UFC 110
I havent posted UFC picks the last couple times out of sheer laziness. Plus, I haven’t been involved as much as I should be with the sport because I have had difficulty training lately. However, UFC 110 in its first ever showing in Australia has got some great fights that pose some interesting questions and a definite great card.
Nogueira v Valasquez
This is one of Dana’s best matchups in a while. Nogueira is coming off arguably his most impressive showing of his illustrious career by dominating the great Randy Couture – incredible fight by the way. Nogueira looked fresh, his stand-up very sharp, and as always his ground game is virtually unstoppable. He has beaten everybody (except Fedor) and is without a doubt one of the toughest pound-for-pound fighters in the community. Now, Valasquez is simply an animal. He has some of the most impressive victories I have ever seen, particularly his smashing of Jake O’Brien who was supposed to be a real badass and (I think) beat Valasquez. It looked like Roy Jones fighting an amateur. In addition, Valasquez is becoming very technically sound. Not only is he a great wrestler (multiple time all-american wrestler), his stand-up is becoming very, very good. I feel it has already surpassed Nogueira.
Both fighters are incredible good, but if I had to pick I am taking Nogeuira and this is why: he has fought better wrestlers (Olympian Dan Henderson, Olympian Randy Couture) and beaten them soundly. His jiu-jitsu is so good that it takes years of training to get to a point of neutralization, not just a couple months. His hands arent as explosive as Valasquez, but they are good enough to force Valasquez to consider other options besides making it a Muay Thai match. Valasquez doesn’t get tired, but I wouldnt be surprised with a late-round submission of Nogueira over Valasquez. You can only fight off a BJJ guy like for so long before you get caught.
Silva v Bisping
Both fighters prefer to stand, but their approach is very different. I really have trouble understanding how Silva has been so successful because his style seems to consist only of power, toughness, and bar room brawling. He is just a good enough athlete to be successful I guess. Bisping seems to represent the UK trend in that he prefers to stand and is fairly technical. We will see what happens, but I am guessing it will either be a Silva knockout or a Bisping decision. honestly couldn’t call this one though…
Jardine v Bader
Ryan Bader is a nasty wrestler who is extremely explosive. I have actually been pretty impressed with his BJJ as well. His stand-up is not proven, but Jardine’s is. Jardine may knock him out, or even gain a decision, but if Bader takes him down, which I think he will, Jardine is in for a long night.
Other fights are not really worth commenting – either I don’t know enough or they are boring . Let me know what you think.
