Staff Standings:
Ben Kohn: 44-15 .746
Josh Hall: 20-8 .714
TC Engel: 54-27 .667
Luke Irwin: 72-36 .667
Earl Montclair: 44-28 .611
Nolan Howell: 35-23 .603
Lucas Bourdon: 3-2 .600
Dan Galvan: 5-6 .455
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship: Jon Jones (c) (19-1) vs. Glover Teixeira (22-2)
Luke Irwin: Ugh, I don’t see this going well for Glover. He’s looked way too shakey on his way here. I think Jones uses his reach to pummel him against the cage and locks on some sort of choke to get the win. Think Machida without taking any real fire. Jones via R1 Submission.
TC Engel: This is going to be a beatdown. Glover has zero shot. Jonny Bones via TKO, round 3.
Earl Montclair: Im sorry but this is absolutely stupid. Sure, Glover has earned this fight but there is no way that a man who nearly got KOd by Ryan Bader in his #1 contender fight is going to win a minute of a fight against Jon Jones. This may be Jon’s easiest title fight to date. Jon Jones, TKO, 2.
Josh Hall: Bones is too good everywhere. Jon Jones via 3rd round submission.
Ben Kohn: Jon is coming off the toughest fight of his career by far and it will be very interesting to see how he comes back from it. Glover has a lot of power and if he tags Jones early, it could make for an interesting fight. I could see Jon trying to win this fight from top control with his hellbows and I do think he will be looking to make a big statement against Glover. Jon Jones by TKO round 2.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Anthony Johnson (16-4) vs. Phil Davis (12-1)
Luke Irwin: We talked about Phil Davis on the podcast and how he has the weirdest booking schedule ever. Defeat a former world champion? Welcome back a formerly fired welterweight! Rumble seems to have finally found a place for himself, but I think Jones is too big, too strong, and can wear Rumble down. Davis via UD.
TC Engel: I don’t like either of these guys. Seriously. I dislike them. THERE I SAID IT. GET AT ME. Rumble via UD.
Earl Montclair: I am very happy that Rumble is back in the UFC and at 205 as well. Johnson has struggled with wrestlers in the past and Phil Davs is a damn good wrestler. Anthony’s best chance is to end this on the feet and end it early. That being said, I don’t like his chances. Phil Davis, Unanimous Decision.
Josh Hall: Upset of the night: Anthony Jonhson via 2nd round KO.
Ben Kohn: Johnson’s power is definitely unquestionable and has big upset potential. Johnson’s cardio looks just fine at 205 and his striking is looking very polished compared to his first UFC run. However, Davis has excellent striking defense and his offensive striking is definitely looking improved, albeit lacking in power. I think Davis will grind out Johnson and it won’t be fun either. Phil Davis by Unanimous Decision.
Middleweight Bout: Luke Rockhold (11-2) vs. Tim Boetsch (17-6)
Luke Irwin: I’m a huge Boetsch guy, but Rockhold is way too sharp, way too refined, and has that AKA wrestling background in case things get hairy on the ground. I think he decimates Tim on the feet and prevents it from getting ugly. Rockhold via UD.
TC Engel: This will also be a beatdown. Rockhold via UD.
Earl Montclair: Tim Boetsch is one of may favorites and for that reason it pains me to see this matchup. Rockhold is just on another planet and I expect Luke to finish The Barbarian in devastating fashion. Luke Rockhold, KO, 2.
Josh Hall: I love Boetsch, but this is a terrible mismatch. Rockhold UD.
Ben Kohn: Rockhold is coming off that beautiful liver kick KO over Costa while Tim is coming off that decision “win” of CB Dolloway. I don’t see how Boetsch wins this one to be honest. He won’t have the strength advantage and his wrestling will be completely negated. Rockhold will most likely hurt him bad and often en route to a lovely finish. I hate saying this since I like Tim a lot. Luke Rockhold by KO round 2.
Lightweight Bout: Jim Miller (23-4) vs. Yancy Medeiros (9-1)
Luke Irwin: I really don’t like how Jim’s been fighting lately, he’s nowhere near the level of his old self, but still, Yancy Medeiros is still no Jim Miller. Miller via UD.
TC Engel: Another beatdown. Miller via submission, round 1.
Earl Montclair: This is a very short notice opponent switch for these two due to an injury and it really does give an overwhelming advantage to Jim Miller. This is a massive step up that Yancy is not ready for. Jim Miller, Submission, 1.
Josh Hall: Miller is declining, but Medeiros hasn’t caught up yet. Miller Sub 2.
Ben Kohn: Miller may decide to try and throw down with Yancy, an awful idea, but should he fight smart, I expect him to dominate the grappling and get the submission. Jim Miller by Submission round 2.
Featherweight Bout: Andre Fili (13-1) vs. Max Holloway (8-3)
Luke Irwin: Have faith in my man. He’s settled in and ready to destroy. Fili via R2 Submission.
TC Engel: WAIT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT BEATDOWNS? Fili via TKO, round 2.
Earl Montclair: Touchy Fili is well rounded and Holloway is not. Fili, Submission, 2.
Josh Hall: This has FOTN written all over it. Fili comes out to Mumford and Sons, therefore he wins. Fili UD.
Ben Kohn: This fight will be totally cray cray. Holloway is an exciting and dynamic striker and Fili is definitely no slouch on the feet. Fili has a significant advantage on the ground though and I expect him to use it. Andre Fili by Unanimous Decision.
Flyweight Bout: Joseph Benavidez (19-4) vs. Tim Elliott (10-4-1)
Luke Irwin: Classic bounceback fight for Joe B, but I hate that he’s on the undercard. Blegh. Still, an easy fight for him. Benavidez via R1 KO.
TC Engel: FOR REALZIES YOU GUYS, BEATDOWNS! Benavidez via UD.
Earl Montclair: Bounce back fight for Joseph here who is in need of a win after getting embarrassingly KO’d by Demetrious Johnson in less than a round. Elliott is a tough guy but Benavidez is way more than just that. Joseph Benavidez, Unanimous Decision.
Josh Hall: I think Elliot is tough enough to survive, but not quite good enough to win. Benavidez UD.
Ben Kohn: Joe-B is gonna nuke Elliot and knock him out quickly. Joseph Benevidez by KO round 1.
Lightweight Bout: Isaac Vallie-Flagg (14-4-1) vs. Takanori Gomi (34-9)
Luke Irwin: Ike has been barely skating by lately, and I think this time, Gomi cracks him. Gomi via R2 KO.
TC Engel: I WANT TO BELIEVE. Gomi via KO, round 1.
Earl Montclair: Dude, Takanori Gomi is going to win another fight in the UFC and it is 2014. Takanori Gomi, Death, 1.
Josh Hall: Can I pick neither? Fine. Gomi UD.
Ben Kohn: IVF has not impressed me recently and looked very slow on the feet. Gomi may not be the fastest guy but IVF was so hittable in his past few fights. One thing Gomi still clearly has is power and I doubt IVF’s chin can hold up to Gomi’s fists. Takanori Gomi by KO round 2.
Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Bethe Correia (7-0) vs. Jessamyn Duke (3-0)
Luke Irwin: As much as I really, REALLY want one of Rousey’s cronies to fail and badly, she’s too tall, too rangy, and too long and will keep Correia at bay. Duke via UD.
TC Engel: Ugh. Rousey people. She’s probably the worst. Correia via UD.
Earl Montclair: this is going to be a hideous clusterfuck. Jessamyn Duke, Unanimous Decision.
Josh Hall: I’m a huge fan of Duke and I think she can use her range to dictate where this fight takes place. Duke UD.
Ben Kohn: I seem to be going against the grain here by thinking Bethe will take this one but I see her being able to win this by outgrappling Duke. Bethe Correia by Unanimous Decision.
Lightweight Bout: Charlie Brenneman (19-6) vs. Danny Castillo (16-6)
Luke Irwin: This could very well be the most boring fight in history. But when we say that, what usually happens? A barn burner. Castillo via R2 TKO.
TC Engel: DANNY CASTILLO!!! via UD.
Earl Montclair: Danny Castillo is just better. Castillo, Unanimous Decision.
Josh Hall: I hope I’m wrong, but this should be all Danny Castillo. Castillo UD.
Ben Kohn: I’m sorry Charlie, I love ya but you’re chin is not gonna serve you well here. Castillo is sadly going to be able to negate the wrestling of Brenneman and will land a hard shot putting down the ultimate fro. Danny Castillo by KO round 1.
Bantamweight Bout: Chris Beal (8-0) vs. Patrick Williams (7-3)
Luke Irwin: Cali vs. Florida here as Beal has run rampant over California’s BAMMA Badbeat, while Williams has taken on all comers in XFC, CFA, and other Florida regionals. So who takes it? I always like the guy with better strength of schedule. Williams via R2 TKO.
TC Engel: Beal sucks, so not Beal via UD.
Earl Montclair: Beal is going to win I am certain of it. Let’s bet all our money on it okay and get super rich together. Chris Beal, Unanimous Decision.
Josh Hall: Patrick Williams was not a TUF participant, and that’s good enough for me in a pinch. Williams UD.
Ben Kohn: TUF fighter and undefeated? Nope. Picking the other guy. Patrick Williams by TKO round 2.
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