UFC 110 Predictions

For the UFC’s first venture into Australia they have put together a throwback to the days of Pride with a card riddled with former stars from the now-defunct promotion. Tonight’s event features many interesting matchups, title shot implications and a sense of excitement that has been lacking from the last few UFCs.

Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovich vs. Anthony Perosh
Now that Ben Rothwell has dropped out this bout has been robbed of almost all its interest. What would have been a litmus test for Cro Cop against mid-level opposition has turned into a warm-up fight for the Croatian. If he wins, no one will care. If he loses his career is officially over. It makes you wonder why he accepted it at all?

Prediction: Cro Cop by TKO in round 1

Keith Jardine vs. Ryan Bader
Sadly for Keith Jardine, after losing several competitive matches to top-tier opponents he has become something of a stepping stone for young talent. While Jardine can never be counted out, betting on him is a high-risk venture. That being said against a guy whose biggest win to date is against Eric Schafer he might have better luck.

[Read more]

UFC 109 Predictions

Tonight’s fight card despite not having any major star power (save for a past-his-prime Randy Couture) looks to be a decent night of fisticuffs based solely on the strength of the matchups. While the favourites will likely prevail there is enough skill stepping into the Octagon that a couple upsets shouldn’t shock anybody.

Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg

It`s kind of sad when even the guys fighting are dubbing this match a win-or-retire fight, but you have to give Trigg and Serra credit for being realistic. Neither of these men are in their primes and even when they were they were never that scary. Trigg is starting to show the wear and tear of over a decade in the sport and while still dominant in smaller leagues was destroyed in his first fight back in the UFC. Serra just can`t stay healthy long enough to fight more than once a year, and despite a razor-thin loss to Matt Hughes has lost all of the relevancy his short title reign gave him. Trigg with a solid gameplan and some bullying ground and pound could steal a decision here but it`s much more likely that Serra will land one his powerbomb punches dropping Trigg to the ground where he will sink in an easy rear-naked choke. [Read more]