This Hot Fire

UFC 113 picks: Kevin vs Dean

By Kevin Rogers and Dean Xanttopulos

Ok. So Kevin sucked it up big time with his WEC picks last time so we’re battling it out for UFC 113: Machida vs. Shogun II. These my friends are Deano Mac’s picks!

Thanks for that intro Deano, yes, I did suck it up last time, but as I’ve stated, im not perfect and if you checking out my picking record, im somewhere around 80% for UFC fights, which is my bread and butter. So I’ll take a 0 for 0 in the WEC any day to smash you in the UFC.. it’s game time buddy. Let’s see what you got.

Alan Belcher vs. Patrick Cote

Patrick Cote had rifled off 5 straight victories before injuring his knee in a loss to Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. Belcher on the other hand is coming of a TKO win over Wilson Gouveia. Belcher has a pretty good submission game and is a decent striker, but he’s not half the striker that Cote is. Cote might have a little bit of cage rust but even with that I still believe that he’s a better fighter than Belcher.

My Prediction: Patrick Cote defeats Alan Belcher in the 2nd round via TKO.

While Deano is correct here in that Cote has a better stand up game than Belcher, he does leave out that Belcher was fought and beat better competition than Cote has.  Belcher has stood toe to toe with some much better strikers than Cote.  The fact that Cote is coming off almost a 2 year lay off is going to be terrible for a guy who has never been known for his cardio..  The fact is this is going to be a warm up fight for Cote, with Belcher who can go the distance with some tough fighters.

Winner via Split Decision Alan Belcher

Kimbo Slice vs. Matt Mitrione

This is a match of two Ultimate Fighter 10 contestants. While I believe that Kimbo Slice is legitimately trying to learn and become a better fighter, this is pretty much just a fight for the casual MMA fan to watch and talk about. People only want to see him knock somebody out. Mitrione has one professional fight which was a win at the Ultimate Fighter 10 finale over fellow contestant Marcus Jones. Neither fighter is very impressive, nor will either ever be a serious heavyweight contender.

My Prediction: Kimbo Slice defeats Matt Mitrione in the 3rd round via TKO.

Alright, kid’s this fight is going to be over quick, and I have a pretty good feeling it’s going to be a “slug fest”.  Mitrione is probably going to come out swinging on Kimbo trying to steal himself some thunder. Kimbo of course is going to give him the chance to punch that trademark beard.  The fact is this fight holds little meaning to the heavyweight division but should be one “slobber knocker”. I side with Deano on this one kiddies.

Winner via KO in the 1st round Kimbo Slice

Jeremy Stephens vs. Sam Stout

This has the making to be a very exciting fight. Both guys like to bang and Stout has been in 4 “Fights of the Night”. Stephens is coming off of a nice TKO victory over Justin Buchholz and Stout has 2 straight unanimous decision victories. Stephens is the stronger fighter but Stout has a quickness advantage and better cardio with a good amount of power himself. Stout’s big downfall is that he doesn’t always finish fights.

My Prediction: Sam Stout defeats Jeremy Stephens via decision.

Alright Deano this is possible the only fight we can whole heartedly agree on. Stout has quickness over Stephens as well as better accuracy.  The fact is Stout has this fight wrapped up for the most part. Stephens can certainly come into this and win, but I think it would be a long shot.

Winner via split decision Sam Stout

Paul Daley vs. Josh Koscheck

Here is the most built up fight of the night. These two guys have been trash talking since their signatures hit the paper. Both fighters are very exciting and this fight will most definitely start and end with a bang. Daley is a fighter with extreme power behind every punch he throws. He could knock out anybody with a clean punch. Koscheck on the other hand has good punching power and great wrestling. This is a very tough match for me to pick because I really like both fighters. Daley has struggled against great wrestlers like Jake Shields and Nick Thompson, and Koscheck may be a better wrestler than both guys so I’m giving the edge to him.

My Prediction: Josh Koscheck defeats Paul Daley in the 2nd round via submission (rear naked choke).

Deano, Deano, Deano, I see where you can draw the logic for Koscheck here, but I’m going to shoot you down. The fact is Koscheck’s ground game is solid, but it’s wrestling at it’s origin, Daley is a bigger fighter with much more experience than Koscheck.  Koscheck has stated that he’s going to try and take this fight to the ground and submit Daley. I just don’t see that happening.  Daley is a world class striker, which works against Koscheck, he will be punched and kicked in the face. Either way I agree that this fight will be a good one.

Winner via 1st round KO Paul Daley

MAIN EVENT -  LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

This is the rematch that every big MMA fan has been waiting for. Myself included! These two first fought late last year in a great fight that Machida won by unanimous decision. It was a very close fight and there are many people that think that Rua won the fight which is why Dana White pretty much made an immediate rematch for these two. Now…on to the fighters. Machida is the reigning champion and is undefeated in 16 professional fights. He comes from a karate background and has a great striking ability. He can be criticized at times for not being as exciting of a fighter as many others in the light heavyweight division and does a lot of counter striking. Rua on the other hand is an aggressive striker who has enjoyed a lot of success in his career. There was a time where Rua was one of the most exciting and feared fighters in MMA. This fight stands to be an epic battle of a very patient Machida and an aggressive Rua. This is another tough fight to call as it could be very close like the first. While Rua aggressivness could be the end of him with Machida always able to pick people apart, I think Rua’s big fight experience will bring him back to greatness and he will hand Machida his first loss of his career.

My Prediction: Mauricio Rua defeats Lyoto Machida in the 4th round via TKO

I’m so tired of this Shogun Rua bandwagon. It stop here tonight.  Shogun was a solid fight 3-4 years ago. Since he’s come to the UFC he’s had a terrible fight with Forrest Griffin, a Terrible fight with Mark Coleman, a worthless fight with Chuck Liddell, then given a un deserved title shot against Machida.  Yes I agree that the first fight was hotly contested and that Rua could have won, but he didn’t, And he will not win this time.  I am no Machida fan myself, but I’ve got to be honest that he is a monster in the cage.  The fact is Machida is a counter puncher at heart, and with Rua’s looping overhand punches it does make it hard for him to use that skill.  Machida will come in well better prepared this time and im fully confident that he takes this fight. Expect either a decision or a Rashad Evans style sleepy party.

Winner via 2nd round TKO Lyoto Machida

Alright fight fans! I’m back! So far my overall record for picking MMA winners is (8-2) beat that! Anyways, here we go again, the UFC is back on PPV and they have one of the most anticipated matchups between 2 undefeated Light Heavy Weight fighters, as well as a personal grudge match between a UFC legend and a UFC giant slayer.  So, enough playing grab ass, let’s do this.

• Champ Rashad Evans 13-0-1[draw] vs. Lyoto Machida 14-0

Let’s get it on you crazy bastards! This is the by far the most exciting fight on the UFC 98 card. It’s the best for a couple reasons, firstly it pits 2 undefeated fighters against each other for a title, if my memory serves me correctly, it’s the first time in UFC history this has happened. Secondly their is a clear split down the line as to who people think wins this fight. On one side you have the Machida lovers, who think he is gods gift to MMA, on the other, you have Rashad Evans Fan boys who say he’s finally hit his stride and is at the top of his game.  This is a very tough fight to call, and should be interesting, Machida has gotten A LOT of shit regarding his fighting style being boring, however in his last fight he knocked the shit out of Thiago Silva.  Evans is coming off beating the former champ Forrest Griffin, by 3^rd round TKO.  Evans has gotten his own rash of shit as well, being known as a boring fighter, or a “Lay and Pray” style fighter. Not until he literally knocked Chuck Liddell’s head off its body like one of those rock em’ sock’m robots. Evans who has nearly had half his fights end in decision, has KO’d or TKO’d his last 2 opponents, what that means? Who the hell knows? I think Machida has the edge standing as he is way more elusive than Evans. If the fight goes to the ground, I think Evans has the advantage in that he is a wrestler, and I feel he can probably control Machida if it goes there.  This is a tough one to call as I do not like either fighter very much.  There is also a rumor going around that the winner of this fight will be paired against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as the 2 coach’s of next season The Ultimate Fighter. I HOPE Evans wins this fight, because a Rampage VS Evans match up next would be fantastic. However my money is going to be on Machida.

Winner: Machida by KO in the 3^rd.

• Matt Hughes 42-7 vs. Matt Serra 9-5

On Paper, Hughes vs. Serra is boring as all hell, Hughes coming of surgery, and 2 consecutive losses, his last fight a little under a year ago, so a HUGE layoff, however, Serra last fought even longer ago.  This fight was supposed to take place after these 2 old timers were coaches on The Ultimate Fighter reality show. However because of a back injury to Serra the fight was postponed, over a year later, these 2 are finally touching gloves.  This fight has been called a “win or go home” matchup.  Both fighters are not getting any younger, and most agree that both fighters probably should retire. Hughes is a UFC legend, he’s beaten the best out there, and in his prime, was unbeatable.  Matt Serra was never a top 10 Welter Weight fighter, became famous when he slayed his version of Goliath, Georges St. Pierre. Serra beating GSP is widely regarded as the biggest upset in MMA history, Serra who was basically on his last leg in the UFC won his season of The Ultimate Fighter, and gained a title shot against then Champ GSP, and amazingly won.  GSP would go on to destroy Serra in his next fight, dismantling Serra piece by piece.  This fight doesn’t have the same excitement it would have a year ago, neither one of these guys will ever be champ again, and I doubt either of them will fight for the Welter Weight title again.  I think Hughes has a better chance if he wrestles Serra to the ground and tries to pound him out, Serra has a solid Jiu Jitsu game and he striking is crisp.  Hughes has taken some shots as of late, and I think his chin isn’t near as strong as it used to be. Serra is a much smaller fighter and should be fighting at Light Weight so he needs to make sure he doesn’t get overpowered in this matchup. Another hard one to pick, but I’m going to take Matt Hughes.

Winner: Matt Hughes by Unanimous Decision.

• Xavier Foupa-Pokam 20-10 vs. Drew McFedries 7-5

Xavier has the coolest nickname of any fighter ever, Xavier “Professor X” Foupa-Pokam, is new to the UFC, he actually just fought on the last PPV, a month ago, quick turn around, He is a solid fighter, who’s striking is solid and spot on. The Majority of Prof X’s wins come via Ko/Tko, so we know he can throw the leather, however McFedries can as well.  McFedries has some heavy hands 4 of his 7 wins have come by way of KO/Tko.  McFedries should have been cut from the UFC after his last fight with Thales Leitis. McFedries is coming off back to back losses, and if he losses this fight, I have no doubt he will get the Axe, so he certainly has some incentive for winning.  Prof X, is coming off his first loss is in over 2 years, he was beaten by Unanimous decision by Overseas star Dennis Kang.  I think McFedries has an advantage in that his back is against the wall in this fight, he needs to win, and win impressively otherwise he’s going to end up in some second rate organization fighting Kimbo Slice, with that being said, I am picking Xavier in this one, but either way it should be exciting.

Winner: Xavier Foupa-Pokam by TKO in the 2^nd.

• Dan Miller 11-1 Vs. Chael Sonnen 21-10

Another interesting matchup on this card, Miller who is on the cusp of being a  contender in the Middle Weight Division,  is about one  or two impressive wins away, and Chael Sonnen is the perfect match-up for him to prove just that.  Miller is amazing on the ground with 7 of his 11 wins coming by way of submission.  Sonnen, who is a WEC carry-over, is a crafty fighter.  Sonnen is a guy who wins by point scoring, 11 of his 21 wins are by decision, and so he is not a guy who “finishes fights”. However don’t discount Chael; he is a very good fighter.  He is a Forrest Griffin type fighter, who can strike, but doesn’t have much power behind his strikes. He is decent on the ground, thus making him a well rounded fighter; he comes into each fight with a great game plan.  That being said, Chael is coming off a disappointing loss to upcoming superstar Demian Maia. I see Sonnen making up for the loss to Maia here, I see this going the 3 full rounds, with Sonnen taking it.

Winner: Chael Sonnen by Split Decision

• Frank Edgar 9-1 Vs Sean Sherk 33-3-1

Frankie Edgar is one of the most interesting fighters in the UFC Light Weight Division right now. He is 9-1, with his only loss coming by way of decision.  He has destroyed some pretty good guys in the division but has yet to really be matched up with some top level talent, enter Sean Sherk. Former Light Weight champion, Sean “the muscle shark” Sherk, is Edgars first REAL test to date. If he wins, you can bet he will be well on his way to a title shot. Edgar has the potential to be great; it’s hard to tell what he is best at, because his wins split 2 by KO 2 by Sub, and 5 by decision.  Needless to say, with 6 of his fights going the distance, he has the cardio.  Sean Sherk is looking for a title shot again, and he’s taking names on his way. After suffering an ass beating courtesy of BJ Penn, Sean has had his eyes on that Light Weight title match.  Sherk is a HUGE light weight fighter, however, so is Edgar, I think both men will know the ground is off limits.  Sherk seems to have the edge on his feet, just from pure experience and being around longer. I think both men have the chance to KO each other, we don’t know much about Edgars chin yet, so it will be interesting… This fight has the chance to be fight of the night, I think Edgar needs a couple more warm up fight before he is a real contender at light weight, but this fight will go a long way to perfecting his skill.

Winner: Sean Sherk by TKO in the 2^nd.