UFC 100 coverage

First of all, let me apologize to just now getting around to this as I just got home from the hotel.  We had to do breakfast to send my sister in law and her new husband off for their honeymoon and whatnot.  Now, on to the event that was UFC 100.  As you guys know I had to watch the event at a Hooter's down the street from the hotel, so that was an experience that I wouldn't care to replicate again.  I really dislike watching MMA with people that have no clue about what's going on.  I enjoyed the event, but not like I wanted to.  On to the fights:

• Yoshihiro Akiyama/Alan Belcher-I knew this was going to be a competitive fight and it sure lived up to my expectations as the fight was pretty close.  I think both fighters had their moments, but Akiyama controlled Belcher a bit more, especially in the second round with the take down.  He was also able to drop Belcher and score a take down near the end of the fight which essentially won the fight for him in my eyes.  I had scored the fight 29-28 Akiyama, and was a little surprised by one judge scoring all the rounds for him.  However, the first round was razor close and I can understand a judge giving that round to Akiyama.  He performed relatively well besides appearing to be gassed at certain points during his UFC debut.  Belcher is a tough kid and overcoming the UFC jitters at the largest event in it's history was impressive. 
• Michael Bisping/Dan Henderson-See, I knew I should have picked Henderson damn it!  Anyways, Bisping never looked comfortable in there but I was surprised that he was absorbing the big right from Henderson.  He got tagged a couple of times in the first round and was able to survive.  In the second round he seemed to find his rhythm a little better, but that big right Henderson threw landed right on the button.  I didn't really like the follow up shot that Hendo threw as he knew Bisping was out, but Bisping had talked A LOT of smack leading up to this fight.  So it's understandable that Hendo would want to do that.  Bisping did make good on one promise though, as he didn't get taken down.  Too bad he got taken OUT though.
• GSP/Thiago Alves-This fight went how I expected pretty much.  GSP possesses the best tools of any MMA fighter in MMA point blank period.  He can take you down at will, he can strike, and he can grapple.  Thiago showed tons of heart, but the reach disadvantage(which I didn't know was that big) proved to be the difference.  All of his punches and kicks came up short, allowing GSP to time them and score take downs.  I really think GSP could beat Anderson Silva and that's a fight that needs to happen.
• Brock Lesnar/Frank Mir-I pretty much called this one as did many of us here at MMA4Real.  Frank Mir got treated like he was Lesnar's little brother and they were wrestling in the back yard or something.  The crowd at Hooters was anti-Lesnar.  I told them what was going to happen before the fight started, but they didn't believe me.  They lost.  LOL.  I couldn't beleive that Lesnar said what he said in the post-fight interview in regards to Bud Light.  I've since read that he has apologized for those remarks.  That's definitely something that he and Zuffa want to avoid.  Then again, maybe that will get Coors to pay the $100K to sponsor Lesnar?  Ok, enough of the playing around....let's see Lesnar/Fedor.
• Jon Fitch/Paulo Thiago-This fight went just as I knew it would with Fitch winning a grinding decision.  Since Thiago Alves lost, is Fitch the #2 WW in the world though?  I don't know about that one.

Give us your thoughts on the event.  I'll be back with more on GSP, Jon Jones, Mark Coleman,  and Lesnar.  I'll also have the results from the MMA4Real Betting game up later on as well.  The quick results are after the jump.

UFC 100 coverage

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UFC 100 coverage

Brock Lesnar Vs. Frank Mir
	Name: Brock Lesnar Height: 6' 3" (191 cm) Weight: 265 (120 kg) Record: 3-1-0			Name: Frank Mir Height: 6' 3" (191 cm) Weight: 240 (109 kg) Record: 12-3-0
Rich Wyatt-Two VERY confident heavyweights doing battle here. I'll be rooting for Mir but I predict "Penis Sword" by ground and pound TKO early. Lesnar by TKO in the 1st.   Charles Walker-I think this is Brock's fight to lose.  He's quicker than Mir, he's stronger than Mir, and he's a much better wrestler than Mir.  With that said, Mir has the psychological advantage as Lesnar now knows that he has to be cautious in certain situations but I think he's learned from that situation and will keep the fight standing and take him out...in the first round, this fight just doesn't have back and forth war written on it Matt Bishop-There is one way Frank Mir wins this fight: armbar. That's it. Frank Mir has one move to win this fight. Frank Mir is not a world-class striker like he believes he is. If he stands with Lesnar he will get hurt. Lesnar is smart, ultra-motivated and will take this one before the championship rounds, making for one heck of a rubber match down the road provided he doesn't completely kill Mir's spirit. Lesnar by second round TKO. Kelvin Hunt-I just don't buy into the hype that Mir has created around himself.  If he stands and trades he's gonna get KTFO.  If he is on his back..I don't see him being able to catch Lesnar in a sub this time.  Brock TKO Rd. 2

Georges St-Pierre Vs. Thiago Alves
	Name: Georges St-Pierre Height: 5' 10" (178 cm) Weight: 170 (77 kg) Record: 18-2-0	"Rush"		Name: Thiago Alves Height: 5' 9" (175 cm) Weight: 170 (77 kg) Record: 22-4-0	"Pit bull"
Rich Wyatt-Alves is a worthy challenger and a world class fighter but St. Pierre has been on another level for awhile now. GSP by TKO in the 3rd.   Charles Walker-Alves will definitely pose a problem standing but how long do you think this fight will stay standing, once GSP gets his 'riddum' I think it's a wrap for Alves, who is big but as I said, his bread and butter is his leg kicks which he uses to come forward and throw combinations...which he won't be able to do against GSP who will eventually get a hold of one of his legs and turn his head into hamburger meat. Matt Bishop-This fight is so under the radar it's ridiculous. That being said, this is a legitimate fight of the year candidate. If St-Pierre can get his takedowns and avoid Alves' power, he stands a very good chance of winning this fight. Alves needs to utilize leg kicks to take power out of GSP's takedowns and pepper away with jabs. GSP needs to fight his usual fight to be successful This is going to be an incredibly close fight. GSP by decision. Kelvin Hunt-I think this will be a war with GSP's cardio taking over in the later rounds, along with the massive weight cut that Alves had to do.  Alves has never been 5 rounds and GSP has, and I see GSP finishing Alves late in the 4th round via TKO.

Jon Fitch Vs. Paulo Thiago
	Name: Jon Fitch Height: 6' 0" (183 cm) Weight: 170 (77 kg) Record: 22-3-0, 1 NC			Name: Paulo Thiago Height: 5' 11" (180 cm) Weight: 170 (77 kg) Record: 11-0-0
Rich Wyatt-Fitch by decision Charles Walker-Fitch....but I think it'll be a decision win Matt Bishop-Jon Fitch easily avenges his teammates loss with a dominating decision win. Kelvin Hunt-I think Fitch should just keep this fight standing.  He has an iron chin and adequate standup.  I'm say Fitch via decision

Dan Henderson Vs. Michael Bisping
	Name: Dan Henderson Height: 6' 1" (185 cm) Weight: 205 (93 kg) Record: 24-7-0	"Hendo"		Name: Michael Bisping Height: 6' 2" (188 cm) Weight: 185 (84 kg) Record: 18-1-0	"The Count"
Rich Wyatt-Can't wait to see this fight. I think Dan's edges in experience and wrestling will pay off. I've got Henderson winning a close one. Henderson by decision. Charles Walker-I have to go with the upset here.  Henderson falls in love with his standup alot of times and Bisping is much quicker and crisper with the strikes, it'll look similar to Franklin/Hendo but Hendo will be on the wrong side of the decision this time. Matt Bishop-See, the thing here is that Henderson almost always looks better at 205 pounds. Bisping, meanwhile, has been very effective at 185 pounds. Smart money goes with Henderson by decision in this one, but I certainly don't count Bisping out like I did when this fight was first announced. If Bisping can keep distance and avoid being taken down/get right back up, it's his fight to lose, honestly. There's almost no doubt in my mind that this one goes to decision. With the styles of these two fighters, this could very well come down to who the judges are. Ruh-roh. Henderson by decision. Kelvin Hunt-This is the one fight that has me torn.  I want to pick Henderson via decision SO bad that I can't stand it.  He's the quicker fighter and has more offensive tools.  I'm going to go with my gut and and the upset to say Bisping via decision.

Yoshihiro Akiyama Vs. Alan Belcher
	Name: Yoshihiro Akiyama Height: 5' 10" (178 cm) Weight: 185 (84 kg) Record: 12-1-0, 2 NC			Name: Alan Belcher Height: 6' 2" (188 cm) Weight: 185 (84 kg) Record: 13-4-0	"The Talent"
Rich Wyatt-Akiyama will take his first fight in the UFC seriously and come in prepared against a tough fighter in Belcher. Akiyama by Submission in the 2nd. Charles Walker- I gotta go with Akiyama here...Belcher's decent on the feet and is competent wherever the fight goes but I think Akiyama hits him, hits him hard and throws him off and then uses his judo to take him down and beat on him..however, I think Belcher survives and we go to a decision...for Akiyama   Matt Bishop-Alan Belcher gets another stern test in Yoshihiro Akiyama, but make no mistake, Akiyama is not going to run into or make a stupid mistake like Denis Kang did in January. Akiyama takes this by second round TKO. Kelvin Hunt-Although Belcher wouldn't be a bad underdog pick, I think Akiyama's power will be too much for Belcher's chin.  Akiyama via 2nd Round TKO.

UFC 100 coverage

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UFC 100 coverage

You will also be able to watch the pre-fight press conference(4pm EST Thursday), Weigh In's(7pm EST Friday), and the post-fight press conference which will air after the event has ended via the player above.  Be sure to join MMA4Real on Saturday night for the open thread and discussion as we always do for major events.

UFC 100 coverage

TUF 6 Winner "Mac Danzig"

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We all know that UFC 100 is a historic event with many story lines coming and going as we near the event.  However, one story that many people have probably forgotten amongst the excitement is that TUF 6 winner Mac Danzig is fighting on the prelims of the event.  He will be fighting the always tough Jim Miller who is coming off his first loss in almost 3 years.  Whereas Mac Danzig has lost his last two fights in the UFC, and a third loss could see Zuffa cutting ties with the TUF 6 winner.  We just saw a similar situation with Joe Stevenson, who was the TUF 2 winner and had lost back to back fights before pulling out a win against Nate Diaz.  If Danzig loses this fight, it could result in the first time that we have seen Zuffa release one of it's TUF winners from their contracts.  It's going to be a tough fight for both guys as both are fairly well rounded with Danzig maybe having an advantage standing.  Miller probably has the advantage with wrestling, and Danzig has had problems with being taken down in the past.  See the Clay Guida fight.  I'm sure Miller doesn't want to lose two fights in a row, and Danzig has to know it's do or die for him at this moment in his UFC career.  This could turn out to be an absolute war.  Who do you see coming out on top?   

UFC 100 coverage

Jon Jones

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Jon Jones spoke with MMAMania:

"The first component of my strategy is to stay on my feet and outstrike him. I have worked on my takedown defense a lot. I think it’s going to be hard for him to take me down. He is used to fighting big, slow heavyweights. I will be a different animal. I will be something he has never seen before with my striking and speed."

"I will also look to mix it up in the wrestling department. Gusmao and Bonnar are both good at jiu-jitsu so my game plan was to take them down, score some points and not be on the ground for an extended period of time."

"It’s different with O’Brien because I can take him down, get into scrambles with him, roll with him, go for submissions and reversals and not worry about some slick Gracie technique that I haven’t seen before."

"I will fight him a lot differently. You will get to see a lot more of my fight style. You will see my ground game. You will get to see my takedowns, my takedown defense. I won’t know how strong he truly is until I grab him but I am very confident in my strength."

I pretty much agree with Jones and his initial assessment in that he'll be too quick for O'Brien.  I hope this fight makes the telecast, as I'm curious to see how Jones does against a decent wrestler.  I hope he can end this find emphatically and make a big statement to the UFC LHW division.  How do you all see this fight going down?