Last Event Winner: Josh Hall (11-1)
Rosenthal League
Benjamin Kohn: 42-16, .724
Nolan Howell: 77-30, .720
Tim Bernier: 33-13, .717
Daniel Galvan: 19-8, .704
Tim Hickey: 56-24, .700
Josh Hall: 49-22, .690
Winslow League
Christian Diaz: 23-12, .657
Connor Dillon: 44-25, .638
Chris Groves: 30-19, .612
Lucas Bourdon: 7-5, .583
Luke Irwin: 67-60, .528
TC Engel: 20-20, .500
(A strong showing by just about everyone at last week’s FOX event. Luckily for this guy, I was able to pull out of the cellar and leave TC’s maple syrup-swilling ass in the dust. Ben and Nolan keep passing each other the crown, while Bernier is the pickle-in-the-middle to two older brothers who keep holding it over him and straight-arming him.)
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship: Jon Jones (c) (17-1) vs. Chael Sonnen (27-12-1)
Luke Irwin: Meh. Sometime around the second, maybe third round, Jones is going to get Chael against the fence, he’s going to throw a knee to the body, Chael will go down, Jones will lock on some sort of weird choke and Chael will tap-no-tap. That’s the scenario I keep coming around on over and over again. Jones via R2 Submission.
Tim Bernier: I’m bummed they’re wasting a Jon Jones fight on a squash match, again. Not much to add besides Jones by Submission, Round 2.
Tim Hickey: I honestly do not expect this to be competitive. Yes Chael maybe able to take Jones down, but I can’t see him being able to pull it off for 5 rounds. Nor is there any real danger of him being able to finish the champ. This will more than likely end violently. Jones via 2nd Rd TKO.
Josh Hall: This is a total mismatch. The only question is how long Bones plays with Chael. I’ll say Jones via 2nd round TKO from hellbows.
Nolan Howell: While my cohorts seem to think Jon Jones will end this quickly, I’ll give Chael Sonnen a little credit on endurance. No need to analyze this one too much. Jones will pick him apart until Sonnen’s will is completely broken. Jon Jones by fourth-round TKO.
Middleweight Bout: Alan Belcher (18-7) vs. Michael Bisping (23-5)
Luke Irwin: Now this is an interesting fight! Wandy fight aside, Bisping is competent enough on the ground to avoid any kind of sub attempt from Belcher. Plus Belcher tends to me more of a counter-grappler, and there’s no way Bisping initiates anything. I think this will be hard-hitting, technical, and fun, like Belcher’s bout with Akiyama. Unfortunately for Alan, I think it ends the same way. Bisping via SD.
Tim Bernier: This card has a lot of predictable matchups, this being one of them. Bisping will fire away shots from a distance. It’ll be moderately impressive. A lot of straight, accurate punches while he slips away from Belcher’s offense. Bisping by decision.
Tim Hickey: This is really a must win for Bisping. He is 1-2 in his last three fights, and a loss here could potentially push him out of the top 10. I think he may end up following the Okami gameplan and try to wrestler Belcher for 3 rounds. Bisping via decision.
Josh Hall: Belcher has failed every time he has take a big step up in competition, and I expect it to happen again here. I think Bisping is better everywhere but BJJ, but has the defensive wrestling to keep the fight on the feet and pick Belcher apart. Bisping via unanimous decision.
Nolan Howell: This will be a super interesting bout. Alan Belcher hits hard enough to make this interesting and his Thai boxing should present some problems for Michael Bisping. However, Bisping will stick and move far too quickly to trade in a brawl with Belcher. On the ground, Belcher might have a bit of an advantage, but Bisping is competent enough to defend and stand up. Michael Bisping by split decision.
Heavyweight Bout: Cheick Kongo (18-7-2) vs. Roy Nelson (18-7)
Luke Irwin: Jack Slack wrote a fantastic article about Kongo and answered some questions I’ve had for a while about his striking. Kongo does get very, very tentative around fighters with strong ground games, and that’s what Roy has, even if he doesn’t use it enough, to my frustration. But I think this goes like most of Roy’s fights. Kongo throws a sloppy punch, and with his enormous reach, it takes forever to get there. By then, Roy has ducked and unleashes that extinction right hand. Nelson via R2 KO.
Tim Bernier: Kongo’s striking defense is horrible. Nelson’s one shot knockout ability is great. The grappling won’t come into that much of a play, as I see Nelson shrugging off Kongo’s TD attempts, and I don’t see Nelson attempting any of his own. Nelson by KO, round 1.
Tim Hickey: If this is a casual MMA fans first UFC event, they are going to think that they have put a well fed homeless man against some sort of murderous chisled from granite superhero. I like the hobo’s chances. He throws a bomb of a overhand right, and as Kongo showed in the Frank Mir, Pat Barry and Mark Hunt fights, he is prone to getting hit with that punch. Combine that with Nelson’s good matwork, and solid chin, it isn’t going to be a good night for Cheick. Nelson via TKO.
Josh Hall: In the battle of mismatched physiques, I like the fat man here. Roy hits hard and is extremely durable, and his ground game is far better than Kongo’s. I think he lands the big overhand fairly early and puts the Frenchman to sleep. Roy via 1st round KO.
Nolan Howell: Cheick Kongo might want to fight ugly here on the cage. However, as we’ve seen, stocky guys with solid defensive grappling are enough to prevent that from happening. Roy Nelson is stocky and a lot more than solid in terms of grappling. Add to the fact that Kongo always eats something, which he cannot afford in this fight, and you have your winner. Roy Nelson by first-round KO.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Phil Davis (10-1) vs. Vinny Magalhaes (10-5)
Luke Irwin: Well, this was the fight Vinny wanted, but I think he bit off more than he could chew…or submit. Mr. Wonderful isn’t Igor Pokrajac, he’s an enormous, positionally sound wrestler with great awareness on the ground. I don’t think either will allow the other to find a sub, but I think Davis takes this 30-26. Davis via UD.
Tim Bernier: Another thing this card is full of is potential decisions. Doesn’t mean it’s a bad card. Phil Davis has the clear striking advantage. He will also be able to bring it to the ground if he wants to. Vinny is dangerous on the ground, but submitting a guy off your back in MMA is already difficult, not to mention the fact that Davis’ top game is excellent and he definitely has shown enough submission know-how in his career to avoid the submission attempts. Davis by decision.
Tim Hickey: The Twitter beef finally has a resolution. I am a fan of Magalhaes, as he is one of the most talented and brilliant jiu-jitsu practitioners in MMA today. Unfortunately for him, I don’t think he has a chance to get this to the floor long enough to do anything about it. Davis will probably keep this on the feet, where he holds a speed advantage. Davis via decision.
Josh Hall: Though Davis has the better MMA resume, I think Vinny is a terrible matchup for him. I think the fight stays on the feet early, but I think Davis will struggle to win the fight there. Eventually I think he takes Vinny down, and that leads to his downfall here. Vinny via 2nd round submission.
Nolan Howell: This is another fight that needs to be fought ugly. Phil Davis has some awkward, stiff-as-a-board striking. If he wants to win, he’ll need to do that and stay away from Vinny Magalhaes as if he is made of glue. For some reason, I feel Davis will find himself on the mat and that will be just enough for Magalhaes to strike. Vinny Magalhaes by first-round submission.
Lightweight Bout: Jim Miller (22-4) vs. Pat Healy (29-16)
Luke Irwin: A JIM MILLER FIGHT HNNNNNNGGGGGG!! Watching Jim Miller fight has been known to cure leprosy, club foot, and feline AIDS. Healy’s a ground wiz, but he’s just not on Jim Miller’s level. Miller via R3 TKO.
Tim Bernier: One of my favorite matchups on the card. When was the last time Jim Miller was involved in a boring fight? That dude is going to bring the blue collar beating. It may not even be one sided! Healy has a legitimate chance. I’m hoping for a competitive fight, because if they trade it can be magical. Miller by decision, Fight of the Night.
Tim Hickey: Two veterans with over 70 fights between them, Miller and Healy are very similar fighters. Both have shared the cage with some of the most talented fighters in the world. But in the last couple of years, Miller has faced much steeper competition. I believe Miller does everything better than Healy does, but then again, those Strikeforce guys have been sneaky good lately. Miller via decision.
Josh Hall: I hate this fight, because I am a big fan of both guys. Miller is simply going to be too good for Healy here, and I think he continues his newfound aggressive streak here and gets a submission after hurting Healy standing. Jim Miller via 2nd round submission.
Nolan Howell: Jim Miller only loses to guys who compete for the strap. Pat Healy is not one of those guys. Size could play a factor for Healy, but overall, Miller is just too slick everywhere else to fall for that. Jim Miller by unanimous decision.
Lightweight Bout: Rustam Khabilov (15-1) vs. Yancy Medeiros (9-0)
Luke Irwin: Alright, a merciless suplexing machine against a fighter who hasn’t fought in almost THREE YEARS AND IS DROPPING FROM MIDDLEWEIGHT. This isn’t going to end well. Khabilov via R1 KO.
Tim Bernier: I don’t even know who Medeiros is, and I won’t bother to check. All I want is my favorite move in any combat sport- the Suplex. Give me more of them. Khabilov by decision.
Tim Hickey: You may recognize Khabilov as the Russian who tried to drive Vinc Pichel through the mat back at the TUF finally back in December. Medeiros hasn’t fought in 3 years, and God willing maybe the sacrificial lamb to quench my unquenchable slam thirst. Khabilov via triple suplex Rd 2.
Josh Hall: Khabilov is coming off one of the more impressive debuts in recent history after suplexing Vinc Pichel to sleep, and Medieros hasn’t fought in a long time. That’s enough for me. Khabilov via unanimous decision.
Nolan Howell: This fight is going to remind me of something between Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle circa 2001. Rustam Khabilov by first-round TKO.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Gian Villante (10-3) vs. Ovince St. Preux (12-5)
Luke Irwin: O-S-P!! O-S-P!! O-S-P!! Oh, I haven’t forgotten the great OSP craze of ’10-’11. I like both of these guys and they’ve both paid their dues to get here. Their skills sets, resume, and level are roughly the same, as well. Both evenly matched fighters, so I gotta pick one. St. Preux via SD.
Tim Bernier: For awhile there OSP wasn’t on the list of fighters from Strikeforce that were for sure coming over. Had me worried for a bit, as I think he’s got some potential. OSP by decision. OSP is exposed.
Tim Hickey: A battle between two Strikeforce prospects, with more than likely a job on the line. I think OSP is a much more dangerous striker and could look to make a statement by coming out aggressive early. OSP via KO 1st Rd.
Josh Hall: OSP is one of the more athletic guys in MMA, and I think that will be too much for Villante to overcome. OSP by unanimous decision in an entertaining fight.
Nolan Howell: While Gian Villante has some power, Ovince St. Preux is the more well-rounded fighter and can do whatever he wants. Ovince St. Preux by unanimous decision.
Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Sara McMann (6-0) vs. Sheila Gaff (10-4-1)
Luke Irwin: This is a big Sara McMann house here and I’ve said for some time that she’s going to be the one to take down Ronda. This is a good test for her, as Gaff can do a little bit of everything and is a nasty striker. However, her strength-of-schedule is still lacking. Her best win is over Aisling Daly, who’s a fun and game fighter, but not the same level that McMann has beat. Good introductory fight for Sara in the UFC. McMann via R2 Submission.
Tim Bernier: I’m not going to pretend like I know a lot about Gaff. But I do know about McMann, and I can read Wikipedia entries. McMann will take this easily and convincingly, the only question is whether she subs Gaff or not. I don’t think she will. McMann by decision.
Tim Hickey: The women bantamweight division’s other Olympic medalist, McMann is an explosive wrestler who has put together an undefeated record in MMA. She is facing German fighter Sheila Gaff, who when she last fought over a year ago, she decided to go straight gangsta and instead of touching gloves with her opponent, she decided to punch her right in the face. I expect McMann to use her world class wrestling to take this fight to the ground and use good ground and pound to win this fight. McMann via TKO 3rd Rd.
Josh Hall: Sara McMann is quickly becoming one of my favorite fighters in MMA, and this is a showcase fight for her. Gaff will come at her early, but the elite wrestling of McMann should be the deciding factor here. McMAnn via lopsided unanimous decision.
Nolan Howell: Sara McMann is going to give Ronda Rousey some stiff competition in the futrue and Sheila Gaff is just a bump in the road that will be trucked on the way. Sara McMann by second-round TKO.
Bantamweight Bout: Bryan Caraway (17-6) vs. Johnny Bedford (19-9-1)
Luke Irwin: My pick for FOTN here. Caraway is puke on the feet but fun, fluid, and creative on the ground. Bedford is a mystery to me. He’s beaten good fighters and lost to shitty ones, he’s lost in front of 25 people, but won in front of thousands. He’s the definition of a wild card. I think this is a hellstorm on the ground with Caraway catching the journeyman. Caraway via R3 Submission.
Tim Bernier: The downgrade from an Erik Perez fight to a Bryan Caraway fight is so disappointing. I hope Bedford brings some violence. Bedford by decision.
Tim Hickey: For the first time in his UFC career, Johnny Bedford is not fighting in the month of December. He is facing a fellow TUF castmate Caraway on very short notice when Erik Perez pulled out of the fight. I think with Bedford having a full camp, he should be able to take this fight. Bedford via decision.
Josh Hall: Caraway has a good submission game, which has been Bedford’s one big weakness. But I think taking the fight on short notice will prove detrimental, and Bedford’s constant attack eventually overwhelms Caraway. Bedford via 2nd round TKO.
Nolan Howell: Bryan Caraway is the worst, but he should win this fight. However, given he is in on short-notice, he won’t. Johnny Bedford’s pace will be too much. Johnny Bedford by second-round TKO.
Featherweight Bout: Cody McKenzie (13-3) vs. Leonard Garcia (15-10-1)
Luke Irwin: Hatehatehatehatehate. This is a hater’s dream fight. I’ll never forgive Marcus LeVesseur for fighting the absolute dumbest fight since I once watched a villager walk into a dragon’s mouth in Skyrim against McKenzie and extending his shelf life. This is probably for both fighters’ jobs. Garcia is a windmill, but McKenzie is just terrible. Garcia via R2 TKO.
Tim Bernier: What do ya know, it is 2013 and I’m picking Leonard Garcia to win a fight in the UFC. There aren’t many more beatable fighters than Cody McKenzie, as funny as his MMA career has been to watch. He won’t get the necessary TD’s or McKenzitine, and Garcia is going to wing his fists through the air like it’s the thing he was put on this earth to do. But this time, Cody McKenzie is bad enough to get hit by those fists, unlike most fighters. Garcia by decision.
Tim Hickey: Another fight with a potential job on the line. Garcia is a favorite of Dana and Lorenzo, but you would have to think if he loses his 5th fight in a row he has to be out of a job. Fortunately for him he is facing McKenzie, who’s only weapon is the guillotine choke. Expect lots of swing at air in this one. Garcia via decision.
Josh Hall: In what must be a loser leaves town match, I’ll take the windmilling punches of Garcia over the desperate grab for the neck by Cody, though I hope I’m wrong. Garcia via 1st round KO.
Nolan Howell: This is my main event. Let me tell you guys, the cursed power of Leonard Garcia will be too much for the fragile Cody McKenzie. Expect him to knock whatever brain is left in McKenzie’s head silly. Leonard Garcia by first-round KO.
Featherweight Bout: Kurt Holobaugh (9-1) vs. Steven Siler (21-10)
Luke Irwin: Six months ago, Holobaugh was fighting a winless opponent at Fight Force International: Blood And Sand 13 in Biloxi. Since then, he got dominated by Pat Healy. Nope. Siler via R1 Submission.
Tim Bernier: I originally thought Siler had more potential than he actually did, coming off his wins against Cole Miller and Joey Gambino. He ran into a much better Elkins and my expectations have readjusted. I do think he’s better than Kurt Holobaugh, however. Siler by decision.
Tim Hickey: Siler via decision.
Josh Hall: Holobaugh gave a good showing at LW against Pat Healy, but Siler has a knack for getting guys necks early, and that what I’m predicting here. Siler via 1st round guillotine.
Nolan Howell: People are very high on Kurt Holobaugh because Pat Healy fought stupid against him. Sadly for him, Steven Siler is not that bad at all and will be a UFC prelims staple for a good bit. Steven Siler by first-round submission.
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