Fantasy MMA: Open Weight Grand Prix, Round Two

Round One of our inaugural Open Weight Grand Prix is officially in the books. Before I reveal the results of last week’s voting, I would like to thank all who participated. As the tournament continues to progress I feel the matchups and the debates that ensue will only get more interesting.

Round One Results

Brazil Region

Anderson Silva defeated Muhammed Lawal by a vote of 11 to 0.

Junior Dos Santos defeated Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by a vote of 9 to 2.

Cain Velasquez defeated Randy Couture by a vote of 11 to 0.

Lyoto Machida defeated Jeff Monson by a vote of 11 to 0.

Japan Region

Fedor Emelianenko defeated Rich Franklin by a vote of 11 to 0.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira defeated Jon Fitch by a vote of 9 to 2.

Ronaldo Souza defeated Shinya Aoki by a vote of 6 to 5.

Mauricio Rua defeated Thiago Silva by a vote of 9 to 2.

US Region

B.J. Penn defeated Dan Hardy by a vote of 10 to 1.

Rashad Evans defeated Josh Koscheck by a vote of 10 to 1.

Vitor Belfort defeated Jake Shields by a vote of 8 to 3.

Dan Henderson defeated Nate Marquardt by a vote of 6 to 5.

Canada Region

Georges St. Pierre defeated Gray Maynard by a vote of 11 to 0.

Quinton Jackson defeated Thiago Alves by a vote of 8 to 3.

Jon Jones defeated Nick Diaz by a vote of 10 to 1.

Gegard Mousasi defeated Chael Sonnen by a vote of 10 to 1.

Now that you know how the first round turned out, let us set our sights on the Round Two matchups.

Brazil Region

Anderson Silva, UFC MW (1) vs. Junior Dos Santos, UFC HW (5)

Both Silva and Dos Santos got through their first round opponents with relative ease and now the Black House teammates must square off against one another.

While Silva is a very large and rangy middleweight, would his speed and precision be able to handle the size and power that Dos Santos brings to the table?

Lyoto Machida, UFC LHW (2) vs. Cain Velasquez, UFC HW (3)

The puzzle that is Lyoto Machida has yet to truly be solved. Rua was able to chip away at much of The Dragon’s mystique but he still ended up falling short.

How would Velasquez’s blend of crisp striking, aggressive wrestling and endless cardio fare against Machida?

Japan Region

Fedor Emelianenko, Strikeforce HW (1) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, UFC LHW (5)

Fedor is simply a difficult matchup for anyone because of his ability to beat a fighter at their own game, but if there is one area that Fedor is lacking it is his boxing.

While Fedor’s looping style is effective, how would he hold up against the proficient and powerful boxing of Nogueira?

Mauricio Rua, UFC LHW (2) vs. Ronaldo Souza, Strikeforce MW (6)

While Rua’s ground game has always been a bit underrated, Souza is simply in another class all together. Souza is arguably the best grappler in MMA today and he is accustomed to defeating much larger men.

The question here; can Souza deal with the brutal Muay Thai attack of Rua long enough to get the fight to the ground?

U.S. Region

B.J. Penn, UFC LW (1) vs. Rashad Evans, UFC LHW (4)

Rashad Evans is an extremely talented fighter but his skills pale in comparison to that of B.J. Penn.  Penn’s boxing has been called the best in MMA, his takedown defense is great and if you are able to get him to the ground he is a former World BJJ Champion.  Oh, and his cardio is no longer a question mark.

Would the size of Evans prove to be too big an obstacle to overcome or would Penn’s talent and ability shine through?

Dan Henderson, Strikeforce MW (2) vs. Vitor Belfort, UFC MW (6)

These two men are very familiar with one another, having done battle at Pride 32. Henderson was able to get the better of Belfort that time, earning the Unanimous Decision victory.

Could Henderson find success once more or would the hand speed and boxing proficiency of Belfort get the better of him this time around?

Canada Region

Georges St. Pierre, UFC WW (1) vs. Quinton Jackson, UFC LHW (4)

Much like B.J. Penn, there isn’t much that GSP can’t do. He mixes up his striking well, his wrestling is arguably the best in MMA and his top control is unreal.

While GSP regularly trains with much larger fighters, how would he deal with the power of Rampage Jackson?

Gegard Mousasi, Strikeforce LHW (2) vs. Jon Jones, UFC LHW (6)

Without question, Jones and Mousasi are two of the best and brightest young stars in MMA today.

Mousasi is the more experienced youngster and as such seems to be a little further along in his progression. But, would Mousasi contend with Jones’ freakish reach and dynamic wrestling?

Don’t forget to leave your votes and thoughts in the comment section.