The UFC heads back north of the border once again this weekend for UFC 115 in Vancouver. Fans in Van City clamouring for MMA selling out GM Place in a record 30 minutes. A lot of really close fights on the card so its a bettors nightmare. It'll be tough to improve after going 7 and 4 for UFC 114. But here's my take…
Chuck "Iceman" Liddell vs Rich Franklin – I would have been a lot more excited to see this fight take place like 5 years ago. But its still a showdown of 2 of the UFC fan favourites and sure fire hall of famers. Both are clearly on the downside of their careers but who has slid further ? Chuck's idea of cardio these days is "Dancing With The Stars" He's now 40, hasn't fought in 14 months and has lost 4 of his last 5 fights. Franklin looked less than impressive in losing his last fight to Vitor Belfort but I'm still going with the UFC's ultimate nice guy. Franklin by 2nd Round TKO.
Mirko "Cro Cop" vs Pat Barry – This fight really could go either way. at 35 Cro Cop's best days are now in the rear view mirror and Barry could be the beginning of the end. Barry is a kickboxer with just one loss in his MMA career. Barry said Filipovic has always been his idol and even asked the Croatian for his autograph during the pre-fight news conference. Idol or not I'm taking Barry in an upset…2nd Round knock out.
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Paulo Thiago vs Martin Kampmann – Yet another match thats totally up for grabs. Both fighters have impressive resumes. With a 13-1 record Thiago is listed as the favourite and who am I to disagree. Thiago by TKO.
Ben Rothwell vs Gilbert Yvel – Both these guys are coming off losses in their UFC debuts. Yvel has yet to beat anyone of importance while Rothwell has beaten Winnipeg's Krzysztof Soszynski twice and also defeated Roy Nelson in his 30 career wins. Yvel has 13 years of MMA under his belt but Rothwell trains in the Pat Miletich camp. I'[m taking Rothwell by TKO.
Carlos Condit vs Rory MacDonald – Macdonald is Canadian fighting in his own backyard. He won his UFC debut and is 10 and 0 for his career. Will Condit hand Macdonald his first loss. I don't think so. Macdonald by rear naked choke.
Tyson Griffin vs Evan Dunham – This is one of 2 fights that will be shown live on free TV on Spike. Dunham is 10 and 0 but I fear he's out of his league in this one. Griffin by decision.
Mac Danzig vs Matt Wyman – It's been a rocky ride for Mac losing 3 of his last 4. And another loss on Saturday might spell the end of his run in the UFC. Wiman is coming off a knee injury. Its a must win for Mac and thats who I'm taking. Danzig by decision.
David Loiseau vs Mario Miranda – Miranda has next to no MMA experience in the octagon. Loiseau is long removeed from his heyday where he was fighting guys like Franklin. He beat Winnipeg's Joe Doerksen almost 8 years ago but he better bring his ground game against the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner. Sorry but I got a feeling its gonna be a short night for the Canuck…Miranda by sub.
James Wilks vs Peter Sobatta – Sobatta is just 23 so taking Wilks the former Ultimate Fighter winner. Wilkes by armbar.
Ricardo Funch vs Claude Patrick – Neither have ever won in the UFC but that will change this weekend. Take Patrick the Canadian by a 2nd round Guillotine Choke.
Mike Pyle vs Jesse Lennox – Pyle is the very definition of journeyman. He fought in the IFL, WEC, Affliction and even Elite XC. Lennox just went the distance with Rick Story. He's a paramedic in his spare time and Pyle might need his help after the bell sounds. I'm going with Lennox by decision.
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