My Midterm Grades
Posted by Tommy Hackett on April 25th, 2009
OK, time to face the music. Starting with my predictions for Affliction: Day of Reckoning, and finishing with UFC 97, I’ve provided my opinions for most of the 2009’s big MMA events. We have hit about mid-term and I think it’s about time to see how many chips I’ve kept on the table. I of course do not gamble and just do this for fun (perhaps luckily, as we will see)…
AFFLICTION: DAY OF RECKONING was a show I looked forward to and it didn’t disappoint. Man, I hope these guys find a way to survive!
Main Event: Emilialenenko Fedor vs. Andrei Arlovski. What I expected: Fedor, TKO3. “People will analyze and overanalyze, but there is simply nothing in Arlovski’s history that tells me he can weather Fedor’s unorthodox standup, or cope with Fedor’s groundwork.” Wow, are all my sentances that awkward? At least I wasn’t far off with the result: Arlovski’s chin gave out earlier than I expected and Fedor took the win by KO in round 1.
Josh Barnett vs. Gilbert Yvel: What I expected, Barnett by submission, round 2. “Expect Barnett to ground the “Hurricane” out and catch him in an armlock in the second round.” The result: Barnett by T/KO r3. I was pretty close here too. Josh didn’t chance any submissions, but dominated until Yvel gave in to his strikes on the mat.
Matt Lindland vs. Vitor Belfort: What I wrote: “I’d love to see Belfort get a KO here, but I think I’ve been saying that since about 1998. I think a slow decision win for Lindland is the most likely outcome.” Result, Belfort by KO in round 1. ARRGH! Just when I stop believing in him, Vitor starts looking like a new man at middleweight. I hang my head, but in a happy way.
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Renato Sobral: What I wrote: “Sokodjou can really pound someone out if they’re not careful, as in the case of his career-making knockouts of Rogerio and Arona; but it’s hard for me to believe Gracie Barra won’t make sure Sobral is careful. I actually think he can get Soko down early, and get a submission in round one.” Result, Sobral by submission round 1. Unfortunately, a Sokodjou loss by submission in round one has become the easiest call to make since Pete Spratt was an active fighter in the early 2000’s.
UFC 94: Penn vs. St Pierre was another excellent show. Put three pound-for-pound entrants on a card, two of them against one another, and you’ve got my PPV $$$.
Main Event: BJ Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre: What I wrote: “Look for some strong work in standup (from BJ), some good moments in the guard, but GSP’s stronger takedowns and better conditioning to carry the day. I’m picking GSP by decision.” RESULT: GSP by T/KO 5. Penn had fewer bright moments than I expected, but… fairly accurate.
Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva: I wrote that “Silva is skilled and has power, but it won’t matter when he can’t catch up to his opponent, and frankly, I find this guy a little overrated. Machida by decision.” RESULT: Machida by T/KO 1. I was reading too much Allan Conceiaco or something — this was a mismatch and I should have seen that. Machida is a pound for pound entrant and Silva is simply “good.”
Karo Parisyan vs. Dong Hyun Kim: I predicted, “I see the Korean using his reach advantage and strong defensive skills to frustrate Karo and eventually pound out a dull victory via T/KO in the third.” RESULT: No decision, as Karo’s decision win is overturned when he tests positive for banned substances. It was certainly dull though.
Nate Diaz vs. Clay Guida : I wrote (hilariously) “neither of these guys could have a dull fight if they tried. Expect back-and forth takedowns and strikes until someone gets caught, midway through the second round. My guess is that someone will be Guida.” RESULT: Guida wins by decision. He didn’t get caught and the exciting scrambles never really materialized. Guida has changed his approach since his fight with Huerta. He’s not as exciting, but he is winning.
And, it’s not a bad total of five correct winners out of seven, although to be honest, nothing stellar either. I failed to call the one major upset (Belfort/Lindland) and the Diaz/Guida fight, but otherwise, yeah, pretty accurate. I’m calling this a solid B so far.
Tomorrow, I’ll take account of the rest of the year, including the UFC which I blew so bad in my predictions that I even got the date wrong…
April 26th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
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