Ruger
09-05-2007, 04:55 PM
From Wombat/ Bodognation.com
Wombat's Fight Forecast for UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion
"That money would look good in my pocket. I want the money, you know what I could do that with money. You don't know what i could do with that money. I could do some things with that money." - Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
Sept. 5, 2007
By Jeff "Wombat" Meszaros
Bodog Nation Contributing Writer
There was a time, not long ago, when predicting mixed martial arts fights was easy. The UFC was obsessed with giving Ken Shamrock ferocious beatings at the hands of Tito Ortiz, while in Japan, Pride matchmakers were putting together freak-show fights featuring Wanderlei Silva stomping Japanese opponents within inches of death.
These days, it's a lot harder to pick a winner. While my enemies (I have many) might suggest this is because I'm a f*cking idiot with the brain of a chimpanzee, I have a different explanation: there are more variables. Randy Couture doesn't seem to age. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic runs hot and cold like a broken water heater. And fighters like Houston Alexander appear out of nowhere like ninjas with machine guns, eradicating their opponents so quickly, you can't possibly decide whether they got lucky or whether everyone in the division should be very, very afraid of them.
So where can you turn for accurate predictions? Considering the bizarre landscape of the sport, it's possible that your neighborhood witch doctor could pick fights better than I could. Plus, everyone and their pet monkey have started stinking up YouTube with their predictions. Still, I went 7-2 in my predictions for UFC 74: Respect, and I think I'm on a hot streak going into UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Dan "Hollywood" Henderson
When Jackson fought Kazushi Sakuraba in July 2001, Pride matchmakers promoted him as a crazy homeless guy from the streets of Los Angeles.
"Rampage" is ready for Henderson. (AP Images)"Rampage" lost that fight, but he went on to beat the living hell out of everyone except for Silva, who kicked "Rampage" around the ring like a sadistic street child wickedly abusing a stray dog, twice.
Henderson has also fought Silva twice, losing by decision in December 2000 and then avenging himself in February 2007 by beating "The Axe Murderer" at his own game, which, of course, is axe murdering. Just before the roof came down on the company, "Hollywood" had both the middleweight and welterweight titles.
Normally, I'm not a fan of beat-down math, which is the intellectual shelter for morons and cowards. Still, this time it is awfully hard to resist - Henderson KO'd Silva who KO'd Jackson, twice. My guess: Henderson by decision.
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Cheick Kongo
Whenever "Cro Cop" fights, it's a safe bet that someone is going to get knocked out. The hard part is deciding who it will be.
"Cro Cop" has something to prove. (AP Images)Filipovic has put more people in the hospital than lawnmower mishaps and ladder accidents combined. In Japan, he was briefly considered an epidemic. Still, Kevin Randleman and Gabriel Gonzaga both sent him to the next life where both God and the Devil sent him back. I can't blame them. Would you want "Cro Cop" in your house? My Guess: Filipovic by TKO.
Wombat's Pick
With a main event that could go either way and an undercard full of uncertainty, there's money to be made at UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion. Still, my pick for the event is Matt Hamill.
Hamill has only had three MMA fights, but he's trounced all his opponents, including Seth "Silverback" Petruzelli, a dangerous striker with the strength of a gorilla and the agility of Mary-Lou Retton.
Petruzelli was on a six-fight winning streak as a heavyweight before Hamill pounded him down in October 2006. A three-time NCAA Division lll national wrestling champ, "The Hammer" has shown that he can tackle anyone, even huge guys who can kick a shot glass off the top of their own head.
Bisping is a dangerous striker and undefeated in 13 fights, but he's never faced a wrestler like Hamill before. Most of his fights have been in England, which isn't known for producing world-class wrestlers, so most of the fighters who've faced Bisping have been strikers eager to trade punches with him.
"The Hammer" will not trade punches and, as long as he keeps his hands up, will likely grind out a decision over "The Count."
Matt "The Hammer" Hamill vs. Michael "The Count" Bisping
When I was a kid, the bully at my school was deaf. Because of this, I have been permanently scarred with a lasting fear of the hearing-impaired. Naturally, since Matt Hamill is deaf, I cannot help but think he'll chase down Micheal Bisping, kick his school books into a puddle of muddy water and then proceed to give him the beating of a lifetime. On a secondary note, I don't think they get Sesame Street in England. If they did, "The Count" would've gone with a different nickname. My Guess: Hamill by decision.
Houston "The Assassin" Alexander vs. Alessio "Legionarius" Sakara
Houston Alexander is one of those fighters who is made up entirely of fast-twitching muscle fibers.
Alexander destroyed Keith Jardine in his first UFC fight. (AP Images)Like Kevin Randleman, Melvin Guillard and Melvin Manhoef, he can probably do consecutive backflips for an hour without breaking a sweat, although he would break everything else within a twelve-foot radius, including any lamps, chairs or people who happen to be in the area. Fighters like that tend to lack a certain finesse in their technique. After all, who needs to know the fine details of a triangle choke escape when you can pick your opponent up and throw them into a geosynchronous orbit? If Sakara can get out of the first round, he'll probably find a way to TKO "The Assassin." Will he? No. My Guess: Alexander by KO.
Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis vs. Paul "Relentless" Taylor
Every time I see Marcus Davis, he looks more and more like The Incredible Hulk. I suspect he is being exposed to gamma rays. On a still day, you could probably watch his neck grow thicker. My Guess: Davis by submission.
Odds for UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion
All lines subject to change.
Quinton Jackson -140 vs. Dan Henderson +110
Michael Bisping -225 vs. Matt Hamill +185
Houston Alexander -180 vs. Alessio Sakara +150
Mirko Filipovic -360 vs. Cheik Kongo +280
Tomasz "Travolta" Drwal vs. Thiago Silva
Every 10 seconds, somebody somewhere in the world gets beat up by someone whose last name is Silva.
Marcus Davis is getting better, and bigger, for every fight. (AP Images)There's Wanderlei Silva, Anderson Silva, Fabio Silva and even Giant Silva. So remember, if you're ever stuck in a conversation with an MMA nerd and there's a lull in the conversation, just say, "Hey, did you see that Silva fight?" Chances are it'll buy you enough time to sneak into the bathroom and climb out the window. My Guess: Silva by TKO.
Gleison Tibau vs. Terry Etim
I have seen every UFC since day one and, according to his record, Tibau has fought in the octagon three times. Oddly, I can't remember seeing any of his fights. That means either all of his fights have been stuck in the prelims, or they've been lost in the whirlpool of armlocks and knockouts that is constantly awash in my mind. My Guess: Etim by decision.
Naoyuki Kotani vs. Dennis Siver
Kotani is a submission fighter, but he lists his association as "Rodeo Style." I'm guessing that something was lost in translation here because, as far as I know, they don't have rodeos in Japan. Although, I'm sure if they did they would be wildly popular. My Guess: Kotani by submission.
Anthony "The Crush" Torres vs. Jess "Joker" Liaudin
Torres is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter, which means he'll either take Liaudin down and submit him or get the beating of a lifetime. My Guess: Liaudin by TKO.
Wombat's Fight Forecast for UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion
"That money would look good in my pocket. I want the money, you know what I could do that with money. You don't know what i could do with that money. I could do some things with that money." - Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
Sept. 5, 2007
By Jeff "Wombat" Meszaros
Bodog Nation Contributing Writer
There was a time, not long ago, when predicting mixed martial arts fights was easy. The UFC was obsessed with giving Ken Shamrock ferocious beatings at the hands of Tito Ortiz, while in Japan, Pride matchmakers were putting together freak-show fights featuring Wanderlei Silva stomping Japanese opponents within inches of death.
These days, it's a lot harder to pick a winner. While my enemies (I have many) might suggest this is because I'm a f*cking idiot with the brain of a chimpanzee, I have a different explanation: there are more variables. Randy Couture doesn't seem to age. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic runs hot and cold like a broken water heater. And fighters like Houston Alexander appear out of nowhere like ninjas with machine guns, eradicating their opponents so quickly, you can't possibly decide whether they got lucky or whether everyone in the division should be very, very afraid of them.
So where can you turn for accurate predictions? Considering the bizarre landscape of the sport, it's possible that your neighborhood witch doctor could pick fights better than I could. Plus, everyone and their pet monkey have started stinking up YouTube with their predictions. Still, I went 7-2 in my predictions for UFC 74: Respect, and I think I'm on a hot streak going into UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Dan "Hollywood" Henderson
When Jackson fought Kazushi Sakuraba in July 2001, Pride matchmakers promoted him as a crazy homeless guy from the streets of Los Angeles.
"Rampage" is ready for Henderson. (AP Images)"Rampage" lost that fight, but he went on to beat the living hell out of everyone except for Silva, who kicked "Rampage" around the ring like a sadistic street child wickedly abusing a stray dog, twice.
Henderson has also fought Silva twice, losing by decision in December 2000 and then avenging himself in February 2007 by beating "The Axe Murderer" at his own game, which, of course, is axe murdering. Just before the roof came down on the company, "Hollywood" had both the middleweight and welterweight titles.
Normally, I'm not a fan of beat-down math, which is the intellectual shelter for morons and cowards. Still, this time it is awfully hard to resist - Henderson KO'd Silva who KO'd Jackson, twice. My guess: Henderson by decision.
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Cheick Kongo
Whenever "Cro Cop" fights, it's a safe bet that someone is going to get knocked out. The hard part is deciding who it will be.
"Cro Cop" has something to prove. (AP Images)Filipovic has put more people in the hospital than lawnmower mishaps and ladder accidents combined. In Japan, he was briefly considered an epidemic. Still, Kevin Randleman and Gabriel Gonzaga both sent him to the next life where both God and the Devil sent him back. I can't blame them. Would you want "Cro Cop" in your house? My Guess: Filipovic by TKO.
Wombat's Pick
With a main event that could go either way and an undercard full of uncertainty, there's money to be made at UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion. Still, my pick for the event is Matt Hamill.
Hamill has only had three MMA fights, but he's trounced all his opponents, including Seth "Silverback" Petruzelli, a dangerous striker with the strength of a gorilla and the agility of Mary-Lou Retton.
Petruzelli was on a six-fight winning streak as a heavyweight before Hamill pounded him down in October 2006. A three-time NCAA Division lll national wrestling champ, "The Hammer" has shown that he can tackle anyone, even huge guys who can kick a shot glass off the top of their own head.
Bisping is a dangerous striker and undefeated in 13 fights, but he's never faced a wrestler like Hamill before. Most of his fights have been in England, which isn't known for producing world-class wrestlers, so most of the fighters who've faced Bisping have been strikers eager to trade punches with him.
"The Hammer" will not trade punches and, as long as he keeps his hands up, will likely grind out a decision over "The Count."
Matt "The Hammer" Hamill vs. Michael "The Count" Bisping
When I was a kid, the bully at my school was deaf. Because of this, I have been permanently scarred with a lasting fear of the hearing-impaired. Naturally, since Matt Hamill is deaf, I cannot help but think he'll chase down Micheal Bisping, kick his school books into a puddle of muddy water and then proceed to give him the beating of a lifetime. On a secondary note, I don't think they get Sesame Street in England. If they did, "The Count" would've gone with a different nickname. My Guess: Hamill by decision.
Houston "The Assassin" Alexander vs. Alessio "Legionarius" Sakara
Houston Alexander is one of those fighters who is made up entirely of fast-twitching muscle fibers.
Alexander destroyed Keith Jardine in his first UFC fight. (AP Images)Like Kevin Randleman, Melvin Guillard and Melvin Manhoef, he can probably do consecutive backflips for an hour without breaking a sweat, although he would break everything else within a twelve-foot radius, including any lamps, chairs or people who happen to be in the area. Fighters like that tend to lack a certain finesse in their technique. After all, who needs to know the fine details of a triangle choke escape when you can pick your opponent up and throw them into a geosynchronous orbit? If Sakara can get out of the first round, he'll probably find a way to TKO "The Assassin." Will he? No. My Guess: Alexander by KO.
Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis vs. Paul "Relentless" Taylor
Every time I see Marcus Davis, he looks more and more like The Incredible Hulk. I suspect he is being exposed to gamma rays. On a still day, you could probably watch his neck grow thicker. My Guess: Davis by submission.
Odds for UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion
All lines subject to change.
Quinton Jackson -140 vs. Dan Henderson +110
Michael Bisping -225 vs. Matt Hamill +185
Houston Alexander -180 vs. Alessio Sakara +150
Mirko Filipovic -360 vs. Cheik Kongo +280
Tomasz "Travolta" Drwal vs. Thiago Silva
Every 10 seconds, somebody somewhere in the world gets beat up by someone whose last name is Silva.
Marcus Davis is getting better, and bigger, for every fight. (AP Images)There's Wanderlei Silva, Anderson Silva, Fabio Silva and even Giant Silva. So remember, if you're ever stuck in a conversation with an MMA nerd and there's a lull in the conversation, just say, "Hey, did you see that Silva fight?" Chances are it'll buy you enough time to sneak into the bathroom and climb out the window. My Guess: Silva by TKO.
Gleison Tibau vs. Terry Etim
I have seen every UFC since day one and, according to his record, Tibau has fought in the octagon three times. Oddly, I can't remember seeing any of his fights. That means either all of his fights have been stuck in the prelims, or they've been lost in the whirlpool of armlocks and knockouts that is constantly awash in my mind. My Guess: Etim by decision.
Naoyuki Kotani vs. Dennis Siver
Kotani is a submission fighter, but he lists his association as "Rodeo Style." I'm guessing that something was lost in translation here because, as far as I know, they don't have rodeos in Japan. Although, I'm sure if they did they would be wildly popular. My Guess: Kotani by submission.
Anthony "The Crush" Torres vs. Jess "Joker" Liaudin
Torres is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter, which means he'll either take Liaudin down and submit him or get the beating of a lifetime. My Guess: Liaudin by TKO.