Upcoming UFC 134 Silva vs. Okami

Upcoming UFC 134- Rio Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami, August 27^th, 2011 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This is without a doubt going to be one of the most exciting cards so far this year. Three big Brazilian names taking on top contenders in their own backyard.

Rousimar Palhares vs. Dan Miller – middleweight

Brother of one of my new favourites, Jim Miller, Dan Miller, a middleweight, isn’t quite as good but has the same awesome attitude. Unfortunately he has lost to most of the top 10 guys in the weightclass; Maquardt, Bisping, Demian Maia, and Chael Sonnen but I would still like to see him do well. Especially considering I don’t remember this Palhares dude other than the fact that he also lost of Marquardt not too long ago.  

Ross Peason vs. Edson Barboza – lightweight

I am very excited to see the Captain on a main card. (I dubbed Edson Barboza “The Captain” a while back, simply because I really like the pirate movies) His most recent fight in March went to a decision but this kid has got some major kicks I am excited to see him pull out at this one. Ross Peason is an incredible fighter, he’s taken out big names like Andre Winner and rising star, Dennis Siver but I’d like to see Barboza win in his home country.

Antonion Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Brendan Schaub – heavyweight

No question, after he came second on the tenth season of TUF, I have been a fan of Schaub. Since the show ended, Schaub has gone 4-0 with two coming from TKO and one huge KO of Mirko Cro Cop in his most recent fight in March. Big Nog is not going to be an easy one to get past, he’s been fighting a lot longer and has similar KO power but I think Schaub has it. He’s younger, faster, and I feel like he is more driven to get his title shot. I don’t see this fight going past the second round and I am going with the Hybrid this time.

Shogun Rua vs. Forrest Griffin – light heavyweight

Shogun has home court advantage and Griffin has only had one fight in the past year but I’m still going with one of my favourites. I have always liked Griffin, I like his style and he’s a great sport. Not the best reasons to pick a winner but do I ever have real legitimate fighting related reasons? Shogun just lost his belt in March to the extraordinary Jon Bones Jones so I’m sure he feels like he has something to prove. That was his first defense so he wasn’t even able to hold the belt for a year. This is not the first time these two have fought though; this is the victory that earned Griffin his embarrassing highlight reel hands flailing victory celebration. He finished Shogun with a submission with just seconds left in the lst round, he went on to gain the title but this was also four years ago. Both of these guys know what it is like to hold the belt and I usually don’t care for a repeat champ but I like these guys and I think they were both good ambassadors. Plus Griffin is hilarious. If you can find it, watch Griffin’s part of the countdown, when he talks about wanting a girl that looks just like him (his wife is pregnant with their first child, a daughter, to be born 10 days after this fight). I see fight of the night potential in this one, I’m just hoping it goes that way I want it to.

Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami – middleweight Championship

I cannot wait for Silva to be dethroned, and Okami may just have what it takes to get the job done. Okami earned his title shot by taking out Nate Marquardt at UFC 122. He was able to control the pace and was the aggressor for most of the fight. He also trains with Chael Sonnen, the one man who has been able to take Silva to the edge, and just barely lost in the last seconds of the 5^th round after dominating the majority of the fight. This is a little ace in Okami’s pocket for this fight. Now with Silva, if you have read my blogs you know my feelings about him; I have felt lately that he has been lackadaisical about fighting. He was becoming a showboat, clowning guys in the cage but not finishing. After his most recent KO of Vitor Belfort at UFC 126 my faith in 2008 Silva is beginning to return. As long as Silva comes out strong and aggressive, like the amazing fighter we all know he is, I will have no problem cheering him on as he keeps the belt. However, if showboat Silva decides to make an appearance instead I will be thoroughly disappointed. Silva is widely considered as the best pound for pound fighter on the planet but it’s about being smart too, and if Okami goes in with the right gameplan and the right mindset, he could pull off the upset. 

Upcoming UFC 133 Evans vs. Ortiz

Upcoming UFC 133 Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz, August 6^th, 2011 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz – light heavyweight

So I am almost furious with this fight. First it was supposed to be Rashad Evan’s shot at Jon Jones, the current belt holder. But when Jones suffered an injury during his fight against Shogun Rua where he earned the belt, Phil Davis was named the new opponent. But of course Davis suffered a knee injury and the spot was offered up to Tito. SO MAD! His most recent win was impressive, a submission victory over Ryan Bader which I haven’t blogged about yet but I will because his reaction is repulsing. Miming digging a grave, dragging Bader in and then covering it up. That is so low class. To celebrate is one thing, and good for him, he worked and trained hard for that but to be a cocky, arrogant, jerk is too much. Not the first time he has celebrated like that and I’m certain it will not be the last but I am not impressed Mr. Ortiz.

For a while now I have been saying I am over Tito. I used to like him and I do not deny that he is talented, he’s a former champ but I can’t stand his attitude and for a couple fights it seemed like he was fighting as a coach not a fighter. It makes sense, just think about it for a minute. When he defeated Bader, he had not won in about 5 years and his contract was on the line. Up against the wall he was in survival mode to save his career against the man who’s only loss was to the current champ. Kudos to him, it has earned him the third pick for this headline fight. Also, good for him for taking another fight so soon after his last. That still doesn’t earn my vote though, I’m hoping that just when Tito thinks he is on his way back up he gets shot back down and suffers a huge loss against Evans.

Just a side note, another little slap in the face, since it has been announced Jones doesn’t need surgery, Evans will not get the first shot at Jones’ title, Rampage gets it in September!

I’m going to make the rest of my choices short and sweet because I’m just plain annoyed with Tito showing up again.

Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama – middleweight

Both of these guys need to win, Akiyama is coming off two straight losses to Chris Leban and Michael Bisping and Belfort just lost to Silva in an embarrassing front kick to the face KO. I’m a fan of Akiyama and especially since Belfort just had his chance at the belt I’m going with him tonight.

Brian Ebersole vs. Dennis Hallman – welterweight

Ebersole is on quite a role and with a recent victory over Chris Lytle I feel like Ebersole has the momentum and he will be my pick this time.

Jorge Rivera vs. Costantinos Philippou – middleweight

I don’t know anything about this Philippou guy but after all the trash talking Rivera did before his fight against Bisping I’m going to be cheering against him.

Mike Pyle vs. Rory McDonald – welterweight

I’m going to be watching at a very busy bar in America so even though I kind of think Pyle will take this, I’m going with my fellow canuck McDonald in this one.

Over fights to note;

Matt Hamill vs. Alexander Gustafsson – light heavyweight

Obviously going with Hamill since I cheered against him in his last fight. Interesting to note that Hamill defeated Mr Ortiz who got the headline spot ahead of him…. Hmm. Granted, Ortiz did just win his last fight and Hamill lost to Rampage bit still, ugh.

Nam Phan vs. Mike Brown – featherweight

PHAN! I love watching this kid fight. After he got robbed of the decision win at his UFC debut I want Phan to finish this fight and not give the judges the opportunity to do that again.