Well Affliction is upon us and I think it has potential, and I will be the first to admit that I haven't been too high on this card, but as the time nears, the anticipation is growing and growing. Here's how I break the card down.
Renato Sobral vs. Mike Whitehead
Mike Whitehead:
Notable Wins: Ben Rothwell
Notable Losses: Tim Sylvia (2), Brandon Vera, Keith Jardine
Renato Sobral:
Notable Wins: Jeremy Horn, Mauricio Rua, Elvis Sinosic, David Heath
Notable Losses: Fedor Emelianenko, Chuck Liddell (2), Dan Henderson, Kevin Randleman, Jason Lambert
Mike Whitehead of TUF2 fame and Renato "Babalu" Sobral, a long-famed fighter who recently caused some controversy, are going to stand toe-to-toe, and face-off. While Whitehead has the size advantage as he jumps from Light Heavyweight to Heavyweight, I feel he just won't be able to stop Babalu's Jiu-Jitsu. Look for the latter to win by submission.
Winner: Renato Sobral
Matt Lindland vs. Fabio Negao
Matt Lindland:
Notable Wins: Phil Baroni (2), Ricardo Almeida, Pat Militech, Travis Lutter, Jeremy Horn
Notable Losses: Fedor Emelieanko, Quniton Jackson, Murilo Bustamonte, David Terrell
Fabio Negao:
Notable Wins: Roan "Jucao" Carneiro
Notable Losses: Demian Maia, Rousamir Palhares
This one doesn't seem as tricky as others. Negao is a renowned BJJ artist, meaning Lindland could have some trouble on his back, but Matt "The Law" Lindland is a notable MMA Legend.
I think unless Negao gets lucky, Lindland will more than likely dominate.
Winner: Matt Lindland
Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo
Josh Barnett:
Notable Wins: Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira, Jeff Monson, Aleksander Emeileanko, Mark Hunt, Dan Severn.
Notable Losses: Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira, Pedro Rizzo, Randy Couture (he actually beat him, but failed the drug test, thus he cheated. That’s a loss in my book), Mirko Cro Cop (3)
Pedro Rizzo:
Notable Wins: Andrei Arlovski, Jeff Monson, Mark Coleman, Tank Abbott, Dan Severn, Josh Barnett* (seems like an important win in this one)
Notable Losses: Kevin Randleman, Randy Couture (2), Gan McGee
While Barnett does have a win over Nog, Nog got one right back on him, and if you look at the rest of his wins, they are just not quite the top-level talent that you would boast to have wins over.
The same with Rizzo—his two most notable wins are Arlovski and Barnett. I think Rizzo will take this one standing, and come out on top again.
Winner: Pedro Rizzo
Andrei Arlovski vs Ben Rothwell
Andrei Arlovski :
Notable Wins: Tim Sylvia, Paul Buentello, Fabricio Werdum, Wesley Correira
Noteable Losses: Tim Sylvia (2), Pedro Rizzo, Ricco Rodriguez
Ben Rothwell:
Noteable Wins: Ricco Rodriguez
Noteable Losses: Dan Christison, Mike Whitehead
Well I think this really depends on which Arlovski we get. If we get the one we all know and love it will go his way. If we get the point pirate we got against Fabricio Werdum, I see this going Rothwell's way. I take Arlovski.
Winner: Andrei Arlovski
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia
Fedor Emelianenko:
Notable Wins: Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira (2), Mark Coleman (2), Mirko Cro Cop, Richard Arona, Kevin Randleman, Heath Herring, Renato Sobral, Gary Goodridge, Matt Lindland
Notable Losses: Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (by cut, fight stopped early. His only loss.)
Tim Sylvia:
Notable Wins: Andrei Arlovski, Jeff Monson, Ben Rothwell, Brandon Vera
Notable Losses: Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira, Randy Couture, Andrei Arlovski, Frank Mir
Well, honestly I'm not going to beat around the bush: everyone thinks Fedor will win, and I agree. His standup is good, his ground game is amazing, and I don't think he will be stopped. Sylvia has a good takedown defense, but not good enough to stop Fedor. Fedor has fought taller and bigger, and I think this win will push him back to the top of everyone's No. 1 list.
Winner: Fedor Emelianenko
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3 months ago
Sobral, Lindland, Barnett, Arlovski and Fedor are my pics.
from 3 months ago
Geez Dorothy, you sure like rooting for the underdog. Jason, you make a great point about the Arlovski fight. If the Arlovski who fought O' Brien and Werdum shows up, it will be a long night for him. The Arlovski who held the belt would dispose of Rothwell in one round.
I'm hoping the "old" Arlovski shows up and wins, so he can fight Fedor next. That would be an awesome fight, assuming Andre is prepared to strike and be aggressive
3 months ago
If I'm not mistaken wasn't there some controversy with the Barnett drug test? He tested clean after the initial test. Not saying he is/is not guilty but if your going to call him a cheater you should at least mention that he fought the tests and he has never admitted to taken steroids. It isn't a clear cut case like Hermes Franca.
from 3 months ago
you're*
from 3 months ago
Don't care* it's a comment
from 3 months ago
k
3 months ago
-not quite SURE what to think about this brand/league. it will be interesting to see some of it. aside from Fedor, most or alot of the other guys- though they have had their days here and there- are either old, haven't fought in awhile, or are not worth a crap anymore, which is why alot of them aren't still in the UFC... Tim Sylvia should be banned, this guy is utter garbage- he got his a** handed to him his last FEW outings. even when he was defending the title he had, they were all sleeper fights. he fights more NOT to LOSE than to go out there and actually DEFEND the title or fight by fighting. Fedor SHOULD easily whip his a**. as for Arlovski, who i liked at one point, he has been very disappointing as well-so bah humbug for him too. Babalu(which is Sobral for those who don't know) has been a huge disappointment, i thought he actually had a chance at beating Liddell-before the fight started. the 1st punch in, i knew he was done. he got stupidly caught and lost his marbles, which in the sport of MMA you can't do. it'll be interesting to see how long this brand is around and if they have a leg to stand on down the road. oh, and as long as i've been in this game- what the hell ever happened to the Phenom Vitor Belfort- this guys just dropped off the face of the earth-anybody heard any skinny on him??? he's not that old. where did he go?
from 3 months ago
Vitor will be fighting on the affliction card against Terry Martin. got busted for juicing after his fight against Hendo in Pride. He then went to Cage Rage and won a belt. He is injury prone and you never know which Vitor is going to show up. I doubt we will ever see him in the UFC again.
from 3 months ago
thanks for the buzzkill j.
from 3 months ago
J when you thought that Babalu had a chance to win were you talking about their first or second fight?
from 3 months ago
my buddy, what's up Bryan- i see you don't have alot to say about this topic. sorry to upset you on the boxing stuff, but facts are facts.
3 months ago
sorry, didn't mean to do that, there are just so many of these 'other' brands popping up its hard to see whether any of them are going to hold true. some of the Elite-XC stuff, aside from the terrible last one on free TV, hasn't been too bad. however i'm not real sold on Kimbo. i know and have seen his youtube sh**, and every showing in the caged ring. i kinda' think he's more of a novelty guy, though training w/ Bas- he is learning. I'd like to see him against someone in the game good and proven. thought i might his last fight, that by the way he would've lost, until it was called for the hit to- and popping of the other guys ear- which Kimbo also said he was going for, but clearly it was a missed punch. and what's up with the weird shaving of his chest, what the sh**? -oh and thanks for the Vitor info. Ryan-didn't really do MUCH searching about it, just though i could get a quick answer from another knowledgable fan, and did. GOOD DAY
3 months ago
-just passing on some info. for fun: check out Kevin Randleman's website, if you haven't or don't know already. take a look at his story and pics about he and his somewhat recent going ons with health and Staph(sp?) infection... just the shock factor alone is worth it...NOT FOR YOU if you have a weak stomach, i warned you! isn't that THE craziest sh** you've ever seen? i didn't know that some one could actually be LIVING with something to that degree-i'm trying not to "ruin" it for you. even if, well obviuosly-he did, but if that was me!, i'd just probably have freaked out and killed myself or something-it is BEYOND freak show, CHRIST!!!
3 months ago
-oh sorry Ryan, yeah it was actually the second Liddell/ Sobral fight. i watched all this sh** about him and the lessons he learned from his first one against the Iceman, how he's stepped up his game and how he was training. i thought to myself Chuck better watch out, this dude hasn't lost since their 1st fight, and he's pissed- Chuck might get caught. BUT then the fight started Babalu stupidly charged, made a mistake(the biggest mistake in MMA-keep composure!!!)- and i goota tell ya; i was like "what the f***!!! after all the years leading to the rematch, the training, the hulkster vitamins, the talk, the hour i just wasted watching the behind the scenes crap about him, and he does that sh**!!?? are you kidding me!! i couldn't believe my eyes...see, just goes to show ya, that's one sport you HAVE to keep your head in and you CAN'T lose your cool.
from 3 months ago
Yeah, that fight was a little disappointing to say the least. The preview trailer was longer than the actual bout. I would like to see Babalu back in the UFC, because he could give a lot of guys at 205 problems. Babalu/Shogun 2, anybody? But I'm interested in seeing how he deals with Whitehead's size.
3 months ago
Yeah, everybody has there day, good or bad- no one that has been in the sport LONG can win 'em all. i want to see if Babalu comes back fierce. i've seen him be, it's amazing to me the night and day effect with some of these guys. one day they're a beast and the next, it looks like they are either afraid of the other guy or like they forgot everything they're supposed to do. prime example: Shogun-again i and, i know EVERYONE else too, was amazed he lost to Griffin- especially the way he lost. i was speechless. Shogun, i have really liked for god knows how long, because he was so dominant in Pride. BUT the recent incorporation of Pride guys to the UFC did nothing but backfire for most of them, other than Rampage and Wand. it also make them look terrible, real terrible(those guys are better than that). i think the UFC should still hold Pride events over in Japan-Pride was kick a**. i loved the way they "did it up". i also think the UFC should bring back Open Weight-class tournaments or something like Pride did with the Grand Prix's once a year-THAT was sweet and people would eat that sh** up.
3 months ago
I hope none of us are forgetting that Babalu is a classless fighter who was BOOED and BOOTED for not relinquishing his choke on David Heath. I used to loooove the guy, rooted for him in BOTH Liddell fights, etc. But, I'm sorry, he seriously endangered another fighter intentionally. Can you imagine the ramifications it would've had if Heath had been seriously hurt as a result? Granted, he only got put to sleep, but if he'd have gotten brain damage or something, it would've hurt the sport immeasurably. Boo Babalu!
3 months ago
Arlovski should be considered one of the top HWs in the world. Instead we get a hit an miss fighter.
I agree with you guys. Hope we get to see the true Pitbull. Because when he is on he is one of the most dangerous HWs in the world.
3 months ago
This is going to be one of the best cards ever IMO. I can't wait till the event!
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