Friday, February 5, 2010

UFC 109: Relentless Preview and Picks

Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman

This could almost be called a battle of senior citizens. How about the AARP Fight of the Night? Both veterans are in their forties but they still have non-stop motors and continue to be in tremendous physical shape.

Couture defeated Brandon Vera in a very unimpressive win by decision in his last fight. Coleman also won his last fight at UFC 100 against Stephan Bonnar by decision.

UFC commentator Joe Rogan mentioned that the winner could be in a line for a possible title shot in the near future, but I don't see either fighter as a legitimate contender right now for the UFC light heavyweight title.

This fight would have been a great main event about ten years ago but both fighters are now past their prime.

I am taking Couture to win by split decision.

Nate Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen

These two veterans have a combined 78 fights in their MMA careers. The winner will be in line for a shot to fight for the UFC middleweight title currently held by Anderson Silva.

Sonnen has been making fans laugh with his interviews of late by making fun of Silva and Coleman. Sonnen is a confident and tough fighter, but he won't win the fight on Saturday night against Marquardt.

Marquardt is more skilled in every area than Sonnen, and Marquardt will finish Sonnen in the second round by TKO.

Mike Swick vs. Paulo Thiago

Swick is coming off a knee injury and is facing Thiago on short notice. Thiago was supposed to have a rematch with Swick's teammate, Josh Koscheck, but Koscheck got injured during training camp.

Swick wants to win so fans will forget about his loss to Dan Hardy at UFC 105. Thiago will want to take this fight to the ground while Swick wants to keep the fight standing.

Just like Sonnen, Thiago is a very tough guy and will be hard to finish but Swick is just more talented than him.

My pick is Swick by TKO in the second round.

Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller

Maia suffered his only loss in his professional MMA career when he got knocked out by Marquardt at UFC 102. Miller lost to Sonnen in his last fight at UFC 98.

The winner gets back into contention in the UFC middleweight division. My pick is Maia by rear naked choke in the first round.

Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg

Both fighters are coming off a loss and there is a strong possibility that the loser of this fight may hang up his gloves.

This match is very tough to call but I will give the edge to Serra since Trigg looked very bad in his last fight against Koscheck, and Serra has knockout power.

Serra will win by knockout in the first round.

Mac Danzig vs. Justin Buchholz

Buchholtz by split decision after three exciting rounds.

Melvin Guillard vs. Ronys Torres

Guillard is now training out of Greg Jackson's gym. I expect a knockout from Guillard on Saturday night.

Phillipe Nover vs. Rob Emerson

Nover passed out before his last fight against Sam Stout but he says that will never happen again because he hired a nutritionist. Emerson expects to knock out Nover.

This should be another exciting fight, and I like Emerson to win by TKO in the second round.

Brian Stann vs. Phil Davis

Davis' nickname is Mr. Wonderful. I believe Stann is now training at Greg Jackson's camp with Guillard.

Davis is 4-0 and has been hyped as an up-and-coming fighter by various MMA websites. Vera has been hyping him up as well.

I have never seen Davis fight but I will believe the hype and pick Davis to win by TKO in the first round.

Tim Hague vs. Chris Tuchscherer

The last time I saw Hague in the cage was when he got knocked out by Todd Duffee. Tuchscherer is Brock Lesnar's training partner.

This is a battle of big heavyweights and I will go with Lesnar's teammate to win by split decision.

Rolles Gracie vs. Joey Beltran

Beltran's nickname is "The Mexecutioner." Gracie is 3-0 in his career, and I expect him to win his fourth fight on Saturday night by armbar in the first round.

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