MMAsterkillah
10-16-2006, 03:57 AM
Fedor Emelianenko (23-1) vs. Mark the Hammer Coleman (15-7)
Fedor is the clearcut favorite in this one for obvious reasons. He is the champion because he has proven that he is superior to everybody he has been put up against.
Fedor and Coleman fought originally at in the PRIDE HWGP. Coleman showed off his amazing strength with a quick and unprecedented takedown of Fedor, as Mark began his usual GnP. Unfortunately for Coleman, Fedor was able to read his overextension of his arm while trying to reach through Fedor's guard to cause damage. Fedor quickly trapped the arm and armbarred Coleman 2 minutes in for the win.
That being said, Coleman shouldn't be completely underestimated because he was able to get Fedor on his back which is the only way he'll be able to win. Striking easily goes to Fedor and I don't know if Coleman will be able to work for takedowns this time.
PREDICTION: Fedor KO Rd 1
Mauricio Shogun Rua (13-2) vs. Kevin the Monster Randleman (16-11)
This fight is probably most affected because of the altered rules of PRIDEs debut in America. Shogun Rua is an awesome muay thai striker who is dangerous in every facet of standup. Also, Shogun was at one point #4 in the world in his weight class in BJJ. Not too shabby. Randleman has had an up and down career with some great wins and some disappointing losses. He will try to rebound using his great wrestling ability, which is helped because of his great strength and athleticism. The monster should benefit because Shogun won't be allowed to stomp or kick which has been the way he has KOd most of his opponents.
While this could easily be the fight of the night, and an upset, I still have to expect Shogun to be ready to neutralize the GnP and eventually work for the KO using his great strikes, and possibly knees.
PREDICTION: Shogun KO Rd 2
Josh Barnett (19-4) vs. Pawel Nastula (1-2)
Barnett is probably the #3 HW in the world, and the road to glory hasn't been easy for the amazing Judo champion Pawel Nastula. Nastula approached PRIDE and asked for the best fighters, and he has definitely gotten them. He is 0-2 in PRIDE but has shown improved ability and his Judo skill cannot be questioned at all as he is among the worlds best.
Josh Barnett certainly has the experience advantage and size advantage and has to be considered the clear cut favorite. I dont know if Nastula will be able to handle Barnett on the ground, because I think Barnetts GnP and submissions are pretty special, especially for a guy not fully accustomed for striking on the ground. Striking is obviously an advantage for Barnett, but he isn't a great striker himself. Nastula has a tough night ahead of him, and he'll have to take advantage of his particular judo strengths if he wants to have any chance.
PREDICTION: Barnett Submission Rd 2
Butterbean (6-2-1) vs. Mark Hunt (5-2)
In what was originally an MMA fight, has been declared a boxing match by the NSAC. That would certainly seem to favor Butterbean as he has been a pro boxer for years. Mark Hunt however, is certainly no slouch throwing his hands around. Hunt, a predominantly stand up fighter, and former kickboxer, has been known mostly for his standup brawling type style. He has a chin of iron and fists of bricks. Butterbean is pretty quick for a guy his size (at least 350) and is the experienced boxer so he should not be counted out. In a kickboxing match BB would get destroyed, but straight boxing his power and decent speed should make for an entertaining boxing exhibition.
PREDICTION: Hunt KO Rd 4 (Assuming 5 3 MINUTE RDs?)
Dan Henderson (20-5) vs. Vitor Belfort (14-7)
WW Champ Dan Henderson will move up to 205 to meet The Phenom Vitor Belfort in this interesting matchup. Dan Henderson dropped his last fight to Misaki but still remains among the top 185s in the world. He has fought most of his career at 205 (because PRIDE didnt have 185) so it shouldnt be that much of a detriment to move up. His wrestling is phenomenal and his right hand has been known to make him dangerous. Those skills coupled with his tenacity and ability to work defensively against subs make him "Dangerous" Dan. Vitor Belfort has unquestioned natural talent. At a young age, he burst onto the scene and became UFC champion. Since then he has had a tumultuous career, with fans sometimes questioning his dedication to the sport he seems to be so naturally gifted at. His hands are renown, as he has trained in boxing for years. His BJJ is also awesome as he has trained with some of the best in the world (BTT) and competed successfully at the highest level at ADCC. Despite some disappointing losses and overly conservative performances, fans remain compelled, hoping that The Phenom will return to old form. Other fans hope Dan Henderson will prove why he is the champ at WW while he continues to wait to see who he will be facing (winner of WWGP)
PREDICTION: Dan Henderson by Decision
Marvin Eastman (13-6-1) vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura (10-5)
Nakamura is a great Judo expert who has trained under world-renown gold-medalist Yoshida. Nakamura has fought some great fighters, and come victorious in some of these fights (Igor, Randleman, Busta). Among the best japanese fighters for sure, he is always a threat to submit you. He is also very tough and works many opponents to the decision using his solid conditioning.
Marvin the Beastman Eastman has had a journeymans career fighting for many of the smaller shows with pretty good success. A wrestler/freestyle striker the beastman is fairly short but is a built for the part. Using his strength and wrestling skills, he has worked his way into becoming a decent submission guy using chokes to finish his opponents.
PREDICTION: Nakamura Submission Rd 1
Joey Villasenor (22-4) vs. Robbie Lawler (11-4)
Joey Villasenor is a veteran fighter who is extremely well-rounded. He has fought in many different orgs through his successful career and has been able to finish fights regularly by both KO/TKO or submission. He is a true Mixed Martial Artist who obviously focuses on all aspects, but especially his submissions and ground strikes.
Robbie Lawler is a brawler who loves to throw his hands around. Coming off a loss to Mayhem Miller, he has little to lose at this point. Ruthless Robbie has trained with MFS so he is getting more well rounded, but he is kind of a hard head who will revert back to his "Ruthless", aggressive style where he thinks he is Mike Tyson.
This should be a decent fight. Both fighters have pretty impressive careers and like to throw hands. Unfortunately for Lawler, I see Villasenor being too well-rounded and being able to work for the takedown whenever Robbie gets overly aggressive.
PREDICTION: Villasenor Decision
Phil Baroni (9-7) vs. Yosuke Nishijima (0-3)
NYBA Phil Baroni is a hate him or love him type of a guy. He has a charismatic attitude, but also a charismatic fighting style. Hes brings flash to the table with his great power and love to slug it out. Nishijima is just the guy to take advantage of that. Nishijima is a former pro-boxer who should definitely have the striking advantage between these two guys if it comes to that. While Baroni is a threat to knock anybody out, it would be wise for him to use his wrestling skill that he has acquired working daily with team Hammerhouse. If Baroni and Nishijima stand this could be a war, but if they go to the ground it could be pretty easy for Baroni.
PREDICTION: Baroni GNP TKO Rd 2
Fujita vs. TBA
Fujita pwns TBA.
PREDICTION: FUJITA BY ARMBAR
Fedor is the clearcut favorite in this one for obvious reasons. He is the champion because he has proven that he is superior to everybody he has been put up against.
Fedor and Coleman fought originally at in the PRIDE HWGP. Coleman showed off his amazing strength with a quick and unprecedented takedown of Fedor, as Mark began his usual GnP. Unfortunately for Coleman, Fedor was able to read his overextension of his arm while trying to reach through Fedor's guard to cause damage. Fedor quickly trapped the arm and armbarred Coleman 2 minutes in for the win.
That being said, Coleman shouldn't be completely underestimated because he was able to get Fedor on his back which is the only way he'll be able to win. Striking easily goes to Fedor and I don't know if Coleman will be able to work for takedowns this time.
PREDICTION: Fedor KO Rd 1
Mauricio Shogun Rua (13-2) vs. Kevin the Monster Randleman (16-11)
This fight is probably most affected because of the altered rules of PRIDEs debut in America. Shogun Rua is an awesome muay thai striker who is dangerous in every facet of standup. Also, Shogun was at one point #4 in the world in his weight class in BJJ. Not too shabby. Randleman has had an up and down career with some great wins and some disappointing losses. He will try to rebound using his great wrestling ability, which is helped because of his great strength and athleticism. The monster should benefit because Shogun won't be allowed to stomp or kick which has been the way he has KOd most of his opponents.
While this could easily be the fight of the night, and an upset, I still have to expect Shogun to be ready to neutralize the GnP and eventually work for the KO using his great strikes, and possibly knees.
PREDICTION: Shogun KO Rd 2
Josh Barnett (19-4) vs. Pawel Nastula (1-2)
Barnett is probably the #3 HW in the world, and the road to glory hasn't been easy for the amazing Judo champion Pawel Nastula. Nastula approached PRIDE and asked for the best fighters, and he has definitely gotten them. He is 0-2 in PRIDE but has shown improved ability and his Judo skill cannot be questioned at all as he is among the worlds best.
Josh Barnett certainly has the experience advantage and size advantage and has to be considered the clear cut favorite. I dont know if Nastula will be able to handle Barnett on the ground, because I think Barnetts GnP and submissions are pretty special, especially for a guy not fully accustomed for striking on the ground. Striking is obviously an advantage for Barnett, but he isn't a great striker himself. Nastula has a tough night ahead of him, and he'll have to take advantage of his particular judo strengths if he wants to have any chance.
PREDICTION: Barnett Submission Rd 2
Butterbean (6-2-1) vs. Mark Hunt (5-2)
In what was originally an MMA fight, has been declared a boxing match by the NSAC. That would certainly seem to favor Butterbean as he has been a pro boxer for years. Mark Hunt however, is certainly no slouch throwing his hands around. Hunt, a predominantly stand up fighter, and former kickboxer, has been known mostly for his standup brawling type style. He has a chin of iron and fists of bricks. Butterbean is pretty quick for a guy his size (at least 350) and is the experienced boxer so he should not be counted out. In a kickboxing match BB would get destroyed, but straight boxing his power and decent speed should make for an entertaining boxing exhibition.
PREDICTION: Hunt KO Rd 4 (Assuming 5 3 MINUTE RDs?)
Dan Henderson (20-5) vs. Vitor Belfort (14-7)
WW Champ Dan Henderson will move up to 205 to meet The Phenom Vitor Belfort in this interesting matchup. Dan Henderson dropped his last fight to Misaki but still remains among the top 185s in the world. He has fought most of his career at 205 (because PRIDE didnt have 185) so it shouldnt be that much of a detriment to move up. His wrestling is phenomenal and his right hand has been known to make him dangerous. Those skills coupled with his tenacity and ability to work defensively against subs make him "Dangerous" Dan. Vitor Belfort has unquestioned natural talent. At a young age, he burst onto the scene and became UFC champion. Since then he has had a tumultuous career, with fans sometimes questioning his dedication to the sport he seems to be so naturally gifted at. His hands are renown, as he has trained in boxing for years. His BJJ is also awesome as he has trained with some of the best in the world (BTT) and competed successfully at the highest level at ADCC. Despite some disappointing losses and overly conservative performances, fans remain compelled, hoping that The Phenom will return to old form. Other fans hope Dan Henderson will prove why he is the champ at WW while he continues to wait to see who he will be facing (winner of WWGP)
PREDICTION: Dan Henderson by Decision
Marvin Eastman (13-6-1) vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura (10-5)
Nakamura is a great Judo expert who has trained under world-renown gold-medalist Yoshida. Nakamura has fought some great fighters, and come victorious in some of these fights (Igor, Randleman, Busta). Among the best japanese fighters for sure, he is always a threat to submit you. He is also very tough and works many opponents to the decision using his solid conditioning.
Marvin the Beastman Eastman has had a journeymans career fighting for many of the smaller shows with pretty good success. A wrestler/freestyle striker the beastman is fairly short but is a built for the part. Using his strength and wrestling skills, he has worked his way into becoming a decent submission guy using chokes to finish his opponents.
PREDICTION: Nakamura Submission Rd 1
Joey Villasenor (22-4) vs. Robbie Lawler (11-4)
Joey Villasenor is a veteran fighter who is extremely well-rounded. He has fought in many different orgs through his successful career and has been able to finish fights regularly by both KO/TKO or submission. He is a true Mixed Martial Artist who obviously focuses on all aspects, but especially his submissions and ground strikes.
Robbie Lawler is a brawler who loves to throw his hands around. Coming off a loss to Mayhem Miller, he has little to lose at this point. Ruthless Robbie has trained with MFS so he is getting more well rounded, but he is kind of a hard head who will revert back to his "Ruthless", aggressive style where he thinks he is Mike Tyson.
This should be a decent fight. Both fighters have pretty impressive careers and like to throw hands. Unfortunately for Lawler, I see Villasenor being too well-rounded and being able to work for the takedown whenever Robbie gets overly aggressive.
PREDICTION: Villasenor Decision
Phil Baroni (9-7) vs. Yosuke Nishijima (0-3)
NYBA Phil Baroni is a hate him or love him type of a guy. He has a charismatic attitude, but also a charismatic fighting style. Hes brings flash to the table with his great power and love to slug it out. Nishijima is just the guy to take advantage of that. Nishijima is a former pro-boxer who should definitely have the striking advantage between these two guys if it comes to that. While Baroni is a threat to knock anybody out, it would be wise for him to use his wrestling skill that he has acquired working daily with team Hammerhouse. If Baroni and Nishijima stand this could be a war, but if they go to the ground it could be pretty easy for Baroni.
PREDICTION: Baroni GNP TKO Rd 2
Fujita vs. TBA
Fujita pwns TBA.
PREDICTION: FUJITA BY ARMBAR