EliteXC and CBS - thoughts?

Well, as we've heard, EliteXC announced a partnership with CBS that will bring 4 events per year to prime time television. This is obviously a huge announcement considering the UFC was trying to do the exact same thing. There are rumblings that the UFC may sign a deal with FOX while also keeping things on SPIKE. In any case, having EliteXC on primetime will be great. This could really draw some big names to the EliteXC name. With Tim Silvia and Andrei Arlovski possibly leaving the UFC, the EliteXC might be a home for them if they thing they will be fighting on prime time. This could also possibly give Kimbo some future competition. In any case, I will be watching these EliteXC promotions on Saturday nights.

My Take on UFC 82

MAIN CARD
• Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson (for the UFC Middleweight Title)

As always, these two will start feeling each other out with Henderson taking on a late surge in the first round and ending on top of Silva. The second round, Silva will try and clinch but Henderson will continue to take the fight to the ground. Silva will try some submissions and eventually both will stand. The third round is where Silva will break out and connect on a series of punches and kicks and bring Dan Henderson down. I say Silva will win in round three via TKO to retain the UFC Middleweight Title!

• Heath Herring vs. Cheick Kongo

This is a very intriguing match up. Kongo is very strong and fights very well standing up being that he is a former kickboxer. Now, Herring is a jack of all trades and loves to punch it out as well. Early on, Herring looked good against Nogueira as Kongo looked good against Cro Cop. This really could be a toss up but I'm going to go with Herring winning via Unanimous Decision.

• Alessio Sakara vs. Chris Leben

This is Sakara's first fight at middleweight so it should be interesting to see how Leben reacts. I believe that round 1 will be a feel out process with Leben almost giving away to Sakara...but in round 2, Leben comes together and catches Sakara with a combo and drops him to the mat. Leben wins in round 2 via KO and ruins Sakara's debut at middleweight.

• Yushin Okami vs. Evan Tanner

I really like Evan Tanner. From what I've read, he's really changed his ways and I would love to see him come out ahead. I've read quite a bit about his training at evantanner.net and just learned more and more about him. Now, Yushin Okami we know is very strong. We've heard it from multiple fighters. I'm thinking that Okami will come out on top here in round 2. He will be way too strong, won't get caught in any of Tanner's submissions and will win via referee stoppage. Okami via TKO round 2.

• Chris Wilson vs. Jon Fitch

Fitch is too strong. He's on a roll and I don't see him losing to Chris Wilson. Wilson is a sub so we should see how well he prepared for someone like Jon Fitch. I'm going to go with Jon Fitch via rear naked choke in round 1.

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Jake O’Brien vs. Andrei Arlovski

Arlovski's last fight was in April of 2007. He's had a long layoff, but I don't think it will hurt him too much. I think the two will feel each other out for the first round with the crowd giving plenty of boos but then in the second round Arlovski will come alive and beat O'Brien via GNP with the referee stepping in and giving him his first loss.

• Luigi Fioravanti vs. Luke Cummo

Fioravanti is a tough kid, but after a promising fight against Menne, he lost back to back against Jon Fitch and Forrest Petz. He went outside the UFC and won via TKO however I think that Cummo will be too much and will win via Unanimous Decision.

• Dustin Hazelett vs. Josh Koscheck

Like I said in my earlier post, KOS by TKO in round 1.

• John Halverson vs. Jorge Gurgel

I'm thinking that Halverson is going to upset Gurgel's homecoming. Gurgel lost the last time he was in Ohio and I don't see him beating Halverson. I sure hope it doesn't end this way but I'm thinking Halverson by Unanimous Decision

• David Bielkheden vs. Diego Sanchez

Sanchez won't lose three in a row. I think he comes out a little tentative, but ultimately he will pull it together. I see it as a unanimous decision with Sanchez winning.

Hazelett vs Koscheck who wins?

This is a very interesting match up. I almost want to say Koscheck is going to mop the floor with Hazelett. Hazelett lost to Tony DeSouza via submission and I'm not really a DeSouza fan. Koscheck has lost...yes...but to GSP and Fickett...and in the Fickett fight he got caught. I just see Koscheck as too strong for Hazelett but if he doesn't control his strength he might get caught in a submission like he did with Fickett. I'm going to say Koscheck wins in the first round by TKO. Anyone else want to put in a guess?

UFC Fight Night 13 (3 hours/5 fights)

This should be a fun evening. This card is stacked with talent and it is nice to see that SPIKE extended the broadcast to be 3 hours which will allow us fans to see 5 or possibly 6 matches on TV. Here is what MMAWeekly has for a Televised Card right now:

• Kenny Florian vs. Joe Lauzon
• Thiago Alves vs. Karo Parisyan
• Tim Boetsch vs. Matt Hamill
• Nate Diaz vs. Kurt Pellegrino
• Houston Alexander vs. James Irvin
• Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard (swing bout; may not be televised)

These are some nice match ups. Hopefully we will see some good fights and some KO's!

Hermes Franca

I'm sure everyone read on MMAJunkie or some other MMA fight that Hermes was relieved of his UFC contract. At first, I thought this was done by the UFC but after reading the article I saw that Hermes was the one who wanted out. What's interesting is that he wants out so he can earn a salary elsewhere, but then the athletic commission tells him that if he fights outside of the country to earn money that they will never let him fight in the states again. So, now he's out of his UFC contract, can't fight until July and has to make ends meet by doing seminars. Wouldn't someone in this position think about this before asking to be released? Anyway, I found it odd, but it should be interesting to see where Hermes ends up and when he'll be back in the UFC.

Brock Lesnar vs Justin McCully Maybe?

This would be a perfect fight for Brock Lesnar. McCully is a soft heavyweight who likes to bang. We know that Lesnar can throw and wrestle and with a fight against McCully he wouldn't be worried too much about a submission. However, if I was Tito's camp, I would definitely change my game plan and try to submit Lesnar. This should be interesting if it gets booked. We should see in the coming days/weeks.

John Koppenhaver

Wow, I didn't realize that the UFC signed Koppenhaver to a 10 fight deal. That's not too bad considering he didn't do that well on the show. However, I guess after he did so well against Jared Rollins they figured he was worth it. He's a little unstable as a fighter so it should be interesting to see who they match him up with next. It will probably be a newcomer or another TUF alum on a later fight night.

Liddell's book

Anyone pick this up yet? My dad told me he saw it at Borders. I might have to pick it up to see what it's all about. I guess it made it on the best sellers list for the second week in a row. Isn't that cool....I guess?? Tito's book should be out soon too. We should wait and see how that will do.

David Terrell

I saw that David Terrell was dropped from the UFC. He was a good fighter before all of his injuries. It should be interesting to see who he signs with and how well he does when he's not hurt. I remember he fought Evan Tanner (who will be fighting coming up) for the middleweight belt...started out well, but got beat!

Werdum vs. Vera!!

Well, I don't know about anyone else out there, but I enjoy watching Brandon Vera fight. I know he lost his last match against Tim Silvia, but that hand must have been a big reason. Now, Werdum's first fight in the UFC was rather boring. He lost to Arlovski but it just wasn't a good fight for either of them. He did turn it around against Gonzaga so hopefully this should be a good fight. Time will tell if this match pans out.

Kim Couture's Debut

So, what are the thoughts on Kim Couture moving to MMA? Maybe she should fight Fedor? Maybe Kim and Randy could tag team?

UFC Fight Night 3 hours!

This is pretty cool to hear. It should be interesting to see how the televised card gets changed. There is a rumor that Nate Diaz will be added to the card. This is of course a huge card and I can't wait to see how things go.

Who should Kimbo fight next?

Well, in the last post, it appeared that some people would like to see Kimbo fight Ken Shamrock. Now, I've also heard that Paul Buentello has throw his name out there. Buentello is 23-10 (from fight finder) and has also knocked out Tank Abbott. Buentello is extremely experienced so it would be an interesting fight. So, who do you think he should fight next?

KIMBO vs. TANK

Well, Kimbo won....didn't sound like much of a fight. Did anyone see the fight yet. Who will Kimbo's next opponent be? In an article I read, they were talking about a possible match up with Ken Shamrock. We will see.

First Post

Well, this is the first post in an attempt to have a successful blog. I'd like to have a place to discuss upcoming events with others, and to get opinions and to just enjoy the world of MMA. All are welcome so feel free to post your thoughts.