UFC 102 Picks and analysis
Hey everybody this is my first time doing a full list of picks for a UFC event so here we go let’s kick right into the good stuff
PRELIMINARY CARD
Nick Cantone v.s Mark Munoz – Both fighters are coming off big loses to better opponents. Muno got pwned with a head kick by Hamill and Cantone got submitted by Credeur. Assuming Munoz can keep his guard up better this time, this match appears to be a wash. Munoz doesn’t have the submitting capability and Cantone isn’t the best striker. I’ll give the edge to Munoz.
CK’s Pick: Munoz by unanimous decision
Todd Duffee v.s Tim Hague – Duffee will be making is UFC debut in this fight against Hague who has one fight in the UFC under his belt with a submission win. Duffee has had 4 wins in a row with all of them being knockouts. The more experienced Hague also has some good results but not as flashy as Duffee. I like Duffee’s fire, I’m gonna go with an upset.
CK’s Pick: Duffee TKO (strikes) 2:00 second round
Justin McCully v.s Mike Russow – Russow will also be making his UFC debut in this fight against McCully. Though McCully has 3 fights in the Octagon and is standing on a 2-1 record the results on paper are not stellar. His two wins were decision based and his loss was due to submission. Enter in Russow, he is on a seven fight win streak with none of those wins going the distance. 6 of those 7 are submission victories. Given McCully’s weak submission defense, I am going with Russow.
CK’s Pick: Russow Submission 3:00 first round
Gabriel Gonzaga v.s Chris Tuchscherer – another debut Tuchscherer has def got his work cut out for him. He is facing a solid UFC veteran in Gonzaga and even though Tuchscherer has a solid fight record of 17 and 1 filled with knockouts and submissions, I don’t feel it’s enough to overcome the strength of a much more experienced Gonzaga. I think Gonzaga runs away with this one.
CK’s Pick: Gonzaga KO 1:00 second round
Ed Herman v.s Aaron Simpson – This match will be a close one. Simpson has a 5 fight win streak with a 1-0 record in the UFC. Herman spots a 15-7 record but he’s only 4-4 in the UFC. Herman could win with his wrestling ability, but given Simpson’s affinity to keep things standing and go for the knockout it may not do Herman any good. I give Simpson the edge.
CK’s Pick: Simpson wins by unanimous decision
MAIN CARD
Brandon Vera v.s Krystof Soszynski – This will be a great match. The veteran Vera I would say has his work cut out for him. Soszynski has a 3-0 record in the UFC with and 18-1 record overall. Though Vera sports a 6-3 record in the UFC and has always shown solid performance with is wrestling skills, Soszynski impresses me more and more. Soszynski has improved with every single match showing that he can submit you or knock you out. I’ll give this one to Soszynski.
CK’s Pick: Soszynski by submission 1:30 second round
Nate Marquardt v.s Demian Maia – Nate has his sights set on another fight with Silva and that drive would normally get him teh edge, however he has been put up against a very fierce opponent in Demian Maia. Maia a BJJ blackbelt and is rocking a 5-0 record in the UFC will all of them ending in submission. Nate has only been submitted once in his career. The question is will his defense be able to stand up to Maia’s excellent BJJ skills? Most likely yes, but with Maia controlling most of the match, the round will go all the way ending up in Maia’s favor.
CK’s Pick: Maia by unanimous decsion
Chris Leben v.s Jake Rosholt – Chris Leben may be a freakin nuts fighter all stacked on roids and getting in DUI’s but for God’s sake the man can take a beating. Jake simply doesn’t have the firepower to take out Leben although with his specialty in wrestling he might be able to control the ground game to each out a decision. However I am willing to bet Chris is not going to let it get that far. Chris hasn’t fought in a long time and he is aching to show what he’s got. Assuming Chris can dust off the rust he’ll do just fine against Rosholt.
CK’s Pick: Leben by KO in 3:50 of the first round
Keith Jardine v.s Thiago Silva – As much as I love the dean of mean, this match is just WAY to much for him. Silva has so many weapons at his disposal with a black belt in BJJ and having experience in Muay Thai. Not to mention the only fighter to hand Silva his only loss is our current LHW champion Lyoto Machida. Given Silva’s younger body and more all around skill I am giving this one to him. Sorry Keith, I still Like ya though.
CK’s Pick: Silva by TKO in 2:45 of the second round
Randy Couture v.s Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria – If Randy is allowed to beat Antonio over the head with his walker than maybe he might have a chance. Other than that this one is going to Nogueria. As much as I like couture and as much as he is a living legend, he is just that…a legend. Randy is sad to say going the same route as our good old boy Chuck. Nogueria with a younger body and master skills in BJJ will neutralize Couture’s wrestling. It will go all the way, but Nogueria has this one in the bag.
CK’s Pick: Nogueria by unanimous decision
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