This time last year, Cleveland had no championships, and I was enjoying my little sports bubble of the Warriors having broken their own drought of victory. Then one day in a soccer stadium in Brazil, we saw a man with a look of pure shock and adulation amongst a sea of people quiet as the vacuum of space standing there saying to himself: "I'm the champion? I'm the champion!!" Can't be anything but happy to see Stipe to be the man who broke the Cleveland Curse. Now he faces Alistair Overeem, a man who was meant to be a contender from the start, but whose own road had many detours along the way. Fabricio Werdum also returns since dropping the belt hoping to hop right back into title contention with a win. A legend of the little guys hopes to add to his legacy, and two ladies who always bring the fight come to scrap. But let me be real and honest for a moment, I know he is a polarizing figure, but I am here for CM Punk. He was the lone wrestler that made me pay attention in an era of me totally not caring about pro wrestling at all. I like his story. I like what he fights for. Most of the time I try to not make it personal with my picks, but this one is all personal. I'm with CM Punk. #BestInTheWorld
UFC Heavyweight Championship
Stipe Miocic (c) vs Alistair Overeem
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| Punk ain't no B according to Stipe @danielswbjj |
As I begin to write this, we're kicking things off with one of the more surprisingly difficult fights to call on the card. The nature of heavyweight is just that anyone can be victorious at just about any given time. Even the surprise upsets don't really feel like that big of a surprise. We've all talked about the running "home field disadvantage" that has shown up that we hope continues on. Besides that notion, you also have to give credit to Reem himself for truly evolving his game. He fights more controlled and as a result has gassed out far less. Jackson/Winklejohn have worked wonders with actually giving Reem a plan of attack. On the other hand you have Stipe who I may have unfairly labeled as a "poor man's Cain." Stipe did to Werdum what Cain couldn't so I cannot deny the hand speed and power of that man. I was leaning Reem at the start of all this, but Mike already being on board with Marc who I knew will always roll with Reem, I'm starting to hedge my bets and lean #andSTILL. It helps that CM Punk seems to be buddies with Stipe. Miocic by KO round 1.
Cleveland rocks!: Doc Law, Kid P
The Demolition Man: DJ Mark, Gooms
