Main Event
Randy Couture
Brandon Vera
IHK’s Pick: Vera, second, TKO
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
