UFC 141 is upon us. Some really interesting match-ups here. Kicking off my new site with my picks for this card.
Manvel Gamburyan vs Diego Nunes - I think this will be a very competitive fight. Gamburyan is tough, but I think Diego Nunes is too technical and too good. He had a great showing against Kenny Florian and I was impressed with his performance. Gamburyan is coming off two losses, and needs the win, but I still see Diego Nunes taking this fight.
Matt Riddle vs Luis Ramos - Not gonna lie, don't know much about these guys. Both of them are coming off of a loss, and I recall not being very impressed with Riddle in his last fight. Plus Ramos trains at Nova Unaio, so I'll go with that as the deciding factor. Plus, I've never gotten over those glasses Riddle wore at weigh-ins one time... don't even know when, I just know it annoyed the hell out of me. I mean look at this picture, tell me it doesn't bother you.
Jacob Volkmann vs Efrain Escudero - It will be interesting to see how Escudero does in his return to the UFC. He left after a few lackluster performances and should be highly motivated to perform. However, I'm going with Volkmann on this one, he's impressed me lately and his grappling is pretty legit.
Dong Hyun Kim vs Sean Pierson - Stun Gun... too big, too much for Pierson.
Anthony Njokuani vs Danny Castillo - This is a tough one. Castillo taking the fight on short notice, but has been on a good little tear lately. But Njokuani has some legit striking, and completely destroyed Andre Winner. Tough one to call, but I'm going with Njokuani in this one.
Ross Pearson vs Junior Assuncao - Ross Pearson... Assuncao didn't impress me too much in his last fight. Plus Pearson is training in San Diego at Alliance now. I've trained there before, it's a great gym with tough guys. I expect Pearson to be very well rounded.
Nam Phan vs Jimy Hettes - This Hettes kid has an interesting record. 9-0 with 9 subs... apparently the kid knows how to grapple. I can't say I've seen much of him though. I've trained with Nam Phan and I can tell you he's tough... tough to take down, hits hard, is aggressive, and has good combos. Going with Nam Phan on this one.
Vladimir Matyshenko vs Alexander Gustafsson - Gustafsson's only loss is to Phil Davis... and he was smart enough to start training with the guy. He looked great in his last fight. Matyshenko is a big step up, but I think Gustafsson steps up and gets the win.
Jon Fitch vs Johny Hendricks - I like this fight. Liked it since they first announced it. I think we will really see what Hendricks is made of and what kind of potential he has. That being said, I think Fitch is too experienced, and too tough, and will be able to grind out a decision in that way only Jon Fitch can. I do expect it to be very competitive though.
Nate Diaz vs Donald Cerrone - Diaz... you shouldn't require me to elaborate on this one. By the way, if you're betting some cash money... Diaz is a huge dog. Value there I think.
Brock Lesnar vs Allstair Overeem - I had to give this one quite a bit of thought. It really comes down to how much Brock's striking has improved. It just needs to be good enough to avoid damage and get Overeem down. Which I think ultimately he'll be able to do. Brock's chin was exposed against Cain, but that's really because Cain not only could avoid the takedown, but also get the takedown. I don't see Overeem having the same luck. Despite a huge discrepancy in striking and experience, I think Brock wins this fight. But I have to admit, I really want Overeem to win.
Agree? Disagree? Let me know who you got.
Fancy website!
Your fitch and lesnar picks will prove to be WRONG! :)
Posted by: Rachel Frederick | 12/30/2011 at 02:28 PM