonnen takes a unanimous decision, scores of 30-27 across the board. Okami didn’t show up for the fight. Sonnen gave a great performance.
Jorge Rivera
Rob Kimmons
IHK’s pick: Rivera, TKO, 1st
Notes: Both TUF alum, neither have a great record in UFC. This is the classic striker vs. submission and this fight will come down to “who can control who”….will Kimmons take it to the ground or will Rivera keep it standing. I’ll go for the striker esp if Rivera can get Kimmons on the ground and score points.
Money: none
Actual: Rivera the win by TKO
Ryan Bader -500
Eric Schafer +350
IHK’s pick: Bader, TKO, 1st
Notes: Both like to strike. Maybe Bader can be a force in the 205 – we’ll see. Schafer is a good match-up and it should be a good fight. I don’t know why the line is so against Schafer – I think it could be closer than what the odds makers are reporting.
Money: this could be a good “money fight” – Schafer could pull this one out. He has more experience than Bader and has good ground skills.
Actual: Ryan Bader takes the unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-26.
Kyle Kingsbury
Razak Al-Hassan
IHK’s pick: Al-Hassan, decision
Notes: a huge fight for both as this is Kingsbury’s first fight out of TUF and Al-Hassan’s second fight in the UFC (his first loss is one of the most gruesome and controversial arm-breaking arm bars that you will ever see). Both need a win for the UFC to keep them around. I think both fighters will try to get each other in submissions over the three rounds and it will come down to points.
Money: none – both fighters are too new and unpredictable.
Actual: Official scores are 29-28, 29-28 and 28-29. Kingsbury takes the split decision
