Put my money where my mouth is? Okay. My recently created series "Predictions by the Bulldozer," has yielded some favorable results. I'm 9-0 overall after giving my predictions to UFC 96 and Fight Night 18's main cards. 9-0 could have equaled a lot of money, considering I pick Shane Carwin to KO Gonzaga and I had Kampmann beating the over-hyped Condit (which I admit was a great fight).
As I help myself make some money to hopefully fund my Vegas bachelor party, perhaps I can help you out and you can join me for the festivities in Sin City!
UFC 97 is less than two weeks away and I see a few opportunities to hit up the bookies for this major event. Anderson Silva is a sure win, but the odds end up being about 6-1, it's not worth it. Here are some better deals:
Better Safe Than Sorry
Chuck Liddell over Shogun: Liddell may have had a dismal 2008, but he lost to quality fighters. Shogun is no longer a quality fighter, he gassed out by the end of the 1st round against Mark Coleman. Lucky for him, Coleman gassed out walking to the octagon. Liddell won't tire quickly.
In fact, he'll be full of energy when he KOs Shogun early in the 2nd round. Liddell is favored to win, but I think he's a safe bet and his odds are more favorable than Silva's.
Coin Flip? I Think Not
Nate Quarry over Jason MacDonald: MacDonald is as tough as nails, he also has a decent ground game, but he is nothing more than an average UFC fighter. He's lost to all respectable fighters from Damian Maia to Rich Franklin all the way to his most recent loss against Wilson Gouveia. At the same time, he has beaten only mediocre fighters in Rory Singer, Joe Doerksen, and Jason Lambert. Nate Quarry is hardly your average fighter and I'd put him up over Wilson Gouveia. He's also lost to Rich Franklin and Damian Maia, but those are his only two losses. I see Quarry winning this in what I am sure will still be a very tough fight.
The betting line for this fight is even between the two fighters. Take this opportunity like I did and run with it.
Darkhorse Pick Of The Night
Antoni Hardonk over Cheick Kongo: I am not saying that this will happen, but if you're going to pick an upset, I'd bet on the 3-2 underdog from the Netherlands. Hardonk is susceptible to getting hit hard, but he's got a great chin. He's got massive leg kicks and a solid defensive ground game. Cheick Kongo only wins if he can bully his opponent. His recent wins have all come against very weak opponents. Kongo's opponents, Mustapha Al-Turk and Dan Evensen came out over-matched in their UFC debuts and the latter is already out of the UFC.
Why is Hardonk a bad matchup for Kongo?
As I mentioned earlier, Hardonk has a very tough guard to get by. Kongo demonstrated against Heath Herring that he does not have a ground game, so the ground and pound is virtually gone. Along with Hardonk, Kongo has very good leg kicks. Unfortunately for Kongo, the leg kicks that annihilated Evensen, won't do as much damage on Hardonk's legs that are reminiscent to tree trunks.
Lastly, Kongo can hit you with some hard kicks and punches, but he doesn't have the KO power that big guys like Shane Carwin and Gabriel Gonzaga have. Hardonk has shown on multiple occasions that he can take a hit.
Finally, I have not yet decided if I am predicting Hardonk to win this fight, but it is a great matchup and the 3-2 odds given to Kongo are a bit steep considering the challenge that awaits him. Kongo's best UFC win has come against a washed up Mirko Cro-Cop. After that he's beaten. He's lost to an above average fighter in Heath Herring and a bottom feeder in Carmelo Marrero. Hardonk is much better than Marrero.
That's the wrap. As always, the Bulldozer awaits your feedback and/or questions. V'ROOOOOOOOM!!!
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