Punch Drunk Predictions: Brown vs. Faber 2

I can't lie: I got my ass handed to me last night on the Strikeforce card, dropping another 4-7 over the entire card.

But really, how was I to know "Feijao" would show up in shitty shape, Brett Rogers wasn't lying about knocking out "The Pitbull" and Jake Shields would sink in a standing guillotine tighter than the girls I dated in high school?

At least I get an immediate shot at redemption with WEC 41 tonight in Sacto. The good stuff is after the jump ...



Josh Grispi (12-1) vs. Jens Pulver (22-11-1)
Despite his name, Josh Grispi's success is no fluke. The kid has serious skills, as first round victems Micah Miller and Mark Hominick can attest. While Lil' Evil certainly has the name brand recognition here, he's also riding a three fight losing streak and has dropped five of six. This isn't the same Jens Pulver that was UFC lightweight champ and expect the young, faster, stronger Grispi to further illustrate that tonight.

Donald Cerrone (9-1-0, 1 NC) vs. James Krause (10-0)
Admittedly, I don't know much about James Krause. He's got a nice looking record and has been out of the first round just once according to Sherdog. Truthfully, I don't need to know much anyway, because he's fighting "Cowboy" and he doesn't stand a chance. That seems like enough of a break down.

Jose Aldo (14-1) vs. Cub Swanson (13-2)
Swanson has the edge in experience and strength of opponents, having been inside the cage for more rounds against the likes of Micah Miller, Jens Pulver and Hiroyuki Takaya. Aldo gets the advantage in speed and ferocious striking, as the Brazilian is fast becoming a fan favorite for his devastating knockouts. Winner of this gets the next title shot at 145.

Mike Thomas Brown (21-4-0) vs. Urijah Faber (22-2)
I gave you some background on this bad boy last week, but here's a little more. When fights are as close as this one, I often turn to training camps as an indicator of who has the best chance. Faber is the Alpha Male of Team Alpha Male, surrounded by friends and backslappers who tell Urijah how great Urijah is, in my opinion. Brown gets ready at American Top Team, one of the Top 3 camps in the entire sport and has a wealth of world class training partners to work with.

Punch Drunk Predictions
Record: 13-18 (Yikes... gotta pick it up!)

Preliminary Card
Seth Dikun over Rolando Perez
Noah Thomas over Frank Gomez
Scott Jorgensen over Antonio Banuelos
Anthony Pettis over Mike Campbell
Kyle Dietz over Rafael Rebello
Manny Gamburyan over John Franchi

Main Card
Josh Grispi over Jens Pulver
Donald Cerrone over James Krause
Jose Aldo over Cub Swanson

And in the Main Event of the evening ...

Mike Thomas Brown over Urijah Faber

Touch gloves and come out swingin'!