UFC 182 Fight Picks and Analysis:a Blacklicious edition

via ufc.com

Jon Jones is going to LITERALLY kill Daniel Cormier. But do you think DC is just going to LET Jon do that? Well, the answer to these important questions shall soon be upon us. We have seen the promos, heard the words, re-watched the kerfuffle in Vegas, and now we are ready for action. Headlining the most stacked PPV card in recent memory will be a clash for the light-heavyweight title of the world with the always fun to watch Cowboy Cerrone taking on a surging upstart, Mr. Fury Jury.

Jon Jones (c) v. Daniel Cormier
Stop me if you have heard a challenger being described as the toughest test of (insert champion here)'s career. In actuality for Jones, right now that man is Alexander Gustaffsson. On paper, it should be the man that he will face on Saturday in Cormier. This is just my long-winded way of saying that when it comes to this fight, believe the hype. Jones' biggest challenge so far has come due to someone matching his reach. While DC may not shine in that department, he brings a skill set and pace that will perhaps make him the first man to dethrone the king. Of course, the man at the top of the hill is not there without good reason himself. Jones has always had the unique physical tool set, innovative skill set, and the drive and heart to fight through adversity and rise to the occasion. These two forces collide to leave a resultant thought that there are any number of outcomes to how this fight could go. Quick finish? I can see that. Hard fought war? I'd believe it. One-sided domination? I wouldn't rule it out. For this fact alone, I'm on a Mark Hunt-ian fighting for the title level of excited. My pick? Daniel Cormier by decision.

#AndStill: Dr Law, Lavender Gooms, DJ Mark
#AndNew: Kid P

Actual winner:

via mmafighting.com

It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 113

The gang previews the biggest fight in years as they talk about UFC 182: Jones v. Cormier. They break down both Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier's respective paths to victory and make their picks. The gang also talks about the rest of the card including the huge fight between Donald Cerrone and Myles Jury and the battle between Hector Lombard and a returning Josh Burkman. All that and another edition of "Stuff We Like."

It's MMAzing 2014 Year End Awards

Winners can expect their trophies to
arrive in the mail in 4-6...years. Yea...
let's go with that.

For information on how we came up with these wonderful selections please listen to Episode 112 of It's MMAzing Radio.

Fighter of the Year (Male):

Doctor Law: Robbie Lawler
Kid Presentable: Robbie Lawler
DJ Mark with a K: Robbie Lawler
Lavender Gooms: TJ Dillashaw

Fighter of the Year (Female):

Doctor Law: Ronda Rousey
Kid Presentable: Carla Esparza
DJ Mark with a K: Carla Esparza
Lavender Gooms: Ronda Rousey

It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 112

The gang returns excited to do their year end awards, but instead have to talk about the class action lawsuit filed against the UFC by Jon Fitch, Nate Quarry and Cung Le. After discussing that, they go through their awards. Listen to the gang debate categories such as Fighter of the Year, Fight of the Year and KO of the Year. All that and another edition of "Stuff We Like" in this super-sized episode of It's MMAzing Radio.

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UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway Predictions

This Saturday, the UFC is presenting yet another Fox Sports 1 fight card in Brazil. Sadly, the card itself isn’t all that strong. Headlined by Lyoto vs Dollaway and co mained by Barao vs Gagnon, the quality of the fights pretty much ends there. There are a few notable names sprinkled throughout the rest of the card, but to be honest there isn’t too much here to get excited over. Even the main and co-main events are fairly one sided on paper and even amongst the It's MMAzing crew there was little argument about who we thought was going to win these fights. Never the less, some of these fights do have some ramifications in their respective weight classes and still deserve our attention.

Lyoto Machida v C.B. Dollaway

On paper this is a big step up for C.B. Dollaway. This is easily the biggest fight of his career, but it’s much deserved as Dollaway has never looked better than in his most recent 4 of 5 winning streak. Even so, it’s still pretty difficult to imagine Dollaway coming away from this fight with the win. While Lyoto isn’t exactly the unbeatable machine so many may have thought during his best runs at Light Heavyweight, he’s still a highly skilled fighter who gives the vast majority of his opponents serious problems. Some have been able to steal rounds and fights away from Lyoto in the past, but very few of his losses came from taking a one sided beating or being completely outmatched. Dollaway has the difficult task of somehow finding a way to overcome the better striking/distancing that Lyoto will present to him. Personally, I don’t see how Dollaway is going to be able to put away Lyoto or even win a 5 round decision. I feel like Lyoto is going to be able to dictate the pacing of the fight and wait for Dollaway to make a mistake to capitalize on. Lyoto by 3rd round TKO.

Lyoto:  Doctor Law, Kid Presentable, DJ Mark with a K
Dollaway: none

Renan Barao v Mitch Gagnon

While Gagnon holds an impressive 12 – 2 record and has won his last 4 fights, it’s still difficult to pick him over Barao. Even though Barao is coming off of the worst beating of his career and was unable to reach the scales for his rematch for the Bantamweight belt, I still think he’s the favorite in this fight. Once believed by many to be the pound for pound best fighter in the sport, he’s making his comeback in his home country against an opponent he should be able to beat. Gagnon is a great submission fighter but has yet to beat the bigger names in the UFC to convince me that he’s ready for a fighter the caliber of Barao. Also, I feel like Barao really needs to make a statement in this fight. He needs to not only win, but prove to everyone that he’s still the fighter we thought he was before he ran into T.J. Dillashaw. I think Barao gets it done on his feet, either knocking him out or hurting him enough to give him a submission opening. Barao by KO 1st round.

Barao: Doctor Law, Kid Presentable, DJ Mark with a K
Gagnon: none

It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 111

The gang recaps the TUF Finale and UFC on FOX: dos Santos v. Miocic cards. They also discuss to much debated conversation between Joe Rogan and Brendan Schaub on The Fighter and The Kid podcast. They also preview this weekend's UFC card headlined by Lyoto Machida and CB Dollaway. All that and another edition of "Stuff We Like." How such few topics took 90 minutes is beyond me. Not being in a rush to watch the 49ers lose to Seattle...probably a factor.

Listen here

UFC on FOX: dos Santos v. Miocic Predictions

The UFC returns to "Big" Fox this Saturday night with a five round heavyweight main event between the clear #2 guy in the division and a young guy from Ohio looking for his big break. We also get the return of the younger Diaz brother, a horse-eating Dutchman, another Dutchman with anxiety issues and a heavyweight with enough body hair to play Cousin It. Not bad for free TV.

Junior dos Santos v. Stipe Miocic 

Cigano is back. We haven’t seen JDS since he took a world class ass kicking from Cain Velasquez last October. Junior dos Santos basically seems like the nicest guy in the world. That almost makes it more terrifying that he is perfectly capable of knocking your head off your shoulders with one swing. Stipe Miocic is coming off of a ridiculous match-up with Fabio Maldonado that Brazilian commission should be ashamed for licensing. Stipe is a very good wrestler with some solid striking, but he's out of his depth in this fight. The heavyweight division is pretty simple:

1. Cain
2. JDS
3. Werdum
4. Nobody
5. Not a soul
6. Nadie
7. Everybody else.

Mr. Miocic is going to get smoked pretty damn fast. JDS by 2nd round knockout.

Picking Cigano: All of us
Picking Fake Crocop: 

It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 110

The gang comes together in a super-sized episode to talk about the huge news regarding CM Punk joining the UFC. Additionally, they talk about the results of UFC 181 and our new welterweight champion. They also discuss the big Reebok deal just signed by the UFC and recap Invicta FC 10. The gang then previews UFC on FOX: dos Santos v. Miocic and the upcoming TUF Finale. All that and another edition of "Stuff We Like."

Listen here

UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler II Predictions

Oh what's this you're asking?  Are the bad boys of semi-pro MMA podcasting getting back into blogging predictions?  You know what's up.  We've been away from the written word too long and got some hot 6th grade reading level FIRE coming your way in the coming months.

UFC Welterweight Championship

Johny Hendricks (champion) vs. Robbie Lawler

When a fight is as good as the first one is, there is always a chance the second disappoints.  That's likely not the case with two free swinging fighters who are always looking to knock their opponent's head off.  Lawler has fought twice since, looking dominant while Hendricks on the other hand has been on the shelf since winning the title so there is always the worry of ring-rust.  Their first fight was a veritable barn-burner of a match which Hendricks won by the slightest of margins.  Hendricks fought with a torn bicep for nearly the entire fight which limited his ability to get the takedown.  While he won't shy away from standing and banging with Lawler, Hendricks utilizes his wrestling much more this time around to better control the action.  Hendricks wins this one going away.

Picking Hendrick: Gooms, DJ Mark, Kid Presentable
Picking Lawler: Doctor Law

It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 109

The gang celebrates the return of Lavender Gooms from his special assignment and Mr. Gooms treats them with the real story on what the UFC had planned on announcing at #TheTimeIsNow press conference. They also preview the hell out of UFC 181 and go in depth on whether they expect either Johny Hendricks or Robbie Lawler to lose their titles. Somehow, they allow a discussion about Frankie Edgar's dominance to get into the conversation. All that plus another edition of "Stuff We Like."

Listen here