Fight Picks UFC 79: Conqueror vs. Stalker

Possibly the best PPV of the year is upon us; not just because of the match ups pit rivals against each other, but because both big fights promise a sudden and dramatic ending.  On a personal note, the Stalker is going down. I may have lost 6-3 to 5-4, but the last card had more who’s than a Dr. Sues book, this one’s right up my ally.  

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Bring it on.  

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FS rank NAME (UFC RECORD) (MMA RECORD) 

Interim Welterweight Championship #1 Matt Hughes (41-5) (15-3) vs. #2 Georges St. Pierre (14-2) (8-2) 

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Brett “The Conqueror” Beverly: GSP by TKO in 3.  A more intriguing fight couldn’t be made. Hughes claims he won’t make the same mistake, GSP claims he’s well prepared, and the result should be an exciting match that won’t make it into the fifth round. Still, all the changes and short notices aside, I think GSP will repeat and Hughes will head towards retirement.  

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Jason “FightStalker” Taylor: GSP by TKO in 2. The GSP that got beat by Hughes no longer exists. The new GSP is a machine. The best thing that ever happened to him was losing to Serra, I think that loss help him iron out any kinks that were in his armor. Watch for Hughes to smile a lot (that’s what he does when he has no answer, watch thier last fight and the 1st round against Penn.) 

NR* Wanderlei Silva (31-7-1) (1-2) vs. Chuck Liddell (20-5) (15-4) 

Conqueror: Silva by TKO in 1. Which Chuck Liddell will show up? The man who defeated Randy Couture twice or the man that lost to Keith Jardine? Somewhere in the middle won’t cut it, and that’s what I think is going to happen. Silva isn’t exactly hot either, but a lot of smart people think he lost a step due to fatigue and his year of rest isn’t good for the Ice Man.  No matter who wins, I can’t imagine the fight going much longer than one round.  

Stalker: Iceman by TKO in 2. The 1st round is going to be a feeling out process like an authentic Muay Thai fight. In round two, however, one of Chuck’s nuclear bombs is going to hit ground zero on Silva’s questionable chin.

#6 Ryota Machida (11-0) (3-0) vs. NR* Rameau Sokoudjou (4-1) (0-0) 

Conqueror: Machida by unanimous. Holy hell this is ANOTHER tough fight to call. I know Sokoudjou knocked out everyone this side of Fedor, but Machida is ready. Sokoudjou’s knock out of Lil Nog and Arona were spectacular, but how many fighters are going to be caught by surprise now?  Machida is a quintessential counter striker, and that should be enough to out point the incoming Sokoudjou. Add in the Pride newbie factor (see Arona, Bog Nog) and Machida gets my vote.  

Stalker: Machida by TKO in 1. Knockout power is great, but Sokoudjou awaits a fate similar to another knockout artist named Huston Alexander. Machida is 11-0, soon to be 12-0.  

Rich Clementi (25-11-2) (2-2) vs. #7 Melvin Guillard (20-6-2) (3-2)  

Conqueror: Guillard by TKO in 2. Betting on “No Love” is bound to bring back the obvious results. The man has talent; he just accidentally locked it in his car. Guillard is looking to rebound from an embarrassing loss to Joe Stevenson and an even more embarrassing suspension for cocaine and should benefit from a fight with Clementi. Provided Guillard doesn’t do something stupid (I know, it’s 50/50), this fight is his. 

Stalker: Guillard by TKO in 1. Melvin has a lot of potential, he just needs to grow up a little. Hopefully the suspension worked in his favor so he can realize that potential. If Guillard can keep his nose clean, he should prove to the world what I already believe, that Clementi belongs in a lesser organization than the UFC.

#8 Dean Lister (9-5) (2-1) vs. Jordan Radev (11-2) (0-1) 

Conqueror: Lister by unanimous. The infamous grappler vs. wrestler match up will take center stage in this match up. Lister will likely try 1,243 submissions while trying o keep Radev from taking him down. It’ll work but only after the judges get involved.

Stalker: Lister by Submission in 2. I have faith that “The Boogyman’s” Ju-Jitsu will reign supreme in this inevitable ground match.

Soa Palelei (8-1) (0-0) vs. #10 Eddie Sanchez (6-2) (2-1) 

Conqueror: Sanchez by TKO in 2. With the exception of his fight with Cro Cop, Sanchez has looked spectacular. Now he faces a game opponent in Soa Palelei. There is only one problem; I have no idea who Soa is. My gut says Sanchez and I’m sticking to it.  

Stalker: Sanchez by KO in 2. I see both fighters here looking for the KO. Palelei has fought once in the last three years, and has recently dropped a lot of weight, so I have to go with Sanchez winning the race to KO.

Luis Cane (7-0) (0-0) vs. James Irvin (12-4) (2-3) 

Conqueror: Irvin by unanimous. Every once in a while a fighter comes along who’s different. Unlike other fighters in his weight class, this fighter doesn’t need to worry about those pesky wins, this fighter has a picture of Dana White in a compromising situation and he knows how to use it. This fighter is James Irvin and I hope he loses. That said, he won’t. Luis Cane hasn’t beaten a fighter who doesn’t work at Home Depot, so I gotta go with Irvin. Please let me be wrong.  

Stalker: Irvin by KO in 2. Irvin started his career with a lot of promise, a few hard losses in there have made me wonder if he should have stayed in the Gladiator Challenge rather than entering the big show. He really needs to prove he belongs in the UFC, and this Saturday will be his shot at doing just that.

Nate Mohr (8-4) (1-1) vs. Manny Gamburyan (5-2) (0-1) 

Conqueror: Gamburyan by unanimous. Minus a separated shoulder, Manvil looked to be becoming the Ultimate Fighter. The little Armenian bulldog shouldn’t have too much trouble with Mohr, although he’ll win the way his cousin does. Expect 15 minutes.  

Stalker: Gamburyan by unanimous. I agree, Manny would have destroyed the younger Diaz if his shoulder stayed in place. In my opinion he’s an animal, a powerful one at that. Look for him to come out Saturday with something to prove. He is going to destroy Mohr.

Roan Carneiro (11-6) (1-1) vs. Tony DeSouza (10-3) (3-2) 

Conqueror: DeSouza by unanimous. A battle of grapplers, DeSouza seems to be more well rounded, and, well, has a much more Unabomber-like beard.

Stalker: DeSouza by submission in 1. I couln’t agree with the Conqueror more. If it’s a battle of the grapplers, my money will always be on DeSouza.

Mark Bocek (4-1) (0-1) vs. Doug Evans (5-1) (0-1) 

Conqueror: Bocek by submission in 1. One got owned by Frank Edgar (Bocek), the other got dropped by Roger Huerta, which was his first fight outside on Alaska (not a joke).  For whatever reason, I got Bocek. Why? My last name starts with “B” too.   

Stalker: Evans by split decision. Again I feel the same as my competitor on this one, might as well just flip a coin. So, in the interest of friendly competition I will take Evans.

* Has yet to fight first UFC fight.  
 

RECORDS: 

STALKER: 6-3

CONQUEROR: 5-4 

LAST EVENT: STALKER 6-3, CONQUEROR 5-4.

EVENT: Ultimate Fighter Finale