Bellator 207 and 208 Fight Picks

Matt Mitrione vs. Ryan Bader
Picking Bader: All of us

Chael Sonnen vs. Fedor Emelianenko
Picking Sonnen: DJ Mark, Dr Law, Gooms
Picking Emelianenko: Kid P

Sergei Kharitoniv vs. Roy Nelson
Picking Kharitoniv: Kid P,
Picking Nelson: Gooms, DJ Mark, Dr. Law

Saad Awad vs. Benson Henderson
Picking Awad:
Picking Bendo: All of us

It's MMAzing 2018 Standings (as of 10/8/18)
1. Kid Presentable - (56-33)
2. Lavender Gooms - (54-35)
2. Dr. Law (54-35)
4. DJ Mark -  (51-38)

Bellator 165: Chandler v. Henderson Predictions

Good lord this Saturday is packed. 2 UFC cards, Andre Ward v. Sergey Kovalev, NXT Takeover and a damn good Bellator card. It almost makes me wish I had cable so I could DVR some of this. Almost. (F*ck off Comcast).

Bellator returns to the SAP Center in San Jose, California with a card headlined by a fantastic fight between Benson Henderson and the Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler. You also get to see Michael "Venom" Page, Francis Carmont and some solid prospects competing. Best of all, DJ Mark and myself will be in the building. I'm going to do my best to be professional and not sing Bendo's "Awesome God" walkout song. Check out our picks below.

Bellator Lightweight Championship
Michael Chandler (c) v. Benson Henderson: 

This one just feels dirty. Bendo is one of my favorite lightweights, but I really don't like his chances in this one. He simply has not looked good since joining the Bellator roster. Bendo got flat out obliterated by Koreshkov in his Bellator debut for 25 straight minutes. After we all convinced ourselves that his performance in that fight was due to him being too small for the weight class, Bendo next took on Patrício Freire in a fight where he appeared to be gun shy. He was absolutely losing this fighter before Pitbull broke his leg in a bit of a freak accident. Chandler, conversely, bounced back from a couple hard losses to Eddie Alvarez and Will Brooks (x2) to win 3 fights including his last fight where he knocked Patricky Freire into the next dimension to capture the Bellator title. I don't like picking against Bendo and I almost never do, but I have to go with Chandler here. He simply has looked better in his recent fights. Chandler by decision. 

Picking Chandler: Dr. Law
Picking Henderson: Kid P, DJ Mark, Gooms

UFC on FOX 21: Maia vs. Condit (Plus a little Bellator 160)

I don't know about you all, but I am still buzzing from last week's fights.  But time waits for no man.  UFC goes back to the great north, making some fight plans in Vancouver.  The top three fights are very intriguing.  The main event has potential #1 contender implications, the co-main event has the feather-weight debut of a former champion, and the third fight has the return of a mega-star fresh of her dazzling performance on "Dancing with the Stars".  Still bull@#$% she got robbed out of the crystal ball trophy.  Also, we preview the Bellator main event.

UFC Fight Night 79: Henderson vs. Masvidal Predictions

This Fight Night in Seoul, South Korea has seen a few of changes over the last couple of weeks but remains a fairly solid main card. While a few big names like Mikro Cro Cop (who first retired from MMA then later failed a drug test) and Thiago Alves will be missing there's still a handful of interesting match ups. Former lightweight champion Benson Henderson meets Jorge Masvidal at welterweight, South Korea's own Dong Hyun Kim and adopted son Sexiyama will be in action. In addition to that there's also a really fun fight on paper when Doo Ho Choi squares off with heavy hitter Sam Sicilla.

UFC Fight Night 60: Henderson vs Thatch Picks

What a road we have traveled. Fight Night events are often low on big name value, but usually big on quality fights. Matt Brown was seemingly the perfect main eventer for such a card, but as circumstances seem to go in 2015... no card ends how it started. I won't rehash the whole road we took to get here on this card but an event that once laughably had a main event of Brandon Thatch vs Wonderboy, regains some level of credibility with a former champion inserted in the main slot.

Benson Henderson vs Brandon Thatch

Rising from the ashes of the mess that is this card, is actually a decently compelling matchup. On the one hand, you have a former champion who has had a really great career with wins against big names but is currently riding his first 2-fight losing streak. On the other you have a rising killer that get's guys out of the cage fast. I seldom pick against Bendo, but the change in weight class is a tremendous x-factor here. Thatch is on the larger end of welterweights standing at 6'2 and while Bendo is a large lightweight, he has been more known for his gas tank than his power. Going up in class when you almost never put people away with your strikes does not inspire immediate confidence. Thatch by TKO.

Henderson: Dr. Law, DJ Mark
Thatch: Kid P, Gooms

UFC Fight Night: McGregor v. Siver Fight Picks and Analysis: a NOTORIOUS affair

This card has two fights I'm looking forward to....that's it.  On most nights that's a recipe for a card I don't want to watch, but that speaks to the star power that Conor McGregor possesses.  He makes a sh*t card into must-see TV.

Conor McGregor v. Dennis Siver

Are we even sure that Dennis Siver knows he's fighting this weekend?  In all the press leading up to this fight Mr. Siver has not been heard from.  Someone should make sure he bought his plane ticket and got him some fight trunks.  Everyone who fights Siver has to respect the power in his spinning back kick, but let's be real, this fight will serve as nothing more than a stepping stone for The Notorious One.  With each fight McGregor further shows what all of the hype is about and it won't be any different against a fighter who at this point in his career is more name talent than actual talent.  McGreger by TKO in 1st round. 

McGregor: All of us

Siver:

UFC 164 Predictions

UFC on FOX 7: Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez Predictions

Hello boys and girls.  It's been a while since we've written an article.  But we're back and better(?) than ever.  And what better way to come back with the thunder on these predictions than with an official ItsMMAzing event? Check them out.

UFC on FOX 5 Predictions

The Itsmmazing crew (minus yours truly Lavender Gooms) travels to Seattle, the land of the Space Needle, McDreamy, and Frasier Crane to watch the possible coronation of a Diaz brother.  Much like all of you, I expect pictures.

Undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship
Benson Henderson (c) v. Nate Diaz

Image via Wikipedia

Kid Presentable: It wasn't the brother we were expecting, but a Diaz is finally fighting for a UFC title. It has been a weird ride in the lead up and build up to this fight because I have long been an avid supporter of Bendo through his time in the WEC and now UFC. Yet here we are and I will be riding absolutely against him. ItsMMAzing is 50% sports blog, 50% Diaz brother fan club. We ride for the 209. More than anything I am hoping and expecting to see a battle in every facet of the mma game. Part of what makes both these guys so enjoyable as fighters is the are proficient if not great at every aspect of the game. Bendo uses speed and unconventional Tae Kwon Do techniques, while Nate brings that classic Diaz boxing style. You have a good wrestler who has proven unchokeable and unsubmitable and the Gracie black belt. Bendo has never been an easy out but recently Nate has stepped up his game to a whole different level. At some point Bendo will start to take one too many shots and will lose position in a scramble and from there the unthinkable will happen, Bendo will be put to sleep, and Diaz brother will hold the gold. Nate by submission round 4.

DJ Mark with a "K": This is easily a PPV worthy main event. Henderson got his first title defense out of the way and is facing one of the most skilled and toughest fighters in the lightweight division. Nate has really come into his own during his last couple of fights and has seemed to finally put all the pieces of his MMA game puzzle together. His stand up is vastly improved and he’s tightened up some aspects of his already outstanding ground game. Which is great because he’s going to have to come in completed prepared to take the belt away from Henderson. As a long time Diaz brothers fan I can’t pick against Nate here but I basically see this fight being a 50/50 call. There’s so many questions about how these two will stack up together I’m really just looking forward to seeing these two guys display their warrior spirits and put on a fight worthy of a UFC championship. Diaz late 4^th round submission (RNC) 4:54


Lavender Gooms: I am going to try my best and be objective.  I am going to try my best to not predict this fight from my Diaz tinted glasses.  Nate Diaz has made quantum leaps in each of his fights since his return to light-weight.  Ravaged Gomi, made a very good kickboxer in Cerrone look foolish standing up and displayed gain strength in the clinch and a nifty judo toss against Miller.  Diaz has had trouble with wrestlers in the past and Ben Henderson is a strong wrestler with good submission defense which doesn’t bode well for Diaz.  While Diaz will likely try and pressure Henderson for all five rounds, Henderson has displayed an ability to go the distance for a whole five rounds. This fight has the makings for a close fight and Henderson could very well win, but my loyalty lies in the 209 all the time.  Guess I can’t be objective.  Diaz by close decision(I know I have a better chance of riding a unicorn than him winning a close decision).

Picking Henderson-
Picking Diaz- All of us

Mauricio Rua v. Alexander Gustafsson

Kid Presentable: You have a major heat check match up here for both men. On the one hand Gus is the riser, on the cusp of contention. On the other Rua is checking to see if he lost a step or if he is still right there... he just happened to get rolled like everyone else in the division by Jon Jones. Shogun has proven he still has an iron chin, and it is tough to see where Gus will have the advantage. Gus likely has the better conditioning, and could do his best Dominic Cruz impression again to maybe wear out and out-point Shogun, but Shogun is too technically sound to not get his licks in as well. I believe Gus is a legit prospect, but at the same time I have been leaning more and more toward the old lions lately. Shogun by TKO round 2.

Image via Bleacher Report

DJ Mark with a "K": On paper I think this is a tough fight for Gustafsson, Shogun is easily the biggest name and toughest challenge he’s faced yet. Personally I feel like he might not be ready for Shogun just yet but at the same time I can easily see this being his coming out party into the top of the 205 division. My reservations on Gustafsson are mostly due from his last fight where he seemed to play it a little safer at times. I think Shogun will be able to use his low kicks to slow down Gustafsson and allow him to get in close and do more damage with his hands.  Gustafsson has the tools for an upset (in my mind, but not the bookmakers oddly enough) but I’m siding with shogun. Shogun TKO 2^nd round  3:08

Lavender Gooms: I have to ask a question. When did Shogun become washed up?  Because I can’t understand him being an underdog to Gustafsson.  I don’t just think he’s going to beat Gustafsson.  I think it won’t be close.  Shogun by TKO in 1^st round.

Picking Rua- All of us
Picking Gustafsson-

BREAKING NEWS: Edgar/Henderson 2 confirmed.

Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson rematch will be this summer

— Dana White (@danawhite) March 6, 2012

Dana White confirmed on Twitter today that Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson would compete in a rematch of their UFC 144 bout. Henderson defeated Edgar by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) in a modern classic, becoming the new UFC Lightweight Champion. Despite the judges scorecards and Fightmetric, the official UFC statistics provider, scoring the fight as a clear victory for Henderson, there were still some who believed that the decision should have went for Edgar.

News of the rematch puts a temporary stop to talk of Frankie Edgar moving down to challenge UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. It also appears that Anthony Pettis will have to take on one, if not two more opponents before getting his shot at the belt as, given the timing, it is likely that the winner of Nate Diaz v. Jim Miller in May will get the first shot at the winner of Frankie/Benson 2.

UFC 144 Staff Predictions

Image via nama-niku.blogspot.com

The UFC is returning to Japan for the first time since 1997. In honor of this (and Lavender and Kid being massive dorks who watch too much Anime) we’ve given the fighters Japan themed nicknames.

"Ultraman" Frankie Edgar (c) vs. Ben Henderson aka "Luffy, King of the Pirates"

Kid Presentable: The earth's forces try their best to survive when under attack, but in dire times must summon Ultraman. Frankie is the reigning and ever resilient champion of the LW division, turning on Ultraman mode twice in close calls against nemesis Gray Maynard. Bendo is the rubber man himself. He challenges Edgar with a complete game, and most notably an insane amount of flexibility and technical savvy to escape any danger. Having followed Bendo for some time now, it's is awesome to see him on the cusp of greatness, and if you watched the countdown show and don't like this dude? Well then you are the one with the problem. Frankie has proven time and again to not be counted out though, but two things in this MMA world are certain, I will always pick Anderson Silva to win, and I will always pick Frankie Edgar to be upset. Bendo by decision.

Image via squidoo.com

Doctor Law: Click on Ben Henderson’s name above and it’ll take you to his Wikipedia page. On the right side of the page it has “Bendo” listed as one of his “Other names.” That is there because of Kid Presentable and myself. That little factoid isn’t really related to anything, but I wanted to show my clear bias here. I’m a big fan of Bendo. He fights with tenacity and is very well rounded. Frankie Edgar, on the other hand, is incredibly tough and is great at scoring points with his standup. I think (actually I just hope) Bendo is the one to take the belt from Edgar. Henderson will take Edgar down and beat him up for 25 minutes. Bendo by decision.

DJ Mark with a "K": Frankie has defended his belt three times, and yet he still doesn't feel like a champion for some reason. All the other champions in the UFC have that thing about them that says "I'm the best in the world" (except for Dominick Cruz who suffers the same), but Frankie just seems to squeak by winning decisions via very impressive footwork (except being sending Maynard to another dimension in his last fight). I think this win will change that. While I love Benderson's style, in and out of the ring, I'm giving Frankie the edge here. Frankie's going to be coming in fast and confident, and he'll get hit, but he'll fight back. If he's smart he'll throw in some takedowns to get Benderson off his trail and tag Benderson when he's in wrestling mode. If Benderson is smart he’ll capitalize on Frankie being a punching bag the first round and finish what Maynard started. I don’t see him doing that. Frankie via decision.

Lavender Gooms: I find Frankie to be an oddity. He’s a man who pretty much fights at his natural weight. The man looks like he cuts no weight. It seems like he eats some yakiniku, then goes to the weigh-ins. He waltzes into the octagon against guys who normally weigh a lot more than him and has been able to pull out the victories. Both fighters have excellent gas tanks, but Edgar is on another level with the pace he sets in his fights. I see this fight being a 25 minute battle with a crazy tempo. Edgar will use his speed and boxing to dart in and out, while Henderson will use his black belt in Taekwondo, along with his range to neutralize some of Edgar’s boxing. Edgar is hard to take down and Grey Maynard couldn’t knock him out, and I don’t think Henderson has that type of power. Edgar by Unanimous Decision.

Quinton "Fist of the Northstar" Jackson vs. Ryan "Godzilla" Bader

Kid Presentable: The prodigal son returns home. If you follow Ariel Helwani or any number of reporters who have spoken to Rampage, you can see how happy he is about fighting in Japan once more. For a guy whose heart for the sport is repeatedly questioned, what better place to rekindle the flame in the land of the fighting spirit. Ryan "Darth, even though I probably secretly hate Star Wars" Bader will come in all his muscular glory to take the glory away, but there's nothing really in his game that Rampage hasn't seen and defeated better of before. Rampage by KO for Japan round 1.

Doctor Law: Quinton Jackson competes in Japan for the first time in six years. Rampage basically forced himself onto the card by calling out the UFC on Twitter when it seemed like he wouldn’t be part of the event. Ryan Bader got the call to fight Rampage after he made quick work of Jason Brilz at UFC 139. I think Bader’s only path to victory in this fight is to lay ‘n’ pray and that is very hard to do to Rampage. Rampage is going to come out on a mission and he’s going to try to put on a show for the Japanese fans. Bader is going to suffer the consequences. Rampage by 2nd round KO (don’t rule out bodyslam).

DJ Mark with a "K": It's easy to think that Quinton's heart just isn't in MMA anymore. He's had an up and down career since losing his belt to Forrest all those years ago, and with his recent lost being what maybe was his last chance at gold, it's easy to think he's only in this till someone makes that Luke Cage movie. However, he seems game for this one. Quinton has had a long love affair with Japan and he has the passion to put on an entertaining fight in his eyes again, which I hadn't seen since the third fight with Wanderlei. Bader's got a tougher fight then he thinks on his hands and he's not ready. Quinton via 2nd round TKO.

Lavender Gooms: This is Jackson-senshu’s first fight back in Japan since Pride. This is where Rampage made name for himself and is in many ways a homecoming for him. The Japanese people want to see Rampage beat someone down mercilessly and will get their wish with Ryan Bader. Bader and Rampage both wrestle and have KO power…..Rampage just does everything BETTER than Bader. No shot Bader wins, Rampage howls to the moon and the Japanese people yell “sugoi!”. Jackson by TKO 1st round.

Image via lounge.moviecodec.com

Jake "Cowboy Bebop" Shields v. "Super Saiyan lvl 4" Yoshihiro Akiyama

Kid Presentable: Mr. Shields looks to rebound from his losing streak against Sexyama.I had been tempted all week to take Akiyama in this one. The thinking was that maybe in his home country he would be able to summon enough energy and spirit bomb Shields. Or go Super Saiyan with his blond hair and final flash his way to a KO. But this style of fight seems right up Shields alley, and if Leben could get the sub, Jake sure as hell should be able to as well. Shields 3rd round submission.

Doctor Law: Can Jake Shields handle all of the sexiness? Yeah…probably. Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama is so beloved in Asia that he managed to be on the cover of the Korean version of Maxim. Let’s put it this way, if the US version of Maxim secured an interview with Barack Obama, he still would lose out on the cover to some girl from MTV in a bikini. Jake Shields, on the other hand, is incredibly boring…both in fighting style and personality. That doesn’t matter…Asian girls love Jake Shields. Seriously, absolutely love him. Shields won’t want to ruin his post-fight sex party by losing to Akiyama. Jake Shields by decision.

DJ Mark with a "K": Both these guys came into the UFC looking to make some noise, and both have failed for the most part so far. After they both got close decisions in their UFC debuts both went on losing streaks. Shields losses though were to champions and top contenders while Akiyama lost to some mid-level fighters. I’m giving the edge to Shields here; I think some x factors like a first time cut to 170 may affect Akiyama’s performance. Shields by decision.

Lavender Gooms: Sexyama will be debuting at welterweight in this fight. How will his body hold up? Will he be cut if he loses again? Can Shields get him down AND keep him down? Will he come out to boring opera music again? All riveting questions which will be answered on Sunday I’m sure. I think Shields won’t be able to keep the fight on the ground and Akiyama uses his “guts” to prevail and gets off the skid. Akiyama by decision.