UFC 116
This week's UFC card should be a humdinger with the night capped off with a UFC heavyweight championship fight. For Winnipeg fight fans local boy "The Polish Experiment" Krzysztof Soszynski gets back in the octagon. UFC 115 was a night to forget in regards to my picks so lets see how things unfold for 116.
Brock Lesnar vs Shane Carwin
Lesnar gets back in the cage for the first time since all of his health problems. Both fighters have dismantled Frank Mir and Carwin is a perfect 7 & 0 in the UFC. Ever since losing his inaugural UFC bout Lesnar has looked like an unstoppable beast. He enters this fight a few pounds lighter after his health problems and that might not be a bad thing. Carwin destroyed another big man Gabriel Gonzaga in only a minute. But Lesnar is way more multi-dimensional than Gonzaga and I'm taking Lesnar. Still unsure how long this one will last ? Could be a 1st round TKO but I could also see this war going into a 4th or 5th round. Either way Lesnar will remain the champ.
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Chris Leben
Akiyama is one of the few Japanese fighters who has made a succesfull transiition from Pride/Dream to the UFC. He won his debut over Alan Belcher but now has to face a more well rounded fighter in Chris Leben. With no outside factors I'd go with Leben in a heartbeat. But Leben is coming off a brawl with Aaron Simpson just two weeks ago. Leben took the fight on short notice when Wanderlei Silva was forced out of the bout due to broken ribs. Leben surprised me with his performance against Simpson but no way can he be 100% just 14 days later. Leban can sure take a punch but there's just too many factors going against him. I'll go with Akiyama by unanimous decision.
Chris Lytle vs.Matt Brown
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Lytle has been hit or miss his last 5 fights but he's fought some of the games best, Brown on the other hand looked very sluggish in losing to Ricardo Almeida in his last fight. This is actually a rematch of sorts with the two squaring off in the United Fight League in 2007. Lytle won that one by submission and I'm liking Lytle again by sub.
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Stephan Bonnar
Speaking of rematches Winnipegger Krzysztof Soszynski is giving Bonar another go. Soszynski won a controversial decision over Bonar at UFC 110 when the fight had to be stopped because of a nasty gash on Bonar caused by an accidental head butt. Soszynski continues to improve winning 7 of his last 8 and he dominated Bonar in every facet until the fight was stopped. Bonar on the other hand is on a 3 fight losing streak and has lost 5 of his last 7. I see this fight shaking down exactly the same as it did the first time. Soszynski by decision.
George Sotiropoulos vs.Kurt Pellegrino
This fight kicks off the pay per view card. 2 solid fighters who's stocks are on the rise. Sotiropoulos stopped Joe Stevenson in his last fight. His 6th straight win while Pelligrino is riding a 4 fight streak. Both fighters have solid ground games and thats where this fight will probably be won and lost. Pellegrino is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but Sotiropoulos has looked unstoppable. Take the Aussie Sotiropoulos by triangle choke.
Brendan Schaub vs.Chris Tuchscherer
This is one of 2 fights that will be shown live on Spike. Its a tough one to call but after learning the ropes in the house at the Ultimate Fighter reality show I'm going with Schaub by decision.
Seth Petruzelli vs. Ricardo Romero
Petruzelli making his return to the UFC after a 3 year absence. If the name is familiar its because he's best known for being the man top stop Kimbo Slice essentially bankrupting the EliteXC. Romero though is more of a well rounded fighter and has a 10 and 1 record. But to date all of his fights have been in the "Ring Of Combat" league. The ECHL of MMA. Petruzelli beat a legend in Dan Severen many moons ago and his experience will reign supreme. Petruzelli by 1st Round TKO.
Kendall Grove vs.Goran Reljic
Even the undercard has reason to get excited. Grove's career has taken a nosedive as of late. Reljic is 8-1 but Wilson Gouveia is the only household names he's beaten. He lost his UFC debut to CB Dollaway and I see a bounce back performance from Grove on the horizon. His long legs and 6 foot 6 frame should help him dispose of Reljic. But this should go back and forth and could go the distance. Take Grove in a tight split decision.
Gerald Harris vs.Dave Branch
Who you say ? Exactly ! Neither have much experience in the show but Branch has been training hard under Renzo Gracie. Branch recently won in Bellator, is undefeated and has 10 years of BJJ traning under his belt from the Gracie family. Who really knows what will happen here but my bet is on Branch by sub.
Daniel Roberts vs. Forrest Petz
Roberts has fought in just about every fight league going. This will be his 2nd stint in the UFC. He has a win over Dan Hardy and thats enough for me. Roberts 1st Round KO.
Jon Madsen vs.Karlos Vemola
And finally its a heavyweight tilt. Madsen is 5 and 0 but has yet to face a fighter of this calibre. Vemola trains with London shootfighters and spars with Marius Zaromskis who is one of my personal favs. For that reason only I'm going with Vemola to win his UFC debut.
Agree or disagree ? Leave your comments below.
Russ Hobson
Global Winnipeg
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