Yes it's been a long time since something was last posted on this blog, and yes I never finished my Black History Month countdown, but in the interest of looking ahead ... on we go.
In the past two years I have found a new sport. Mixed martial arts.
The UFC is the NFL of MMA, and they have a new fan in the King of Arguments. Kimbo Slice helped. Dana White helped. The Ultimate Fighter helped. Devin Frank helped as well. MMA has filled the gap missing in my sporting academia that was once held for boxing. Make no mistake, MMA is wayyyy better than boxing. Believe it.
So, in the hopes of gaining some more fans, we will be previewing every big UFC card from here on out. Devin and myself will make picks for each fight, and the whomever ends up with the most points will win themselves a drunken evening thanks to the loser.
Giddy up.
UFC 114 Fight Card (winner of overall card gets extra 3 points)
Jesse Forbes vs. Ryan Jensen (1 point)Devin: Ryan Jensen. Should I be looking at expert picks on these? Heard of Jensen, never heard of Forbes, that's how these first three picks are going to go.
Luke: Jesse Forbes. Jensen doesn't have a nickname and Forbes goes by "Kid Hercules." Enough said.
Aaron Riley vs. Joe Brammer (1 pt.)
Devin: Aaron Riley.
Luke: Riley.
Melvin Guillard vs. Waylon Lowe (1 pt.)
Devin: Melvin Guillard.
Luke: Guillard. This is my Luke's Lockdown Pick. Whatever that means.
Luis Arthur Cane vs. Cyrille Diabate (1 pt.)
Devin: Luis Arthur Cane. Most confident pick of the night. Cane is a beast, very good muay Thai striker. Cyrille needs to take it to the ground and I do not think it will happen. Round 1 KO for Cane.
Luke: Cane. His only actual loss was his most recent fight, which bothers me. But it was against Antonio Rogerio Nogueria. So I'll allow it.
Efrain Escudero vs. Dan Lauzon (1 pt.)
Devin: Efrain Escudero. The UFC likes to get their Ultimate Fighter Champions wins as it convinces people that talent comes from that show. Lauzon doesn't have the power in his hands so Efrain wins a 3 round wrestling match. Efrain decision.
Luke: It's never good when your brother decides to stop coaching you, which happened recently to Lauzon. Going with Devin here again. Efrain wins it.
Amir Sadollah vs. Dong Hyun Kim (1 pt.)
Devin: Amir Sadollah. Here is what I know about Amir, he won an Ultimate fight. Here is what I know about Dong, he is probably Korean.
Luke: If you watch the Ultimate Fighter, then you know who Amir Sadollah is. He hosts a post-episode talk-show. Never liked his face. Give me the Korean. If Y.E. Yang can do it, why not Dong Hyun Kim?
Diego Sanchez vs. John Hathaway (1 pt.)
Devin: Diego Sanchez. Another easy pick with one caveat: will Diego be the same fighter after the Penn loss. Penn dominated Diego in a way in which it sort of felt like watching Rick Ankiel pitch where he takes a beating, next pitch is 12 feet over the catcher and you know he will never pitch again. Diego Rear naked choke round 2.
Luke: This could be an upset in the making, but I don't have the cajones to make it myself. Sanchez is dropping in weight class, because he wants to be a champion and couldn't beat the champ at lightweight. Taking Sanchez, but holding my breath.
Todd Duffee vs. Mike Russow (1 pt.)
Devin: Todd Duffee. Is this fight really higher on the card than a Luis Cane fight or Diego Sanchez fight? Hmm. Duffee wins with a decision victory.
Luke: Duffee's first fight in the UFC lasted 7 seconds. This one will last just a bit longer than that. Duffee 1st Rd. KO.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Jason Brilz (1 pt.)
Devin: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Nog destroyed Luis Cane, a very good fighter, in his first fight in the UFC and was supposed to fight Forrest Griffen. I have never heard of Jason Brilz. This fight feels like trying to get Nog victories so they can put him in title contention. Nog tko round 1.
Luke: See what Devin said. Nog wins easily.
Michael Bisping vs. Dan Miller (1 pt.)
Devin: Michael Bisping. Have to go with a UK guy right? Though they haven't faired to well in recent cards. Bisping has good striking (though no power) and very good jujitsu on the ground. Miller has good striking but to me this is the Bisping vs Henderson fight all over again only Miller does not have Hendersons power which means a decision victory for Bisping. Seriously if anyone is reading this, UFC fan or no UFC fan, go find Hendersons knockout of Bisping online, it is glorious!
Luke: Only because I want some good karma for the U.S soccer team, I'm taking Miller, knowing full well Bisping will win.
THE MAIN EVENT: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Rashad Evans (2 pts)
Devin: Rashad Evans. This is such a tough pick. Rampage better in standup and is the bigger fighter. Evans has wrestling if he wants to use it and looked more impressive than rampage against common opponant Forrest. Taking Rashad due to the Rampage layoff, both with movie and simply has not fought in awhile. I am fairly certain I know what Rashad is going to show up, no Idea about Rampage. Rashad tko 3rd round.
Luke: These two guys hate each other, and if the fight stinks, at least the build up was exciting. If I was a betting man, I'd go with Rashad. He's the more well-rounded fighter, and is the better athlete, which means more the longer the fight goes. Don't think Rampage was that impressive against Keith Jardine (his last UFC fight), but he was hilarious on the Ultimate Fighter. All signs point to Evans, but I can't pull the trigger. Rampage is one of my favorite fighters, and I would love to see him knockout Rashad and face Shogun for the title. Rampage TKO 1st Rd.
There you go. Enjoy the fights.
Until next time, "read it, roll it, hole it."
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