The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale: Edgar v. Mendes Predictions

Day 2 of UFC-palooza in Vegas continues with The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale. Good lord...there has been 22 seasons of TUF? FS1 is clearly starved for programming. On a related note, none of us watched this season of TUF so we didn't waste your time (you didn't watch either, be honest) picking those fights. Don't worry, this card is really about determining the next challenger at 145 pounds as Frankie "The Answer Edgar" takes on Chad "Money" Mendes.

Frankie Edgar v. Chad Mendes

Would it be weird if they renamed this event "TUF 22 Finale: Insurance Policy"? It's clear that the UFC had the possibility of either a Aldo or McGregor injury (let's be honest: Aldo injury) when they booked this fight. Edgar and Mendes are the top two contenders in the featherweight division outside of the gentleman in Saturday's main event. Beyond being a plan B, this fight will establish a clear contender to fight for the featherweight title. At this point, there are very few secrets with either of these men. Frankie Edgar's use of movement to set up his strikes has made him a champion before. Mendes will clearly be looking to land one of his big power shots. Both of these men are very capable of winning this fight, but I'm going to go with Edgar. When Mendes throws, Edgar wont be there. Edgar by decision.

Picking Edgar: All of us
Picking Mendes: (well that's surprising)

UFC Fight Night: Namajunas v. Van Zant Predictions

Whew baby this is going to be a busy week and a half.  Not counting other promotions, between December 11th and the 19th there are FOUR UFC cards and three alone this week.  But there isn't a bad card among the four and anyone who is even a remote fight fan is absolutely giddy and it all kicks off this Thursday with some of the UFC's youngest and brightest fighters.

Bellator 147 Post-Fight Analysis

via bellator instagram

Last Friday Bellator held another event in San Jose. but this time it took place at San Jose State University instead of at the SAP Center. A fitting venue for a smaller Bellator card that, while not having a lot of the better known fighters on the roster, still delivered an exciting night of MMA action. We'll break down the main card and discuss where some of these fighters might be headed and who they may face next.

It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 161

The gang comes together to discuss their experience covering Bellator 147: Thomson v. Villaseca live in San Jose. They discuss the the big winners, including Thomson and Weichel and discuss young prospect A.J. McKie. The gang next discusses the UFC's super weekend of fights. They preview and give predictions for The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale (really Fight Night: Mendes v. Edgar). The gang then gets into the best (on paper) UFC card ever and preview UFC 194: Aldo (hopefully) v. McGregor. All that and another edition of "Stuff We Like."

http://podcasts.itsmmazing.com/Episode%20161%20-%20December%208,%202015.mp3

Bellator 147: Thomson vs. Villaseca Live Fight Blog

Main Card

Josh Thomson vs. Pablo Villaseca

Round 1: Pablo looking overmatched quickly here. Big body kick by Thomson, and a foot sweep takedown. Josh posturing up from the guard and landing some big rights. Pablo trying to roll into a kneebar, but loses it and Josh rolls into a triangle attempt. Thomson switches into an omoplata and uses it to scramble up. Some nice body kicks and both men clinch into the fence. Pablo takes Josh's back but can't complete the takedown. Josh circles, but takes a knee to the groin from Pablo. Josh recovers and secures a late takedown to end the round. 10-9 Thomson.

Round 2: Pablo throwing strong off the bat. Thomson tries to work the Thai clinch, but gets pushed into the fence. Josh circles out into a front headlock and now he has half guard. Josh works some short elbows and is working for an arm triangle. Pablo is blocking Josh from stepping over to complete the choke, and Josh gives it up.  He postures and is flurrying punches now from the top.  The ref steps in to stop it and the fight is done. Thomson by TKO.

Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Daniel Weichel

Round 1:  Georgi coming up looking real calm, but definitely throwing with some intent here. Weichel is getting some good shots of his own. Maybe too good though, because we have another dick kick. The crowd is definitely more liquored up at this point. Nice straight right from Weichel lands. Georgi shoots a takedown but is stuffed. Weichel using his reach advantage here, slips a nice right under Georgi's guard. No power shots, but Weichel scored a lot more. 10-9 Weichel.

Round 2: Picking up right where we left off. Georgi misses a flying knee. Georgi lunges in with hook combo and finally connects some, but Weichel returns fire and backs up Georgi. Georgi starting to activate Diaz taunt mode, and both are exchanging in the pocket. Both guys getting some pot shots in, but no big power yet. Weichel starting to put a bit more behind his punches now. He throws a nice front kick to the mouth of Georgi. Another round for more accurate striking. 10-9 Weichel.

Round 3: Both guys coming out with a bit more urgency now. Big spinning kick to the head just misses by Georgi. Weichel continues to control the distance with his jabs and push kicks. Georgi starting to look a little frustrated. Georgi just can't find the range on his punches. He finally lands a hook and an uppercut, but it doesn't seem to have phased Weichel much. The Stockton Slap has now made it's first appearance. Frustration is reaching its apex. We're even throwing BS spinning kicks now. Very technical display from Weichel. This should be a clear decision. 10-9 Weichel.

Daniel Weichel by unanimous decision.

Bellator 147: Thomson v. Villaseca Predictions

Bellator returns to San Jose for another show and the It's MMAzing crew returns to Bellator to provide you with live event coverage. Josh "The Punk" Thomson take son Pablo Villaseca in front of Thomson's home crowd with Georgi Karkhanyan and Daniel Weichel doing battle in the co-main event with the winner likely getting the next crack at Daniel Strauss's featherweight title. All that an a "Professional Predator" sighting. Check out our predictions below

Josh Thomson v. Pablo Villaseca

Josh Thomson fights for the fourth time in 2015 as he takes on Pablo Villaseca, a relative unknown. "The Punk" is fighting again in his backyard of San Jose, California where he is quite the fan favorite. Thomson, one of the best lightweights in the world for a decade, is rightfully a massive betting favorite over Villaseca. We talked about how excited we were to see Josh Thomson possibly fight "Ill" Will Brooks, but it sounds like Thomson has his sights set on former lightweight champion Michael Chandler. Either way, I expect this victory to be a relatively (it's still cage fighting) easy night at the office for "The Punk." Thomson by one-sided decision.

Picking Thomson: All of us
Picking Villaseca:

It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 160

The gang, minus Lavender Gooms, discusses the results of UFC Fight Night: Henderson v. Masvidal. They discuss Bendo's big win over Masvidal and his impending free agency. The gang also talks about the other fights on the card including Doo Ho Coi's masterful performance against Sam Sicilia. They then preview Bellator 147: Thomson v. Villaseca and discuss "The Punk's" road to a Bellator title shot against Will Brooks. They then preview UFC Fight Night: Namajunas v. Van Zant. All that and another edition of "Stuff We Like."

Listen here