Picking and Grinning: UFC 121 Prelims
Jeff Sherwood Oct 22, 2010
Court McGee
vs. Ryan
Jensen
Freddie DeFreitas: Court McGee will utilize his solid wrestling base and submission defense en route to a unanimous decision over Ryan Jensen in his first fight since winning “The Ultimate Fighter.”
Tristen Critchfield: Jensen is a veteran who has labored on
the non-televised portion of undercards for quite some time. He's
no doubt looking forward to having a chance to knock off the latest
“Ultimate Fighter” winner. Jensen has good submissions and will
catch McGee late in the fight. Jensen by submission, round
three.
Mike Sloan: My wife likes McGee and picked him to the win last season’s TUF during episode one. I guess that makes him invincible? McGee via rear-naked choke, early in the second.
Joseph Myers: It's hard not to root for former TUF winner McGee. He gets a pretty tough test in his first UFC pay-per-view card in Jensen, but it's one he can pass. McGee by submission, second round.
Mike Whitman: The TUF 11 winner turns back the veteran Jensen, controlling where and when the fight takes place. McGee by unanimous decision.
Lutfi Sariahmed: Both fighters have their respective feel-good stories, and you hope for the best for each fighter, but that's about as much as I can get into this fight. Jensen by decision.
Patrick Cote vs. Tom Lawlor
Tristen Critchfield: There's plenty of motivation to win for both fighters, as both have lost their lost two in the Octagon. Lawlor uses his wrestling to outpoint Cote and avoid a potential release from the UFC. Lawlor by decision
Mike Sloan: So, will Lawlor decide to look like Dan Severn again? This fight depends on what Lawlor looks like coming in. He’s a comedian, and his getup was hilarious when he dyed his hair, grew the moustache and wore those black tights. However, when fighters tend to put too much into how they look for a fight, bet against them. Cote needs a win and my guess is that Lawlor will take too much time away from training in an attempt to look funny or crazy and will lose to Cote by way of unanimous decision.
Luca Fury: Neither has looked good lately, but Lawlor is the superior wrestler, which is a nightmare for Patrick, who isn't good off his back. If Lawlor chooses to strike, he could be in trouble. But since he's coming off of two losses and is in danger of being cut, I think Tom will fight smart and win a takedown-oriented decision. Loser definitely gets his walking papers.
Joseph Myers: This fight is on Spike TV and should be an exciting slugfest. Cote has lost two straight, but those losses came to Alan Belcher and Anderson Silva, a pair of top-notch 185-pounders. Lawlor has lost two straight to Aaron Simpson and Joe Doerksen. Cote gets back on track with a KO that gets the crowd pumped up before the pay-per-view starts. Cote by KO, third round.
Mike Whitman: Cote returns to his winning ways, finding Lawlor’s chin sometime late in the first. Cote by KO, round one.
Lutfi Sariahmed: Is this a bout where the winner is the one who gasses out last? Unfortunately, it's very possible. It will be entertaining for the round it ends up going. I'll take Cote by KO.
Michael Guymon vs. Daniel Roberts
Tristen Critchfield: Rory MacDonald took advantage of Guymon on the ground in Guymon's UFC debut. Roberts has an array of impressive grappling credentials and should be able to do the same. Roberts by submission, round three.
Mike Sloan: Guymon wins this one. He’s gotten so much better as a fighter over the years and he belongs in the UFC. Eventually, he’ll be on the main card, as long as he can keep his focus in the right areas. Roberts is pretty good, too, but I see “The Joker” scoring a guillotine midway through the second round.
Luca Fury: Guymon is fairly skilled, but he's not really UFC-caliber. Roberts is a good prospect and should get a stoppage midway through the fight. Loser gets his walking papers.
Joseph Myers: A battle of the nicknames, as "The Joker" takes on "Ninja". With 18 finishes among 22 victories between the pair, chances are this one isn't going to the judges. Guymon has been in the sport since 1999, while Roberts has been fighting for just over three years. Youth trumps age in this one. Roberts by submission, second round.
Mike Whitman: Roberts by submission, round two.
Lutfi Sariahmed: Everyone looks at Daniel Roberts and thinks about the Howard KO, but he's got some fight to him. He's actually a pretty sound wrestler who could carve out a niche for himself in the UFC. I'm worried about picking Roberts because of his split decision over Petz, but I'll stick with the “Ninja” over Guymon by decision.
Sam Stout vs. Paul Taylor
Freddie DeFreitas: Stout and Taylor bank “Fight of the Night” bonuses in what will arguably be one of best bouts of 2010. Sam Stout by razor-thin decision.
Tristen Critchfield: In a perfect world, Stout would face Spencer Fisher in every bout. He should have enough to take care of Taylor, who has been up and down in the UFC. Then we can dream about Stout-Fisher III -- even if they are at different weight classes now. Stout by decision.
Mike Sloan: This is a perfectly-matched contest, as each possesses great skills and weaknesses. I’m picking Stout to keep the fighting standing and in his favor, as his MMA boxing is better. Stout by unanimous decision.
Luca Fury: Sam Stout should use his superior striking to win a scrappy decision over Taylor. Paul likes to strike and Sam is just better than him in that area. I doubt we see a finish, but the decision should be a fairly clear one for Stout. Well, the decision might not be so clear to the dumbass judges.
Joseph Myers: As I said when Spencer Fisher fought at UFC 120, it's hard to believe that Stout -- who's won "Fight of the Night" honors five times -- is fighting this early on the card. He looks to rebound from a loss to Jeremy Stephens against Taylor, who is coming back down to 155 following a loss to John Hathaway. Taylor might be physically bigger, given the fact that he's been fighting at 170, but Stout is a veteran who should be able to chalk up a win. Stout by decision.
Mike Whitman: Stout and Taylor are two of the gamest fighters you could hope to watch. If both men are healthy, this one could easily win “Fight of the Night.” I give the edge to Stout, though. I think he’s a more complete fighter and will make Taylor uncomfortable with his quickness. Stout by unanimous decision.
Gilbert Yvel vs. Jon Madsen
Freddie DeFreitas: Madsen's wrestling will be far too much for Yvel to handle, and unfortunately for the Dutch striker, he'll be forced to work from his back for the better part of three rounds. Look for Gilbert to throw caution to the wind and catch Madsen in the final moments for a stunning come from behind TKO victory.
Tristen Critchfield: Yvel labored through his match against Ben Rothwell. Although undefeated, Madsen needs a signature win that doesn't go the distance to move up the heavyweight food chain. He gets it against a tiring Yvel in the third round. Madsen by TKO, round three.
Mike Sloan: Funny, every time I think of Yvel, I think of him punching that referee several years ago. I still laugh at that, as horribly wrong it was. If Madsen decides to stand with him, he’ll be pushing up daisies. I think he will, and he gets clobbered early in the first. Yvel by right cross/knee to face in what should be “Knockout of the Night.”
Luca Fury: Madsen is the superior wrestler and Yvel's ground game is pretty bad. If Jon doesn't get clipped with a strike, he should win a decision. Probably another boring win for Madsen, whom Zuffa wants to lose so they can cut him. Loser definitely gets his walking papers.
Joseph Myers: This is the requisite heavyweight undercard slugfest, as Madsen steps up his level of competition against an experienced hand in Yvel, who has dropped three of his last four. It's not often that one fighter has eight times as many fights as his opponent, but that's the case here, as Yvel's had 52 bouts to Madsen's six. Yvel is past his prime, and Madsen continues his move up the ladder. Madsen by KO, third round.
Mike Whitman: Certainly, the wrestling advantage goes to Madsen. There’s a strong possibility that the TUF 10 competitor will simply hold Yvel down for three rounds and ride out a decision. However, we know one thing for certain: there’s no quit in Gilbert Yvel. This guy has been grounded and pounded seemingly for hours, and he still won’t yell uncle. I think Yvel finds a way to keep it standing long enough to land a knockout shot to Madsen’s dome. Yvel by knockout in round two.
Lutfi Sariahmed: I really don't know why either fighter is still in the UFC. I don't know why Yvel was in the UFC to begin with, really. I can at least understand with Madsen. If things were just, Yvel would beat Madsen and then both fighters would be cut. Madsen will win by decision, though, and Yvel will continue to be lauded as a tremendous striker.
Dongi Yang vs. Chris Camozzi
Tristen Critchfield: Yang hasn't yet faced a top-flight level of competition, but if he fights anything like “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung -- one of his training partners -- the bout against Camozzi could be explosive. Camozzi by TKO, round one.
Mike Sloan: Decent fight, but one I’m not particularly interested in. I like Yang to win a close, dull unanimous decision.
Luca Fury: I don't know too much about either guy, besides that Chris Camozzi was on TUF and Yang is undefeated. I'm too lazy to look up tape on these two, so I'll make an uneducated guess and say Yang by TKO.
Joseph Myers: Yang is an unbeaten Korean Top Team member who makes his UFC debut against Camozzi, a TUF 11 graduate who's won three straight and five of his last six. Both men have plenty of finishes on their resume, but Camozzi has been the distance more often in his career. Camozzi's stamina and chin -- he's never been knocked out -- help him spoil Yang's first UFC fight. Camozzi by unanimous decision.
Mike Whitman: It’s hard to know what to expect from Yang, but I’ll take the Korean Top Team product against Camozzi. Yang by TKO, round three.
Lutfi Sariahmed: I'll buy the hype. It'll probably be to my detriment, but there has to be a reason Yang is getting as much buzz as he is right? Right? Yang by KO in the third.
Freddie DeFreitas: Court McGee will utilize his solid wrestling base and submission defense en route to a unanimous decision over Ryan Jensen in his first fight since winning “The Ultimate Fighter.”
Advertisement
Mike Sloan: My wife likes McGee and picked him to the win last season’s TUF during episode one. I guess that makes him invincible? McGee via rear-naked choke, early in the second.
Luca Fury: This fight was made for Court to look good.
Jensen is a gatekeeper, and not even a very good one. Court should
get a stoppage via strikes in the second or third round.
Joseph Myers: It's hard not to root for former TUF winner McGee. He gets a pretty tough test in his first UFC pay-per-view card in Jensen, but it's one he can pass. McGee by submission, second round.
Mike Whitman: The TUF 11 winner turns back the veteran Jensen, controlling where and when the fight takes place. McGee by unanimous decision.
Lutfi Sariahmed: Both fighters have their respective feel-good stories, and you hope for the best for each fighter, but that's about as much as I can get into this fight. Jensen by decision.
Patrick Cote vs. Tom Lawlor
Tristen Critchfield: There's plenty of motivation to win for both fighters, as both have lost their lost two in the Octagon. Lawlor uses his wrestling to outpoint Cote and avoid a potential release from the UFC. Lawlor by decision
Mike Sloan: So, will Lawlor decide to look like Dan Severn again? This fight depends on what Lawlor looks like coming in. He’s a comedian, and his getup was hilarious when he dyed his hair, grew the moustache and wore those black tights. However, when fighters tend to put too much into how they look for a fight, bet against them. Cote needs a win and my guess is that Lawlor will take too much time away from training in an attempt to look funny or crazy and will lose to Cote by way of unanimous decision.
Luca Fury: Neither has looked good lately, but Lawlor is the superior wrestler, which is a nightmare for Patrick, who isn't good off his back. If Lawlor chooses to strike, he could be in trouble. But since he's coming off of two losses and is in danger of being cut, I think Tom will fight smart and win a takedown-oriented decision. Loser definitely gets his walking papers.
Joseph Myers: This fight is on Spike TV and should be an exciting slugfest. Cote has lost two straight, but those losses came to Alan Belcher and Anderson Silva, a pair of top-notch 185-pounders. Lawlor has lost two straight to Aaron Simpson and Joe Doerksen. Cote gets back on track with a KO that gets the crowd pumped up before the pay-per-view starts. Cote by KO, third round.
Mike Whitman: Cote returns to his winning ways, finding Lawlor’s chin sometime late in the first. Cote by KO, round one.
Lutfi Sariahmed: Is this a bout where the winner is the one who gasses out last? Unfortunately, it's very possible. It will be entertaining for the round it ends up going. I'll take Cote by KO.
Michael Guymon vs. Daniel Roberts
Tristen Critchfield: Rory MacDonald took advantage of Guymon on the ground in Guymon's UFC debut. Roberts has an array of impressive grappling credentials and should be able to do the same. Roberts by submission, round three.
Mike Sloan: Guymon wins this one. He’s gotten so much better as a fighter over the years and he belongs in the UFC. Eventually, he’ll be on the main card, as long as he can keep his focus in the right areas. Roberts is pretty good, too, but I see “The Joker” scoring a guillotine midway through the second round.
Luca Fury: Guymon is fairly skilled, but he's not really UFC-caliber. Roberts is a good prospect and should get a stoppage midway through the fight. Loser gets his walking papers.
Joseph Myers: A battle of the nicknames, as "The Joker" takes on "Ninja". With 18 finishes among 22 victories between the pair, chances are this one isn't going to the judges. Guymon has been in the sport since 1999, while Roberts has been fighting for just over three years. Youth trumps age in this one. Roberts by submission, second round.
Mike Whitman: Roberts by submission, round two.
Lutfi Sariahmed: Everyone looks at Daniel Roberts and thinks about the Howard KO, but he's got some fight to him. He's actually a pretty sound wrestler who could carve out a niche for himself in the UFC. I'm worried about picking Roberts because of his split decision over Petz, but I'll stick with the “Ninja” over Guymon by decision.
Sam Stout vs. Paul Taylor
Freddie DeFreitas: Stout and Taylor bank “Fight of the Night” bonuses in what will arguably be one of best bouts of 2010. Sam Stout by razor-thin decision.
Tristen Critchfield: In a perfect world, Stout would face Spencer Fisher in every bout. He should have enough to take care of Taylor, who has been up and down in the UFC. Then we can dream about Stout-Fisher III -- even if they are at different weight classes now. Stout by decision.
Mike Sloan: This is a perfectly-matched contest, as each possesses great skills and weaknesses. I’m picking Stout to keep the fighting standing and in his favor, as his MMA boxing is better. Stout by unanimous decision.
Luca Fury: Sam Stout should use his superior striking to win a scrappy decision over Taylor. Paul likes to strike and Sam is just better than him in that area. I doubt we see a finish, but the decision should be a fairly clear one for Stout. Well, the decision might not be so clear to the dumbass judges.
Joseph Myers: As I said when Spencer Fisher fought at UFC 120, it's hard to believe that Stout -- who's won "Fight of the Night" honors five times -- is fighting this early on the card. He looks to rebound from a loss to Jeremy Stephens against Taylor, who is coming back down to 155 following a loss to John Hathaway. Taylor might be physically bigger, given the fact that he's been fighting at 170, but Stout is a veteran who should be able to chalk up a win. Stout by decision.
Mike Whitman: Stout and Taylor are two of the gamest fighters you could hope to watch. If both men are healthy, this one could easily win “Fight of the Night.” I give the edge to Stout, though. I think he’s a more complete fighter and will make Taylor uncomfortable with his quickness. Stout by unanimous decision.
Gilbert Yvel vs. Jon Madsen
Freddie DeFreitas: Madsen's wrestling will be far too much for Yvel to handle, and unfortunately for the Dutch striker, he'll be forced to work from his back for the better part of three rounds. Look for Gilbert to throw caution to the wind and catch Madsen in the final moments for a stunning come from behind TKO victory.
Tristen Critchfield: Yvel labored through his match against Ben Rothwell. Although undefeated, Madsen needs a signature win that doesn't go the distance to move up the heavyweight food chain. He gets it against a tiring Yvel in the third round. Madsen by TKO, round three.
Mike Sloan: Funny, every time I think of Yvel, I think of him punching that referee several years ago. I still laugh at that, as horribly wrong it was. If Madsen decides to stand with him, he’ll be pushing up daisies. I think he will, and he gets clobbered early in the first. Yvel by right cross/knee to face in what should be “Knockout of the Night.”
Luca Fury: Madsen is the superior wrestler and Yvel's ground game is pretty bad. If Jon doesn't get clipped with a strike, he should win a decision. Probably another boring win for Madsen, whom Zuffa wants to lose so they can cut him. Loser definitely gets his walking papers.
Joseph Myers: This is the requisite heavyweight undercard slugfest, as Madsen steps up his level of competition against an experienced hand in Yvel, who has dropped three of his last four. It's not often that one fighter has eight times as many fights as his opponent, but that's the case here, as Yvel's had 52 bouts to Madsen's six. Yvel is past his prime, and Madsen continues his move up the ladder. Madsen by KO, third round.
Mike Whitman: Certainly, the wrestling advantage goes to Madsen. There’s a strong possibility that the TUF 10 competitor will simply hold Yvel down for three rounds and ride out a decision. However, we know one thing for certain: there’s no quit in Gilbert Yvel. This guy has been grounded and pounded seemingly for hours, and he still won’t yell uncle. I think Yvel finds a way to keep it standing long enough to land a knockout shot to Madsen’s dome. Yvel by knockout in round two.
Lutfi Sariahmed: I really don't know why either fighter is still in the UFC. I don't know why Yvel was in the UFC to begin with, really. I can at least understand with Madsen. If things were just, Yvel would beat Madsen and then both fighters would be cut. Madsen will win by decision, though, and Yvel will continue to be lauded as a tremendous striker.
Dongi Yang vs. Chris Camozzi
Tristen Critchfield: Yang hasn't yet faced a top-flight level of competition, but if he fights anything like “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung -- one of his training partners -- the bout against Camozzi could be explosive. Camozzi by TKO, round one.
Mike Sloan: Decent fight, but one I’m not particularly interested in. I like Yang to win a close, dull unanimous decision.
Luca Fury: I don't know too much about either guy, besides that Chris Camozzi was on TUF and Yang is undefeated. I'm too lazy to look up tape on these two, so I'll make an uneducated guess and say Yang by TKO.
Joseph Myers: Yang is an unbeaten Korean Top Team member who makes his UFC debut against Camozzi, a TUF 11 graduate who's won three straight and five of his last six. Both men have plenty of finishes on their resume, but Camozzi has been the distance more often in his career. Camozzi's stamina and chin -- he's never been knocked out -- help him spoil Yang's first UFC fight. Camozzi by unanimous decision.
Mike Whitman: It’s hard to know what to expect from Yang, but I’ll take the Korean Top Team product against Camozzi. Yang by TKO, round three.
Lutfi Sariahmed: I'll buy the hype. It'll probably be to my detriment, but there has to be a reason Yang is getting as much buzz as he is right? Right? Yang by KO in the third.
Related Articles
