UFC crosses the borders for the second straight event coming this time from Quebec, Montreal, Canada for Machida vs. Shogun 2. A lot of people think that Shogun got robbed back in October when these two first fought with the judge’s decision going to Machida. Also on the card is famous backyard brawler Kimbo Slice versus Matt Mitrione. I hope this bearded nut job trained hard and can show us that he has been working on his technique. His first couple professional fights were an embarrassment to both him and the sport. Here is a small preview of what is to come tomorrow night in the Great White North.
Machida vs. Shogun – Light Heavyweight Championship
This time neither fighter plans on letting the judges have any say in the matter. For this reason I think this will be a great fight to watch. We are going to see both of these fighters leave everything they have on the mat. None of the Spider Silva dancing around and mocking that we had to endure during the last event but some serious fighting. Shogun will have to get a KO or Submission to get the belt from Machida because we have already seen that if it is a close fight, the judges lean towards the champ. This could, and should, be only the second championship bout to end before the allotted 5 rounds in 2010.
Prediction: Shogun, Round 4, submission
Josh Koscheck vs. Paul Daley – Welterweight Bout
This fight has the potential to be just as good as the main fight of the evening, depending on two factors. The first is how Koscheck decides to fight. If he tries to win this fight standing up I think he will end up on his back. Paul Daley knocks people out as easy as I punch my timecard. For Koscheck to really get the advantage in this one he will have to move to the ground and try to get him into a submission. If Daley can get Koscheck to stay up on his feet then it will be a quick fight. The winner of this fight will be the number 1 contender for Georges St. Pierre’s WW belt.
Prediction: Josh Koscheck, Round 3, submission
Sam Stout vs. Jeremy Stephens – Lightweight Bout
These two guys are virtually the same fighter when you look at the tape. Both 5’9”, 155 pounds with the same amount of fights between them. Stout and Stephens are both two little bastards when it comes to toughness too. Both fighters have never been knocked out but absolutely love knocking people out. You can ask Justin Bucholz about Jeremy Stephens as he probably still has a crater left in his forehead from Fight Night 19. I doubt these two guys take their match to the ground as I think this will be a “slobberknocker” to quote the great Jim Ross of the WWE. It should be entertaining to watch them beat on each other for 3 rounds. Also, Stout has been able to hang in for a lot of his fights despite the beating he has endured.
Prediction: Jeremy Stevens, Round 3, Decision
Kimbo Slice vs. Matt Mitrione – Heavyweight Bout
The famous Bahamian-American backyard brawler will have all eyes on him throughout this fight. They will be critiquing his style and technique that has come under fire in the past. There is no doubt this man can hit harder than McGwire on steroids but if his technique is off he will end up with the loss. Mitrione, a former NFLer and TUF alum, is entering his second professional fight with the UFC after defeating Marcus Jones via knockout during The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights finale. Unfortunately for Slice, I think Mitrione can hit him harder than anyone has in his career thus far and if he lands one on him I think Kimbo will be stunned, giving an opening to Mitrione to end the fight. Both are big boys with Mitrione at the weigh in at 253 pounds. That’s a solid 28 pounds over Slice.
Prediction: Matt Mitrione, Round 2, KO (Punches)
Fight Cards source: UFC.com
