Staff Standings:
Rosenthal League
Benjamin Kohn: 33-13, .717
Daniel Galvan: 19-8, .704
Nolan Howell: 49-22, .690
Josh Hall: 24-11, .686
Tim Bernier: 23-11, .676
Tim Hickey: 29-15, .659
Winslow League
Christian Diaz: 23-12, .657
Chris Groves: 30-19, .612
Lucas Bourdon: 7-5, .583
Connor Dillon: 26-19, .578
Luke Irwin: 48-44, .522
TC Engel: 20-20, .500
(Our battered blue belt, Ben Kohn, takes over the top spot after a stellarly-picked Fuel card. Luckily, your editor is still kept out of the deep basement in the Winslow [NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!] League. Thank God for Taylor Engel and his awful prognostications.)
Bantamweight Bout: Scott Jorgensen (14-6) vs. Urijah Faber (27-6)
Luke Irwin: Since 2009, Jorgensen’s only losses are to the UFC Bantamweight Champ, the interim UFC Bantamweight Champ, and the current challenger to the Interim UFC Bantamweight Champ. Scotty is as high-level a gatekeeper you can have, but he can’t get over the hill against the elite fighters of the division. Urijah, for all the boo-hooing he gets for the undeserved title shots and high-profile fights, is an elite fighter. Everything Scotty does, Urijah can do it better. I think this is going to go roughly the same as Faber did against Barao. Game, but just outpaced. Faber via UD.
Connor Dillon: Urijah Faber is the perennial sub-155 title challenger and Scott Jorgensen is the guy with some sweet tattoos. Now despite his current abysmal record in challenging for a title, Faber is still one of the best 135 & 145 lbers out there. Jorgensen has done some fantastic stuff but hasn’t ever reached a level like Faber. I’m gonna go with Faber on this one, as his experience and skills are just a little better than Jorgensen. Faber via decision.
Tim Hickey: A fun fight that should have lots of action between two fighters currently lost in the shuffle of the bantamweight division. Both have had their shots at gold, and probably won’t ever become a champion in the UFC. That being said, I really don’t know how Jorgensen can win this fight. Everything he does, Faber does better. Faber via UD.
Nolan Howell: Scott Jorgensen is a solid fighter. Most of his game is predicated off of power, whether it be his grappling or striking. For every strength Jorgensen has, Urijah Faber is better. Faster on the feed and on the mat, as well as more savvy in both areas. Jorgensen is too slow on the feet, so look for him to get caught and Faber to finish. Urijah Faber by third-round submission.
Josh Hall: Urijah Faber is better than Scotty Jorgenson everywhere, and he should win this fight comfortably. Faber by dominant decision.
The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finals: Kelvin Gastelum (5-0) vs. Urijah Hall (7-2)
Luke Irwin: In the words of the great Duke Evers, “YOU SEE?! HE’S NOT A MACHINE! HE’S A MAN!”. Urijah has been beaten, and will be beaten again. However, Kelvin Gastelum isn’t the one to do it yet. Hall via R2 TKO.
Connor Dillon: Damn this season of TUF was good. These two guys are really good prospects and I’m excited to see where they can go later in their UFC careers. Hall is the extremely fancy and strong striker, who showed a decent top game in his entrance fight to TUF. Kelvin has really been hidden this entire season, running beneath my eyes and is the dark horse in this entire competition who finished the guy everyone thought was going to get to the finale. Despite my preference for underdogs, I’m gonna go with Hall thanks to his more complete striking and overall skill. Hall via TKO.
Tim Hickey: For those (if any) that haven’t seen Uriah Hall fight, he is a goddamn Lear jet flying, limousine ridin, kissing stealin, wheelin dealin son of a gun. He ran through the TUF cast like like a monster in a horror movie, leaving death and destruction in his wake. Every one of his opponents got a trip to the emergency room for their troubles. His only losses in MMA have been to middleweight title challenger Chris Weidman and consensus top 10 MW Costas Phillipou. Gastelum reminds me of a young Diego Sanchez (you know, the one that was a beserker of grappling and relentlessness and not the flat footed punch eating brawler of today.) but I think he is a lamb to slaughter. Hall has the length and striking acumen to take this fight Hall via 2nd Rd TKO.
Nolan Howell: Kelvin Gastelum has the tools to make this fight competitive. Gastelum will need to use the cage to his advantage to drag the fight to the mat. While Gastelum has a chance to win ugly, all signs point to Uriah Hall winning beautifully. He has shown grappling that is used to keep the fight in his wheelhouse on the feet. This fight will be contested there and it won’t be contested long. Uriah Hall by first-round KO.
Josh Hall: Urijah Hall has been a wrecking machine this entire TUF season, but I think Kelvin will give him a much tougher fight, and could possibly win. That being said, I’ll still take Hall via KO.
Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Cat Zingano (7-0) vs. Miesha Tate (13-3)
Luke Irwin: Once you get under the photoshoots, and the cupcakes, and the Ronda-hate, and Caraway, and the trash-talk, you find that Miesha Tate is an absolutely fantastic fighter. Her fight against Julie Kedzie was our Top-400 Fights of 2012 #1. She tapped Marloes. FREAKING MARLOES! People overlook her because she’s a lot of sizzle, but she’s a shitload worth of steak there too. Cat’s a nice prospect and should be a viable fighter in the UFC W135 division, but she’s not on Miesha’s level. Tate via R3 Submission, stealing another victory from the jaws of defeat.
Connor Dillon: Alrighty, this has effects on who will be a coach in the next season of The Ultimate Fighter. Tate has a history with Rousey, and despite her many attempts at saying she wouldn’t look past Zingano, anyone who broke my arm is definitely gonna be on my mind all the time. Zingano has a great ground game, but I also think Tate is a little better on the ground. That said, Zingano has better defense and more tools in the striking department. I think Zingano is gonna use her wrestling defensively and beat down Tate standing up. Zingano via decision.
Tim Hickey: With a coaching gig for the next season of TUF on the line (and all the exposure that should come with that), we should be in for a treat. I expect there to be a number of fun exchanges on the ground between two very competent grapplers, but I am inclined to take Tate because of her experience in the spotlight and having faced tougher competition during her career. Tate via UD.
Nolan Howell: This matchup will be a fun one to watch. Everything seems to point to this fight being competitive with a case to be made for either lady. Both ladies are powerful grapplers, with Tate favoring a wrestling background. Zingano has a more submission-oriented attack, although she is no doubt strong. For me, Zingano’s technique on the floor and strength swing the pendulum in her favor. Cat Zingano by unanimous decision.
Josh Hall: Miesha Tate is far more experienced against good competition than Cat Zingano, and combined with her size advantage I expect her to be a little too much for the undefeated fighter. Tate via decision.
Heavyweight Bout: Gabriel Gonzaga (14-6) vs. Travis Browne (13-1-1)
Luke Irwin: This is going to depend on if Browne actually shows up for this fight instead of the hop-fighting douche that looked past Bigfoot. Gonzaga is a co-captain of the Jorge Gurgel “GET IT TO THE FUCKING GROUND, YOU’RE A JIU-JITSU ACE FOR FUCK’S SAKE!’ team. Encouragingly, Gonzaga’s last three wins have been my three different submissions. The problem is getting Browne to the ground, and I see Browne catching Gonzaga before that. PS: How the hell did they make the poster and Miesha/Cat didn’t?? Either way, Browne via R2 KO.
Connor Dillon: Browne lost in a controversial manner in my opinion thanks to an injury and subsequent TKO to Bigfoot Silva. Gonzaga is coming back higher up the ranks, and he’s still a dangerous opponent, but I think Browne is just too much. He’ll come back better than before and beat up Gonzaga and possibly finish him if he doesn’t throw too many crazy strikes. Browne via TKO.
Tim Hickey: Despite a disappointing loss to current HW title challenger Antonio Silva, Browne remains one of the brightest prospects in the UFC HW division. This fight with Gonzaga is tailor made for “Hapa” to get back on track and try to climb his way back into the top 10. (plus I have an undying hate for Gonzaga for killing Cro Cop) Browne via 2nd Rd TKO
Nolan Howell: I can just hear the “grappler vs. striker” cliche being used on the broadcast right now. While both men are skilled in all areas, this will play out something like that. Travis Browne will want to keep this on the feet, while Gabriel Gonzaga will want to use his world-class grappling. Browne’s length will likely keep Gonzaga away and allow him to pick Gonzaga apart. Travis Browne by second-round TKO.
Josh Hall: Travis Browne was doing fine against Bigfoot Silva before he was injured, and Gonzaga doesn’t react well to getting hit and came in heavier than normal at the weigh ins. Browne via KO.
Middleweight Bout: Gilbert Smith (5-1) vs. Robert McDaniel (20-6)
Luke Irwin: Experience and strength of schedule wins out here. McDaniel via R1 TKO.
Connor Dillon: Why is this on the main card? Jesus….Gilbert didn’t impress me at all during his TUF run, and neither did Bubba, but at least Bubba won more than once. Bubba via dumbshit.
Tim Hickey: Bubba McDaniel was given every chance on the show to succeed. As a training partner with Jon Jones at Jackson’s MMA, it was evident that Jones felt some loyalty to him (picking him to fight as a wild card after a loss early on). While not a fantastic fighter, he is a scrappy veteran who has been around a lot longer than Smith. I expect Bubba to use that experience to pull out a victory. McDaniel via decision.
Nolan Howell: This will honestly be one of the hardest fights to pick. It seems like Bubba McDaniel should be the rightful favorite here, as Gilbert Smith doesn’t offer much but power. Assuming, McDaniel puts it all together, he should win here. Bubba McDaniel by second-round submission.
Josh Hall: Gilbert Smith via decision.
Middleweight Bout: Josh Samman (9-2) vs. Kevin Casey (5-2)
Luke Irwin: *ahem*, That’s Strikeforce Challengers MAIN EVENTER Kevin Casey, thank you very much! That being said, Samman via SD.
Connor Dillon: Samman has more experience and he’s got a good, strong game. Casey had kidney failure in the middle of his match. I’m pretty sure this is just a sacrificial lamb fight. Samman via TKO.
Tim Hickey: Samman went all the way to the TUF semis before getting the life choked out of him by Kelvin Gastelum. He has the look of a very solid prospect at 185 lbs. Casey, a Gracie black belt, went 0-2 in the house, and couldn’t answer the bell for the 3rd round in his wildcard fight with Bubba McDaniel. He blamed the loss on the weight cut, but I believe his gas tank maybe a little bit lacking. At least he will always have his rap career and being friends with Supreme Douche Spencer Pratt. (watch his turrible rap video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc2N2TiKI3o) Samman via 3rd round KO.
Nolan Howell: Kevin Casey has a BJJ black belt. Sadly, he has no way of bringing it there. Josh Samman is solid in all areas, so he should be able to determine where this fight goes. Look for him to keep it standing and win it there. Josh Samman by first-round TKO.
Josh Hall: Josh Samman via KO.
Middleweight Bout: Collin Hart (4-1-1) vs. Luke Barnatt (5-0)
Luke Irwin: Call it jingoism, but I mostly like to call it a pattern. British fighters making their American debut? Ehhhh…, plus I can never pick against a Tachi Palace veteran! They’ve seen some shit, man… Hart via UD.
Connor Dillon: Barnatt wins via decision.
Tim Hickey: Coin flip really. Barnett is super tall for a MW (6’6) so that is enough for me Barnett via decision.
Nolan Howell: Luke Barnatt has freakish size, allowing him to strike and grapple effectively with his long limbs. Colin Hart has the style that could scare Barnatt, continuously coming forward to wear you down to the mat. While that seems possible, it looks to be more feasible that Barnatt catches Hart on the way in. Luke Barnatt by second-round TKO.
Josh Hall: Luke Barnatt via KO.
Middleweight Bout: Dylan Andrews (15-4) vs. Jimmy Quinlan (3-0)
Luke Irwin: Dylan has some granite fists, but he can be caught in a flash submission. Quinlan is very inexperienced, but I think he has the grappling chops to catch Andrews. Quinlan R2 Sub.
Connor Dillon: Dylan Andrews wins via TKO.
Tim Hickey: Last time we saw Dylan Andrews, he was busy having his soul stolen from his body by Uriah Hall. He literally wanted nothing to do with being in the cage with Hall, and spent the entire fight in a defensive shell (occasionally throwing a looping right hand in hopes of a KO). He is a veteran of 19 fights and has shared the cage/ring with a number of cagey fighters, which should be enough to take a win over the relatively inexperienced Quinlan. Andrews via 1st round KO.
Nolan Howell: Jimmy Quinlan is a skillful grappler, while Dylan Andrews is a technical brawler that seems to comfortable everywhere. That said, it would be best for him to stand in this one. Quinlan likely won’t be able to get it to the mat and will wilt under the pressure of Andrews. Dylan Andrews by first-round TKO.
Josh Hall: Dylan Andrews via decision.
Middleweight Bout: Bristol Marunde (12-7) vs. Clint Hester (7-3)
Luke Irwin: I tend to take the guy who just went three rounds with Jacare over Hester who hasn’t had, shall we say, nearly the challenges that Marunde has faced. Marunde via UD.
Connor Dillon: Clint Hester wins via decision.
Tim Hickey: Hester via UD.
Nolan Howell: Had this been a fight that Marunde had a full camp for, it would be easy to say he could grind this one out for a decision. However, given the size disadvantage and the potential lack of gas, this should be Hester’s chance for a quick win. Clint Hester by second-round TKO.
Josh Hall: Clint Hester via decision.
Featherweight Bout: Bart Palaszewski (36-16) vs. Cole Miller (18-7)
Luke Irwin: Two guys probably fighting for their jobs here. Palaszewski hasn’t lost via submission since 2007, and for whatever reason, Cole looks really, REALLY shitty lately. Palaszewski via R3 TKO.
Connor Dillon: Palaszewski wins via decision.
Tim Hickey: Well, basically the loser will be looking for a job, so expect both of these guys to come out guns blazing. I am picking Cole Miller, but I do so hesitantly, as lately no one seems to know which Cole Miller will be showing up on fight night. I hope it is the one that choked the ever loving hell out of Junie Browning. Miller via UD.
Nolan Howell: Cole Miller has looked very pitiful at featherweight. Unfortunately, he is fighting a guy who has all the right tools to beat him. Bart Palaszewski’s slick boxing and capable grappling allow him to take this one. Bart Palaszewski by second-round TKO.
Josh Hall: Cole Miller has looked less than stellar since dropping to 145, and I expect Bartimus to impose his will on the lanky fighter. Bart by decision.
Featherweight Bout: Daniel Pineda (17-9) vs. Justin Lawrence (4-1)
Luke Irwin: My FOTN pick right here. I really, really think this fight is going to deliver in a big way. I like watching Pineda too much to let him ride off into the sunset. Pineda via R3 TKO.
Connor Dillon: Pineda via decision.
Tim Hickey: *Shrugs shoulders* Pineda via submission.
Nolan Howell: Sort of a tough matchup, as you don’t know if Justin Lawrence’s flashy techniques will win against an elite regional talent like Daniel Pineda. While Pineda proved he can be KO’d in his last fight, the safer bet seems to be on him. Daniel Pineda by first-round submission.
Josh Hall: Justin Lawrence is a raw fighter, but Pineda is coming off a KO loss and Lawrence is likely to pressure him and put him here for the KO win. Lawrence via KO.
Featherweight Bout: Maximo Blanco (8-4-1) vs. Sam Sicilia (11-2)
Luke Irwin: Maxi Blanco, damn, on top of the world in Sengoku, now opening…the Facebook portion…of an Ultimate Fighter card…yikes. Pencil in another superstar in Japan that’s going to fizzle out here. Sicilia via R1 KO.
Connor Dillon: Sicilia via submission.
Tim Hickey: Do not remove your visual recepticals from the computer screen when these two gentlemen get into the cage. Both enjoy a good round of fisticuffs and should quench my unquenchable bloodlust. Blanco via 1st Round KO.
Nolan Howell: While Maximo Blanco has been a terrible disappointment stateside thus far, Sam Sicilia has nothing but a puncher’s chance here. Fight smart, Blanco. Maximo Blanco by first-round TKO.
Josh Hall: Maximo Blanco by KO.
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