Tonight's MMA fight card from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas features two UFC championships (middleweight and lightweight) and seven other matches, including a heavyweight, light-heavy heavyweight, and middleweight fight, plus two additional welterweight and lightweight fights.
This the first time there has been a 155-pound lightweight championship since "Little Evil" Jens Pulver held the belt many years ago. Pulver came back to fight in the UFC last month, but was upset by Dan Lauzon, who is on tonight's card. But, tonight, it is Sean "The Muscle Shark" SHERK (29-2-1) against Kenny "KenFlo" FLORIAN (7-2-0). Sherk is a poor man's Matt Hughes, a muscle bound ball of speed with relentless pursuit. His only two losses are to Hughes and Georges St. Pierre. Not bad. Florian continues to amaze. His modest physique will look scrawny in the ring with Sherk. But, fights aren't won by looks.
Unlike Sherk, Florien is a patient fighter. While the Muscle Shark will try to roll through KenFlo like a locomotive, Kenny will wait for the mistake to happen and will capitalize on it like a striking cobra snake. I see underdog FLORIAN (+290) winning in the 2nd round by submission. That will make him the first Spike TV TUF fighter to be crowned a champion!
In the featured fight, middleweight championship, Rich "Ace" FRANKLIN (22-1-0) defends his title against Anderson "The Spider" SILVA (15-4), a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter known for his devastating strikes, hands, knees, and feet. Silva is a master technician who is lightning fast. Ace Franklin is just plain awesome. Franklin usually gets the upper hand with some ferocious stand-up, his lengthy frame and long legs make a dangerous. Yet, his ground skills are supposed to be among the best. He usually ends his fight by TKO with some savage elbows and fists reigning down on his staggered opponent. Anderson Silva does not plan to follow that pattern.
Coming off his impressive 1st round KO of Chris Leben, a man with an iron chin, Silva may be on top of his game. His confidence and perhaps the fact that Franklin is coming in after an injury (broken hand) may create a scenario for another big upset. I think Silva will shock the UFC world with a 1st round KO over Rich Franklin! … and history may show that it wasn't an upset at all.
In other fights on the card:
Cheick KONGO (19-2-1) weeps his UFC record perfect with an easy 1st round KO over Carmelo MARRERO (5-0-0). If you are into bridge jumping, KONGO (–500) cashes the winning ticket. It will only be a matter of time before we see this stud up against Tim Silvia for the heavyweight belt.
Jon FITCH (16-2-0) wins by submission over Kuniyoshi HIRONAKA (10-2-0). Fitch is being touted as the best welterweight fighter out there that nobody has seen. Tonight we get to. Fitch is a workout machine and should win this as a (-325) favorite.
Spencer FISHER (19-2-0) wins by submission over Dan LAUZON (4-0-0). Can you say "young and brash?" That's Dan "The Upgrade" Lauzon, who just shocked the world with a 1st round KO over Jens Pulver, ruining "Little Evil's" return to the UFC. Tonight he goes to school against Spencer Fisher, no small task. Fisher will get his pound of flesh before taking Lauzon to the mat and ending the show with a rear-naked chokehold.
Fisher wins by submission in the 2nd round as a (-420) favorite.
Keith "The Dean of Mean" JARDINE (11-3-1) takes on the human tattoo, Mike Nickels (4-1-0) in a Light heavyweight match. Mean Jardine should have little trouble with his less experienced opponent. This one ends with a 2nd round KO. Jardine (-500) keeps the favorites in clover.
Middleweight Kalib STARNES (9-1-1) gets a shot at a very experienced Yushin OKAMI(18-3-0). As a small underdog (+105) Starnes wins a close decision.
Lightweight Clay "The Carpenter" Guida (20-3-0) should get a submission win over a determined Justin James (22-5-0). Guida, of the long locks, has a wrestling edge that should allow him to control the fight, opening up the opportunity for an armbar submission in the 2nd round. The favored Guida (-275) cashes the winning ticket.
Kurt "Batman" Pellegrino (14-2-0) submits a less experienced Junior ASSUNCAO (5-1-0). Pellegrino with the green hair has won 75% of his fights by submission. Assuncao is a MMA unknown. Favorite Pellegrino (-300) gets the bacon.
Well, that's it for now. Enjoy the fights. And, please notice how wrestlers stand tall in the octagon of mixed martial artists. The ability to control your opponent's body gives a fighter the necessary tools to take away his opponent's game. And, that is usually a formula for success in the UFC.
More later.
The UFC Monster.
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