Well, it's time again for another UFC event. While I would describe this card on the whole as "average", the real main event of Rich Franklin vs. Evan Tanner for the Middleweight Championship has the potential to be an awesome fight. Or it could end quick. We'll see.
Once again, the UFC has gone back to their cheesy tag lines. I much preferred just having the main event as the title, but meh.
Anyway, my breakdown of the card.
Nick Diaz (10-3) vs. Koji Oishi (11-3-3)
I don't know anything about Oishi. He's a Pancrase fighter, and is in the UFC as part of the deal that got David Terrell to fight for the championship a few months back. Anyway, I don't recognize anyone from Oishi's record other than a decision win over Chris Lytle, and with Oishi weighing in at a mere 162 lbs, against Diaz weighing in at the max 170 limit, I think this will go to Diaz by TKO, round 3.
David Loiseau (12-4) vs. Charles McCarthy (8-2)
McCarthy is an interesting character, and a definite up-and-commer with a lot of potential, but I don't think he can beat Loiseau. Loiseau has much more experience at a higher level, while most of McCarthy's wins were against people without a winning record. Loiseau by cut stoppage, round 3.
Nathan Quarry (6-1) vs. Shonie Carter (29-12-6)
We never got to see Quarry fight on The Ultimate Fighter, but now he gets his shot against Mr. International, Shonie Carter. I think Quarry will have a size and strength advantage here, but I'm goin to bet that Carter's experience will give him the advantage here. Carter by decision.
Karo Parisyan (13-3) vs. Matt Serra (5-3)
At first glance, this looks like a gimme for Parisyan. Karo is on a roll in the 170lbs division, looking at a possible title shot, while Serra has mostly fought in the 155lbs division, with a not-particularly impressive record. Nonetheless, Serra slick BJJ style could prove to be something of a spoiler for Parisyan's free-wheeling judo style.
Nonetheless, I think Karo will win this. Matt's last two wins have been against people who usually fight 145lbs, so I don't think he will be prepared to handle someone of Karo's size and skill. Parisyan by decision.
Forrest Griffin (10-2) vs. Bill Mahood (11-2-1)
After TUF, who isn't a Forrest fan? This is a good matchup here. Mahood is no pushover, and is probably borderline on deserving a UFC shot anyway, but it's a fight that is obviously designed to get Forrest his first true UFC win. And I think he will. Mahood hasn't fought in a year, while Forrest is fresh off his war with Bonnar.
Forrest by TKO, round 3.
Paul Buentello (17-7) vs. Kevin Jordan (6-2)
So, Buentello is fighting a no-name, while the guy he beat is fighting for the title? Eh, whatever. Eh, don't know anything about Jordan, so I'll say Buentello by KO, round 2.
UFC Middleweight Championship Bout:
Evan Tanner (29-3) vs. Rich Franklin (17-1)
This is the "real" main event. A rematch of a fight that happened two years ago in the 205lbs division, when Franklin scored a TKO/ref stoppage victory, which, in light of Tanner/Baroni I, may have been premature.
Anyway, this fight is at a lower weight division, and Tanner has a laundry list of excuses for the first fight, some of which I'm sure are legit. Since they fought, Tanner has gone 4-0 against two sub-par opponents, and David Terrell. Franklin has gone 7-1 with wins over Ken Shamrock, Jorge Rivera, and Curtis, with a TKO loss to Ryoto Machida.
The most impressive thing about Franklin's record? He has finished Every. Single. Opponent. Not one decision in 17 wins. To me, that's downright amazing, downright unheard of in my short time following this sport.
I can't count Tanner out, but I really think that Franklin is going to take this one. It will go longer than their first fight, but I think, eventually, Franklin will overcome. Franklin by TKO, round 4.
UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship Bout:
Andrei Arlovski (7-3) vs. Justin Eilers (9-3-1)
There is no way that Eilers should be able to win this fight. Period. This is MMA of course, a sport designed to make people look foolish after making such statements, but I will stand by it. Arlovski by devastation, round 1.
I just hope the post-fight interview isn't as painful as every other time Joe Rogan has tried to "interview" Arlovski. Give the guy a translator, at least, sheesh.
Once again, the UFC has gone back to their cheesy tag lines. I much preferred just having the main event as the title, but meh.
Anyway, my breakdown of the card.
Nick Diaz (10-3) vs. Koji Oishi (11-3-3)
I don't know anything about Oishi. He's a Pancrase fighter, and is in the UFC as part of the deal that got David Terrell to fight for the championship a few months back. Anyway, I don't recognize anyone from Oishi's record other than a decision win over Chris Lytle, and with Oishi weighing in at a mere 162 lbs, against Diaz weighing in at the max 170 limit, I think this will go to Diaz by TKO, round 3.
David Loiseau (12-4) vs. Charles McCarthy (8-2)
McCarthy is an interesting character, and a definite up-and-commer with a lot of potential, but I don't think he can beat Loiseau. Loiseau has much more experience at a higher level, while most of McCarthy's wins were against people without a winning record. Loiseau by cut stoppage, round 3.
Nathan Quarry (6-1) vs. Shonie Carter (29-12-6)
We never got to see Quarry fight on The Ultimate Fighter, but now he gets his shot against Mr. International, Shonie Carter. I think Quarry will have a size and strength advantage here, but I'm goin to bet that Carter's experience will give him the advantage here. Carter by decision.
Karo Parisyan (13-3) vs. Matt Serra (5-3)
At first glance, this looks like a gimme for Parisyan. Karo is on a roll in the 170lbs division, looking at a possible title shot, while Serra has mostly fought in the 155lbs division, with a not-particularly impressive record. Nonetheless, Serra slick BJJ style could prove to be something of a spoiler for Parisyan's free-wheeling judo style.
Nonetheless, I think Karo will win this. Matt's last two wins have been against people who usually fight 145lbs, so I don't think he will be prepared to handle someone of Karo's size and skill. Parisyan by decision.
Forrest Griffin (10-2) vs. Bill Mahood (11-2-1)
After TUF, who isn't a Forrest fan? This is a good matchup here. Mahood is no pushover, and is probably borderline on deserving a UFC shot anyway, but it's a fight that is obviously designed to get Forrest his first true UFC win. And I think he will. Mahood hasn't fought in a year, while Forrest is fresh off his war with Bonnar.
Forrest by TKO, round 3.
Paul Buentello (17-7) vs. Kevin Jordan (6-2)
So, Buentello is fighting a no-name, while the guy he beat is fighting for the title? Eh, whatever. Eh, don't know anything about Jordan, so I'll say Buentello by KO, round 2.
UFC Middleweight Championship Bout:
Evan Tanner (29-3) vs. Rich Franklin (17-1)
This is the "real" main event. A rematch of a fight that happened two years ago in the 205lbs division, when Franklin scored a TKO/ref stoppage victory, which, in light of Tanner/Baroni I, may have been premature.
Anyway, this fight is at a lower weight division, and Tanner has a laundry list of excuses for the first fight, some of which I'm sure are legit. Since they fought, Tanner has gone 4-0 against two sub-par opponents, and David Terrell. Franklin has gone 7-1 with wins over Ken Shamrock, Jorge Rivera, and Curtis, with a TKO loss to Ryoto Machida.
The most impressive thing about Franklin's record? He has finished Every. Single. Opponent. Not one decision in 17 wins. To me, that's downright amazing, downright unheard of in my short time following this sport.
I can't count Tanner out, but I really think that Franklin is going to take this one. It will go longer than their first fight, but I think, eventually, Franklin will overcome. Franklin by TKO, round 4.
UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship Bout:
Andrei Arlovski (7-3) vs. Justin Eilers (9-3-1)
There is no way that Eilers should be able to win this fight. Period. This is MMA of course, a sport designed to make people look foolish after making such statements, but I will stand by it. Arlovski by devastation, round 1.
I just hope the post-fight interview isn't as painful as every other time Joe Rogan has tried to "interview" Arlovski. Give the guy a translator, at least, sheesh.
