Things have been crazy of late and I have not been able to join the rest of the crew at MMAOpinion for a podcast. Since I wont be able to make a show I am going to share my predictions here. For the sake of time I am only going to predict the winners of the televised card. Oh yea, by the way I will not be watching this event live! I will be in person watching The Juggernaut Antwain Britt take on C.T. Turner at Old Dominion University. I also want to know what you all think of my picks, leave a comment and tell me how much you love or hate (Vee) my picks.
Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory
Originally Dustin Hazelett was not on the television card, but received the generous bump due to the health of Amir Sadollah. Hazelett is not a top 3 fighter in this division and I becoming more of a gatekeeper type of fighter than a true challenger for the belt. He is an instructor at Jorge Gurgel’s (who is on the under card) gym and should be able to win this fight fairly easy. I say that because many of Tamdan’s wins seem to be because of size and strength than pure talent. These two are basically even when it comes to the tail of the tape. Hazelett by submission.
Nate Quarry vs. Demian Maia
Nate Quarry is fresh off of a fight that seemed to be more of a joke than a true fight. I think it still plays on Comedy Central on late night T.V. This fight is clear to predict. If it stays standing then Quarry will be the victor, if it goes to the ground Maia will win. I don’t see Maia having the ability to take Nate down minus jumping guard, but most MMA fights go to the ground at some point. Maia is 9-0 and could be a victory away from a title shot. Maia by submission.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Josh Hendricks
On paper this shouldn’t be much of a fight. However Gonzaga has lost 2 out his last 3 fights, and one of those fighters no longer calls the UFC home. Gab is responsible for one of the best Kos in the UFC, but his ground game is where he excels. Josh Hendricks has had the help of Randy Couture for this fight but Randy will be not be in the cage with him. Gonzaga by TKO
Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson
These are two of my favorite fighters in the 155 pound division. I think this is going to be the fight of the night and to go to decision. If Sherk and Penn were at 170, Flo and Joe would be fighting a 5 round fight for a belt. This one doesn’t have a clear favorite but it seems like many are picking Florian. Florian is a slightly better striker, but Stevenson is better on the ground. Stevenson just got awarded his black belt and he may be itching to use his ground game, that could cost him. Florian could avoid Joe and use his striking advantage to keep the fight in his favor. Flo by unanimous decision
Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture
I for one am not drinking the Brock Lesnar Kool-Aid just yet. He is the future of the division but future is the key word. People are starting to count Randy out, saying he is too old and hasn’t fought in forever. Saying Brock is much faster, stronger, and bigger and Couture will not be able to handle his size. Those are all of the fans that didn’t see Randy defeat Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell, and Tim Sylvia in their primes! Did I mention that he was the underdog in those fights? Odds makers have a saying when it comes to Randy… Don’t ever bet against Randy Couture. Couture by unanimous decision.
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November 12th, 2008 at 12:09pm
I pretty much agree with this, Curtis. But I think that Randy will finish Brock. Five rounds is a long time to do damage.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:55pm
Most of the predictions look solid. I can’t really call the Couture-Lesnar.
It is really hard to call the fight against Josh Hendricks because he has a 15-4 record. Ok, he lost to Sam Hoger(7-4) and iron-man fighter Travis Wiuff-(54-12). Gonzaga(9-3) looks very impressive and is dangerous on the floor but he’s not the complete package and can fold when he’s in trouble. Hendricks experience may be a factor. I’ll admit, I don’t know jack about Hendricks.
Curious what victory would be considered an upset? Where you feel the opponent has no chance to win?
November 12th, 2008 at 3:40pm
Curtis-
Good predictions. I have much of the same with the exception of the Quarry/Maia fight. I have Quarry picking up the win by TKO stoppage.
I didn’t know the Britt fight was at ODU. Is it at the Ted Constant Convo Center? I went to ODU for college, don’t know if you knew that or not.
-DZ
November 12th, 2008 at 5:19pm
It sure is, my wife is a senior at ODU. They are having it at the Ted. If you are in the area you should go to the fight. Tommy Speers from TUF is also fighting. There will even be 1 girl fight on the card.
If there is going to be an upset on the 91 card I will say that it will be the Jorge Gurgel vs. Aaron Riley. Jorge never seems to step up when the time comes and could be one of those types that is a monster in the gym but struggles in the cage. Would Maia losing be considered an upset? I can easily see Maia having a hard time taking Quarry down and getting beat because of it…
As for the least chance of an upset I would say Jeremy Stephens vs. Rafael Dos Anjos for the simple reason that Dos Anjos has no picture on UFC.com. If you aren’t important enough to have a picture then how are you going to smash someone?
November 12th, 2008 at 8:10pm
I agree with most fight predictions with the exception of Quarry and possibly Lesner. I think Quarry will stuff the take-downs and win TKO in the 2nd. As for Lesner, Randy is going to have to be aggressive and get close to Brock, and amateur or not, that is a real danger zone. Unlike Sylvia who was larger, Randy won’t be able to pitch around then bludgeon Lesner because Brock is significantly more athletic. And as for manhandling Brock by way of slams and such, with all due respect to the greatest in the game..that mountin aint comin’ to Muhammad.
Oh, and as for the ODU fight, yes, at the TED… Norfolk is my Hometown, so WELCOME!! The truly sad part, I won’t be watching either fight… we already bought tickets to see …gulp… Spamalot.. before this fight was scheduled. I hope somebody tapes it for me..
November 12th, 2008 at 9:22pm
Wow!!! Let me know how things go down at the Scope. I will do a follow up article about the Cagefest fights sometime early next week after the Lesnar Couture rush is over.
November 13th, 2008 at 2:13am
I am so disappointed that I wont be in the are for Antwain Britt’s fight (im from Virginia Beach). When I listened to the ‘Opinionated’ Podcast I thought you guys said he would be on it? Guess I was mistaken. I hope Antwain destroys his opponent as he tends to do. Hopefully this will get him more recognition by the UFC and we can see him in the UFC some time next year.
November 13th, 2008 at 3:42pm
People are giving Brock way too much credit. His brain is about the size of a pea and all he knows how to do is charge across the octagon and tackle someone and bully them. Brock knows absolutley no mixed martial arts and even if he got better since the herring fight, he will forget everything once he steps in the ring. If he couldnt finish Heath he sure as he’ll won’t be able to finish Randy. Randy will not be bullied into the positions that Heath was (caught against the fence in a half assed gulliotine attempt) and will make a fool of brocks inexperience. Randy by first round TKO, probably an uppercut from a dirty boxing clinch.
I like kenflo a lot but he is too small for this fight. Remember what happened with sherk and diego sanchez? Kenny doesn’t do well with guys that are stronger and will take him to the ground. I’ve met kenny before and he is about 5′8″ NOT 5′10” and really skinny, joe Stevenson is a beast and will toss kenflo around a la sean sherk as long as he doesn’t get drawn into some kind of stand up nonsense like sherk does sometimes instead of playing to his strenghts. And I don’t think he will because he needs this win too badly. Joe daddy will steamroll kenflo just like he ran through the TUF crowd. Most likely second round TKO or at the least a UD.
November 13th, 2008 at 4:04pm
Clark, I had to say something.
Saying any fighter doesn’t know Mixed-MA really doesn’t makes sense. You do not need to know or be well versed in all disciplines to win a match. 1 or 2 will be fine. Wrestling is a great base to being with. There are many fighters who have poor striking, who’s main goal is to take the fight to the floor looking for a submission. Does that make them any less of a Mixed Martial Arts fighter? No.
Sorry the hype behind this fight is almost bizarre . . . although it is possible that Randy can win via 1st round TKO, let’s not act as if his dropping fighters often with his dirty boxing.
This is a sport where anything can happen and often does happen. With all things said, I see this fight ending in the 3rd or 4th round. Who knows maybe Brock may learn something new and keep Randy at bay with a stiff jab and low leg kicks. You never really know.
Did Randy ever lose against bigger heavyweights?
Florian’s odds are not bad at all. Sherk could not finish him but did beat him via decision. His fight against Diego Sanchez was at 185lbs, 30lbs heavier. Real skinny doesn’t mean anything. Royce Gracie is really skinny. You know, I’ve never been impressed with Stevenson’s striking. Against Melvin Coke-Is-It Guillard didn’t really matter, the kid was/is a headcase.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:22am
I was supposed to fight Josh Hendricks a year about a year ago and the event fell through, needless to say I was a heavy favorite! Its funny to see him in this position. He must real good management who dont like him that much! Gonzaga via death!!
November 14th, 2008 at 7:21am
Sell your Spamalot tickets on eBay and go to Cagefest. Gonzaga will hammer Hendricks and Couture by choke out in the second round. And Curtis, we know the truth….Your wife is a senior at Granby High. Hell Curtis, you don’t look older than 15 yourself. lol. See everyone tomorrow night, listen for Antwain’s theme song…”The Juggernaut” by local metal band Faceplate!!!!! Support local fighters…Support local metal!!!
November 16th, 2008 at 12:36am
Welp, you guys might not hear from me for a while, I’m going to jump off the roof since Brock Lesnar is now the heavyweight champion.
November 16th, 2008 at 12:40am
Before I go, I have to concur with Antwain, Henrdicks is from right over the border of Ohio from me so I’ve been watching his career for a few years and I was shocked to see him get a fight against Gonzaga (and not in a good way). I guess Pavia can sell anybody on anything.