Posts Tagged ‘Melvin Guillard’

UFC on FX Fight Prediction and Analysis

Posted: January 19, 2012 in Combat Sports, UFC
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
0

Fight Predictions For UFC on FX

Pat Barry (6-4 MMA) vs. Christian Morecraft (7-2 MMA)

Analysis: Both fighters need to perform to keep their jobs. Morecraft will try to utilize his wrestling skills to take advantage of Barry’s known weakness. However, Barry has been working with Brock Lesnar, and Cole Konrad on specifically his wrestling weakness. He will look to keep the fight standing, and look for one of his K-1 knockouts.

Prediction: Barry 2nd rd TKO

Mike Easton (11-1 MMA) vs. Jared Papazian (14-6-1 NC MMA)

Analysis: Papazian is a champion, and has been in a few memorable fights, however this is his first foray in the octagon.  Easton, is a BJJ black belt, who trains with Dominick Cruz regularly on his stand up. He is coming off his debut victory at UFC Versus 6, and will look to welcome the new kid to the block with a quick loss.

Prediction: Easton Dec

Duane Ludwig (29-11 MMA)vs. Josh Neer (32-10-1 MMA)

Analysis: This is going to be the fight of the night. Both fighters are extremely seasoned and ready to make divisional statements. Ludwig, is known for being the holder of the unofficial fastest knockout in history. Neer is known for being equally deadly on his feet or on the ground. It would suit Ludwig to keep the fight standing, where he may possess a slight advantage. Neer will have to survive the big shots, to get inside and take this fight to the ground.

Prediction: Ludwig Dec

Jim Miller (20-3 MMA) vs. Melvin Guillard (40-10-3 MMA)

Analysis: Nothing motivates a fighter more, than losing his status as a contender with derailing loss. Both of these fighters are in that position. An impressive win would reignite the momentum for either one of these fighters, while the loser would certainly move further down the rankings. Jim Miller is a extremely well rounded fighter, his grappling is world class. Guillard is one of the divisions most athletic fighters with explosive striking. His glaring weakness is his suspect ground game. His strikes will take a toll on a opponent with a strong chin, but eventually a savvy  wrestler will penetrate that barrage, enabling the shot. Miller has an exceptional chin, if he can withstand the initial attack he should be able to get the fight to the mat.

Prediction: Miller submission rd 2

Barbosa kicks his way into title contention? Not so fast!

Posted: January 17, 2012 in Combat Sports, UFC
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Edson Barboza(10-0 MMA) recently solved Terry Etim’s(15-4 MMA) sleeping disorder at UFC 142, by introducing him to heal therapy. Barboza’s spinning heel kick landed squarely across Etim’s jaw, instantly forcing his limp body to fall dramatically. like a fallen tree.
As the crowd watched in shock, the referee dove to protect the unconscious fighter. In his native Brazil, initial shock briefly staved off Barboza’s celebration. However soon, the young fighter was in tears as he celebrated in his native tongue!

The knockout overshadowed a very good performance by Terry Etim. The three rounds leading up to the knockout were very entertaining, and the UFC acknowledged that by awarding the bout “Fight of the Night” honors. For their efforts each fighter was awarded a $65,000 bonus. Barboza, also earned another $65,000 with the flashy “Knockout of the Night” bonus. The payday was by far the young Brazilian’s largest to date. The attention has already put Barboza’s name in mouths of pundits as a possible contender for the 155 lb title.

Barboza has a very rough road ahead, before he can be ready for those expectations. The lightweight division, is by far the UFC’s deepest division, regarding talent. With fighters such as Renan Berao, Donald Cerrone, Nate Diaz, Benson Henderson already underneath champion Frankie Edgar, Barboza’s success is still not assured.

In order to make it to the elite ranks in the lightweight division, Edson Barboza will most likely have to face a fighter such as: Joe Lauzon, Thiago Tavares, Sam Stout, or even Melvin Guillard or Jim Miller. If Barboza can show his striking prowess against fighters of this caliber, then it will be time to start putting expectations on time-lines. Until then, just make sure to tune in for his fights, because they are usually exciting.