WEC 44 Fight Week Previews: The Main Card

Hard to believe that it was just over a year ago that Mike Brown shocked the WEC by sending then-Featherweight champion Urijah Faber crashing to the mat with a well-placed punch, claiming the championship and a place atop the divisional rankings.

Still, that hasn't stopped some from refusing to give Brown the respect he rightfully deserves, as many are looking to tomorrow night's challenger Jose Aldo as the man to end the reign of the blue-collar champion with the motor that won't quit.

Before breaking down the main event, three other main card bouts deserve some discussion, so let's get to it.

Danny Castillo (8-1-0) vs. Shane Roller (6-2-0)

As if often the case when two solid wrestlers meet in the cage, this one could come down to who has the better stand-up game.

Castillo is a training partner of Urijah Faber with Team Alpha Male, while Roller has followed fellow Oklahoma State All-Americans Jake Rosholt and Johny Hendricks to Team Takedown.

If it does go to the ground, it's advantage Roller, as he's shown the better submission game since entering the WEC. That being said, if it stays standing, Castillo packs a punch, as evident by his TKO win over Ricardo Lamas last time out.

"Razor" Rob McCullough (17-5-0) vs. Kare Darabedyan (8-1-0)

McCullough is a former WEC lightweight champion and possesses outstanding Muay Thai. Darabedyan is a training partner of fellow Armenian-American Mixed Martial Arts veterans Karo "The Heat" Parisyan and Manvel "The Anvil" Gamburyan.

While "Razor" Rob has the edge in experience, Darabedyan owns a black belt in judo and a knockout win over Bellator competitor Estevan Payan last time out, so do not think this is a walk in the park for the former champ.

Manny Gamburyan (11-5-0) vs. Leonard Garcia (17-4-0)

The aforementioned Gamburyan makes his second appearance at 145 in the WEC and gets a stiff test in the form of former title contender and Greg Jackson student Leonard Garcia.

Gamburyan looked solid in handing John Franchi the first loss of his career in his featherweight debut, while Garcia bounced back from his loss to Mike Brown with a split decision victory over Jameel Massouh.

As always, the key will be who dictates the fight: Gamburyan will look to keep in on the ground and grind out a win, while Garcia will be letting his heavy hands fly early and often as long as the fight remains standing.

Champion Mike Brown (22-4-0) vs. Challenger Jose Aldo (15-1-0)

Aldo has certainly been impressive since joining the WEC. His most recent win was a highlight reel double flying knee to the head of Cub Swanson and his striking is among the most dynamic there is in the sport.

That being said, he's never faced a challenge remotely as tough as Mike Brown.

The champ not only fought a tougher road to get his first title shot, beating veteran Jeff "Big Frog" Curran, but subsequently stopped the equally-dynamic former champion Urijah Faber to claim the title.

Since then, he's stopped Leonard Garcia and earned a second consecutive win over Faber, pushing his winning streak to ten and cementing his place on a number of Pound-for-Pound lists.

One thing is for certain for Wednesday night's main event: one way or another, there are going to be fireworks.







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UFC 106 Fight Week Previews: Luis Cane vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

After years of being considered one of the top 205-pound talents outside the UFC, Antonio Rogerio "Minotoro" Nogueira will make his debut against fellow Brazilian light heavyweight Luis Arthur Cane.

From here on out, The Noguiera's will be referred to by their middle names, Rodrigo and Rogerio. It's just easier that way, especially when they have the same nickname.

While his debut is hotly anticipated, this match-up is certainly not a showcase fight, as Luiz Cane has been dominating fights and putting on impressive performance after impressive performance since joining the UFC in 2007.

Both men have a lot to prove with this fight, as one will climb higher up the ladder, while the other will be forced to regroup.

Luis Arthur "Banha" Cane (10-1-0) vs. Antonio Rogerio "Minotoro" Nogueira (17-3-0)

It's not often that the breakdown of training camps results in a push, but what other decision can be rendered when one fight trains with the vaunted Black House team and the other spends his days in Coconut Creek with American Top Team?

Both have great partners and great teachers, meaning both will have great game plans and be in optimal shape coming into this fight. This is a clear cut push.

Experience and strength of schedule goes to Nogueira, as in addition to having nearly twice as many fights as his younger counterpart, Rogerio holds wins over Dan Henderson, Alistair Overeem and "The Gracie Killer" Kazushi Sakuraba to name a few.

Despite looking strong in wins over Sokoudjou and Steve Cantwell, Cane cannot hold a candle to the number of rounds Nogueira has logged inside the ring and under the bright lights of the Pride stage.

Interestingly enough, these two fighters share an opponent, the aforementioned Thierry Sokoudjou.

While Cane dominated "The African Assassin" in earning a stoppage victory at UFC 89, Sokoudjou's 23 second victory over Nogueira served as the first of his back-to-back upset wins that put him on the map and propelled him to serious prospect status following the fall of Pride.

Advantage Cane.

Stylistically, this has the potential to be an interesting bout, as Nogueira isn't one to shy away from a boxing match and Cane has shown strong stand-up skills of his own, as well as a good chin.

However, if this fight goes to the floor, Nogueira has a serious advantage, as just like his brother, Rogerio is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with an ability to snatch the minute you leave it exposed for too long.

Just ask Dan Henderson.

One of these fighters will push their name forward into the title discussion after this bout, while the other will have to take a step back before trying to advance again.

Both want to keep climbing the ladder, so expect one hell of a fight come Saturday night.




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WEC 44 Fight Week Previews: The Prelims

As the signage says, WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo takes place this Wednesday night from The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With such a short time frame before the fights take place - and coming off the busy week that was UFC 105 - the week-long Fight Week Previews series will be coming to you in condensed form over the next two days, beginning with The Prelims.

Before we get there though, a recommendation to all those claiming MMA fandom who have no idea who Mike Brown or Jose Aldo are: you need to check out this show and old WEC shows and future WEC shows.

Without fail, each and every WEC event delivers some of the best bell-to-bell action in the sport and while these guys certainly do not receive anywhere near the acclaim and attention of their UFC counterparts, you're not going to find a more exciting brand of action than the WEC.

Onto the previews...

Seth Dikun (7-3-0) vs. Frank Gomez (7-1-0)

Dikun enters the fight off a fantastic flying triangle submission of Rolando Perez at WEC 41 that leveled his company record at 1-1. Gomez comes in off a rebound win over TUF veteran Noah Thomas following the first loss of his career. Regardless of who comes away with the win, expect a finish, as these two have just four decisions between them in 18 fights.

Ricardo Lamas (6-1-0) vs. James Krause (10-1-0)

Both fighters are coming off the first defeat of their careers, Lamas dropping a decision to Danny Castillo and Krause getting stopped by Donald Cerrone. Though Krause comes in off the bigger name fight, Lamas is a fast and promising prospect who was on the wrong end of an excellent punch last time out and looks to be the stronger of the two.

Antonio Banuelos (17-5-0) vs. Kenji Osawa (15-8-2)

Banuelos is a WEC mainstay, making his eighth appearance for the company and coming in off a win over Scotty "Young Guns" Jorgensen back in June. Osawa has 25 fights under his belt, including a win over title contender Takeya Mizugaki, as well as having lost to the aforementioned Jorgensen.

Cub Swanson (13-3-0) vs. John Franchi (5-1-0)

If you're not a huge follower of the WEC and are wondering where you've heard the name Cub Swanson before, it could be because he was the guy on the receiving end of a double flying knee from Jose Aldo last time he stepped into the cage. While he hasn't quite found his footing in the WEC as of yet, Swanson is still a very talented prospect with a bright future ahead of him.

The verdict is still out on John Franchi. He suffered his first loss last time out, losing to UFC veteran Manny Gamburyan, but wasn't overly impressive in his WEC debut against Mike Budnik.

Diego Nunes (13-0-0) vs. LC Davis (14-2-0)

This is going to be your Fight of the Night.

The unbeaten Nunes has looked dominant in two, three-round victories over Cole Province and Rafael Dias, while Davis has come over following the fall of Affliction and looks to continue his success as a part of the Featherweight division.

Davis' two losses come to Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix finalist Michihiro Omigawa and highly-regarded Wagnney Fabiano and the skilled wrestler will surely be the toughest test to date for the Brazilian.

Kamal Shalorus (4-0-1) vs. Will Kerr (8-1-0)

Shalorus is a wrestler who has competed in a number of submission grappling events in addition to making the transition to MMA, while Kerr is a replacement for injured Alex Karalexis.

Normally, when you're replacing a solid veteran against an guy with little experience or name recognition, it means the guy no one has heard of is pretty solid and you could be in for a painful night.

Watching video of Shalorus slamming Joachim "Hellboy" Hansen at the 2005 European Qualifiers for the ADCC's only confirmed that suspicion.




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UFC 106 Fight Week Preview: Karo Parisyan vs. Dustin Hazelett

Nothing like starting off a Monday morning with a little McLovin!

Fresh off the heals of Saturday's free show from Manchester, the Frankenstein monster of UFC cards lands in our laps from Las Vegas this weekend. Illness and injuries are the story of this card, as the once impressive card is now a mixed martial arts mash-up of available fights and marketable names.

Despite all the shuffling and changes, we've still got McLovin on the pay-per-view and any chance to reference Superbad can't be all bad, right?

Karo "The Heat" Parisyan (18-5-0, 1 NC) vs. Dustin "McLovin" Hazelett (12-4-0)

Even though Hazelett trains with a solid group of guys and earned his BJJ black belt under Jorge Gurgel, Parisyan gets the easy edge in terms of training by being a member of the Jackson's Submission Fighting team.

While Aaron Riley may have been on the wrong end of a serious beating on Saturday in England, more often than not, Jackson fighters are primed and ready when the cage door closes.

Couple that with Parisyan having been out of competition for nine months following his positive test for painkillers and there is no doubt in my mind that Parisyan will look better than he has before in this fight.

These two fighters share one opponent, "The People's Warrior" Josh Burkman.

Both Parisyan and Hazelett earned wins over the former TUF 2 competitor; "The Heat" earned a Unanimous Decision at UFC 71, while Hazelett pulled off an amazing armbar that earned Submission of the Year honors from Sherdog at the finale of The Ultimate Fighter 7.

Unfortunately, coolness of finish doesn't change the fact that both fighters earned wins, so common opponents is a push. Strength of schedule, on the other hand, goes to Parisyan.

While part of the result comes from the Armenian-American simply having more experience inside the cage than his Cincinnati-born counterpart, Parisyan has been a staple in the middle tier of the UFC welterweight division for some time now, while McLovin is working his way up the ladder.

Where this fight gets real interesting is in the clash of styles and the opportunities that could be presented therein.

Parisyan is a high-level judoka who likes to control the action on the cage, work for a throw or takedown and then utilize his ground and pound to finish the fight. More often than not, that translates into "battle the other guy against the cage for position, control the action and win by decision."

What makes Parisyan's approach interesting in this fight is Hazelett's equally high level jiu jitsu game. While having a bigger and stronger judo practitioner laying into you on the fence for 15 minutes doesn't sound overly appealing, the closeness that will surely transpire should offer a number of opportunities for Hazelett to snatch an arm, look for kimuras and try to finish the fight.

Don't expect fireworks on the feet; Hazelett will mix in a few leg kicks early and to find range, but most of this fight will be spent pummeling and positioning, with whoever exploits the first opening probably coming away with the win.




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UFC 105: 10 Things We Learned Last Night

1. Time to Fix Things... And Fast

Controversial decision aren't good for business and the UFC has had back-to-back main events end with a lot of people questioning the results, and it obvious that the current issues with judging need to be dealt with, quickly.

This one comes down to the weight of different criteria - Randy Couture's "Octagon Control" versus the "Damage Done" by Brandon Vera, with a sprinkling of takedowns for seasoning.

While Couture certainly forced Vera up against the cage for a large portion of the fight, you can't stop a guy by holding him against the cage. However, you can stop him with powerful kicks to the body that send him to the ground wincing.

Additionally, Couture's takedown is nullified by the fact that he kept Vera there for nine seconds, unlike the time Vera took Couture to the floor and mounted him. While it was brief, it's still a dominant position and I was under the impression that those things scored points?

2. That Being Said, Part I

Say hello to another shining example of why you don't let fights go to the judges.

Finishing a fight is far easier said than done; it's not like you can just walk in there and punch Randy Couture in the face and call it a night. That being said, the judges have screwed things up before and seem to be doing it more frequently, so why take the chance?

While you can't throw caution to the wind and go full-out on offense, pouncing when your opponent is hurt and trying to stay in advantageous positions is far better than having your heart broken when the three men at ringside didn't see it the same way you did.

3. That Being Said, Part II

Can we finally stop thinking that Brandon Vera is going to put it all together and live up to the ridiculous boasts he made early in his career? He's just not that good.

While I still think he won the fight, when it's clear you're getting the best of it when you're in space, how in the name of all things right in the world do you continually end up in the clinch? Use your reach, get space, be the aggressor... all things that could have wrapped up a win for Brandon Vera.

But instead, he did only enough to make it tight and then sat on the steps of the cage dejected after the fight. Yes, the judges screwed up in my opinion, but Vera certainly could have done a whole lot more to keep that from happening.

Every time he's given an opportunity to move forward, he stalls. I didn't believe the Brandon Vera hype to begin with and I certainly won't be buying into it in the future.

4. "Quick" Swick Got Out Quicked

The guy with the fast hands got beat to the punch time and again last night, as Dan Hardy countered and combo'ed his way to a Unanimous Decision victory.

This fight showed how tight the middle tier of the UFC Welterweight division really is, as Swick was the favorite and higher-ranked fighter heading into the bout, while Hardy was seen by some as an overhyped British prospect who needed more seasoning.

Swick is still a considerable talent at 170 and will maintain his position in the four-through-ten range of the rankings, while Hardy showed he belongs in that area too. While this was a big win for Hardy, it did nothing to diminish the talents of Mike Swick.

The better man simply won.

5. To The Victor Go The Spoils?

Dana White had said the winner of the Dan Hardy - Mike Swick fight would face Georges St-Pierre, and there was GSP last night, dressed as sharp as ever, congratulating Hardy on his effort and beginning the promotion of their eventual clash.

As stated at Heavy.com, "Congratulations Dan... Enjoy the Beating."

This is what happens when the welterweight champ cleans out the division. While Dan Hardy has been impressive and earned his way into a match-up atop the marquee with GSP, he's at best #4 in the division and even that is stretching it.

Unfortunately, St-Pierre has dismantled everyone else in the last two years, so Hardy becomes next in line. While there is always an outside chance of pulling a Matt Serra, the greater likelihood is that GSP drags Hardy to the floor for five rounds and maintains his position of dominance in the division.

Some reward, huh?

6. The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming!

Dan Hardy looked good. After he got tagged, Michael Bisping looked good. Ross Pearson looked real good. James Wilks looked solid in defeat and the Brits on the preliminary card all acquitted themselves pretty well too...

Perhaps this whole new wave of British MMA stars isn't just pomp and circumstance after all?

In addition to having a strong national showing, a battle for training camp supremacy has clearly started, as Team Rough House had an exceptional night with Hardy, Pearson and Andre Winner all earning wins.

While Wolfslair might still be the most well-known, another couple of nights like this and Rough House will certainly have something to say about that.

7. "The Real Deal" Indeed

Now, one fight certainly doesn't make a career, but Ross Pearson couldn't have had a better performance than his official UFC debut last night.

Before continuing, allow me: Holy crap was I wrong on that one!

Pearson destroyed Aaron Riley in every aspect, utilizing a great clinch, precise boxing and ending things with a devastating jumping knee to the face that split Riley wider than the doctors could consider reasonable, forcing the fight to be called.

While his ground game is still a question mark and something that will certainly be tested in the wrestling-heavy lightweight division, this kid lived up to his name, at least for last night.

8. The Hard Sell Never Really Works That Well

The UFC worked hard leading up to this fight to make Brandon Vera seem like a vaunted challenge for Randy Couture and that a win over Vera would send Couture into the upper echelon of the 205-pound division.

Ah... not so much.

Vera was Vera, Couture continued to look like Couture - capable but with limitations - and no one came away from that fight thinking, "You know? Randy Couture would be a handful for Lyoto Machida."

Even better, we're getting the hard sell on next weekend's main event too, as if Tito Ortiz's return and rematch with Forrest Griffin is something epic. If you hear a thunder of footsteps, chances are it's horses, not zebras... no matter how much the guide tells you it's zebras!

9. Brock Lesnar is Seriously Ill

This isn't about whether you like or dislike Brock Lesnar, so anyone interested in saying he has "chickenshititis" or is ducking Shane Carwin ... don't.

The guy is seriously ill and was rushed to the hospital recently. This isn't about fighting, this is about another human being dealing with whatever mysterious illness he has and getting better, not to fight again, but to live a normal life.

Minotauro Noguiera has additionally contracted staph again and will not be meeting Cain Velasquez at UFC 108. It's like he's gone back in time to play for the Cleveland Browns of two years ago...

Just kidding - get well soon, Big Nog!

10. Everyone Takes Aim When You're On Top

Whether it's as a fighter, in the business world or as a writer, if you're at the top of the heap, there are going to be a ton of people looking to cut you down.

Nothing you say or do will change the way your detractors feel about you, and no matter what you say, they'll find a way to spin it in their favor, call you out again and then tell you you're complaining for defending your position.

What's more is that they have suggestions galore about what you can do to improve, how you should act, what you should and shouldn't do, since pointing out your shortcomings or errors is easier than working to improve themselves.

People are going to believe whatever they want about you and more of them will try to cut you down than help build you up. All you can do is keep pushing forward for yourself and let the cards fall where they may.

Jealous Ones Still Envy... whether they like to admit it or not.

Image courtesy of UFC.com
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UFC 105 Punch Drunk Predictions

The night of free fights in as many Saturday's is finally upon us, as UFC 105 hits the air on Spike TV this evening from the Manchester Evening New Arena in Manchester, England.

While not necessarily the strongest international event in UFC history, this card has a similar feel to UFC 103. The recent Dallas event was void of a title fight (as is this one), but presented a number of interesting match-ups (as does this one) and turned into a pleasant surprise of a show.

Before breaking out the predictions themselves, a quick tour through the undercard so you know what to look for if we get more than the originally scheduled five fights.

Andre Winner (12-3-1) vs. Rolando Delgado (11-4-1)

Winner fell to fellow Brit Ross Pearson in the finals of TUF 9, while Delgado was bounced from TUF 8 in the quarterfinals by the infamous Junie Browning. Winner has fast hands and something to prove, fighting on his home turf and looking to prove he belongs in the UFC, six-figure TUF contract or not.

Alexander Gustafsson (8-0-0) vs. Jared Hamman (10-1-0)

Hamman trains with UFC veteran Vladimir Matyushenko and holds wins over solid competitors Travis Wiuff, Rogent Llorent and Aaron Rosa, as well as splitting a pair of fights with B.J. Penn disciple Poai Suganuma. Gustafsson has made relatively short work of a number of fighters few outside of Scandinavia have heard of. Remove coin from pocket, flip in the air...

Paul Kelly (10-1-0) vs. Dennis Siver (14-6-0)

Both are staples on overseas cards with Kelly having the more impressive performances to date. This will be his second fight at 155 after starting his career at welterweight and he looked solid the first time out. Siver has won three straight since getting knocked out in memorable fashion by Melvin Guillard.

Nick Osipczak (4-0-0) vs. Matt Riddle (3-0-0)

When all is said and done, don't be surprised if Nick Osipczak is the top fighter to emerge from Season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter. Despite losing in the semifinals, the Brit has shown solid all-around skills and has a world of potential. Riddle has earned three decisions in three fights, something Osipczak pointed out in the build-up to this bout. This one is a little bit personal.

Terry Etim (13-2-0) vs. Shannon Gugerty (12-3-0)

Etim is fast becoming the lightweight poster boy for overseas shows, as this marks his seventh UFC fight, five of which ended in his favor. Gugerty has a pair of wins sandwiching a loss to Spencer Fisher and has the talents to upset the local favorite. Whoever sinks in a tight submission first wins.

Paul Taylor (10-4-1, 1 NC) vs. John Hathaway (11-0-0)

Taylor is staple of the UFC's cross-Atlantic adventures and has a penchant for hearing the final bell. Hathaway is an up-and-coming Brit who has shown good all-around skills in his two UFC fights. Taylor is hard to stop standing, so look for Hathaway to take this to the ground and work for a submission.

Punch Drunk Predictions
Record: 97-73 (.570)

Preliminary Card

Andre Winner over Rolando Delgado, TKO Round 1
Alexander Gustafsson over Jared Hamman, TKO Round 1
Paul Kelly over Dennis Siver, Unanimous Decision
Nick Osipczak over Matt Riddle, Submission Round 2
Terry Etim over Shannon Gugerty, TKO Round 2
John Hathaway over Paul Taylor, Submission Round 2

Main Card

Aaron Riley over Ross Pearson, Unanimous Decision
James Wilks over Matt Brown, Submission Round 2
Denis Kang over Michael Bisping, Submission Round 2
Dan Hardy over Mike Swick, TKO Round 1

And in the Main Event of the Evening...

Randy "The Natural" Couture over Brandon "The Truth" Vera via Second Round TKO

Now touch gloves and come out swinging!


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UFC 105 Fight Week Previews: Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera

Two weeks ago, this fight was of little interest to me. Last week, I was looking forward to a free show on Spike TV, a couple of the fights on the undercard and a little interested in seeing who came out on top in the Main Event.

Now, a day and change away from UFC 105, the headlining act has emerged as an intriguing fight that has certainly piqued my interest and will provide a definitive answer to one of two questions, if not both:

1. What does Randy Couture have left in the tank?
2. Is Brandon Vera finally ready to capitalize on his tremendous potential and become a force in the UFC?

Before the questions can be answered, we need to break it down.

Randy "The Natural" Couture (16-10-0) vs. Brandon "The Truth" Vera (11-3-0)

With all due respect to both Lloyd Irvin and the talented team at Alliance MMA, Randy Couture and his namesake gym in Las Vegas is a Top 5 facility and earns "Captain America" a win in our opening area of analysis.

In addition to having a plethora of experienced and talented fighters to train, roll and spar with at his disposal, Couture also has an outstanding list of coaches pushing him through the ridiculous routine that has kept the ageless wonder in peak physical condition for the last decade.

Obviously, the multi-time former champion earns the edge in strength of schedule and experience over his younger counterpart as well.

Amazingly, this is the first time since his initial foray into the UFC that Couture has fought in back-to-back non-title events.

For all the critics who will challenge Couture's success and place in the sport right now, nothing can change the fact that "The Natural" has fought in 15 UFC title fights, more times than Vera has stepped into the cage in his professional career.

The two share Tim Sylvia as an opponent and the outcomes were very different, despite both facing the former champion after a year on the shelf.

Couture's bout with "The Maine-iac" is one of his more legendary fights, coming out of retirement and toppling the giant heavyweight to earn the UFC Heavyweight crown for a third time courtesy of a Unanimous Decision.

On the flip side, the once meteoric rise of Brandon Vera stalled after a one year hiatus courtesy of a contract dispute and Sylvia was the first opponent waiting for "The Truth" when he returned to the UFC.

In that fight, Vera broke his hand and his winning streak, dropping a decision to the former champion before a second straight loss to Fabricio Werdum led to a relocation to light heavyweight.

Stylistically, this one could be highly entertaining or insanely boring, depending on what happens.

Couture's bread and butter is his wrestling and he's said repeatedly leading up to this fight that a return to his roots is in the works. What that means is repeated attempts to get inside and get Vera on the ground, a game plan that could lead to close fought clinch game along the fence as the two battle for position.

For Vera, a former D-1 Greco-Roman wrestler himself, the plan is to utilize his reach and length through his precision Muay Thai, consistently being first to strike and keep Couture on the outside and guessing.

As often as it is said, this one will really come down to who imposes their will.

If Couture gets this fight to the ground, Vera could be in serious trouble, as few have the ground and pound of the 46-year-old former champion.

Conversely, if Vera can keep Couture at bay with his impressive stand-up arsenal, we could witness the fight that propels Brandon Vera into the next level of challengers in the deep 205 pound division of the UFC.

Either way, I'm officially amped to see this fight.
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