It’s that time again. Another UFC Pay-Per-View and this fight card is looking good with two title fights and several exciting undercard matchups. So, lets get this thing started…
Rich Franklin vs. Anderson Silva Franklin vs. Silva could end up being one of the best fights of the year. This matchup is one of the fights MMA fans usually only dream of. Franklin is well-known to the UFC crowd and is the number one ranked Middleweight in virtually every MMA media poll. Anderson Silva is right at the top of those polls as well, with Franklin, Matt Lindlan, Dan Henderson and Paulo Fihlo.
I really am not sure what my thoughts on are this fight. I’ll think about it and see Franklin winning, and then five minutes later I rethink it and have Silva winning. I know I use this cliche probably all too often, but this fight really could end up either way. Silva is a Muay Thai expert and can strike as well as anyone in the game. Frankling has the heart of a lion and his own top-notch standup game. I just hope this fight goes at least three rounds so we get to watch two great fighters compete in MMA the way it should be. Sit tight MMA fans, this fight is Christmas in October. Winner: Rich Franklin Anderson Silva
Sean Sherk vs. Kenny Florian Sean Sherk and his impressive 30-2 record will meet Kenny Florian and his less impressive 4-2 record in what should be an excellent title fight. I’m not following the crowd of popular opinion and assuming that Sherk will have his way with Florian. I’m not completely sold on “Ken-Flo”, but as I see him more and more at lightweight, the more I like him. Sherk’s game and his history are well know; his only losses are to Georges St. Pierre at UFC 56 and Matt Hughes in a welterweight title fight at UFC 42. Florian’s submission game continues to get better, but it will be hard to pull submissions against a great wrestler like Sherk. I think this fight will be entertaining and close, but in the end I think that Sherk will just be too strong for Florian. Winner: Sean Sherk
Spencer Fisher vs. Dan Lauzon 18-year-old Dan Lauzon hopes to carry on the “family tradition” and make his UFC debut with a huge upset. Lauzon only has three professional MMA fights, winning all three by choke submission. Spencer Fisher, on the other hand, is one of the premier lightweights in the UFC. Fisher’s only loss in his last ten fights was to Sam Stout; a fight Fisher took as a late replacement and had to lose 15 pounds in only two days. Unless Lauzon can capture some of his older brothers upset magic in a bottle, look for Spencer’s experience and strength to easily overpower Lauzon. Winner: Spencer Fisher
Cheick Kongo vs. Carmelo Marrero Marrero is a relative UFC newcomer and is making his UFC debut. Cheick Kongo is a sort of enigma in the heavyweight division. Kongo possessive obvious physical abilities and has improved in both of his existing UFC fights. Kongo’s ground game is obviously his weakness, and Marrero may be the guy to take him down and test him. Will Kongo continue his climb in the heavyweigt division? I hope so; I’d like to see him fight Sylvia in a standup fight. Winner: Cheick Kongo
Jon Fitch vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka Hironaka is a Shooto veteran with victories over Nick Diaz and Renato Verissimo. Jon Fitch is on a three-year, ten fight win streak including victories over Josh Burkman, Thiago Alves, Shonie Carter, and Brock Larson. OK, Larson isn’t a big deal, but I figured I’d throw him in there. I think Fitch is one of the best welterweights in the UFC. Next to Hughes, St. Pierre, and Penn, Jon Fitch could be the future of the division. Winner: Jon Fitch
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Junior Assuncao Pellegrino looks to avenge his loss to Drew Fickett at UFC 61 against Assuncao, who is making his UFC debut. Unfortunately, I must admit I don’t have much knowledge of Assuncao, so I’m going with Pellegrino by default. Winner: Kurt Pellegrino
Clayton Guida vs. Justin James Two journeyman fighters make their UFC debuts. Personally, I think this fight could be very entertaining. Guida brings his curly hair and good submission game. James brings an even better submission game and a three fight win streak. This fight really could go either way (unless Guida greases up as he has been accused of several times in the past - but you didn’t hear that from me). Winner: Clayton Guida
Yushin Okami vs. Kalib Starnes This fight is a simple experience vs newcomer fight. Starnes is hoping to have a good showing and display some of that “potential” we hear about from him. Okami brings his 17-3 record into his second UFC fight. Its good to see the UFC bringing in some good Asian talent. Look for Okami to use his experience to outwit Starnes. Winner: Yushin Okami
Keith Jardine vs. Mike Nickels An interesting matchup simply for the fact that Mike Nickels doesn’t deserve to me on a PPV card. (Neither does Kalib Starnes for that matter.) Jardine has looked impressive in his recent UFC fights. He dropped a close decision to Stephan Bonnar; a fight that most people think Jardine should have won. I see Jardine handling Nickels easily. Nickels needs to hope for a quick takedown and submission, or he could be eating punches all night. Winner: Keith Jardine
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I’ll have my picks up friday, however, I will say this. I’m going to pick Silva to beat Franklin, but I will be pulling for Franklin. Much like you I went back and forth and I just get this feeling that Silva will catch Rich’s chin.
As for Kenny & Sherk, I’m picking Kenny, like thats a shocker. I have a feeling it will end up on the ground and if it does, Kenny will end it quick. Remember…a wrestler is great on the ground but like a turtle on his back.
hehehe well gatties, im picking franklin and sherk. I cant see kenny dealing with sherk, i will be VERY impressed if kenny manages to win, in any way lol. I think franklin is too cerebral a fighter for silva, its definately a dangerous fight for both tho.
Watch what happens gatties heheh
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Man, both the title fights I really couldn’t figure out who I wanted to pick.
I was just going to leave the Franklin vs. Silva fight blank and not pick a winner, but I figured that was the easy way out.
And Jason, little by little you’ve started to sell me on Florian, and I think he will put up a tough fight against Sherk. I just still see Sherk taking it in the end.
I think that the Franklin - Silva fight is a toss up. I think if Rich keeps the fight on the feet and there are no clinches, he will win. I think if Silva can get inside, clinch or even take Rich down, Silva might have a chance to win. I know Rich has a very good ground game that we don’t get a chance to see often but I think Silva may have a slight advantage on the ground.
For the other title fight I am going to say that Sherk will take this hands down. Now, I know that might seem like I’m saying that Kenny doesn’t have a chance. To the contrary…. I think if the fight goes to the ground Kenny has to submit Sherk to win. If there is no “Ken-Flo” submission, Sherk is the winner.
Very good event this past Saturday. I think the card was full of good fights with a few surprises and one “oh my god” kind of fight. I just still have an image of Franklin in my head where he looks like he knows the end is near. I also think that Big John did the right thing by not allowing Silva to do more damage to a world class fighter like Franklin. I can only hope that UFC 65 is as good as 64 and exceeds the matches. The title fights are a big part of the next event, however I am also looking forward to seeing Frank Mir again. I would hope that his conditioning has improved and he can show us all a glimpse of the fighter who was the UFC Heavyweight Champion.