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[Boogie]

Time once again for another UFC event. This card is plagued by replacements due to injuries, and quite a few unknowns, but there are enough top-level matchups to make for an exciting card. Here’s my breakdown:

Karo Parisyan (12-3) vs. Chris Lytle (16-10-5)

This fight is in the prelims, but it could prove to be one of the most exciting fights of the night. Karo is one of the most exciting grapplers around. He is an elite judo player. Chris Lytle’s record is deceiving, as he has been on quite a roll lately, as he is 8-2 in his last 10 fights, and is on a 4 fight winning streak. He has slick jiu-jitsu skills, and also has some solid boxing skills. These fighters are quite evenly matched that I see this fight going to a decision. But I think Lytle is the more well-rounded of the two, so I say he wins the decision.

Nick Diaz (9-3) vs. Drew Fickett (20-2)

Diaz is a jiu-jitsu specialist who has some skill in his striking, having knocked out Robbie Lawler. Fickett is someone I’ve never heard of, but has a very successful record against lower competition. I say Diaz wins by submission.

James Irwin (7-0) vs. Mike Kyle (7-3)

Never heard of Irwin. I strongly dislike Kyle, but I think he’ll win this by KO.

Paul Buentello (16-7) vs. Justin Eilers (9-2-1)

Don’t know much about Buentello, but people are saying he’s the better striker. Nonetheless, I’ll say Eilers wins by TKO.

David Loiseau (11-4) vs. Gideon Ray (11-1)

Loiseau was supposed to fight Joe Riggs, but Riggs got a nasty cut over a week ago, and Gideon Ray is the replacement. I don’t think Ray has a chance. He hasn’t been preparing for a fight, and he usually fights at 170lbs, while this fight is at 185lbs. Loiseau by TKO.

Phil Baroni (5-4) vs. Pete Sell (4-0)

Another late-replacement, I know nothing about Sell. And Baroni is a guy who punches hard. Eh, I’ll take Baroni by KO.

UFC Middleweight Championship Bout:

David Terrell (5-1) vs. Evan Tanner (27-3)

Okay, we finally get to the good matchups. Some people are saying that Terrell doesn’t deserve a shot at the title after only one fight in the UFC. Nonetheless, he did knockout the unofficial number 1 guy in the division. And really, what has Evan Tanner done to deserve a title fight either? Beat Phil Baroni twice, and submit Robbie Lawler who had just moved up in weight after a loss? The fact is, the UFC needs to establish a champion in this division, and there are about 4 or 5 fighters who could be given a shot. I don’t have a problem with these two fighting for it though, because getting a champion should help to sort things out.

As for the fight itself, Tanner may have the experience, but I think that Terrell is something special. He’s arguably the best American Brazilian Jiu-jitsu player, so he’ll have the advantage on the ground, and we’ve seen that he has knockout power standing up. I just think that he has the tools to beat Tanner wherever the fight goes. Terrell by submission.

UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship Bout:

Tim Sylvia (16-1) vs. Andrei Arlovski (6-3)

Sylvia is huge at 6'8", and has a devastating right hand. The big question mark is whether the injury he suffered at the hands of Frank Mir will affect the fight. He says that it isn’t a problem, but we’ll see. Arlovski has had a huge hype train develop, but I’m not sure if it is deserved. He has destroyed his last 3 opponents, and yet none of them were top 10, probably not even top 20.

That all being said, I just can’t root against a Slavic fighter. I think Arlovski may have the
technical skills to frustrate Sylvia’s standup, avoid the big right hand, and maybe take him down and control him on the ground. Arlovski by TKO.

Main Event:

Tito Ortiz (11-4) vs. Vitor Belfort (12-4)

Ah, a main event three years in the making. And yet, it is almost one that doesn’t matter. I mean, I’m excited about the fight, but all this will really prove is who is number 3 in the division, because neither of these guys can beat Randy Couture or Chuck Liddell in my opinion.

Tito does have the tools to beat Vitor. He has a wrestling and ground and pound style, and
Randy Couture has shown the blueprint for beating Vitor. He may be able to get Vitor down and frustrate him. But I don’t foresee Tito being very aggressive if he gets Vitor down after watching the lackluster fight against Cote.

Vitor also has a great chance at winning the fight. Tito doesn’t react well to getting hit. He just sort of shuts down it seems when he gets rocked. So Vitor must let his hands go and not worry about the takedown.

People question Vitor’s mental focus, but I don’t think that is the deciding factor, especially since he is back at Brazilian Top Team, which should help his game.

Personally, I think Vitor should be able to keep the fight standing long enough and be aggressive enough with his striking to get the win. Vitor by KO.

 

[Gregory]

Sylvia is back already? Wasn`t he cought for steroid use recently? Gotta love american sports ethics.

Anyway, I hope and believe Arlovski will beat him easy.

Agree on the Ortiz-Belfort match. Not much excitement for this one.

 

[Boogie]

Sylvia is back already? Wasn`t he cought for steroid use recently? Gotta love american sports ethics.

Anyway, I hope and believe Arlovski will beat him easy.

Agree on the Ortiz-Belfort match. Not much excitement for this one.

He was busted almost two years ago, I believe, and then almost exactly a year ago there was some unexplained and suspicious situation with 'roids that caused his fight with Arlovski to be cancelled. So basically, this fight is a year overdue.

And hey, don't knock American sports ethics. Apparently, in Japan, Pride doesn't even test for steroids. ;P

 

[Gregory]

Really? I didnt know that, that`s bloody awful. Guess that explains Kevin Randleman`s body. I also noticed in one of the recent UFC`s that Phil Baroni, who used to look like a bodybuilder, suddenly looked like a skinny "normal" person. Guess he noticed that people got caught for steroid use. :lol

I hope he lose, and if he`s as bad as he was last time against Tanner I`m sure he will.

 

[Boogie]

Really? I didnt know that, that`s bloody awful. Guess that explains Kevin Randleman`s body. I also noticed in one of the recent UFC`s that Phil Baroni, who used to look like a bodybuilder, suddenly looked like a skinny "normal" person. Guess he noticed that people got caught for steroid use. :lol

I hope he lose, and if he`s as bad as he was last time against Tanner I`m sure he will.

Normally I'd pick against Baroni too, but I just don't know anything about Pete Sell. He's an unknown without much experience. He could pull out a surprise win, or he could fall to Baroni's fists. It's hard to pick the fights when there are so many unknown guys.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

I think Baroni lost all the roid weight when he started a new training regimine that was supposed to help him gain more endurance. It might have hurt him more though, that dramatic of a weight loss.

Anyhow, here are my picks. I'm only going to do a few though.

Karo Parisyan (12-3) vs. Chris Lytle (16-10-5)

I like Karo, because he's a great grappler from the Lebell/Gokor line. I still remembered all the great takedowns and rolling Kimura he used to beat his man. On a side note, Lebell had published a book long before with that very technique in the book (It reminded me of seeing Saku's catwheel guardpass in an old Judo book from the 50s).

Lytle is said to be a better striker (I haven't seen him), he has a professional boxing record. I'm not sure how many fights he has, but anyone can win in a few fights early on. It doesn't necessarily mean they have the expertise of a real boxers. Pulver was outboxed by Gomi, even with his pro boxing record. Of course, Gomi had been boxing for a long time, supposedly longer then he had been wrestling (I found this out after he KOed Pulver).

Anyhow, I don't like to make picks on fighters I don't know, but that's how it goes sometimes. So, I'll say Karo by decision.

Phil Baroni (5-4) vs. Pete Sell (4-0)

Like Boogie I have no idea who Sell is. That being said, I hope he beats Baroni out of the UFC and back to doing obscure male modeling spots in some bare bones bodybuilding network. He likens himself to fighters like Jake Lamotta, but he never went through anything like Lamotta did in ring. That being said, Baroni is like Lamotta in one regard. He's a bully. I've heard stories of Baroni being triangled by a 16 year old kid during a grappling practice, and powerbombing the kid so hard he injured his back. That, coupled with the fake persona he invented for himself makes me hope he loses to this unknown.

David Terrell (5-1) vs. Evan Tanner (27-3)

I hope Terrell wins and Evan gets a haircut. Terrel by sub.

Tim Sylvia (16-1) vs. Andrei Arlovski (6-3)

Here we go, this is the fight I am looking most to. At weigh ins Sylvia had a 23 lb advantage I believe, and he'll beef up some more before hand. That doesn't mean he's stronger then Arlovski, Andre's rumored to be incredibly strong and able to power out of strong mens submissions. If Sylvia is smart, he's learned not to make the same mistake he did in the Mir fight. Sylvia is the man to go with in this one imo. More experience, size, he could do a number on Andrei. That being said, I wouldn't mind seeing this fight happen after Arlovski gains a little more experience, but that's the nature of the weight devision now. They need a fight. I think this will be a good one, two big mothers going at it.

Tito Ortiz (11-4) vs. Vitor Belfort (12-4)

I think that this is a somewhat dull matchup, but not nearly as bad as some of the main events the UFC has put on. I agree with Boogie that neither guy will get back to #1. As many bad words I have said about Baroni, I think he gave a good assessment about what happens. His opinion was who wins the first round wins the fight. I mostly agree with that. Both guys are basically frontrunners, they aren't known for coming back.

That beings aid, I think that a longer fight favors Ortiz more then anyone. First round win or not. Vitor needs to win this fight by quick KO, otherwise I see it turning into a long, drawn out affair with Ortiz dominating the action much like Randy did. As lackluster as Tito looked against Cote, I don't think Vitor will be able to hit him cleanly enough and follow up with it to put Ortiz away. I hope I am wrong though, because I would love to see Ortiz get knocked out again.

My prediction for this is Tito Ortiz via UD.

Nice thread as always, Boogie.

 

[Asbel]

Finally gonna get to see an mma ppv in I don't know how long now. Been tough getting people together to see it.

I had a dream a few weeks ago where Vitor KTFO Tito. I have nothing against Tito but I'll have to go with my vision. Vitor by KO round 1.

I'm not sure about Sylvia Arlovski but I think Arlovski has the mental edge. Sylvia just came back from a loss and broken arm, Arlovski's coming back as Cactus Jack. Arlovski by sub round 2.

 

[NLB2]

Spoiler

Damn, I really thought Terrel was gonna be able to pull it off.

 

[karasu]

I hope tito loses

 

[The Faceless Master]

vito...

WORST

ENTRANCE

MUSIC

EEEEVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR

 

[The Faceless Master]

WWE style production values at the end of the show... huh!?

 

[karasu]

Well that sucked.

 

[Boogie]

Hmm, well, that wasn't a good night for my predictions.

A few reflections:

I thought most of the fights were pretty good.

Terrell just seemed to lack determination and heart. As soon as he was put on his back, he just gave up and didn't do anything. Good win for Tanner though.

I was incredibly impressed with Arlovski. He dropped Sylvia clean with a punch, and then rather than go headhunting like almost everyone else does when they get a knockdown, he went for the leg and got the submission. Awesome.

As for Tito-Vitor, well, it had a few moments of excitement, but ultimately, I don't feel it was a particularly impressive win for Tito. Tito just isn't aggressive in his ground and pound. I don't believe he has a hope in hell of ever beating Chuck or Randy.

Now, as for the bizarre post-fight antics.

First of all, Tito is now a joke. It really seemed like he was trying waaaay too hard to become popular again, from his ridiculous and arrogant sprint up the stands, to his line about "fighting for the men in our armed forces", his manner screamed "Like me. Please?"

Then the WWE antics. First of all, I love Chuck Liddell. He is awesome. Every time they switched to show his reactions, or asked him for his opinions on the fight, he had everyone at my place laughing.

When Tito called out Chuck, I honestly think that Chuck running up to the cage might have been unplanned. I think Chuck was probably half-wasted, and didn't want to put up with Tito's crap, so he went to the cage. Now, Tito can't talk smack. I don't know why some people think he can. I mean: "You really will be the last of the mohicans." Is that supposed to be funny? Clever?

Whatever. I laughed my ass off because Chuck obviously had Tito nervous, because Tito slipped up and admitted that Chuck would knock him out again :lol

And then they switched to the painfully staged call out where Tito called out Ken Shamrock. Ugh. Shammy obviously thinks he's still in the WWE, because his outrage and anger was so obviously faked.

I mean, Chuck seems so genuinely annoyed by Tito's antics, while Shamrock just wants to yell at Tito and call him a punk. Eh, whatever.