Event: UFC 78: Validation
Date: November 17, 2007
Location: Newark, New Jersey (Prudential Center)
In what many are calling a rare lame UFC card with few big-name fighters, tonight's mixed martial card still has some very intriguing matchups to solve.
One of the most interesting fights on the card is unbeaten and four-time Clarion NCAA qualifier Frankie "The Answer" EDGAR (7-0) taking on the hard-hitting and very experienced Spencer "The King" FISHER (20-3). Spencer has 11 KOs out of his 20 wins and may be the hardest puncher in the welterweight ranks. But Edgar has been perfect and is the only fighter to have defeated Tyson Griffin, and he will be fighting in front of hometown folks tonight in New Jersey.
Despite being favored by 81% of UFC website voters, Fisher opened as only a �115 pick against Edgar. And strangely, the betting public has pounded Edgar and he is now the �145 favorite. I had hoped for underdog odds on "the Answer", but still will take my chances with Edgar's skills. Fisher should push the pace and stalk Frank around the cage in his stand-up game, but I see the wrestling skills of Edgar controlling Fisher's body on the ground, which will lead to a narrow decision over the more-seasoned veteran. Nobody has been able to submit Fisher. Maybe tonight? Take EDGAR �145 over Fisher by narrow decision.
Ed "Short Fuse" HERMAN (13-5) is a product of the Ultimate Fighter show. He takes on journeyman, Canadian fighter Joe DOERKSEN (39-10), who has been fighting MMA for almost a decade. Doerksen's losses have been to studs like Matt Hughes, Matt Lindland, Eugene Jackson, David Loiseau, Nate Marquardt, and Paulo Filho. Not bad, huh? Herman's has been vulnerable to getting caught by submission, and this is where Doerksen shines. An amazing 31 of his 39 victories is by submission. And, tonight he is an underdog at +120! I'll take the bait. I like DOERKSEN by 2nd round submission with rear-naked choke.
Karo "the Heat" PARISYAN (17-5) is known for his relentless aggression on the mat , tumbling from one move to another using his judo and ground skills to become a truly entertaining fighter. His sights are on the elterweight crown as he fights to survive against Ryo "Piranha" CHONAN (14-7). Chonan's whole career has been spent fighting some of the best of Pride in Japan, while Parisyan's mark includes wins over UFC fighters like reigning champ Matt Serra, Chris Lytle, Nick Thompson, Josh Burkman, Drew Fickett, and Nick Diaz. That's pretty impressive. Yet Karo has never had a KO win. Will tonight be the night? I doubt it. But, I see an easy victory for the heavily favored Parisyan (who ranges from �345 to �450). Take PARISYAN and lay the juice. He wins by 1st round armbar submission.
Houston ALEXANDER (8-1) has come stomping onto the UFC with back-to-back demolishing TKO wins over Alessio Sakara and Keith Jardine, who recently beat legendary Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell. His opponent is unbeaten Thiago SILVA (11-0), who has 9 KOs out of his 11 wins. Somebody's gonna get knocked senseless tonight in this fight. These two aggressive sluggers will go toe-to-toe from the "get-go" in this one! It should be electrifying and over in a heartbeat. When the dust settles, I hope my man is still standing. Ride the hot horse, take ALEXANDER �155 by 1st round KO.
In the featured match, former Michigan State wrestler Rashad EVANS (10-0-1) takes on undefeated British light-heavyweight Michael "The Count" BISPING (14-0). Despite both being undefeated, they are both coming off "losses of sort". Evans got the daylights kicked out of him by a much larger and more experienced Tito Ortiz, yet managed to get a draw out of the contest thanks to Tito losing a penalty point. Bisping was schooled by a better Matt Hamill, who got screwed by British judges who gave the split decision to the hometown boy. Dana White should be ashamed.
Evans looks small for his weight class, but his wrestling skills are impeccable and he is faster than most he faces. Bisping will be going for a KO and would prefer to stand and fight. That won't happen. When Evans gets Bisping to his back, you will see some impressive ground-and-pound that will pick up where Tito left off. Take EVANS �305 to stay unbeaten.
On the undercard:
Thiago "Pitbull" ALVES (12-3) -170 beats Chris "lights out" LYTLE (24-14-5) by split decision. Both fighters are capable of a win here.
Joe "J-Lau" LAUSON (15-3) �550 beats undefeated Jason REINHARDT (18-0) by 1st round triangle choke submission. Lauson is a psycho freak with cage experience going against a fighter who hasn't lost, but also hasn't fought at this level of competition.
Marcus "Maximus" AURELLO (14-5) �450 beats Luke CAUDILLO (13-8) by 2nd round armbar submission. Why is this fight on the card?
…….and veteran MMA fighter, Akihiro GONO (27-12-7) -225 wins a decision over the undefeated youngster, Tamden "the barn cat" McCRORY (8-0). Gono's been fighting for over 13 years, while McCrory has been at it for just over a year! How does a fighter get 7 "draws" on his record? I'll take the experience here.
That's it for now. Enjoy the fights.
I'll see you at the winner's window!
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now