The UFC Results

UFC 80 is almost here and it is time for prefight picks!

BJ Penn vs. Joe Stevenson (Light Weight Title Fight)

Who we want win: BJ Penn
Who we think will win: BJ Penn

BJ Penn’s time has come in the light weight division. It has been five years since his last title shot at this weight and he has been busy. In his last four fights in the UFC he has been crowned Welter weight champion beating Matt Hughes, went the distance with Georges St. Pierre in a controversial decision loss, had a dominant showing in his rematch against Matt Hughes until he separated a rib and lost in the 3rd round and in his last fight redeemed a nagging loss against Jens Pulver. Where as Joe Stevenson has been dominant in his last fights but all against forgettable names. Joe Stevenson’s strengths are listed as “good takedowns and submissions”. If Matt Hughes struggled taking a healthy BJ Penn to the ground Joe Stevenson won’t be able to do it, and Stevenson’s “good submissions” are irrelevant seeing how BJ Penn is the first American-born winner of the World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament. With that said, BJ Penn is the next Light Weight Champion.

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Fabricio Werdum

Who we want win: Gabriel Gonzaga
Who we think will win: Gabriel Gonzaga

This fight can be determined by looking at their performances at UFC 70. Gabriel Gonzaga dismantled one of the most dominant, agressive fighters in MMA (Mirko Cro Cop). If you missed it UFC 70 results. Where as Fabricio Werdum lost a decision to Andrei Arlovski in one of his most lackluster performances. If Werdum can’t beat a passive Arlovski how the hell is he going to beat the beast in Gonzaga? Simple answer to that rhetorical question, he’s not.

Jess Liaudin vs. Marcus Davis

Who we want win: Marcus Davis
Who we think will win: Marcus Davis

Marcus Davis has been on tear. He has won the fight/submission/knock out of the night in almost all of his last fights. He has a decent history building in the UFC and he is facing a relative new comer. I see Marcus Davis coming out on top and will finish the fight.

Jorge Rivera vs. Kendall Grove

Who we want win: Can’t Decide
Who we think will win: Kendall Grove

If Jorge Rivera loses this fight his career in the UFC is in jeopardy. His horribly disappointing 14 sec knock out to Terry Martin had to be a major morale killer, but Kendall Grove is coming off of a very tough knock out loss as well. Both of these fighters are going to come back very focused but I really see Kendall Grove winning. Jorge Rivera is a good fighter but he can’t seem to turn the corner in the UFC where as Kendall Grove is a very unique, difficult fighter and I don’t think that Rivera is going to handle him. Unless Jorge Rivera takes advantage of his puncher’s chance, I see Kendall Grove submitting him.

Winner: Lauzon – Triangle Choke – Second Round

The fighters meet and Melendez throws a huge punch that connects. Lauzon is okay and he closes on Melendez and takes him to the ground and starts to work on Melendez. Melendez gets him on his guard. Lauzon latches onto Melendez’s arm and slams him. He moves to half guard then to mount and nabs Brandon Melendez’s back and tries to lock a rear naked choke on Melendez. Melendez spins and Lauson gets mount then back to Melendez’s back. Lauzon works on the choke. Melendez escapes in transition and Lauzon goes for another take down. Lauzon drops to his back possibly for a submission attempt. But Melendez avoids and pushes Lauzon to the fence. Lauzon escapes and they exchange. Melendez tries for a body kick but Lauzon catches his leg and takes him to the ground and works for the back again. They end up with Lauzon’s back against the cage and Melendez’s back against Lauzon. Melendez spins and gets on top of Lauzon. Lauzon squirms and almost puts Melendez in a heel lock. The round ends as Melendez escapes.

The second round starts and Melendez comes out ready to strike. Lauzon ducks Melendez’s punch and gets the take down. He mounts Melendez and then takes Melendez’s back and they end up in the same position as they were in the first round with Lauzon’s back against the cage and Melendez’s back against Lauzon. Melendez rolls out of the choke but Lauzon was ready for Melendez to pounce and receives Melendez with a triangle choke. Lauzon almost loses the triangle but gets his foot and cinches the triangle and Melendez taps out.

Who we want to win: Joe Lauzon
Who we think we will win: Manny Gamburyan

Joe Lauzon has been the most impressive looking fighter during the show. His pace of fighting hasn’t slowed since his fight against Jens Pulver. Manny is a tough aggressive fighter, but is small. Matt Wiman didn’t take advantage of size in his fight against Gamburyan because he was too timid. Joe Lauzon will overpower Gamburyan and smother his fire.

Who we want to win: Undecided
Who we think we will win: Nate Diaz

I really like both of these fighters. I love Nick Diaz and think his brother is a smaller version. I love his fierce attitude and his confidence and his ability to back it all up. Gray is awesome but his last performance wasn’t very impressive. I think he can come back strong as long as he didn’t over train again. He has the ability to beat Diaz, it is just a matter of him coming into the fight with his strongest performance.