UFC 116: To Kill a Mockingbird

(the 'a' key barely works on this keyboard. sorry)

Commissioner Dana White stumbled towards the podium with his fly down and a t-shirt with picture of Christopher Hitchens smoking a cigarette. As he chuckled to himself a slight stream of champagne slid from his nose.

Madsen vs. Vemola

Yeah, this undercard is a real grab-bag. Light it on fire and stomp on it. A lot of guys with good records in small promotions vs. guys with middling records in big promotions. There just isn't enough data. I think Vemola might be more talented but Madsen has more UFC experience. Let's say Madsen by TKO in the 2nd.

Roberts vs. Petz

Again, what do we really know? I am going Roberts by decision.

Harris vs. Branch

Harris is a real dogged fighter. Good take-downs and top control. He will probably win but I am going to call a surprise sub for Branch in the 1st. Interesting.

Grove vs. Reljic

Two super talented guys with big holes in their games. Reljic's being injury and subsequent lay-off, which makes me question him. Grove who's lack of beard is epic. I really love Grove's game but you just can't bet on Glass Joe. Reljic by KO in the 2nd after being out fought by Grove.

Romero vs. Petruzelli

One of the strnge things about operating on the fringes of the MMA world is that I realistically know that Seth Petruzelli could come into my gym and kick my and everyone else's ass (as long as Enson wasn't there) however, come on....whatever. Romero by decision.

Schaub vs. Tschurer

Schaub is a fighter I am actually interested in. His boxing is still a little robotic but not in so bad a way. He throws straight punches and has a good one two with some decent head movement. He is also a very good, strong athlete. I got Schaub by TKO in the 3rd.

Sotiropoulos vs. Pellegrino

Damn. Two fighters I really like. Pellegrino has really impressed with his improvement. He isn't great at anything but he is tough as hell. He fought Alberto Crane with a hole in his mouth. I really pull for the guy. But. But. Sotiropoulos reps Purebred hard. Is that enough to make me pick him? Probably. He first stood out to me on TUF when he kind of ignored everything that was going on and took the training and woke up early to run sprints in the yard. That is the kind of fighter to watch. In his last fight Sotiropoulos ran a grappling train on Joe Stevenson, who is no slouch. I am very excited to watch this and it could go any myriad of ways. I see Sotiropoulos getting taken down but winning the scrambles and getting some good body triangles and taking the back for a positional decision.

Bonnar vs. Soszynski

No offense, but who cares? Soszynski by clinching to decision. Two good guys who aren't relevant anymore.

Lytle vs. Brown

I have never hid my love for Chris Lytle. Bad tattoo. Fireman. Good boxer. Great grappler, but only in secret. I also appreciate Brown and his strange folk hero status. Brown is tough but Lytle is way better technically. If Lytle fights dumb, which he sometimes does on purpose, Brown can find a way to when. Let's hope he decides to bust out his grappling and submits Brown in the 1st.

Akiyama vs. Leben

Now we are talking. Too bad Wanderlei's body fell apart before this fight leaving the Cat Smasher to come in on a quick two week turnaround. Leben can win any fight he is in by having a steel head and real power in his hands. Akiyama is small for the weight class but excessively talented. He is better boxer and great in the clinch. He is stronger and better on the ground. I got Akiyama by sub in the 3rd.

Lesnar vs. Carwin

i should decide on the merits of the fight, but Brock Lesnar, while being immensely gifted is a bigot and a moron. Can't play with him. Can't win with him. There are a lot of unknowns in this one as well. Neither guy has been tested as much as we need to make a verdict on them. If Carwin come out and stops a double leg, then it is on. Carwin has sick, sick power. Does Lesnar have a chin? Who knows? Carwin by KO in the 1st.

Take it to the office kids.