By: The Clinch Report Jonathan King
Mike Ricci -280 v Colin Fletcher 240
Analysis: Mike Ricci is coming off of a very impressive showing on ‘TUF’, and will be looking to win in front of his hometown Montreal crowd. Standing in his way is an extremely unorthodox submission fighter Colin Fletcher who himself is coming off of a loss. With the UFC’s current spate of roster cuts, it would not be far from the imagination to think the loser of this fight might be handed his walking paper.
Prediction: Ricci via Decision (UD)
Chris Camozzi -105 v Nick Ring -115
Analysis: Both fighters are looking to stick to their winning ways in the UFC. Nick Ring is looking to build off a win over Court McGee, while Camozzi is in the midst of a 3 fight winning streak that includes 2 stopages (1tko 1sub). For Camozzi a win will certainly move him close to the top ten in the division, while Ring will look to make a name for himself by betting a fighter of that caliber.
Prediction: Camozzi via Decision (UD)
Jake Ellenberger -165 v Nate Marquardt 145
Analysis: Jake Ellenberger has transitioned very well from a grappler to a striker. His wrestling ability, will most certainly be needed against the very heavy handed Nate Marquadt. For Marquadt, this will be his first fight back in the UFC, since his first stint ended rather unceremoniously, due to a failed drug test. In his last fight, Marquardt lost the now defunct Strikeforce title to Tarec Saffedine in a surprising upset. He will certainly be looking to make a statement at the expense of Ellenburger. However, Ellenberger should be able to utilize his wrestling to keep the strikes of Marquardt relegated to the ground.
Prediction: Ellenberger via TKO rd 3
Carlos Condit 115 v Johny Hendricks -135 Co Main Event
Analysis: This is the most interesting match up of the night. Both fighters are well versed on the ground, however both prefer to stand. Johny Hendricks may maintain the edge on power, but Carlos Condit has more diverse striking, more experience, and one hell of a chin! Hendricks will certainly be looking to land that trade mark ‘Big Rig’ left hand, but if he telegraphs it, or loads up too much he could very easily get picked apart. Condit, is known for being very difficult to track down, as in he was in the Diaz fight.
Prediction: Condit via Decision (Split)
Georges St-Pierre -550 v Nick Diaz 425
Analysis: Finally MMA fans around the world will get to see the fight they have been waiting for, for over 3 years. With the feud coming to a head at the press conference and the weigh in, both fighters seem to be chomping at the bit to get at each other. This kind of behavior is nothing new for Nick Diaz, but the outbursts and anger are something new for the normally reserved champion GSP. Diaz has apparently succeeded in getting under St. Pierre’s skin, and if he can goad him into a slug fest he actually has a very good chance of winning! If GSP decideds to grind down the brash challenger with his wrestling, he will not be free from danger either, as Diaz is an accomplished Brazilian Jujitsu Black Belt under Cesar Gracie, and has 8 wins via submission in his career, many of those were from his back. For St. Pierre, he will need to rely on his athleticism, to move in and out of the slower Diaz’s range. If he can use his jab, and his take downs the way he did against Josh Koscheck, Nick Diaz is in for a very long and frustrating night.
Prediction: GSP via Decision (UD)
THE CLINCH REPORT 