Event: UFC 67: All or Nothing
Venue: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, February 3, 2007
In a much-anticipated debut of two former Pride fighting champions into the UFC, Mirko Cro Cop and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson are fighting against over-matched opponents, at least according to the betting odds posted by those who should know. The featured fight is a middleweight title fight between Anderson Silva and Travis Lutter, also a mismatch according to the betting odds. In fact, Dana White, UFC President, has put together a nine-fight card that represents the biggest mismatches (on paper) in the UFC's history! Why?
Perhaps, as a showcase for the favorites as they move up the ladder of success?
The UFC Monster will be at the event along with RevWrestling.com senior writer Andrew Hipps. The FREE weigh-ins are also worth attendance. The anticipation of the event is often as exciting as the event itself!
So, let's take a look at the long list of underdogs and see if we can find any winners. It will only take a handful of barking 'dogs to win to make for a profitable day, and another trip to the winner's window in Vegas!
From the biggest underdogs on down:
Eddie SANCHEZ (8-0) @ +800 is an undefeated fighter who has been chosen to be the first sacrificial lamb for Mirko CRO COP (21-4-2), the best kicker in MMA fighting. Eddie has no chance. You would have to bet $15 on Mirko to net a single dollar! Now, that's some serious bridge-jumping! CRO COP ends this in the first round with a left foot to Eddie's temple. Nighty-night.
Tyson GRIFFIN (8-0) @ -800 has been a smooth and polished fighter showing no weaknesses as he has rolled through his eight opponents to date, including giving Urijah Faber (17-1) his only defeat. Unknown Frankie EDGAR (5-0) @ +500 will be Tyson's next victim. Edgar was a four-time NCAA Division I national qualifier from Clarion, but I don't think he has the experience to beat Griffin. Working with David Terrell, Griffin has never gone the distance with any of his opponents. GRIFFIN ends this one with an armbar submission in the third round.
Quinton "Rampage" JACKSON (25-6) @ -675 is good enough to own a victory over Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell. His opponent tonight will be Marvin "The Beastman" Eastman (13-6-1), who is a thick, muscular specimen, who will give it a shot at going toe-to-toe with Rampage. This will be power vs. power. Eastman will have a puncher's chance, but that's about all. Rampage is getting some major hype for joining the UFC. The parade doesn't end before it starts. JACKSON gets the job done with a brutal and bloody TKO in the second round.
Roger HUERTA (17-1-1) @ -600 should cruise over John HALVERSON (13-4) @ +400. Halverson was fighting on small Burnsville, Minnesota fight cards this summer. Tonight he enters the octagon. HUERTA should have his way here, and gets a first round triangle choke to end this affair.
Ryoto "Loyota" MACHIDA (8-0) @ -600 is a mystery man to most. Who is he? Unbeaten, but also with the names of Rich Franklin and BJ Penn on his resume list of victims. That's impressive. Sam "the Alaskan Assassin" HOGER (6-2) @ +400 is a by-product of the Ultimate Fighter show. The "shake-and-bake" brand of fighter to some. Does he have a chance at beating Machida? I think so. I'll bet against the impressive resume. Both fighters like to go to the ground. Once there, anything can happen. One mistake can lead to a painful joint submission or a fight-stopping choke hold. I smell an upset here. Let's give HOGAR a shot with a surprising rear naked choke in the second round. Finally an upset, and �dog in the bank.
Anderson SILVA (17-4) @ -400 has looked absolutely awesome in kicking the daylights out of both champion Rich Franklin, and the highly-regarded Chris Leben. His opponent, Travis LUTTER (12-3) @ +300 is a solid fighter indeed, but he may lack the experience and tools to deal with some first class Muay Tai fighting. Lutter will want to take it to the ground. Silva wants to grab your neck and kick your ribs 'til they break. And, he usually gets his way. Unless there is something going on here that the UFC Monster doesn't understand, this one looks too easy. SILVA wins in the first round with another KO and crumpled body on the mat.
Experienced journeyman Jorge "El Conquistador" RIVERA (14-5) @ -325 was a late draw to fight Chicago's Terry MARTIN (16-2) @ +250. Martin's a brawler who likes to throw punches. Rivera is a bit more diversified and would prefer some ground action. If the popular RIVERA can find a way to avoid the KO, he will earn the victory through a judge's decision after three rounds of fighting. If not, MARTIN wins by KO for the upset. This fight will be action packed with plenty of punches thrown.
Dustin HAZELETT @ -260 and Diego SARAIVA @ +200 was the last fight added to the card. Both are mat wrestlers who like to win by submission. Saraiva is a late substitution for the colorful Melvin Guillard, who is injured. Subs rarely score. Hazelett wins this one with his patented triangle choke. Guillard would have been a different story.
Patrick COTE @ -170 against Scott SMITH (12-2-1, the tie with former U.S. Marines wrestler Joey Clark) should be a good fight. It is the most competitive on paper, according to the oddsmakers. Cote has been in against Tito Ortiz. Smith lost his shot when he got submitted by the scrawny, but lethal Kenny Florian. I think Cote has a little better balance to his fight game. The Canadian brings home the bacon. COTE wins by ground-n-pound TKO in the second round.
So, there you have it, a showcase of talent on display. The question is, "Will there be much competition in many of these fights?" Saturday night we find out.
Enjoy the fights. See you at the winner's window!
More later.
The UFC Monster
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