UFC 124 is setting up to be a memorable night in Montreal. The 4th time the Bell Centre will host a UFC event and they've only gotten bigger over time with a UFC record 23-thousand tickets sold for the big event. The fight card itself is only "OK" but features plenty of homegrown talent with 6 Canadians fighting in the 11 fight event. Included is Manitoba's Joe Doerksen who is looking to bounce back from a first round submission loss to C.B. Dollaway back at UFC 119 in September.
Georges St. Pierre vs Koscheck Pt II – There's a lot of hype around the main event thanks in large part to the trash talking on "The Ultimate Fighter" It was Koscheck doing most of the blabbing as GSP will let his fists do the talking on Saturday night. Koscheck can certainly be considered cocky and I'm expecting GSP to shut him up once and for all. In their first tilt back in 2007 GSP earned a 3 round unanimous decision victory. But this one probably won't go to the judges scorecards. St. Pierre will look for an early takedown and then look to issue some serious ground and pound. Koscheck's takedown defence will be tested but the thinking here is GSP will pound him into oblivion. Georges only criticism has been his lack of ability to finish fights. Personally I don't even think these 2 fighters are in the same class and I'm taking an angry St. Pierre by a 2nd round TKO due to strikes.
Stefan Struve vs Sean McCorkle – "Big Sexy" McCrokle is unbeaten in his MMA career with an impressive 10-0 record. He looked outstanding in destroying MMA vet Mark Hunt in his UFC debut. While the 6 foot 11 Struve has been far from dominating with a win and loss to Roy Nelson in his last two fights. I'm picking the 263 pound McCorkle to have his way with Struve…McCorkle by way of 1st Round Knock Out.
Jim Miller vs Charles Oliveira – The Brazilian Oliveira has won 14 straight matches including his first 2 fights in the UFC. Miller has an impressive record himself at 18 & 2 and he hasn't lost in a year and a half and that was to top contender Gray Maynard. This one could be a bruising 3 round battle. I'm going with Oliveira by decision.
Joe Stevenson vs Mac Danzig – Stevenson has lost 3 of his last 5 fights and might be fighting for his UFC life. But he's been fighting upper echelon competition. Danzig is not there yet and has dropped 4 of his last 5. Stevenson by submission…Guillotine Choke.
Thiago Alves vs John Howard – Alves didn't look himself losing to Jon Fitch in his first fight after brain surgery. That ring rust should be gone now and Howard has yet to scrap a fighter of this calibre. Alves has career wins over Matt Hughes, Chris Lytle and Josh Kosheck so I'm going with Alves in a 2nd round TKO.
Undercard
Joe Doerksen vs Dan Miller – The Manitoba boy got caught in his last fight losing to CB Dollaway but don't expect the BJJ expert to make the same mistake twice. That ended Doerksen's 7 fight win streak and he's hungry to get another win. Miller was one of the middleweight top contenders before 3 straight losses to Michael Bisping, Demian Maia and Chael Sonnen. 3 of the divisions top fighters. Miller is definetly the favourite but with a 46-13 record Doerksen has steadily improved and is ranked 34th in the world at middleweight. I can see Doerksen getting an upset win. If El Dirte pulls it off it will put him in the top 30 with some big name company. Doerksen by submission – rear naked choke.
Mark Bocek vs Dustin Hazlett – Taking the Canadian Bocek by split decision.
Jesse Bongfeldt vs Rafael Natal – Bongfeldt who is also a Canuck is a little over his head here…Natal 1st Round TKO
Matt Riddle vs Sean Pierson – Gonna be a long night for the Canadian Pierson. Riddle by unanimous decision.
TJ Grant vs Ricardo Almeida – Canadian TJ Grant coming off a win but Almeida has fought some top notch competition. Almeida by TKO.
Pat Audinwood vs John Makdessi – Audinwood is 9-1 while the Canadian Makdessi is making his UFC debut. There'll be stars in his eyes. Audinwood first round TKO.
Russ Hobson
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