Excuse my French people but – ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?
DO you realize what a SICK card this is? Seriously, I can’t remember such a loaded card since… like… never.
Leave the fact that we WILL have a new LHW champion following a fight between Anthony Dynamite-In-His-Hand Johnson and Daniel Who-Hadn’t-He-Already-Beat-That-People-Said-He-Won’t Cormier. Leave the fact that this would be one of TWO title fights – the second being Chris Beat-Anderson-TWICE Weidman and Vitor Everyone-Thought-He-Was-Over-But-Hell-No Belfort, It also has a fight with Donald Most-Game-Fighter-In-The-UFC Cerrone and John I-Just-Fought-The-Other-Day Makdessi.
Not enough for ya’?
How about Travis Browne Vs. Andrei Arlovski? or the “curtain jerker” featuring Benavidez Vs. Moraga?
You gotta be shitting me! Who’s that on EARLY perlims? Why it’s the always exciting Mike Pyle. And in the perlims – One John Dodson! Dodson!
SICK SICK CARD!
Ok, I’ll stop before Joe Rogan has nothing left to hype 🙂 On to some predictions. Last time I came out with a whooping 4 out of 5. I’ll try to come close this time as there’s more than one fight that can go either way.
Let’s start predicting the results of UFC 187 coming up this Saturday, May 23rd on PPV. (All credits go to UFC/Zuffa for all photos.) We ride!
Joseph Benavidez by UD
Travis Browne by TKO
Donald Cerrone by Submission
Chris Weidman by UD
and now! the moment millions of MMA fans have been waiting for, from Las Vegas, Navada! This is the main event of the evening!
Daniel Cormier by TKO
Do I really need to say more about this event? Nope.
Don’t forget to get back here by Monday morning for the after MMAth!
And of course, don’t forget to watch UFC 187 on PPV – This Saturday, May 23rd!
Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-t’s TIME!
YOU DIDN’T REALLY THINK THIS POST WOULD BE OVER WITHOUT SOME JON JONES, DID YOU?
Well, I planned to write a whole post about it, but Kevin Lole over at Yahoo! sports already said it all in THIS GREAT COLUMN.
The Morning After:
You know, when you have a card, so stacked, so hyped like this one, there’s a natural concern that it won’t live up to its potential. Well this one didn’t. it SURPASSED it in flying colors! What a freaking card! In my humble opinion, this was the best fight card I’ve seen since I started watching the sport. We can sit here and reminisce about great fights and events, but I don’t really recall a card where every single fight can stake a claim for fight of the night. and two title fights that delivered to boot. Alright folks, let’s review my predictions:
1. This fight started as aggressively as they come. Definitely not an easy fight to pick. Benavidez was in momentary trouble to start but persevered. Then it was Morga’s turn to show character, which he did for almost 2 full rounds. The third brought us Moraga in desperation mode. Now THIS is how you fight when you know you’re down 2 in the books. I have a ton of respect for Moraga, but I thought Benavidez was more well rounded. Somehow, even though people don’t really talk bad about Joseph, he’s still one of those highly underrated fighters out there. 1 for 1.
2. Are you kidding me??? That was supposed to be the EASIEST fight to pick and it was a no-brainer. Travis Browne all day every day. By whatever way he chose. Please remind me never to doubt Arlovski. I can’t begin to give credit to this fighter. He found every hole in Browne’s striking defense ad capitalized with stunning power. When Browne, knees still visibly shaking, threw a really hard punch and stumbled Andrei he just shrugged it off and went back on the attack, this time to finish. Again – mad respect for this veteran (even though he fucked up a perfect prediction for tonight). Don’t get me wrong though, he has no business challenging Cain just yet, but… 1 for 2.
3. When it comes to Cowboy fighting – I’m a regular fan girl. I don’t pick against Cerrone. But holy hell, what a fight! First round, Donald uses his reach advantage better than Jon Jones. Second round he comes in, throwing combinations of 4, 5 punches and a kick or two for good measure. The fight ends on one of these vicious kicks. I have nothing but utmost respect for Makdessi who not only stepped up to fight less than a month after his recent one, but also significantly stepped up in competition. Kudos and get well soon Mr. Bull. 2 for 3.
4. If you thought Vitor really stood a chance against Weidman, I think you’re somewhat misguided. Aside from a fluke accident, there was really nothing he had to offer. Weidman is to MW what Cain is to HW. Rockhold, Jacare. Two fighters left to face with any kind of threat to his throne. Can’t wait to see these fights. 3 for 4.
5. It was a simple equation in my books. If Rumble can keep this standing and land a couple of times, the fight is his. If Cormier can impose his style of fight, Rumble really doesn’t stand a chance. Big props to DC for taking a mean blow to start the fight and find his equilibrium fast enough to get a hold of a limb. From there on, it was all DC with a Mixed Martial Arts clinic until the finish via RNC. Am I the only one who doesn’t want to see him fight Bader? I have to agree with DC there. Easiest title defense he can ask for. 4 for 5 😦
What a sick card, what a great night! See you just before UFC 188 people.
Gil Shalev 