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Coming off back to back 4-1 performances, I'm hoping for perfection this time
around at UFC 94.. Here's how I see it:
Karo “The Heat” Parisyan (26-5) vs. Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim (10-0-1)
Parisyan is in must-win mode after a couple losses and pulling out due to
injury for his last scheduled fight. Kim is a relatively new to the Octagon.
Parisyan will need to control the fight on the ground which he is very capable
of whereas Kim has a striking advantage I think. Experience matters and gives
Parisyan a big advantage there in the Octagon. However there are rumors he's
not wanting to fight and might pull out today. In MMA, it seems where there's
smoke, there's fire so I'm going with the upset.
THE PICK: DONG HYUN KIM ROUND 2 TKO
Nate Diaz (10-2) vs. Clay “The Carpenter” Guida (24-6)
I think this is the toughest fight of the night to pick. A clash of styles. Diaz is
methodical and extremely talented on the ground. The former TUF Champ
goes against Guida, a guy who never seems to tire and always pushes the
pace. Diaz will want to get this to the ground as quickly as possible. A stand-
up game favors Guida. The challenge will be for Guida's manic style to slow
down some so he doesn't get caught in a submission if this fight hits the
canvas. I think Guida's aggression gets him a decision.
THE PICK: CLAY GUIDA BY DECISION
Stephan “The American Psycho” Bonnar (14-4) vs. Jon “Bones” Jones (7-0)
Jones has a big chance to make a name for himself with a win over Bonnar.
He's got great wrestling and is working on his hands. He's still faily new to the
MMA game. Bonnar needs to be careful in this fight. He can't be too
aggressive because Jones can take him down and try to ground and pound.
Bonnar will use his experience and outpoint Jones but look for Jones to be a
force in a couple years in the UFC.
THE PICK: STEPHAN BONNAR BY DECISION
Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida (13-0) vs. Thiago Silva (13-0)
The biggest fight of both men's careers. The winner gets newly crowned
LightHeavyweight Champion Rashad Evans this summer. Machida is a big
favorite in this one. He's got an impressive resume with wins over BJ Penn,
Rich Franklin and Tito Ortiz. Another fight that features a difference in
styles. Machida is more deliberate. He's calculating in his moves. Silva is
aggressive. He goes after his opponent and tries to finish. It'll be interesting
to see how Machida responds to having an opponent push the pace and really
go after him. Silva I think will be a little too aggressive and Machida will
counterstrike effectively and outpoint him.
THE PICK: LYOTO MACHIDA BY DECISION
Georges “Rush” St. Pierre (17-2) vs. BJ “The Prodigy” Penn (14-4-1)
The winner of this one becomes the #2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world
behind Anderson Silva. Penn is out for revenge. He lost a narrow split
decision to St. Pierre and knows he's a better fighter as he said on the shows
leading up to this epic collision tomorrow night. St. Pierre knows he's on the
big stage once again. When he first hit the big stage as Champion, he got
demolished by the right hand of Matt Serra. BJ Penn never seems bothered
by the big stage. He is one of the most consistent fighters in the game
today. When their standing up, BJ is the better boxer for sure. He has
dynamite hands and has busted St. Pierre up before. St. Pierre has very good
kicks. He needs to use those to try to keep BJ away. St. Pierre has a
wrestling advantage and has great takedowns. He's taken former wrestlers
down at will. BJ has outstanding jiujitsu though and won't be submitted. He
has uncanny flexibility and wiggles out of takedowns. This is a pretty even
fight skill wise. I think it comes down to desire and stamina. Who wants to
win more? Who can hang in there for five rounds? BJ will go down as the most
dominate 155 pounder ever. This fight though is at 170. I think St. Pierre has
the conditioning to still be strong in rounds four and five. BJ will win the
fight early. I think both win will come out and want to throw hands early and
BJ will get the better of it. St. Pierre will get the win on points by controlling
those later rounds by taking the fight to the ground and controlling BJ there.
THE PICK: GEORGE ST. PIERRE BY DECISION 48-47
We'd like to send our condolences to the family of Helio Gracie. He is a
legend in the MMA world and without he inspiring his sons, UFC wouldn't be
what it is today. His son Rorian Gracie was an original founder of UFC and his
other son Royce was the first ever UFC Champion and now is in the UFC Hall
of Fame. Helio leaves a great legacy behind and will be missed.
around at UFC 94.. Here's how I see it:
Karo “The Heat” Parisyan (26-5) vs. Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim (10-0-1)
Parisyan is in must-win mode after a couple losses and pulling out due to
injury for his last scheduled fight. Kim is a relatively new to the Octagon.
Parisyan will need to control the fight on the ground which he is very capable
of whereas Kim has a striking advantage I think. Experience matters and gives
Parisyan a big advantage there in the Octagon. However there are rumors he's
not wanting to fight and might pull out today. In MMA, it seems where there's
smoke, there's fire so I'm going with the upset.
THE PICK: DONG HYUN KIM ROUND 2 TKO
Nate Diaz (10-2) vs. Clay “The Carpenter” Guida (24-6)
I think this is the toughest fight of the night to pick. A clash of styles. Diaz is
methodical and extremely talented on the ground. The former TUF Champ
goes against Guida, a guy who never seems to tire and always pushes the
pace. Diaz will want to get this to the ground as quickly as possible. A stand-
up game favors Guida. The challenge will be for Guida's manic style to slow
down some so he doesn't get caught in a submission if this fight hits the
canvas. I think Guida's aggression gets him a decision.
THE PICK: CLAY GUIDA BY DECISION
Stephan “The American Psycho” Bonnar (14-4) vs. Jon “Bones” Jones (7-0)
Jones has a big chance to make a name for himself with a win over Bonnar.
He's got great wrestling and is working on his hands. He's still faily new to the
MMA game. Bonnar needs to be careful in this fight. He can't be too
aggressive because Jones can take him down and try to ground and pound.
Bonnar will use his experience and outpoint Jones but look for Jones to be a
force in a couple years in the UFC.
THE PICK: STEPHAN BONNAR BY DECISION
Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida (13-0) vs. Thiago Silva (13-0)
The biggest fight of both men's careers. The winner gets newly crowned
LightHeavyweight Champion Rashad Evans this summer. Machida is a big
favorite in this one. He's got an impressive resume with wins over BJ Penn,
Rich Franklin and Tito Ortiz. Another fight that features a difference in
styles. Machida is more deliberate. He's calculating in his moves. Silva is
aggressive. He goes after his opponent and tries to finish. It'll be interesting
to see how Machida responds to having an opponent push the pace and really
go after him. Silva I think will be a little too aggressive and Machida will
counterstrike effectively and outpoint him.
THE PICK: LYOTO MACHIDA BY DECISION
Georges “Rush” St. Pierre (17-2) vs. BJ “The Prodigy” Penn (14-4-1)
The winner of this one becomes the #2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world
behind Anderson Silva. Penn is out for revenge. He lost a narrow split
decision to St. Pierre and knows he's a better fighter as he said on the shows
leading up to this epic collision tomorrow night. St. Pierre knows he's on the
big stage once again. When he first hit the big stage as Champion, he got
demolished by the right hand of Matt Serra. BJ Penn never seems bothered
by the big stage. He is one of the most consistent fighters in the game
today. When their standing up, BJ is the better boxer for sure. He has
dynamite hands and has busted St. Pierre up before. St. Pierre has very good
kicks. He needs to use those to try to keep BJ away. St. Pierre has a
wrestling advantage and has great takedowns. He's taken former wrestlers
down at will. BJ has outstanding jiujitsu though and won't be submitted. He
has uncanny flexibility and wiggles out of takedowns. This is a pretty even
fight skill wise. I think it comes down to desire and stamina. Who wants to
win more? Who can hang in there for five rounds? BJ will go down as the most
dominate 155 pounder ever. This fight though is at 170. I think St. Pierre has
the conditioning to still be strong in rounds four and five. BJ will win the
fight early. I think both win will come out and want to throw hands early and
BJ will get the better of it. St. Pierre will get the win on points by controlling
those later rounds by taking the fight to the ground and controlling BJ there.
THE PICK: GEORGE ST. PIERRE BY DECISION 48-47
We'd like to send our condolences to the family of Helio Gracie. He is a
legend in the MMA world and without he inspiring his sons, UFC wouldn't be
what it is today. His son Rorian Gracie was an original founder of UFC and his
other son Royce was the first ever UFC Champion and now is in the UFC Hall
of Fame. Helio leaves a great legacy behind and will be missed.