Interactive Tournament: Welterweight Semi-Finals

Ohhh yes, it's that time of week again. Welcome to the Interactive Tournament. This week it's the semi-finals for the four welterweights that advanced from last week's fights. First, let's take a look at last week's results.

It was unanimous (of course). Thiago Alves eliminates Karo Parisyan 12-0.

Mike Swick eliminated Matt Hugues by a 11-1 vote.

Jon Fitch took care of Marcus Davis by a 10-2 vote.

And Carlos Condit didn't get much love as he lost to Josh Koscheck by a 8-4 vote. (Although I believe most people would change their vote after Koscheck's performance at UFC 95.)

Like Big John would say it, let's get it on!

Semi-Finals fight 1: Thiago Alves vs. Mike Swick

Ok, I know most people have Alves as the winner of this tournament already, but I wouldn't give him the victory so fast. Mike Swick is a big welterweight that has made a career of KO fighters in the first round.

Mike Swick has a pretty good reach advantage over Alves and could use it to KO or TKO Alves. Swick also has good wrestling skills and underrated submissions. What I'm trying to say here is, Mike Swick has all the tools to defeat Thiago Alves.

Thiago has improved so much in the past year. He had key wins over great fighters that put him as the number one contender. He has great take down defense and KO power like no other in the Welterweight division. Still he gives a lot of reach to Swick.

Anyway you put it, this fight could be great. This fight would end by KO or TKO and both men have the ability to finish it.

Who's the winner?

Semi-Finals fight 2: Jon Fitch vs. Josh Koscheck

This fight will probably never take place since both men are training partners, but hey, this is the Interactive Tournament and anything can happen.

Jon Fitch may be the best Welterweight fighter in the UFC after Georges St-Pierre. He has victories over the best fighters in the UFC, but his heart-breaking loss to GSP left question notes to the fans.

Fitch is overall a very good fighter. He has great wrestling skills and a solid chin. Koscheck also has great wrestling skills, but has shown in past fights that his chin isn't as tough as Fitch. As far as striking goes, it's hard to give an advantage to either fighter.

This fight could go to who wants it more and executes his game plan the best.

Who picks up the win here?

Two great fights in my opinion, the finals are coming up next week. My prediction is that the finals will be explosive.