UFC on ESPN 25: Korean Zombie vs. Ige Fight Predictions

Korean Zombie vs. Dan Ige

Picking Zombie: Gooms, Kid P, DJ Mark

Picking Ige: Dr. Law

Aleksei Oleinik vs.Serghei Spivac 

Picking Oleinik: DJ Mark, Kid P

Picking Spivac: Dr. Law, Gooms

Bonus PFL Pick

Rory MacDonald vs.Gleison Tibau

Picking MacDonald: All of us

It's MMAzing 2021 Standings as of 6/14/2021
1. Doctor Law - (38-19)

2. Lavender Gooms - (37-20)
3. DJ Mark with a "K" - (35-22)

4. Kid Presentable - (30-27) 

Bellator 206: Mousasi vs. MacDonald Predictions

Bellator Middleweight Championship
Gegard Mousasi vs. Rory MacDonald
Picking Mousasi: Dr. Law, DJ Mark, Kid P
Picking MacDonald: Gooms

AGE IN A CAGE
Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva
Picking Jackson: Dr. Law, DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Silva: Kid P

Welterweight Grand Prix Opening Round Match
Andrey Koreshkov vs. Douglas Lima
Picking Koreshkov: Kid P, Dr. Law
Picking Lima: Gooms, DJ Mark

Leandro Higo vs. Aaron Pico
Picking Higo: DJ Mark
Picking Pico: Dr. Law, Gooms, Kid P

Keri Melendez vs. Dakota Zimmerman
Picking Melendez: All of us


It's MMAzing 2018 Standings (as of 9/28/18)
1. Kid Presentable - (49-29)
2. Lavender Gooms - (48-30)
3. Dr. Law (46-32)
4. DJ Mark -  (45-33)

UFC 220: Miocic v. Ngannou and Bellator 192: Rampage v. Sonnen Picks

UFC Heavyweight Championship
Stipe Miocic (c) v. Francis Ngannou

Picking Miocic: Lavender Gooms
Picking Ngannou: Kid Presentable, Doctor Law, DJ Mark

UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Daniel Cormier (c) v. Volkan Oezdemir

Picking Cormier: All of us
Picking Oezdemir:

Thomas Almeida v. Rob Font

Picking Almeida: Doctor Law, DJ Mark, Lavender Gooms
Picking Font: Kid Presentable

Bellator Welterweight Championship
Douglas Lima (c) v. Rory MacDonald

Picking Lima:
Picking Rory: All of us

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson v. Chael Sonnen

Picking Rampage: Doctor Law, Kid Presentable, Lavender Gooms
Picking Sonnen: DJ Mark,

It's MMAzing Standings (as of 1/18/2018)

1. DJ Mark (c) - (2-2)
1. Kid Presentable - (2-2)
1. Lavender Gooms - (2-2)
4. Doctor Law - (1-3)

It's MMAzing Hall of Fame Class of 2016

For information on how exactly we came up with our Hall of Fame class, please listen to Episode 190 of It's MMAzing Radio. 

Categories
1) Modern Era: Fighters who debuted in the UFC or Pride FC on or after November 17, 2000
2) Pioneer Era: Fighters who debuted in the UFC or Pride FC before November 17, 2000
3) Fights of great historical significance (UFC & Pride only for now)
4) Outstanding contributions to MMA outside of active competition (ie non-participants)

It's MMAzing Hall of Fame Class of 2016

Modern Era

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson
Gina Carano

Pioneer Era

Kevin Randleman
Akira Shoji

Fights

Robbie Lawler v. Rory MacDonald II UFC 189
BJ Penn v. Joe Stevenson UFC 80
Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons v. Carlos Newton Pride 19

Contributors

Joe Rogan
Burt Watson
Brett Okamoto

Already in the HOF 

Modern Era

Forrest Griffin (inducted 2013)
BJ Penn (inducted 2015)
Rich Franklin (inducted 2015)
Fedor Emelianenko (inducted 2015)
Nick Diaz (inducted 2015)
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (inducted 2016)

Pioneers

Royce Gracie (inducted 2003)
Ken Shamrock (inducted 2003)
Dan Severn (inducted 2005)
Randy Couture (inducted 2006)
Mark Coleman (inducted 2008)
Chuck Liddell (inducted 2009)
Matt Hughes (inducted 2010)
Tito Ortiz (inducted 2012)
Pat Miletich (inducted 2014)
Bas Rutten (inducted 2015)
Frank Shamrock (inducted 2015)
Kazushi Sakuraba (inducted 2015)
Don Frye (inducted 2016)

Fights

Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar I, April 2005 (inducted 2014)
Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg II, April 2005 (inducted 2015)
Dan Henderson v. Shogun UFC 139 (inducted 2015)
Frank Mir v. Brock Lesnar II UFC 100 (inducted 2015)
Ronda Rousey v. Liz Caramouche UFC 157 (inducted 2015)
Mark Coleman v. Pete Williams UFC 17 (inducted 2016)

Contributors
Charles “Mask” Lewis (inducted 2009)
Jeff Blatnick (inducted 2015)
Fertitta Brothers (inducted 2015)
Dana White (inducted 2015)
Ariel Helwani (inducted 2015)
Bob Meyrowitz (inducted 2016)

UFC Fight Night: MacDonald v. Thompson Predictions

After a crazy UFC 199, where there was more drama outside the cage then inside (and that's saying something given all the incredible fights we witnessed that night), it's comforting to think maybe this event won't feel so bonkers. UFC arrives in Ottawa for the first time and comes packing a pretty fun fight card on paper. Headlining the event is a fantastic fight between Rory MacDonald and Stephen Thompson, in what will most likely be a number one contenders match. Also on the card is an intriguing match between Donald Cerrone and Patrick Cote. The rest of the card includes popular fighters like Steve Bosse, Olivoer Aubin-Mercier, Valerie Letourneau and Joanne Calderwood.

It's MMAzing 2015 Year End Awards

For information on how we came up with these wonderful selections please listen to Episode 164 of It's MMAzing Radio

The trophies look just like this.
I promise.

Fighter of the Year (Male):

Doctor Law: Conor McGregor
Kid Presentable: Conor McGregor
DJ Mark with a K: Conor McGregor
Lavender Gooms: Conor McGregor

Fighter of the Year (Female):

Doctor Law: Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Kid Presentable: Holly Holm
DJ Mark with a K: Holly Holm
Lavender Gooms: Joanna Jedrzejczyk

UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor Predictions

Life is full of disappointments.  The Knicks and Jets being absolutely horrid, the ending of The Sopranos, any of the Matrix sequels.  Last week we were able to add another disappointment when we learned that Aldo vs. McGregor, the dream fight we had all been waiting for, that 3/4 of crew (along with Phil) were making a trek Hangover-style to Vegas to watch had evaporated into the ether when the champ Aldo was forced to withdraw from his about with a broken rib.  But life is about how you deal with those disappointments.  While the guys won't get to watch Aldo fight the most electrifying and "Notorious" Irishman the world has ever seen, they still get to watch McGregor go against the second-best featherweight in Chad Mendes for a fake belt.

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:

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-