Cool night of fights. Two good main fights that could both easily be main cards.
Matt Hughes Vs. Georges St-Pierre
(Georges St-Pierre Wins by Submission (Arm Lock) at 4:54 in the 2nd round by arm bar)
RESULTS: GSP out fought Hughes on every level. He threw some punches and kicks and Matt wasn’t able to come up with much. He tried a little punch fake to a takedown, but GSP saw it coming. That was the last thing Hughes was able to throw at him. GSP dominated him until the end of the first round where GSP might have pulled off a submission, but the bell rang. GSP came in and dominated some more and got an upside down triangle on Matt and started to go for the Kimura, but Hughes powered out of it, but GSP just slid into an armbar.
This will be match three between these two guys. Pierre said he lost the first time to Matt Hughes because of jitters to his idol. He proved it when these two matched up the second time and Pierre executed a game plan perfectly. Both of these guys have had a short time to prepare for each other specifically, but since they have fought each other twice, Matt was training already and Pierre stays in phenomenal shape I think that advantage is a wash. I now Matt really wants this one, but I think Pierre will dominate Hughes in every aspect of the game. GSP is just good. I was really impressed with the way GSP dominated Koscheck in his last fight with wrestling. He made KOS look like a rookie. I think GSP will win the striking ans most of the ground game. I am expecting Hughes to use his power to get a take down or two. I am going with GSP winning via decision.
Chuck Liddell Vs. Wanderlei Silva
(Chuck Liddell Wins by Unanimous Decision at 5:00 in the 3rd round)
RESULTS: Chuck and wandy just went at it hard. Chuck was smacking him around, but wandy is always good to throw back even if he is getting punched. Chuck had Wandy up against the cage a couple of times and all I could think of was the Belfort fight, but wandy provde he was a lot tougher. Most of the guys Chuck fought like Tito and others would have dropped several times from some of the bombs Chuck was throwing. Both of these guys rocked each other a couple of times, but Chuck played it smart and got a couple of takedowns and just simply landed more punches.
This is gonna be a cool fight regardless of these guys last couple of fights. Silva is a maniac in the ring and he is in the best shape of his life coming into this fight. He has been training at Xtreme Couture after leaving chute-box academy and it will show in this fight. Liddell was really dominated and mixed up with Jardine’s leg kicks in Chucks last fight. Silva is a powerful kicker and strong in the clinch. I don’t think Liddell will be able to shake this axe murderer off. I can’t believe we are gonna see Silva back in the octagon! I am going with Silva via KO ala Knees in the third round.
Lyoto Machida Vs. Rameau Sokoudjou
(Lyoto Machida Wins by Submission (Choke) at 4:20 in the 2nd round by arm triangle.)
RESULTS: I was surprised by this fight. Not that Machida isnt good or anything, but Soko didn’t seem to have any power. He just kind of looked like a grappling dummy. He fought out of the arm triangle a bunch, but finally Machida landed it.
Rameau is bad and so is Machida. Both of these guys have some impressive records. A who whos of MMA. This one is really a toss up. I expect is to be one of the best fights this night. Maybe Sokoudjo via decision.
Rich Clementi Vs. Melvin Guillard
(Rich Clementi Wins by Submission (Choke) at 4:40 in the 1st round by rear naked choke)
RESULTS: This is a re-occuring problem for Melvin. He didn’t come out as strong and explosive as he usually does so I think he was being smart and had a strategy. Rich was just better on the ground and even did a little modified RNC.
I am glad to see Melvin back in the octagon after a suspension. He is so explosive and fun to watch in the ring. He does tend to gas out after burning up in the first round so I hope he has a better strategy because Rich is a smart fighter and will use that to his advantage. These guys have some bad blood after Melvin sucker punched Rich at an event so these two will probably leave it all out in the ring. I am going with Rich getting a submission in the third round after Melvin gases out.
Jordan Radev Vs. Dean Lister
(Dean Lister Wins by Unanimous Decision at 5:00 in the 3rd round)
I hope these guys end up on PPV. I would love to see Dean Lister get a shot at the title against. Anderson Silva. I really think he could hang and maybe get Silva in a submission. This fight against Radev won’t help much since Radev isn’t much of a contender in the middle weight class and a win against him won’t be a real barn burner. Not to mention Henderson will probally beat Silva. Anyways I think Lister is badd ass and should be rused up the Middleweight ladder and quit wasting his time with some of the fighters he has faced. Lister via submission in the first round.
Nate Mohr Vs. Manny Gamburyan
(Manny Gamburyan Wins by Submission (Leg Lock) at 1:31 in the 1st round by ankle lock)
RESULTS: Man that was a ankle lock. I beleived Manny when he said he didn’t mean to torque the knee. It was more from Mohr twisting the wrong way or something. Ouch. No I know why they don’t let beginner BJJ guys do these in tournaments.
Cool to see Manny back in the ring after his shoulder mishap in the TUF finale against NAte Diaz. Manny is super strong and can really dominate in a fight. His fighting style is a little boring, but he does win fights. I am going with Manny winning via decision.
Jordan Radev Vs. Dean Lister
Mark Bocek Vs. Doug Evans
(Mark Bocek Wins by Unanimous Decision at 5:00 in the 3rd round .)
This will be a cool fight to see. I am curious to see these guys get tested. I think they are on the same level as far as the tier in the UFC so it will be good see which one presses on. Evans was impressive against Huerta and showed very good technique in the octagon. Bocek is really good, but hasnt had the best of luck latley. I would have to guess and say Evans wins via decision.
