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| Image via UFC Newsletter |
Melvin Guillard v. Jim Miller
Doctor Law: I like Melvin Guillard fights for a couple of reasons. The first is that you pretty much know how the fight is gonna go: Melvin is either going to outclass the guy with his striking or he’s going to get choked. The second is because I know Mike (Lavender Gooms) is going to make a bunch of Demolition Man (download it if you haven’t seen it) references. I don’t think Miller is the type of guy Melvin normally smashes. Miller has a great chin and pretty good striking in his own right. Even worse for Guillard, Miller has great submissions. “The Young Assassin” is going to get choked. Miller by 1st round submission
Kid Presentable: I was never really sold on the “Melvin is legit and ready to make the next step” hype. I like the guy, but his history of mental lapses and tendency to get subbed because of them made me think this is a hyper athletic dude with KO power, but who just could not put it all together. Miller is another guy who was creeping close to the top before being absolutely derailed by Bendo. Of the two, I think Miller gets back on track with a win here. Melvin likely has the advantage standing up, but Miller's boxing is improving and he's got a strong chin. Plus, with some of the best submission games in the division, I think this fight ultimately ends up on the ground with Melvin tapping. Miller by submission round 2.
DJ Mark with a “K”: It’s always tough picking a winner of a fight that Melvin Guillard is a part of. This dude has more ups and downs then the Rebel Alliance. I see this fight being the equivalent of when Han Solo was frozen in carbonite. Melvin will get taken down, pounded on and eventually submitted. This loss won’t kill Melvin’s career (much like how being frozen in carbonite doesn’t kill you), but it’ll set him back a bit. Miller by 2nd Round Submission.
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| Image via watchkalibrun.com |
Picking Guillard: Gooms
Picking Miller: Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ Mark
Duane Ludwig v. Josh Neer
Doctor Law: Duane Ludwig was on a mission. He wanted recognition for having the shortest knockout in UFC history and he wanted it bad. Despite clear video evidence, the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to do anything about a timekeeper’s error that caused Bang’s KO of Jonathan Goulet to be recorded as 11 seconds instead of 6 seconds. Dana White gave Ludwig the recognition he wanted by unofficially awarding him the record. Anyways, Bang and Neer is going to be a solid battle. Bang has great kickboxing and Neer is always game. I see Ludwig taking this one via 2nd round TKO.
Kid Presentable: Bang, bang, bangity bang! Yeah I have been on a little bit of a How I Met Your Mother binge lately. Must be a sign from the stars that will take Duane will take this one. Seriously though, Duane is a very skilled kick boxer and has looked impressive in his last couple of outings. Neer is a solid veteran, but he is a career journeyman, and unlike his last opponent, I don't see Ludwig just allowing Neer to elbow him at will to the face for the entire fight. This is one of those lower tiered fights that may not have any real significance to the division, but the talent set could end up making for a very entertaining stand up war. Here is to hoping for one of those. Bang by decision.
DJ Mark with a “K”: I’m very excited for this one! I’m a massive Duane Ludwig fan from his early and awesome performances in King of the Cage to his stint in K-1. I just love this dude’s style. Neer’s a tough, but winnable fight for him. I’m hoping Duane can run a stand up clinic on Neer and maybe flash the Karate Kid Crane stance for old time’s sake. Duane by Decision.
Lavender Gooms: A fight card on free TV always means there’s one fight where both guys have some firepower in the hands. Ludwig by TKO in 3nd round.
Picking Ludwig: Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Neer:
Mike Easton v. Jared Papazian
Doctor Law: Easton’s nickname is “The Hulk” and the dude just looks angry all the time. Papzian doesn’t have a Wikipedia page, and as I’ve made it clear in the past, that’s a deal breaker for me. Easton by 2nd round TKO
Kid Presentable: Papazian makes his UFC debut here, and I know very little about him besides him being a King of the Cage vet. Easton however, has only had one fight in the UFC, but he is a compact ball of muscle with a strong record, defeating the likes of Chase Beebe, and recent TUF winner John Dodson. The lower weight classes most always make for good fights as they are quick paced and high energy. Easton seemed to just be better than his last opponent Byron Bloodworth but we'll chalk that up to octagon jitters. Here is to a quicker finish his second go around. Easton by TKO, round 1
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| Image via MMAJunkie |
Lavender Gooms: Easton looked good in his UFC debut and beat Chase Beebee in the fight before his debut. But more importantly, I’m picking him cause of his mean mug at his debut weigh-in. Straight Thuggin! Easton by Decision.
Picking Easton: Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Papazian:
Pat Barry v. Christian Morecraft
Doctor Law: Pat Barry is awesome. Seriously, look at that video. The man is singing “California Dreaming” with Crocop. Everybody else needs to stop putting videos online because Pat Barry has already won. In this fight, he’s taking on Christian Morecraft, who has been KO’d in two of his three UFC fights. Morecraft was able to defeat Sean McCorkle which isn’t even a little bit impressive. I’m picking Pat because I like him more and I’m hoping that Morecraft has no interest in a ground fight. Pat Barry by 2nd round TKO
Kid Presentable: Pat Barry is one of the most entertaining fighters outside of the cage. He just seems like such a likable dude that it kind of pains you just how easy it is to sub the guy. Even when he does get to stand, he has to be on the bad end of one of the most unlikely comebacks ever seen. As a fan, you just want him to keep winning enough that he gets to stick around. Barry's problem in the past has been his killer instinct, but when he finally turned it on he got KO'd in kind, so will that affect him this go around? Barry is always going to be the smaller man in this division and Morecraft is a big dude, but as a guy who has had his lights turned off before, this seems like a solid fight for Barry to get a nice highlight for himself. Barry by shoryuken (dragon punch) KO round 1
DJ Mark with a “K”: Pat Barry is just one of those guys that’s hard not to love. Dude loves Sagat and that gets a lot of respect from me. Much like the Neer/Ludwig fight this is a tough, but very winnable fight for Pat. Pat has really kind of become the gate keeper of the UFC and I think his stand-up will be enough to take this fight. Pat Barry by 2nd round TKO.
Lavender Gooms: Come on son. You think Pat Barry is worried? You think Pat Barry cares he’s lost 3 of 4? You think Pat Barry cares his UFC career could be in Jeopardy? You think Pat Barry cares about his less than stellar submission defense? Nope. Pat Barry only cares about getting up in that ass. Hit’em with a Tiger uppercut! Barry by ass whoppin’ in the 1st round.
Picking Barry: Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Morecraft:
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