It appears that a fight between the number one and number two pound-for-pound contenders in the UFC won’t be happening anytime soon. Makhachev made it clear that this fight wasn’t planned for the White House event, the next and probably the most anticipated fight in the coming months. UFC White House has become one of the most anticipated events in the country.

And it will take place this summer, just like another major international sporting competition: the 2026 World Cup, for which the United States will be one of the hosts. Massive coverage is expected from the press, social media, and every soccer World Cup betting site. Actually, both events are going to have an immense impact. But, in the case of the UFC match, we will only be able to see one of the two fighters: El Matador.

Thus, we’ll have to wait a little longer to see the clash between the current lightweight champion and the welterweight champion. It’s not for lack of trying on Topuria’s part: the Georgian-born Spaniard has long been challenging Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protégé. But the Dagestani keeps his emotions in check, as well as his timing and public statements. In addition, a hand injury is keeping him temporarily away from the cage at the moment.

In one of his latest appearances, he not only ruled out the fight; he also stated that he sees no danger in Topuria moving up to welterweight. It should be noted that, should he move up to the 170-pound division, it is very likely that Ilia will fight directly for the title, as he did at lightweight after winning the featherweight championship.

More immediate challenges

The Georgian fighter has a knack for taking on champions. And UFC legends. That’s why he’s brimming with confidence heading into his fight against Justin Gaethje, the interim title challenger. On paper, the matchup seems quite lopsided. Topuria comes in undefeated and in great shape (despite his recent break of a some weeks). Furthermore, the lightweight champion’s boxing skills can take down the promotion’s best strikers (as we saw against Holloway).

However, underestimating the Arizona native is a big mistake. Few predicted he would win when he faced Tony Fergusson. And the same thing happened against Paddy Pimblett. Gaethje’s punches take their toll on his opponents as the rounds progress. It’s another matter entirely if Topuria knocks him down in the early stages.

Islam, for his part, has several names under consideration for his next fight. The Dagestani wrestler could fight in the coming months, after recovering from his injury. Among the various candidates, Ian Garry is a strong contender, having even traveled to Georgia to hone his wrestling skills.

The Great Battle

A striking exchange between Topuria and Gaethje could be extremely interesting, no one doubts that. And Garry’s kicks could pose a challenge to Makhachev to some extent. But fans are particularly interested in seeing the clash between the lightweight and welterweight champions.

For the Russian, a victory would mean absolute dominance in the promotion. And for the Spaniard: the triple crown, something no one has ever achieved before in the UFC. Of course, the winner would also become the number one pound-for-pound contender. One of the big questions is: Who would be the favorite according to the odds? The answer isn’t simple, given the strengths of both fighters.

Ilia is one of the most complete fighters on the current scene: he has excellent boxing skills and knockout power, but his wrestling background allows him to face Makhachev with a degree of confidence. Islam, for his part, has proven that he is unrivaled in takedowns and on the ground. And his offensive striking is powerful and could ultimately decide the fight (remember his second performance against Volkanovski).

Who’s afraid?

The Russian’s recent statements, claiming he doesn’t consider Topuria a real threat in the welterweight division, are a new chapter in the media rivalry between the two athletes. Islam brings up other names in the conversation, such as Garry or Morales, to downplay the current 155-pound champion, mentioning his size, weight, and height.

For his part, the Spanish-Georgian has long likened Islam’s behavior to that of a fighter who runs from confronting him. And it’s not the first time he’s claimed to have the key to defeating him, as he’s faced Dagestani fighters before and knows exactly how to counter them.

Is this simply a way to heighten the hype surrounding the potential fight and psychologically manipulate his opponent? Or might Makhachev genuinely see his rival as too strong and a threat to his legacy? Either way, the clash seems inevitable in the medium term. And we fans will enjoy it.

The post Islam Makhachev claims not to fear Ilia Topuria appeared first on ChiCitySports.

December UFC cards crank up the spectacle, dazzling with big names, massive hype, and seemingly obvious favorites priced at -300 or shorter. Yet, year after year, casual bettors fall into the same stylistic traps. In this year-end UFC guide, MyBookie ag reviews recurring blind spots, from overhyped strikers and grappling-heavy underdogs to fighters crippled by risky weight cuts, and shows how to lock value before public piles in.

Spotting Stylistic Mismatches: Key Giveaways

It wouldn’t be a December UFC frenzy without title fights, rematches, and ranked contenders. But stylistic nightmares, think Silva vs. Maia but with modern grappling pressure, can still sneak in. Here are the four classic traps you should avoid:

• Elite Grapplers Listed as Heavy Underdogs. Bettors love strikers (reel-worthy knockouts, Round 1 edge), often ignoring grappling pros. Grapplers might be less exciting (lying on top of an opponent for 15 minutes is hardly prime-time entertainment), but their chain takedowns can completely neutralize the striker. Sharp bettors pick underdogs early on before lines tighten and the public erases +EV value.
• Risky Weight Cuts. A fighter looks extra-ripped on the scale? It means he can come flat and gas out faster (dehydrated bodies lose explosiveness, and striking and grappling power drops). Public bets on shredded guys because they look more powerful and intimidating. Savvy MyBookie ag bettors know that extreme dehydration is bad news, pay close attention to R1, and fade them live on R2 when they start to slow.
• High-Volume Strikers vs. Pressure Wrestlers. Public bettors see strikers’ over 8 strikes per minute and expect an inevitable knockout. What they tend to ignore is that a relentless forward pressure, grabs, and clinches against the fence drop the striker’s efficacy by 40–50%, so you’re left with only 4 hits per minute. That’s why sharps prefer to stick with wrestler dogs early on.
• Pace Mismatch. Another classic trap is a match between a high-pace striker and a low-output grinder with pro-level cardio. While the striker dominated R1, he starts to gas out during R3-5, while the underdog takes over. Here’s the best course of action: bet on the underdog with stylistic edge, monitor R1, and hammer live odds when the favorite starts showing weakness.

These trends are not some random anomalies; there are year-long trends.

Why Is This Important for Your Wallet

So, you’ve missed some of these tattletale signs. How big a deal is it, anyway? Failing to identify these patterns won’t cost you just one bet but one of the best betting seasons of the year. To up your betting routine, constantly monitor big platforms like ESPN for schedule and last news, dive into MyBookie reviews for more in-depth analysis, and have a season plan. Bankroll maintenance is the key to success, so cap your exposure, track your bets, and never-ever chase losses.

Holiday UFC amps up the pressure with a constant roster of title fights, making it the most dynamic months of the year. Stylistic mismatches can happen anytime, so keep your eyes wide open to monitor these trends and identify a fat edge.

The post MyBookie Review: The Stylistic Traps in December UFC Cards That Markets Consistently Misread appeared first on ChiCitySports.

If you’re itching for some sports, the UFC is here for you.

Dana White announced on Monday that UFC 249 will go on as scheduled on April 18th but with a few changes. Instead of the main event being Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov, a highly anticipated match, it will Justin Gaethje challenging Feruguson – for interim UFC lightweight title. Khabib is unable to travel outside of Russia and won’t make it for the match so instead, the event will go on without him.

This also puts the future of Khabib and Ferguson, a match that has been cancelled a few times before, in jeopardy. We may never see the two fight due to this situation with COVID-19. But at least we get some action right?

White announced the full card which can be seen below:

THE WHOLE CARD

See you on ESPN+ PPV. #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/J8jPBENMrs

— UFC (@ufc) April 7, 2020

• Lightweight: Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje – for interim UFC lightweight title
• Strawweight: Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
• Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price
• Featherweight: Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar
• Heavyweight: Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
• Middleweight: Jacare Souza vs. Uriah Hall
• Lightweight: Alex Hernandez vs. Omar Morales
• Bantamweight: Ray Borg vs. Marlon Vera
• Lightweight: Michael Johnson vs. Khama Worthy
• Women’s Bantamweight: Sijara Eubanks vs. Sarah Moras
• Light Heavyweight: Sam Alvey vs. Ryan Spann

The location of the fight is also to be determined but rumors have swirled that it will be somewhere on the West Coast with no fans in the stands.

White may have also found a new solution for future fights during this pandemic, as TMZ is reporting he’s close to a deal to acquire an island. Yep, a freakin’ island.

White says the location for that event is still top secret — though he’s locked up the mystery venue where it will take place for 2 months and plans on pumping out fights every week. But after that, White says he’s planning to move the octagon to the island — where he will set up shop and host fights involving massive international fighters.

White says the deal for Fight Island isn’t done yet — but it’s very close. And no, we don’t know what part of the world it’s in.

Holy hell.

The post Dana White announces UFC 249 will go on but with some changes appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Once the fighters officially weigh-in tonight, UFC 152 will be ready to kick off. UFC fans are drooling for some action after the controversial UFC 151 card cancellation. President Dana White was forced to scrap the card after Dan Henderson pulled out of the main event due to injury and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones refused to face another fighter on such short notice.

After taking heat from not only angry fans but an angry boss, Jones (16-1) is prepared to defend his belt against former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort. Since an embarrassing KO loss to Anderson Silva, Belfort (21-9) has reeled off back-to-back victories. Eight years have passed since Belfort’s last UFC Light Heavyweight Title fight, but he’s agreed to step up on short notice to go for the gold once again. UFC Lightweight competitor and teammate of Jones, Clay Guida, has confidence that his teammate will retain his belt.

“I think Jon is gonna have his way with Vitor,” Guida said. “I predict either a first or second round TKO, Jon by ground and pound. There are several other fights on the card that to me as a fight fan, as well as a competitor, that are more intriguing.”

The co-main event of the evening pairs Joseph Benavidez (16-2) versus Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (15-2-1) to determine the first ever UFC Flyweight Champion. The matchup represents the finals of a somewhat controversial four-man tournament in which Demetrious Johnson defeated Ian McCall in a rematch after the two had a draw. Many believed McCall was the clear winner in their first bout, but regardless, Johnson is prepared to make history. And no one is more excited to see these two square off than Clay Guida.

“It will be fun to see the two little scrappers, the two little balls of energy get out there and really put on a show and introduce their 125-pound division to the rest of the world and make people aware of it and how energetic and how athletic and skilled these fighters are,” Guida said.

Also on the card is UFC stalwart Michael “The Count” Bisping (22-4) versus Brian “All-American” Stann (12-4). Bisping has won four of his last five bouts, but lost his most recent contest to Chael Sonnen at UFC on Fox 2, a decision that even Sonnen himself admitted should’ve gone Bisping’s way. Stann has also won four of his last five fights and is coming off of a brutal KO win over Alessio Sakara. The two have been badmouthing each other for months and can’t wait to meet inside the octagon. Guida hopes to see his teammate Brian Stann come out on top.

“I think it’s a very good matchup between two very good strikers with Stann possessing more power in his hands and in his knees and kicks,” Guida said. “But Michael Bisping is one of the fighters that’s always gonna be there, he knows how to keep the fight close. He’s been in there with the best of the best, he’s only really been handled one time against Dan Henderson, so I’m expecting a fun and exciting fight out of those two.”

A fight that rounds out the main card is a featherweight contest between Cub Swanson (17-5) and Charles Oliveira (16-2). Guida is looking forward to the underrated matchup.

“I believe that the Cub Swanson and Charles Oliveira fight is gonna be dynamite,” Guida said. “I think it’s gonna be a potential fight of the night and hopefully Cub can pull out a victory.”

On paper, UFC 152 has what it takes to satisfy the masses that have long awaited another UFC card.

The fights will be televised on pay-per-view at 9 PM CT tomorrow.

The post Jon Jones’ training partner and UFC fighter Clay Guida on UFC 152 appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Bears woes and annoying Packers’ fans

So the Bears lost to the Packers, I’m sure you’ve heard of this by now. Especially if you live in Illinois and have to deal with annoying Packers’ fans who think it’s necessary to shit talk at every given moment after a victory.

Which brings me to another issue, why are there so many Packers’ fans in Illinois? Most of them aren’t from Wisconsin, most of them tend to root for the Bulls and Cubs, but when it comes to football, it’s the Packers. Just seems odd to me, I guess it’s convenient since the Bears have sucked for 27 years and the Packers had Brett Favre and now Aaron Rodgers. I guess I should just start rooting for the Heat, it would definitely add a few years to my life.

Let’s get back to the point, that game was just awful, the final score didn’t even tell the story. I’m still not convinced it was Cutler out there and not Rex Grossman disguised in the #6 jersey. It’s seriously a curse, when will the Bears have an actual quarterback? The Bear’s QB debacle makes the Bull’s SG hole seem reparable (Ben Gordon is somewhere in Charlotte celebrating his first complement ever). Jay Cutler is the Carlos Boozer of the Chicago Bears. He’s straight up surgical versus poor teams, and is absolute garbage versus tough competition. Everyone complains about our O-line, but you can’t tell me there weren’t plays where he had tons of time and threw it to a Packer.

The good thing is it’s only Week 2, and the Packers are certainly Super Bowl contenders once again, so nothing to ashamed about. I’m not hitting the panic button, but nonetheless, changes need to be made.

What is with Anderson Silva vs. Stephan Bonnar?

After the UFC 153 headliners Jose Aldo and Rampage went down with injuries, which has become much too frequent nowadays, Dana White put together a month’s short notice main event of Anderson Silva vs. Stephan Bonnar. Yes, the same Stephan Bonnar that put on a 15 minute slugfest versus Forrest Griffin and put the UFC on the map. But that was seven years ago. He’s 35 now, hasn’t fought since last November, and while he’s won three straight fights, I refuse to forget his embarrassing loss to old geezer Mark Coleman at UFC 100. Not to mention Silva opens up as an astronomical -1350 favorite, which gives him approximately a 93% chance of winning. That pretty much makes Silva the biggest favorite in combat sport history.

This raises the question, what was Dana White thinking putting this fight together?

Well, believe it or not, I don’t entirely disagree with his decision. First off, it’s Anderson “The Spider” Silva. I’d put down $50 to watch him fight a blind paraplegic. OK, maybe I wouldn’t go that far, but the point is if Anderson Silva is fighting, I’m watching. And I’m sure that’s how most fans feel.

On a related note, the card is in Brazil. So everything I just said about Anderson Silva, multiply by 100 for Brazilian fans.

Lastly, while Bonnar may be washed up, casual fans could really care less. People know the name because of his big fights and he always engages and puts on a show. Maybe this won’t be his most competitive fight, but he’s gonna lace up his gloves and brawl.

In the end, this fight may be hugely one-sided, but scrapping this fight together was better than cancelling the card altogether, especially after the UFC 151 debacle.

Could Braxton Miller be the next RGIII?

Before you attack me for biggest overstatement of the year, remember that Robert Griffin III wasn’t even a starter at this point in his career. Understandably Braxton Miller has faced pretty soft competition thus far (Miami OH, UCF, Cal), but man, has he looked good.

To start off his sophomore campaign at Ohio State, Miller already has 988 total yards (611 passing, 377 rush) and 12 touchdowns (7 passing, 5 rush), including a 72-yard pass to Devin Smith to win the game versus Cal with just under 3:30 left. This is the same guy that threw a single completion in a win over Illinois last year. Urban Meyer has really coached this kid up and he’s blossoming into a star.

At 6’2” 210 lbs, Miller has the size and athletic ability to make it in the NFL, but he’s still got a long way to go. With the influx of hybrid QB’s in the NFL, such as RGIII, Cam Newton, and Russell Wilson, Braxton Miller might be a name to remember.

Derrick Rose Video Reaction

If you haven’t watched this video yet, please do. This video is both heart wrenching and comforting at the same time. I’m torn that Rose is so emotional about his ACL tear, but at the same time it’s refreshing to see he’s still hungry and passionate for the game.

This goes to show that his five-year, $95 million contract with the Bulls and his 14-year, $250 million contract with Adidas hasn’t gotten to his head at all. Instead of celebrating the release of his new kicks, he’s still sobbing about the injury that’s keeping him away from the game he loves.

Even after all the money and accolades, Rose continues to embody the same humble kid from Chi-town. If there was ever a player that would recovery from such an injury, it would be Derrick Rose. His recovery is just another competition for him, and as always, he doesn’t just wanna play, he wants to be MVP.

He’s more than Chicago’s favorite player, he’s a symbol. With all of the controversy in the news about athletes facing jail time for countless crimes, it’s comforting to see an athlete be a superstar on and off the court. Call it cliché, but Derrick Rose is Chicago’s Red Knight.

The post Random thoughts: Silva vs. Bonnar, Bears-Packers, Rose new shoes and more appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Leave comments with your own thoughts on the fight.

• Hearing the Fox NFL Sunday music playing on a Saturday night brings a smile to my face. We’re minutes away from the fighters’ entrances!
• Brock Lesnar is commentating along with Dana White and Curt Menefee. Lesnar has mentioned several times he is rooting for current champion Cain Velasquez. He wants him to win so he can win a re-match with him. Of course this means Lesnar is claiming he already anticipates to defeat Alistair Overeem on December 30th at UFC 141.
• Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg will be calling the match. Awesome to hear Rogan’s voice especially considering the event is free. You “should” have to pay to hear that man’s voice.
• The striking ability of Junior Dos Santos will definitely win some fans over if this is their first time tuning into a UFC fight.
• UFC is really trying to win over the Latino demographic. Seems as if every other sentence is about their upbringing and how they were raised.
• Dos Santos is currently on a 8 fight win streak.
• Cain Velasquez’s entrance music is Mariachi music. Definitely a little less intimidating than a bearded Brock Lesnar entering to a Metallica song.
• The prep point before fighters enter the ring is sponsored by the United States Marines. Fox really knows how to sell that advertising. I should take some pointers.
• 1 minute away from the title fight, pretty crazy that this is about to go down on cable for free.
• Michael Buffer’s enthusiasm always gets me a little pumped.
• Cain Velasquez looks like one scary mofo.
• Dos Santos with a huge shot and gets Velasquez down….umm…..that was quick.
• Very disappointed with the fight, this was hyped for months and it’s over in 1 minute. “SMH” doesn’t begin to capture how I feel right now. Didn’t even have time to get settled into the recliner!
• I got to live blog the event for a total of 15 minutes, that was easy.
• Kim Kardashians’ marriage lasted longer than that fight.

The post UFC Live Blog: Cain Velasquez vs Junior Dos Santos, World Heavyweight Championship on FOX appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Jon Jones is a frequent passenger on that train and he’ll continue to be after yet another impressive performance last night after a first round destruction of veteran Vladimir Matyushenko. Let’s go to the recap

Jon Jones def. Vladimir Matyushenko (TKO, Round One)

What did we learn?: Jones called this fight a solid step sideways in the week leading up to it, it may have been Jones’ one slip up  in interviews leading up to the fight, but it was also the truth. Matyushenko is a veteran who hadn’t been stopped in a fight in 6 years, Jones did it in two minutes. A quick takedown, and a couple of guard passes was all it took for Jones. After gaining the Salaverry position, he rained down unanswered elbows until Herb Dean pulled him off at the 1:53 mark.

What’s Next for Jon Jones: Dana White said Jones was now a top 8 fighter in his weight class, Jones, perhaps getting ahead of himself said he wanted a top 3 fighter in the light-heavyweight division. One thing is clear though after last night, Joe Silva and White can’t baby Jones any longer.

I wouldn’t want to run my contenders into each other quite yet until I absolutely had to, so avoid giving Jones the winner of Ryan Bader/Rogerio Noguiera. Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin are two viable choices for Jones, both of them former champion, and both available to fight as the co-main event for GSP vs. Koscheck in December.

What’s Next for Matyushenko: The retirement home. Matyushenko looked more uncomfortable on his back than a turtle, and is in a division full of decent wrestlers.

Yushin Okami def. Mark Munoz (Split decision)

What did we learn?: That there’s a reason that we don’t see Okami on TV too often. While you have to resepct Okami’s takedown defense and his toughness he just isn’t that exciting of a fighter. Munoz had one opportunity all fight after clipping Okami in the second round, and quickly found himself on his back after trying to swoop in for the kill. Munoz clearly took the second, Okami easily took the third over a clearly gassed Munoz. While the first round was debatable, I had Okami as the winner.

What’s next for Okami?: The guy is a grinder in every sense of the word, he should also be in some type of contention for a title shot. He’s now 10-2 in the UFC with his only loses coming to Rich Franklin and Chael Sonnen. Give him Chris Leben, or if Okami isn’t too banged up why not let him fill in for Alan Belcher against Demian Maia next month?

What’s next for Munoz?: I always thought Munoz had suspect stand up, he looked lost when he couldn’t get Okami to the floor. Opting to throw big shots in favor of attempting to pick Okami apart. Aaron Simpson would present an interesting Wrestler vs. Wrestler fight for Munoz.

Jake Ellenberger def. John Howard (TKO, Doctor Stoppage, RD 3)

What did we learn?: More of what we already knew with Ellenberger. That he’s an excellent wrestler with some pretty scary elbows and ground and pound. We learned that Howard has an insane amount of heart for even answering the bell for the third round after probably having his orbital broken in the second round. Also that he has no game off of his back whatsoever.

What’s Next for Ellenberger?: A step up in competition. Give Ellenberger a top ten opponent, perhaps a shot against John Hathaway or Dong Hyung Kim.

What’s Next for Howard: Some Jiu-Jitsu classes to go along with his heavy hands. A fight against Ben Saunders could be very entertaining.

Takinori Gomi def. Tyson Griffin (KO RD 1)

What did we learn?: That JMMA isn’t quite dead yet. Gomi looked like “The Fireball Kid” of old, when he connected with a huge right hook right on Griffin’s chin after peppering him with body shots. That Griffin needs to get over the fact that he thinks he’s a better striker than a wrestler, because it’s gotten him taken down against Evan Dunham and now knocked unconscious against Gomi.

What’s next for Gomi: The former Pride FC lightweight champ looked like he regained some of his former swagger last night. He chalked the win up to finally understanding how to fight in America and picked up a Knockout of the Night bonus for it. The UFC seems content with giving Gomi top 8 guys in the division so why not match him up with George Sotiropoulos.

What’s next for Griffin: Getting back to his wrestling roots that helped him to look at times unstoppable. Griffin’s boxing is excellent, but it’s not his strongest suit. Make his opponents fear the takedown and then let the hands go. Give him Gomi’s old opponent Joe Stevenson.

Other things of note: Charles Oliveira scored a 41 second submission win over Darren Elkins. It was the 20 year old’s UFC debut and moved his professional record to 13-0.

Oliveira quickly recovered after being slammed, locking Elkins up in a triangle choke. From there Oliveira quickly transitioned to an armbar and picked up the victory in his UFC debut.

What’s Next for Oliveria?: Expect the UFC to bring Oliveira along, much in the same way they’ve brought up Jones. Feed him a steady stream of talent that will only pose a minor threat.

The post The Hangover: UFC on Versus 2 Edition appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Jon Jones vs. Vladimir Matyushenko.

Creative striking, great wrestling, scary elbows, insane athleticism, I could spend all day waxing poetic about Jones’ abilities, a total package and all only at the age of 23, he could very well be the next big thing in MMA. Then again praise has been heaped onto fighter before, just ask Jones’ last opponent Brandon Vera, and only time will tell. Enter Matyushenko, a veteran who is 11-1 in his last 12 fights. Matyushenko possesses the wrestling and strength to put Jones on his back and make it an ugly fight.

Predicition: Jones is a -600 favorite for a reason, nothing against Matyushenko but I think Jones is going to be too much for the veteran. Look for Jones to pick apart Matyushenko on the feet early, then take the fight to the ground and finish off the Russian with GnP: Jones by TKO RD 2.

Mark Munoz vs. Yushin Okami

Okami is perhaps the most underrated fighter in the UFC today. Okami is 8-2 in the promotion with his only 2 losses coming to Rich Franklin and Chael Sonnen.  Relegated mostly to prelims Okami is going to get his chance on a televised card finally. On the other hand Munoz is a serious up and comer in the middleweight division. Munoz has proven he can withstand a beating, then take his opponent to the ground and pound them out.

Predicition: Munoz hasn’t fought anyone quite like Okami yet, but he’s coming in with a lot to prove. That having been said I think Okami will be able to keep the fight on the feet and pick apart Munoz for 3 rounds: Okami by dec.

Jake Ellenberger vs. John Howard

Expect this one to win fight of the night; both fighters will be looking to break into the top ten of the welterweight division. Ellenberger has a win over Mike Pyle and lost a razor close decision to Carlos Condit in his UFC debut. Howard has knockout power in both hands and has knocked out his last two opponents.

Prediction: Ellenberger will get the fight to the ground at some point, but Howard is just too strong, and his striking keeps getting better: Howard by KO RD 2.

Takinori Gomi vs. Tyson Griffin

To be blunt, both fighters looked just plain bad in their last fights. Gomi got completely picked apart by a clearly superior Kenny Florian, Griffin got outwrestled and outclassed by Evan Dunham. Gomi is a shell of the fighter he used to be in Japan where he scored victories over “Mach” Sakurai, Jens Pulver, and Tetsuya Kawajiri. Griffin was on track to a title shot before being derailed by Dunham. Both fighters very much need a victory.

Prediciton:  Griffin has seemed to shy away from his wrestling in his past few fights, odd considering it’s his biggest strength. While Gomi appears to be fading, he showed against Florian that he can still throw the big shots, it’s just a matter of if they can connect. I’m taking the upset on this one, assuming Griffin wants to keep it on the feet: Gomi by TKO RD 1.

Prelims.

Paul Kelly vs. Jacob Volkmann: Kelly by TKO
DaMarques Johnson vs. Matt Riddle: Riddle by Sub
James Irvin vs. Igor Pokrajac: Irvin by TKO
Brian Stann vs. Mike Massenzio: Stann by dec.
Darren Elkins vs. Charles Oliveira: Oliveria by Sub
Rob Kimmons vs. Steve Steinbeiss: Kimmons by Sub.

The post UFC on Versus 2 Preview appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Last Saturday was a very special night for many groups of people. If you’re a fan of Mixed Martial Arts in general you got to see, what was in my opinion, the single best card I’ve ever seen.

If you’re a fan of the UFC you got to see Brock Lesnar claim his place as the best Heavyweight fighter in the world.

If you’re a fan of drinking a lot and seeing dudes beat the crap out of each other, then you also walked a way a big winner.

I fit into all three of those groups, so my Saturday night was quite wonderful. It seemed every fighter on the card that night elevated their game to another level for UFC 116 and anybody watching walked away from that card feeling blown away. With that out of the way, let’s get down to the recap

Brock Lesnar def. Shane Carwin (Submission, Arm Triangle, Rd. 2)

Anyone who for whatever reason didn’t get to see the event must have assumed the result they were reading was a typo. The big ground and pound wrestler showed that he’s improving by locking in an impressive arm triangle submission after surviving some serious early trouble.

No one is going to question Shane Carwin’s ability or his power after his first round with Lesnar. Carwin defended the takedown and kept the fight standing before dropping Lesnar with pinpoint punches and knees. Once he had Lesnar on the ground though Carwin couldn’t do enough damage to finish despite raining down punch after punch on the champ. Carwin punched himself out and appeared to gas in round 2 when he was finished by the submission.

What’s Next for Lesnar?: We know this one for sure. A match up with a smaller version of Carwin in Cain Velasquez.

What’s Next for Carwin?:  Hopefully no more fights that make it out of the first, that or some cardio improvement. Dana White has already stated that the winner of Junior Dos Santos-Roy Nelson will have the shot after Velasquez so a rematch may be out of the question for awhile. A rematch with Frank Mir would be boring so why not give him some one like Mirko Cro Cop?

Chris Leben def. Yosihiro Akiyama (Submission, Triangle Choke, Rd 3.)

Dana White is fond of saying that you can never let a fight go to the judges. Chris Leben lived by that statement when he finished off Akiyama with less than 30 seconds left in the fight with a beautiful triangle choke.

Leben appeared to be having trouble with Akiyama’s judo in round one after being taken down multiple times. However Leben didn’t let that happen in the second round, getting the better of the striking exchanges and winning round two.

Round three would have been a toss up for the judges. Akiyama controlled the top position but Leben stayed active out of his guard and appeard to inflict some damge with elbows off his back. Luckily for Leben it didn’t go to the scorecards as he sunk in the choke with 30 seconds left.

What’s Next for Leben?: Leben called out Wanderlai Silva after the fight, but White nixed that idea soon after saying Silva needs time to recover. Leben already has a loss to Michael Bisping on his record. The winner of the Damian Maia-Alan Belcher fight would make a lot of sense.

The fight that won’t happen though, and the one I’d like to see is Chris Leben-Vitor Belfort. Both of the guys have great hands and great chins, but I believe the UFC wants to protect Belfort as he is the last contender for Anderson Silva.

What’s Next For Akiyama?: Time on a treadmill, Akiyama gassed quickly. I think the UFC wants to protect Akiyama as their Asian market asset, they need to give him a fight he can win. Kendall Grove provides enough challenge to make for an interesting fight.

Chris Lytle def. Matt Brown (Submission, Inverted Armbar, Rd 2.)

This fight would give any jiu-jitsu loving fan a hard on. Round One saw an attempted Gogoplata from Lytle and a D’Arce choke from Brown that almost ended the fight. In round two Lytle took top position and quickly moved from side mount into an inverted triangle. There wasn’t much Brown could do from there as Lytle synched in an inverted armbar picking up the win and putting on a jiu-jitsu clinic.

What’s next for Lytle?: The first fight was a bit of a bore but both fighters have come a long way from the Ultimate Fighter 4 finale. How about a rematch against Matt Serra?

What’s next for Brown?: Brown doesn’t have enough to compete in the upper ranks of an impressive welterweight class. Make him a gatekeeper for an up and comer.

Stephan Bonnar def. Krzysztof Soszynski (TKO, Rd 2)

Bonnar-Soszynski II showcased what many love about both fighters, and that’s that both of them are willing to stand up and bang. Both rounds were slug fests that were only slowed down by several clinches. Soszynski showed a seemingly iron chin before being dropped to the canvas and finished.

What’s next for Bonnar?: Give Bonnar up and comer Phil Davis.

What’s Next for Soszynski?: Soszynski has an IFL loss to Ben Rothwell from his pre UFC days. Give the two a rematch.

George Sotiropolos def. Kurt Pelligrino (Unanimous Decision)

Sotiroplos did to Pelligrino what he did to Joe Stevenson. Got the better of the stand up exchanges, surprised us with just how good his wrestling was, and neutralized any takedowns with a great rubber guard. He also vaulted himself into serious title contention with a win.

What’s next for Sotiropolos?: This one is easy, give him Evan Dunham for a number two contender match after the Florian-Maynard winner.

What’s next for Pellegrino?: Joe Stevenson would be a good rebound fight and could put either fighter back into contention.

Biggest Winner of the evening?: Anyone who watched the card. Dana White called it his proudest moment since owning the company. This may go down as the best UFC card in History.

Biggest Loser of the Evening?: Chris Lytle was screwed out a 75,000 dollar submission of the night bonus that was instead given to Brock Lesnar. While Lesnar’s submission was impressive he probably also made a couple million dollars after sponsorship and PPV Sharing. Lytle’s base salary for a win is probably only 32,000 dollars. Give the guy a break.

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After his last victory against Frank Mir at UFC 100 Brock Lesnar looked simply unstoppable. A freak with the power of a heavyweight and the speed of a lightweight. Nothing was going to be bringing Lesnar down for a long time.

Fast forward almost a year later and Lesnar is looking to finally make his return to the cage after a serious health scare, and now a serious contender has emerged in undefeated Shane Carwin. Carwin has never been out of the first round in 12 professional fights and more importantly possesses  the same freak athleticism as Lesnar.

Make no mistake about it, it’s the biggest fight the UFC’s Heavyweight division has ever put on, and it’s one of the biggest heavyweight fights of all time. After Fedor Emelianenko’s first loss in ten years it’s also going to determine who the new number one heavyweight in the world is.

Brock Lesnar (4-1) vs. Shane Carwin (12-0)

It’s a match up of almost mirror images. Both claim victories over Frank Mir as their most important, both are former NCAA Wrestling champions (Lesnar in D-I, Carwin in D-II), Both will be coming in at the limit of 265, and both of them are downright scary.

Lesnar has the edge in wrestling and quickness. He’s going to have to put Carwin on his back and look to do what he did to Mir, trap Carwin’s hips and pound him into submission.

Carwin has the edge in boxing and sheer punching power, though Lesnar understands that and brought in Peter Welch to improve his stand up. Still if Carwin’s fist finds Lesnar’s chin we may finally see Lesnar fall.

Look for Lesnar to try and take the fight to the ground early and often, and look for Carwin to use his wrestling in reverse and keep the fight standing.

I think Carwin keeps the fight on the feet early, and defends a few takedowns in the early rounds, he isn’t going to be able to do it forever though. Lesnar is going to do what he does best, put Carwin on his back and hurt him.

Predicition: Brock wins by TKO in the closing minute of round 2.

Yoshiro Akiyama (13-1) vs. Chris Leben (20-4)

Chris Leben is both the luckiest and craziest man in mixed martial arts right now. Leben will step into the cage on a 12 day training camp and just 14 days after his last fight, a knockout victory over previously undefeated Aaron Simpson. Two wins in 14 days over two of the divisions better fighters would put Chris Leben into title contention.

On the flipside Akiyama has everything to lose going into this fight. Akiyama has wanted Wanderlai Silva since his victory oven Alan Belcher at UFC 100, and it looked like he was going to get him until Silva suffered a broken rib and torn ACL in training camp. Now he fights a lower profile opponent in Leben who offers him little room of moving up in the rankings. That or he loses to a guy on 14 days rest.

Expect this to be a stand up war. Leben throws the leather harder than almost anyone in the middleweight division, and he can take a solid punch. Akiyama is a more technical striker with a background in Judo. Leben’s takedown defense is good enough to keep it on the feet for the duation of the match.

I think Leben’s striking might be too wild for a more precise fighter like Akiyama, I’d expect Akiyama to wait for his moment and strike.

Prediction: Akiyama by 1st Round TKO.

Chris Lytle (28-18) vs. Matt Brown (11-8)

Lytle has UFC bonuses in 7 of his last 9 UFC fights, and is the organizations leader in that category. In short you know you’re getting a good fight when Lytle is on the card. Lytle also has a win over Brown on his resume, submitting him with a guillotine choke at a UFL event in 2007.

Six of Brown’s eight losses come by submission and I expect Lytle to bring the fight to the floor  on Saturday. Once it goes there the BJJ Black Belt will end the fight.

Prediction: Lytle by submission (armbar) round 3.

Stephan Bonnar (11-7) vs. Krzytof Soszynski (19-9-1)

These two fought at UFC 110, Soszynski won the fight by a doctor stoppage in the 3rd round, though the cut was caused by an illegal head-butt. Both fighters are well rounded, but I think Soszynski has the better skill set.

Prediction: Soszynski by dec.

George Sotiropoulos (14-2) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (19-4)

Both come into the fight riding win streaks, both have good wrestling and jiu-jitsu. In short I’d expect this to have both Fight of the Night and Submission of the Night written all of it. Expect a ground war chess match similar to Sotiropoulos-Stevenson.

Predicition: Sotiropoulos by submission (triangle choke) round 3.

Other Fights

Brendan Schaub vs. Chris Tuchscherer. Schaub by KO round 2,

Seth Petruzelli vs. Ricardo Romero. Petruzelli by TKO round 1.

Kendall Grove vs. Goran Reljic. Grove by submission (guillotine) round 2.

Gerald Harris vs. Dave Branch. Harris by dec.

Daniel Roberts vs. Forrest Petz. Roberts by submission (kimura) round 3.

Jon Madsen vs. Karlos Vemola. Madsen by dec.

For more MMA News Check Out www.pullingguard.wordpress.com

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