My UFC 97 Picks
Posted by Tommy Hackett on April 11th, 2009
Usually before I put together these picks articles, I review a bit of film on each fighter, examine their recent history, and take some time to make educated predictions on how their bouts will play out. It’s been a good enough formula. But as you can see, I don’t have time for that. I’m about to end the Lenten fast and chow down on some roast pig instead. Still, deadlines are deadlines, and I think the card is easy enough to handicap anyway, so here goes…
Main Event, for the UFC Middleweight Championship: Anderson Silva (champion) vs. Thales Leites (challenger) For the second instance in just a few weeks time, MMA fans will have the pleasure of watching a pound-for-pound entrant defend his world championship. Last week, we had bantamweight king Miguel Angel Torres, who ended up in an unexpected fight of the year candidate with Takeya Mizugaki. Will we see a similarly spirited performance from Leites, stretching the champion much more than expected? It’s possible, but I doubt it. Leites is a tough jiu-jitsu player with good all-around skills, but he’s never been in with someone who moves like Silva. Look for the “Spider’s” superior footwork to set up jabs and kicks, and the finish to come in the plumb clinch or with strikes on the mat. Silva, T/KO 1. We may not have seen the best of Leites yet, but this is too much, too soon.
Light Heavyweights: Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua On the other hand, here are two guys who we appear to have already seen at their best, and may be approaching the twilight of their careers. Liddell didn’t impress me nearly as much as many fans when he defeated Wanderlei Silva in a gruelling but sloppy brawl. Rua hasn’t impressed much of anyone in his UFC run, losing decisively to Forrest Griffin and winning narrowly against Marc Coleman. Neither has displayed the skills and reflexes to compete with the best at this point, but no one will question Liddell’s toughness and I think that will make the difference. Look for both to plod about the ring looking to set up a right hand. When Rua’s attempts to grapple go nowhere, I expect Liddell’s counters to find their home, and force a stoppage late. Liddell, T/KO, round three.
Heavyweights: Cheik Kongo vs. Antoni Hardonk These two could combine for a nice Muay Thai showcase, but unfortunately I think that Kongo will look to take it to the mat where Hardonk has shown little skill at all. The Parisian, now training with the likes of Quentin Jackson and Michael Bisping, has shown a bit more acumen for MMA than the Dutchman, whose classic leg kicks won’t help here. Kongo will likely use his new skills in top control to keep Hardonk on the mat and pound his way to victory. Kongo, decision.
Light Heavyweights: Brian Stann vs. Krystof Soszynski Probably the most difficult fight to predict on the show, here we have two middle of the road light heavyweights looking to step into contention. Famous for his active career while serving in the US Marine Corp, Stann hits hard but lacks experience. Famous for his stint on TUF, Soszynski has 25 matches at 31, but it’s unclear if he’s going to step into contention, or play a gatekeeper role. I’m not sure we’ll get the answer here but I think he has the guile to get Stann where he wants him and set up a submission. Soszynski, submission, round 2.
April 11th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I’m fairly sure this is not tonight.
April 11th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
HA! I edited a little to avoid disinformation, but I’m keeping the article up.
TH
April 26th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
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