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Sam's Picks
Main Card
Ian McCall vs. Demetrious Johnson: I am seriously excited
for this fight. Their first outing is one of the best fights that I have ever
seen and if it weren’t shrouded by controversy, then a majority of the fans
would agree. The first round of their first fight was a very close one. McCall
scored an early inside trip but eventually Johnson reversed with McCall
standing up shortly thereafter. Johnson was landing more shots but McCall once
again scored another trip takedown. After they stood up again, Johnson landed a
solid hook and hurt McCall but didn’t do anything to really capitalize on it.
It could have gone either way but I scored it 10-9 McCall based on his
takedowns. The second round was close again. Johnson was the busier striker,
like the first, but he was landing more sold shots, though none of them hurting
McCall. McCall was not able to score any takedowns this round and due to this, I
gave the second round to Johnson, 10-9. The third round was another story.
Remember, heading into this flyweight tournament, there was a 4th
sudden victory round incase of a draw. So in this round, McCall came out as the
busier fighter. He was landing more combinations and getting better of the
exchanges. McCall eventually tied up and did a mini supplex to get the back of
Johnson. He was pounding on him for about 15 seconds and eventually Johnson
escaped back to his feet. McCall continued to win the standup and repeated the
supplex and got his back again. He almost finished the fight but Johnson was
saved by the bell. The third round was an easy 10-8 for McCall. Therefore, my
score for the fight was 29-27 for McCall, but the commission really dropped the
ball on this one. It was supposed to be a majority draw, but instead they
announced it as a split decision for Johnson. I said before that it was close
but I thought to myself that there is no way that Johnson won that fight. Well,
I was right. Johnson didn’t win the fight. Dana White’s worst nightmare came
true as the fight was a draw despite the fact that they had the 4th
sudden victory round. So this is why I am excited for this fight. The first was
amazing and I would not mind seeing another scrap between these two flyweights.
I believe that this fight will be similar but with McCall actually winning this
one = McCall by unanimous decision. My 1st pick for FOTN!
Charlie Brenneman vs. Erick Silva: Erick Silva is finally
taking a step up in competition. And it isn’t an easy one. Brenneman is a very
good wrestler with a shocking upset against one of the (at that time) fastest
rising prospects in MMA, Rick Story. He took the fight in less than 24-hour
notice and dominated the fight. Luckily, he was fighting someone else at the
time so he was already prepared. But the one thing that has really been
something that has haunted Brenneman is his chin. Both Anthony Johnson and
Johny Hendricks have finished him. Silva is a finisher and he is the new thing
at WW = Silva by 2nd round TKO. My pick for KOOTN!
Mike Pyle vs. Josh Neer: BARNBURNER ALERT: It seems that
almost every single one of Neer’s fights are always extremely entertaining.
This one will most likely be no different with Pyle involved. It will also most
likely a close fight, too. Pyle is one of the more underrated and
underappreciated fighters at welterweight and this is most likely because of his
losses to both Ellenberger and MacDonald. Out of these two, Pyle has fought the
better competition and I believe that it will show = Pyle by 3rd round
RNC.
Scott Jorgensen vs. Eddie Wineland: BARNBURNER ALERT: These
guys are 135 pounds of excitement. But the sad part about this fight is the fact
that it’s the type of fight in which they are both trying to keep themselves
relevant at bantamweight. Wineland was the first bantamweight champ in the WEC
and Jorgensen has always been right around that area in the title talks. Hopefully
neither of them will be cut if hey lose because they never fail to put on a
good fight, plus they both have had some tough competition in their UFC
careers. I see this fight being close in the standup but with Jorgensen edging
him out with being a busier striker = Jorgensen by unanimous decision. My 2nd
pick for FOTN!
Leonard Garcia vs. Matt Grice = Grice by 2nd round
submission.
Mike Pierce vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha = Pierce by split decision.
Seth Baczynski vs. Lance Benoist = Baczynski by 3rd
round submission (choke).
Dustin Pague vs. Jared Papazian = Papazian by 1st
round TKO. My 3rd pick for FOTN!
Tim Means vs. Justin Salas = Means by 3rd round
TKO. (Our exclusive interview with Means here)
Caio Magalhaes vs. Buddy Roberts = Magalhaes by split
decision.
Bernardo Magalhaes vs. Henry Martinez = Martinez by
unanimous decision.
Jake Hecht vs. Sean Pierson = Hecht by 2nd round
TKO.
Dave's Picks
Main Card
Demetrious Johnson vs. Ian McCall: Well, we got a repeat of
a fight of the year candidate. Now, most people complained about the outcome
because people thought McCall won (I thought he did too) but if it results in
these two fighting again, then how can you be upset?! I am so pumped for this
fight. When it comes to predicting the fight you obviously have to use their
first fight to help determine who might win. Johnson did catch McCall a few
times with solid punches but for the most part McCall dictated where the fight
went and dominated on the ground. McCall now knows exactly what he needs to do
and I think Johnson will not be able to fix that much in order to win. McCall
literally did whatever he wanted on the ground and if he can repeat that he can
win. If McCall fights smart and outwrestles Johnson then he takes this. =
McCall by unanimous decision. My Pick for Fight of the Night!
Charlie Brenneman vs. Erick Silva: This fight is the hardest
one to pick for me. Charlie Brenneman is a legit fighter with good wrestling
and control. Brenneman has way more experience on the big stage and has been
successful going 4-2 and even defeating Rick Story on short notice. Silva on
the other hand, has been too good. He has won 2 times (yeah, I am counting the
Prater fight as a win) in 1 minute and 9 seconds. Now both of those guys are
not as good as Brenneman but Silva has beaten some serious competition in
Brazil. This fight is hard to pick because I haven’t seen enough of Silva but
man is he a killer! That should be his nickname: “The Killer”. The dude goes
out to finish people. I think this will be Silva’s chance to show the world
that he is ready to go to an elite level. If Silva is able to destroy Brenneman,
then the sky is the limit and we could see him fighting for the title one day.
= Silva by TKO in round 2. My Pick for KO of the Night!
Josh Neer vs. Mike Pyle: Now both these guys are pretty
similar. They are long time vets with good ground games. However, Pyle has just
been facing, and for the most part defeating, a higher level of competition.
Pyle has recently beat Funch, Almeida and destroyed John Hathaway. Neer has
recently defeated Duane Ludwig, Keith Wisnieski and Blas Avena. Not even close.
But don’t get me wrong. Neer is a very dangerous fighter who can beat almost
anyone if he is on. But I see this fight going Pyle’s way. It won’t be
one-sided but Pyle should take this one. = Pyle by unanimous decision.
Scott Jorgensen vs. Eddie Wineland: What a great way to
start off the main card! I am a huge Scotty Jorgensen fan. I love watching him
fight and I have met him three times and he is a super cool and chill dude.
This fight might be close they; are both wrestlers with good standup. However,
I see Jorgensen being able to dictate the pace and where the fight goes. They
are both in their prime and anything is possible in this one but I am going
with the guy who has the more refined skills. = Jorgensen by unanimous
decision.
Prelims
Leonard Garcia vs. Matt Grice: Garcia by unanimous decision.
Mike Pierce vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha: Pierce by split
decision.
Seth Baczynski vs. Lance Benoist: Baczynski by submission in
round 1. My Pick for Submission of the Night!
Dustin Pague vs. Jared Papazian: Papazian by unanimous
decision.
Tim Means vs. Justin Salas: Means by TKO in round 2. (Our exclusive interview with Means here)
Caio Magalhaes vs. Buddy Roberts: Roberts by unanimous
decision.
Bernardo Magalhaes vs. Henry Martinez: Bernardo by split
decision.
Jake Hecht vs. Sean Pierson: Hecht by split decision.
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