UFC 217: Bisping v. St-Pierre Predictions

UFC Middleweight Championship
Michael Bisping v. Georges St-Pierre

Picking Bisping: DJ Mark,
Picking GSP: Dr. Law, Gooms, Kid P

UFC Bantamweight Championship
Cody Garbrandt v. TJ Dillashaw

Picking Garbrandt: All of us
Picking Dillashaw:

UFC Women's Strawweight Championship
Joanna Jedrzejczyk v. Rose Namajunas

Picking Joanna Champion: All of us
Picking Thug Rose:

Jorge Masvidal v. Stephen Thompson

Picking Masvidal: Dr. Law, Kid P
Picking Wonderboy: DJ Mark, Gooms

Paulo Borrachinha v. Johny Hendricks

Picking Borrachinha: All of us 
Picking Hendricks:

It's MMAzing Standings (as of 11/02/2017)
1. DJ Mark with a "K" - (63-39-3)
2. Doctor Law (c) - (59-43-3)
2. Kid Presentable - (59-43-3)
4. Lavender Gooms - (54-48-3)

UFC 167 Predictions

Image via UFC newsletter

UFC Welterweight Championship

Georges St-Pierre (c) v. Johny Hendricks

Doctor Law: Keep the distance, circle left and jab. That’s how GSP gets it done. Now that I got that out of the way, I need to get something off my chest. Johny Hendricks has no idea what he’s talking about when it comes to drug testing. As such, he really shouldn’t be talking about it. He doesn’t trust VADA, but says he will “do WADA.” Ok, let’s get some sh*t straight. WADA doesn’t drug test. They just don’t. They set standards. Do you know what VADA does? They use WADA accredited labs to test people. Also, Hendricks solution to the “I don’t trust VADA” thing was basically to just do no extra testing doesn’t look good. I would never accuse him of being anything because it would be a ridiculous thing to say about a man who has competed at such a high level for so many years with no proof to suggest any impropriety (like GSP), but he needs to handle these situations better. Step 1: don’t talk about sh*t you have no idea about. GSP by decision.

Kid Presentable: Let me start with the fact that Hendricks is legit. Many wrestle-boxers have come before him, but this man packs a Falcon Punch in his left hand. He has earned his shot, and though it was a long road to get to this point, really is the top contender in the division. That said, I seem to always pick against him and this day will be no different. GSP is simply too complete of a fighter. Every other fighter has some noticeable weakness, and GSP will play to that. Like most guys who have KO power, that power wanes as the fight drags on, and few know about dragging an opponent into the deep waters like GSP. GSP by unanimous NOS Active.

DJ Mark: It’s really hard to pick against a guy that hasn’t lost since 2007. Many have criticized GSP in the past of playing it a little safe against some opponents many think he could have finished, but at the end of the night he still won all those fights. Hendricks has the tools to win here and has shown his ability to do so as seen in his highlight reel. The problem is only Matt Serra has been able to do what Hendricks hopes to do on Saturday night. I honestly think it’s a very close fight but I’m play it safe like I normally do, GSP dec.

The man has riddum

Lavender Gooms: We’ve seen this script before.  Hard hitting All-American wrestler who challenges the welterweight champion (Koscheck, Josh).   In the first movie, our hero took down the upstart and in the sequel our gilded hero unveiled a crisp and masterful jab that’s rarely seen in MMA.  If were a betting man (I am) I would bet the farm on GSP utilizing the same game plan he used in his rematch against Koscheck, staying out of range of Hendricks power while peppering him for five rounds with jabs.  While Hendricks won’t suffer a broken orbital bone like the last person who played his role, it will end in a one sided boxing match with the occasional takedown stuffed.  GSP by decision.

Picking St-Pierre: It is a strategy (GSP voice)

Picking Hendricks:

It's MMAzing's Favorite Memories of 2012

Happy New Year from the It's MMAzing crew

The sun has set on yet another year and as the old is put to rest, a new year with new beginnings, new opportunities is upon us.  Although when you woke up on January 1, 2013 nothing really changed from December 31, 2012 (considering the fiscal cliff was avoided, whew!), a new year is a symbolic time to reflect on the last 12 months. To think about where you were a year ago, the happy moments along with the hardships that we all encounter at some point in our lives. But here's the thing, although you may encounter some cuts, scrapes and generally get your ass kicked in the game of life sometimes, there's always something you should remember.  Chicks dig scars and they serve as a great teacher for the future. But that's enough of Philosopher Gooms

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, we now look at back the how great a year this was in the world of MMA by giving you each ItsMMAzing staff member's top two MMA (and one non-MMA) moments of the year. Just like last year we took a look at moments we enjoyed personally from the year of events. Hope you enjoy them.

UFC 154 Predictions

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Undisputed UFC Welterweight Championship 
Georges St-Pierre (c) v. Carlos Condit (ic) 

Doctor Law: He’s finally back. Georges St-Pierre returns to the cage for the first time since him and Jake Shields bored 70,000 Canadians for 5 rounds 19 months ago. To recap: GSP was supposed to fight Nick Diaz in October 2011 at UFC 137, but Nick got pulled from that fight because he got high and lost in Stockton. Condit stepped in for Diaz, but GSP had to pull out due to a hamstring injury (you owe us all $80 GSP). Then, Diaz called him a bunch of mean names after whooping BJ Penn’s ass and GSP decided he wanted to fight him at UFC 143. However, injured hamstring was actually torn ACL so GSP pulled out of that fight and Condit was given a decision over Diaz for the belt. Condit then sat on his ass for 9 months. Alright, let’s be real folks; if GSP wasn’t coming off of injury, no one would give Condit a chance and quite frankly…I still don’t think he has one. On the Countdown show they were talking about how “elite” Condit’s BJJ is. Please note that when Nick Diaz got him down it took him all of 8 seconds to take his back. GSP takes this and it won’t be close. GSP by 4th round TKO. 

Kid Presentable: Why did Condit get an interim belt? Like they say, you aren't really the champ until you've defended it, oh wait... that's right Mr. Condit. Clearly no fan of the Natural Born Killer since his fight with Nick Diaz, I see this fight going for the returning champion. The Prime Time show has served to focus on GSP's road to recovery from an ACL tear and how GSP might be a shell of himself. GSP is one of the hardest working fighters in the biz though, and my guess is that he will return and look as strong as ever. Hype this fight however you need to, but in my mind I see this fight so clearly in the favor of GSP. People forget how good Georges can be on the feet, and that it is exactly what he made his name on. GSP's aptitude for wrestling made most people forget about what his background really is, but that is OK because Condit has very porous takedown defense. I think GSP will not only return to form, but I think GSP finally will have the drive to pursue the finish here. I expect and hope for a thrashing. But more importantly, the corners will both be Greg Jackson free. GSP by TKO round 3.

DJ Mark with a “K”: It’s hard to pick against GSP at this point in his career. His two loses are now faint memories that have more or less been replaced with dominating decisions. The one thing you can look at and maybe spot some weakness is in his last fight were he struggled to win a stand up war against Jake Shields (granted an eye point seemed to really take the fight out of him). If GSP fights the same way against Condit It’ll be a rough night for the rightful champ. Personally I don’t see that happening, I think GSP will be able to stand with Condit enough to set up and take down and work from the top to get the victory. GSP - 5 round decision. 

Lavender Gooms: It's great to have GSP back in the octagon. He is a martial artist in every sense of the word and normally everyone would have no problem picking him to beat Condit handily. But this fight isn't happening in a vacuum and GSP is returning from a year and a half lay off because of a knee injury. So the question on everyone's mind is how will GSP look in his first fight back? Has a chink appeared in armor of the Canadian GOAT? Personally I think GSP attacked his rehab with the same dedication he shows his craft and he'll be better than ever. His game plan for this fight will be similar to his fight against Alves, who was also a very dangerous striker. He'll keep out of the way of any dangerous strikes, secure the takedown when he can and control the stand up. GSP by Unanimous decision. 

Picking St-Pierre: All of us
Picking Condit: 

Image via bleacherreport.com

Martin Kampmann v. Johny Hendricks

Doctor Law: The winner of this fight is going to be #1 contender of the welterweight divison. Well…kinda. If GSP beats Condit, most signs point to him taking on Anderson Silva in a superfight in early to mid-2013. Also, there is this guy coming back from suspension in February named Nick Diaz who may have something to say about who gets the next shot. My guess is that the winner of this fight has the honor of being the guy Nick Diaz fights while everybody waits for GSP to come back from fighting Anderson. Anyways, this is a pretty interesting matchup. You have Kampmann, who does everything pretty well, against Hendricks, who does exactly two things well. If you stop Hendricks from taking you down and from hitting you with the big overhand left, you’re probably going to win. Unless your name is Koscheck and Doctor Law has money on you (Hendricks owes me $462.75). Martin is really the whole package and I think he finds a way to get it done here. Kampmann by 3rd round TKO.

Kid Presentable: This fight is for the interim... wait I mean #1 contendership. So really, WHY did Condit get a belt exactly? Hendricks was initially wanting to simple wait out for his earlier promised title shot, but I think at least somewhere along the way Dana realized this entire division shouldn't just take the year off. Hendricks star mostly comes from his immediate Kraken unleashing on Jon Fitch, but I really don't buy into it yet. Hendicks is basically the new, well more like version 1.2 of Josh Koscheck. Good wrestler, strong overhand. Kampmann has long been one of the most underappreciated guys in the division, possessing a complete MMA game. Terrible judging is the only thing keeping Martin from having an even more impressive run right now. Sure Kampmann has a tendency to get hit, but with a far superior technical standup and very strong takedown defense, Kampmann will find his spots throughout this fight. I look for Kampmann to drop Hendricks, take the fight to the ground and finish with a choke. Kampmann by submission round 2. 

DJ Mark with a “K”: Personally I’ve been pretty high on Hendricks and have downplayed Kampmann but I think I’ll finally turning around on Kampmann. While Hendricks has all the momentum in his favor I think Kampmann is a really tough fight for him. If Hendricks can’t get Kampmann down he’s going to have a tough time on his feet. Factor in Kampmann’s cardio and I think he has enough factors in his favor to get the W here. Kampmann TKO 3rd round 2:12 

Lavender Gooms: Crazy implications for this fight. If there's no superfight for GSP, whoever wins gets the next shot at GSP. If there is a superfight...well this is just another fight isn't it? This is a hard fight to pick. While Kampmann has superior striking technique, Hendricks has wrestling and a distinct edge in power. I love Kampmann's polished technique, he has shown a penchant for getting hit and that is not a flaw you want to have when fighting someone with gorilla strength like Hendricks. While I can see Kampmann taking this fight to decision, it's completely possible Kampmann gets caught early. Even so I think Kampmann has learned his lesson (i.e. the Thiago Alves fight), will keep his hands up, not get his bell rung and earn a decision. Kampmann by decision. 

Picking Kampmann: All of us
Picking Hendricks: 

GSP injured, Nick Diaz vs Carlos Condit for Interim UFC Welterweight belt

 UFC president Dana White has announced on Twitter that welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre has torn his acl and will be out for the next year or so. Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit will now meet at UFC 143 in Las Vegas for the interim title.

 

It is an interesting turn of events that has led to this situation. GSP and Diaz were originally set to square off at UFC 137 until Diaz no-showed a couple of press events and Dana White removed him from the fight in place of Carlos Condit. That was until of course, GSP was injured and the fight was scrapped altogether. That night however, Diaz put on an amazing display against BJ Penn and earned another shot at GSP as Condit was pushed to the side. With GSP injured once more, this love triangle for the welterweight title takes another turn as two of the most dangerous strikers will now go head to head. Will Diaz be the first Strikeforce champion able to unify a belt? Don't be scared, Carlos. 209 bitch!