UFC 209: Woodley v. Thompson II Picks

Terrible poster for an awesome event

Tyron Woodley v. Stephen Thompson

Picking The Chosen One: Dr. Law, Gooms
Picking Wonderboy: DJ Mark, Kid P

Tony Ferguson v. Khabib Nurmagomedov

Picking El Cucuy: DJ Mark,
Picking Khalabib: Dr. Law, Kid P, Gooms

Mark Hunt v. Alistair Overeem

Picking The Super Samoan: Dr. Law, Kid P, Gooms
Picking The Reem: DJ Mark

Rashad Evans v. Daniel Kelly

Picking "Suga": All of us
Picking Kelly:

Lando Vannata v. David Teymur

Picking Groovy Lando: All of us
Picking Teymur:

It's MMAzing 2017 Standings (As of 3/1/2017)
1. Doctor Law (c) - (13-9) - .591
1. Kid Presentable - (13-9) - .591
2. DJ Mark with a "K" - (13-9) - .591
4. Lavender Gooms - (10-12) - .455

UFC on Fox 19: Teixeira v. Evans Predictions

The UFC returns to Florda and this time they're in Tampa for some reason. Seriously...Tampa. Are they worried they wouldn't be able to go Miami without having Kimbo Slice on the card? Let me give you a recap of the disastrous lead up to this fight card. The main event was killed by Tony Ferguson having blood in his lungs. The guy replacing Tony Ferguson has to cut 21 pounds in 9 days and has never fought in the UFC before. The previous co-main event of Shogun Rua v. Rashad Evans was destroyed by Shogun managing to hurt his knee for about the 30th time.   The event lost Dan Henderson v. Lyoto Machida because Machida admitted to being on PEDs.  Oh well...we still have Rose Namajunas on the card. I am willing to watch Thug Rose fight absolutely anybody. Check out our predictions below. Also, look at the standings because I'm straight dominating. The game answers to me now.

UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson Predictions

While many fans look at current Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier as merely a place holder until Jon Jones can return to the UFC, he still has to fulfill his championship duties and defend his belt (disputed or otherwise) against a difficult and game opponent in Alexander Gustafsson. In addition to that fight we also have two potential title eliminators when Johny Hendricks collides with Tyron Woodley and Rashad Evans finally returns to the octagon to take on the rampaging (I can say that because he beat Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson) Ryan Bader.

UFC 167 Predictions

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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:

UFC 156: Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar Predictions

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UFC Featherweight Championship

Jose Aldo (c) vs Frankie Edgar

Kid Presentable: Vitor got a title shot in a division where he had no relevance, and now Chael Sonnen is getting one too. Frankie is coming off of two losses and is entering a new weight class yet I have no problems with this title shot. It has been fairly common knowledge that Frankie could easily drop down in weight and this is without doubt the greatest threat to Aldo's reign atop the division. Frankie has all the tools to make the night long and difficult for Aldo. Frankie is fast, sets up his takedowns really well, and has an endless gas tank. Essentially he is everything Urijah Faber was supposed to be in his fight against Aldo. The problem though is that for all of Frankie's movement he still has a propensity for getting hit. Hard. And often. Even in the second match against Bendo, just because Frankie caught all those leg kicks, doesn't mean that he wasn't just eating them the whole time. Frankie may have gone down in weight, but he hasn't fought anyone that hits like Aldo. Aldo by TKO round 2.

Doctor Law: The Superfight is finally here. Current featherweight champion versus the former lightweight champion. It may not be champion versus champion, but it’s still pretty great. I think this is a tough fight to pick. There are so many factors to consider. How will Aldo deal with Frankie’s movement? How will Frankie deal with Aldo’s leg kicks? How will the weight cut affect Frankie? Will Aldo’s time off affect his gas tank? Will Aldo’s decision to stupidly pick the Ravens over the 49ers cause us to question his value as a human being? I keep going back and forth on this fight. Ultimately, I do think Frankie will win the championship rounds due to his cardio, but I think it’ll be too late after Aldo wins the first 3 rounds. Aldo by decision.

DJ Marc with a "K": This is a really tough fight to pick. It’s always hard to judge how a fighter will perform when going to a new weight division. The cut to 145 seems like it’ll be an easy one which is very good because Frankie isn’t wasting any time in the Featherweight division. Aldo at times has seemed as skilled and talented as any of the other UFC champions but he’s also had a few moments where you might question some of his ability and stamina. I think the key to this fight is really going to be who has the better footwork and if Aldo can successfully use leg kicks to slow down Edgar. It’s a tough call but I’m picking Aldo here. Aldo by decision.

Lavender Gooms: While it’s not Anderson vs. GSP, this right now is the closest thing to a super fight we’re going to see for at least the next year most likely. Even during his reign as lightweight champ the critique against Frankie was as man that was easily just walking around at 155 in a division where his competitors were cutting 20 or more pounds that he was too small for the division. People (including myself) were stupidly saying this while he beat a legend twice, defended it three times and arguably won his fight against Bendo. Frankie will be the first true challenge to the throne of the 145 champ. Even dropping a weight class, Edgar should have no problem making weight and maintaining the maddening pace for five rounds that he displayed at 155. On the other hand Aldo has had problems making the weight in the past and has had problems with fatigue in the later rounds and against Edgar…he will get into the later rounds. While Aldo’s leg kicks can be a problem for Edgar is he lands enough of them, I think Edgar will be able to stick and move with enough agility to neutralize Aldo’s greatest weapon. Tom’s River’s greatest son becomes two division champion and Sal looks to buy more walkout t-shirts. Edgar by decision.

Picking Aldo: Kid P, Doc Law, DJ Marc

Picking Edgar: Gooms

UFC 145 Predictions

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UFC Light Heavyweight Championship:
Jon Jones (c) v. Rashad Evans

Doctor Law: Well, it’s finally here. Jon Jones defends his belt against former teammate, mentor, friend, compadre, homie, homeboy, brosef, and individual he jacks swagger from, Rashad Evans. This fight has been 13 months in the making and everybody is either really excited to see this fight, or completely sick of hearing about it. I’m basically at the point where I’m looking forward to the fight, but pretty sick of the narrative. Rashad has been telling the same story for a year and Jones pipes in with his bullsh*t about Muhammad Ali and beating Lyoto Machida in a karate match (lots of guillotines in karate matches Jones?). The fight itself, though, could be far more compelling. Jones is a massive favorite over Rashad, and while I think that Jones is going to win, I don’t exactly think Evans is going to get completely outclassed. Rashad is the fastest fighter that Jones has ever fought and is the best MMA wrestler in the LHW division, if not the entire UFC. That being said, Jones is probably the second best fighter in the world (I still prefer Anderson) and has been on an absolute tear for a while now. It won’t be easy, but I think Jones takes this. Jones by submission in the 4th round.

Kid Presentable: For a little while here, I was starting to think this fight might never happen. For about two years, Rashad has had one of the worst runs of luck with injury and timing, being the perennial top contender for the belt, but things never being quite right for him to finally get the shot. The only thing standing in his way, unfortunately, is the biggest phenom this sport has ever seen. You can never say a person has no chance in MMA, but chances don't look good. This is being billed as the grudge match of the century, but with the rate at which Jones' game has improved, I don't know how much credit you can give to their past training together. What Rashad does have going for him is possibly the best MMA wrestling in the sport, and if he can put Jones on the mat, Rashad showed just how vicious his ground and pound could be in his Tito fight. Jones is a pretty complete fighter, but it is always interesting when his challenger might have an advantage in some facet, so I think this fight has a lot of potential to be good, but that said, Jones is about two fights from having wiped out this division. On Saturday, the Martian Manhunter is going to keep on rolling. Jones by submission round 4.

Image via cagepotato.com

DJ Mark with a “K”: I don't think you'll ever see me picking anyone opposite of Jon Jones at LHW. I know that we give Jon a lot of sh*t because of how he comes off in interviews and hype videos, but the cold hard fact is Jon Jone's hype has been nothing short, of completely true. I don't see Rashad pulling out the win here even though, style wise, I think it's Jon's toughest fight yet. Jon's bottom game is the only thing we haven't seen a lot of yet, but I have a feeling it won't be his downfall (already prepared to eat those words fyi). This one's going to end a little bit deeper, but it'll be by choke and it'll be impressive. Jon Jones via Submission (guillotine choke or a variation of said choke) 3rd Round.

Lavender Gooms: After lots of delays, injury replacements and bad blood, we finally get to see this fight! Like we discussed on the podcast a few weeks back, Jones is the real deal like no one has ever been the real deal before. He has shown no weakness. When the biggest critique people can give is that he hasn’t been tested yet, that’s scary when you consider he fought Shogun, Rampage and Machida in the last calendar year and none of them made him break a sweat. Evans is coming in a massive underdog in this fight. I would like to say that Evans’ familiarity gives him a chance, but I would be kidding myself. I think Rashad’s determination allows him to take Jones the distance. Outside of a flash knockout, there is no chance Jones loses. Jones by Decision.

Picking Jones: Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Evans:

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Rory MacDonald v. Che Mills

Doctor Law: Showcase fight! Showcase fight! Showcase fight! Did I mention that this is a showcase fight? Rory MacDonald is the future at 170 lbs and is coming off of impressive victories over Mike Pyle and Nate Diaz. Che Mills knocked out a guy from the Ultimate Fighter that absolutely no one thought was good. So to recap…Rory has already beaten guys that are better than Che Mills already. Hmmm…this kinda looks like a showcase fight to me. Rory MacDonald by TKO in the 1st round.

Kid Presentable: This card is suffering from major GSP card laziness. Though I am a big fan of Rory (NOT a fan of his attempted new nickname Ares though), this is hardly a co-main event worthy fight. For what the fight is though, is another chance to showcase a future contender of the division. Rory has been very impressive in his UFC run, and was all but 3 seconds away from likely having defeated the current interim champ of the division. I look for Rory to give his best GSP impression, except that he will finish the fight with ground and pound. Rory by TKO round 1.

DJ Mark with a “K”: No offense to these fine athletes but this is a pretty weak Co-Main Event. I know the former venue before the switch was a big part of it but still. Either way, Rory MacDonald has looked very impressive during his UFC career and I think this could really be his coming out party into the top title contenders. Rory via GnP TKO 2nd Round.

Lavender Gooms: Like the other MacDonald, Rory is a prospect that everyone (myself included) is in love with, who excels at nothing but is great at everything. He’s also gotten the greatest nod a young fighter can get, having GSP praise him calling him the future of the division. Now on to his opponent, how did Che Mills get this fight? After wins against Mike Pyle and Nate Diaz, Che Mills seems like a step down in competition for MacDonald. On paper this fight doesn’t make for a competitive co-main event fight, but at least more people can see MacDonald dominate a lesser fighter. MacDonald by TKO in 2nd.

Picking MacDonald: Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Mills:

It's MMAzing Staff Predictions for UFC on Fox 2

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Rashad Evans v. Phil Davis

Doctor Law: As you will also read in the prediction below mine, Kid Presentable and I are huge fans of Phil Davis. We met the guy after the infamous Fedor v. Werdum card in June 2010. He was the ONE black guy leaving the HP Pavilion among a sea of Vietnamese people (San Jose, CA…look up the demographics). No one else noticed Mr. Wonderful and he was wearing a shirt that said “I’m a keeper” on the front. Combine that with the fact that he wears pink fight shorts and took his nickname from a cat he had while he was in college and we were sold. I hate to pick against him, but I think Rashad is going to absolutely murk him. It’s true, Phil Davis has the advantage in terms of amateur wrestling credentials. That being said, Rashad is arguably the best “MMA wrestler” in the light heavyweight division. He has been able to take down anybody he’s wanted to. Phil Davis, on the other hand, had way too difficult a time getting Lil Nog down. Additionally, Phil Davis' striking is still fairly rudimentary and it’s unlikely that he has made huge strides in that area. Rashad has a few highlight reel KOs on his record and has been the #1 contender since May 2010. He’s going to finally get that shot after this win. Rashad by 3rd round TKO.

Kid Presentable: Mr. Wonderful is one of my favorite fighters on the planet straight up. Ever since I met him a little bit back, I've rooted major for the guy. That said, this fight is too much too soon. Of course it is possible that Davis has taken a Daniel Cormier like leap in striking ability in his time off since his last fight, but on paper it just doesn't seem like a great matchup. Rashad while not as credentialed a wrestler as Davis, has been one of the best MMA wrestlers in recent history. In his fight with Tito Ortiz, Rashad had also put on some noticeable size and strength and savaged Ortiz with a knee to the abdomen. Rashad had been notoriously on the smaller side of fighters at light heavyweight and many calls were made that he should think about middleweight, but he's now walking around rocking him some Overeem shoulders. Davis is a tremendous wrestler and ever-improving in his overall game, but I see this fight playing out by there being a cancelation of wrestling between these two for the most part and it coming down to Rashad's greater speed and striking with Rashad ultimately ground and pounding his way to a victory. On one last note though, Davis is a very reasonable underdog as the universe and Jon Jones like to spit on Evans' hopes of ever getting another title shot. So there is a reasonable chance for Davis winning by karmic screw job. Rashad by TKO round 3.

DJ Mark with a “K”: Rashad looked awesome in his last fight with Tito Ortiz. That’s not saying too much considering how Tito looked during the last few years (Bader win #dealwiththedevil). Phil will be a tough challenge, but I still think the kid's a bit too raw to pull out a win over the always #1 contender Rashad Evans. It’ll be interesting to see where the fight takes place. I think we might be seeing a lot of stand up as the wrestling from each fighter might cancel each other out. I think Rashad’s stand up has evolved more than Davis’s and I think he might be able to pull off a couple round sealing takedowns as well. Rashad by Decision.

Lavender Gooms: Alright UFC, here’s chance #2. You’ve already learned from your first foray in televising fights on broadcast TV by airing MORE THAN ONE FIGHT. I’m not sure why people are always booing Evans at UFC cards. He doesn’t really talk a lot of crap and he always seems respectable and articulate in his interviews. The tale of the tape tells one story. While Evans was good, Davis was a better college wrestler, possesses more natural talent, and is larger and is likely stronger than Evans. Where Evans holds an edge is in his experience. Compared to Evans’ amount of experience, Davis is still a neophyte when it comes to MMA. Rashad has become a much better striker since entering the UFC and holds a clear advantage there. Evans has also fought many more high level opponents and this will be Davis’ toughest challenge yet. If Evans tries to turn this into a wrestling match, I believe Davis will dominate, but Evans is smarter than that and will pick his spots in the stand up. Evans by decision.

Picking Evans: Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Davis:

(More predictions and highlights from Thursday's press conference after the jump)