Bleacher Report - Articles by Nick Tatum

UFC 92 Main Fights!

Nick Tatum — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:29:20 -0500

Antonio Nogueira vs. Frank Mir

You can certainly make the argument that these are the top 2 ground fighting heavyweights on the planet. I give an edge on the ground to NOG, however that could certainly go either way. NOG is also the better striker.

I see NOG controlling whatever portion of this fight takes place in the stand-up and I will pick him to win late in the 2nd or sometime in the 3rd round by submission (with the possibility of it going four rounds)!

Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans

Evans has proved that he is a dangerous striker (both hands and feet) to go along with his strong wrestling game. Griffin has developed an outstanding all around game that now includes a strong ground game. I see Griffin coming in with a good game plan- using his length in the striking battle and moving around on his feet.

I'm picking Griffin to win via unanimous decision!

Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson

Jackson is certainly an improved fighter from his days in Pride where Silva defeated him via two brutal knee TKO's. Silva is also a much improved fighter in may ways. Both fighters have great reasons to want to win this fight. Jackson want's to get back on the winning track and Silva certainly wants to stay there.

I'm picking Silva to win via another brutal TKO. I think Silva is a bad match-up for Jackson and I see this fight being somewhat like there others, an entertaining battle that Wanderlei will get the best of with his striking and eventually finish via knee TKO or TKO by way of punches (similar to the Jardine fight)!

UFC 84: Ill Will Predictions

Nick Tatum — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:17:32 -0400

BJ "The Prodigy: Penn vs. Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk:

Penn is a better striker than Sherk, although Sherk's not horrible. We all know that Sherk is a cardio machine and wil have the pure strength advantage in this fight.

That being said, BJ can obviously handle himself on the ground in the event that Sherk can score a takedown. I see Penn utliizing his height and reach advantages to win the stand up battle, and if the fight goes to the ground I think Penns' jiu-jitsu will prevail over Sherks' wrestling—so long as BJ doesn't let the fight go on for too long.

End result: BJ win's by TKO late in the first or some time in the second round.

Wanderlei "The Axe Murder" Silva vs. Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine:

I think both guys will come out hard and fast, and land some shots in the early going. Jardine will look to mix it up with some punches and the kicks the were so effective in his fight against Liddell.

Wanderlei certainly has no quit in him, and I think we will see more of the real Axe Murderer in this fight. I see Wanderlei pushing the pace throwing those wild looping punches that we're all accustomed to seeing.

I think Wanderlei will be able to close the gap through Jardines' kicks, much like he did the first time he fought Mirko Cro Cop, and being able to land a number of good punches to the head and body.

End Result: We're going to see a vintage Wanderlei KO(TKO)! Wanderlei will win via KO/TKO in the middle-to-late second round, with a possibility that the fight goes to the third with the same result.

Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida vs. Tito "The Beach Bad Boy" Ortiz:

I covered this fight in my last article, so I'll make this short and sweet. Tito has the pure strength and wrestling advantages while Machida is a better striker, a better jiu-jitsu fighter, and has a better all-around game.

End Result: As a credit to Tito's conditioning, I see him lasting until late in the second or sometime in the third round, only to fall victim to a Machida TKO.

Thiago Silva vs. Antonio Mendes:

Mendes is a newcomer to the UFC, and thus most of us aren't particularly familiar with his fighting style. Mendes holds an MMA record of 14-2-0, with seven of his victories coming by way of KO/TKO. He is a Thai boxer who is also utilizes a solid submission game.

Thiago Silva holds an undefeated 11-0 record, and has been impressive in his last three fights defeating James Irvin, Tomasz Drwal, and Houston Alexander—all by TKO! Silva is an agressive fighter, who does an excellent job of drawing his opponents to a clinch, eventually finishing them with a flurry of strikes.

End Result: Silva will bring the fight to a clinch, probably take it to the ground, and win with a ground-and-pound TKO.

Rameau "The African Assassin" Sokoudju vs. Kazuhiro "Kaz" Nakamura:

Nakamura is a solid, veteran MMA fighter whose specialties are takedowns and conditioning. Most of his victories have come down to a decision.

Sokoudju is a powerful fighter with explosive striking abilities. His last fight was a submission loss to Machida. Machida picked him apart and never allowed Sokoudju to land any harmful shots.

I look for Sokoudju to learn from that experience. I realy see him taking a more comprehensive approach to this fight.

End Result: Sokoudju is too powerful and explosive for Nakamura to handle, and will win via TKO (strikes) late in the first round.

UFC 84 and 86 Fight Predictions

Nick Tatum — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:00:07 -0400

Just to be clear, The UFC 84: Ill Will fight card is one of the best in recent memory, and the best since UFC 79: Nemesis back in December!

BJ "The Prodigy" Penn vs Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk, and Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva vs Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine are the other huge fights on this card, but let's take a close look at the Lyoto "The Dragon Machida" vs Tito "The Huntington Beach bad Boy" Ortiz match!

Ortiz is still one of the biggest names in the business, and he still has a bit to offer in the ring. He is a well-conditioned fighter, a strong wrestler, and still poseses good ground and pound.

Machida is one of the fastest rising stars in all of MMA, and his rise should be taken very seriously. He is a world-class technician of a fighter. He is one of, if not the, best in the business at allowing the fight to come to him. He often sizes up his opponents, and then makes them a victim of his seemingly flawless counterattacks.

Tito's advantages:

Pure strength

Wrestling

Ground and Pound

Machidas' advantages:

Striking (punching and kicking)

Jiu-Jitsu

All-around game

Look for Machida to win this fight in the mid-to-late second round by TKO!

Now for a less anticipated fight on the UFC 86 fight card: Joe "Daddy" Stevenson vs Gleison Tibau.

Stevenson is coming off of a completely one-sided loss at UFC 80 against current champ, BJ Penn, while Tibau is coming off of a unanimous decision loss at UFC 81 to the more explosive Tyson Griffin.

Stevensons' strength is getting people to the ground and eventually working them into a submission. Tibau is also a very strong Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. I expect Tibau to utilize his height and reach advantages in order to land hits, as well as defend against Stevensons' takedown attempts.

Look for Tibau to win a three-round unanimous decision.