My Prediction: Gustafsson by Decision
My Rating: $$1/2
What Happened: The Mauler and The Hammer had a close 1st round with no clear winner. The 2nd had the Gustafsson doing the same as the 1st round with alot of movement, but Hamill was able to cover up and avoid any real damage. It was finally a front kick by Gustafsson that opened up Hamill's standing guard and it was followed up with a nice left that got Hamill up against the cage, a few more strikes forced Hamill to dive to the mat which Gustafsson kept on him and ended up in full mount with some ground and pound that finished the bout.
Future matchups to make: Huge statement win for the Swede and a big matchup in his next bout should be expected. Unless they want to rebook Franklin vs Nogueira a matchup with either veteran would be a great matchup for the rising star.
Chad Mendes defeated Rani Yahya by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
My Prediction: Mendes by Decision
My Rating: $
What Happened: Not alot happened really. Mendes has a definite strength advantage as he has completely confident in going to the ground against the Jiu Jitsu ace Yahya. It was basically a smothering for all 3 rounds saved by a nice guard pass by Mendes when he flip over Yahya and would of had his back hadn't the round ended.
Future matchups to make: Mendes was inline for a title shot before this bout so another win no matter how it played out doesn't hurt that and should have the winner of the Jose Aldo vs Kenny Florian Featherweight title fight next on his plate.
Ivan Menjivar defeated Nick Pace by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
My Prediction: Menjivar by TKO 3rd Round
My Rating: $$
What Happened: First round was definitely won by Pace as he was able to secure a takedown, Menjivar was able to get to his knees but it was there that Pace was able to take his back and attempt a rear naked choke, to his credit though Menjivar was able to escape the position and round. In the 2nd Menjivar was able to recover and starting opening up his striking game that won him the round. Although losing the striking game it was Pace that landed the most signiciant strike with a nice knee to Menjivar's eye. Pace finished the round chasing Menjivar around the cage looking to follow up the big knee but it was all for not as Menjivar got the surprising decision win.
Future matchups to make: Pablo Garza could be a matchup in Menjivar's future.
Johnny Hendricks defeated Mike Pierce by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
My Prediction: Hendricks by Decision
My Rating: $$
What Happened: Neither wrestling standout was able to use their wrestling effectively so it was left to what happened in the stand up in this close fight. It was Hendricks who was a bit more aggressive with the standup and in the clinch.
Future matchups to make: A matchup with Dong Hyun Kim for Hendricks would be a great bout between 2 good grapplers.
Mike Brown defeated Nam Phan by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
My Prediction: Brown by Decision
My Rating: $$1/2
What Happened: Brown was able to come out in the 1st round and secure a takedown and proceeded to reign down ground and pound on Phan for pretty much the whole round. Phan however was able to recover in the 2nd and actually was able to get the fight standing and was able to get some of his offense in attacking Brown with some nice body shots. In the 3rd however Brown was able to control Phan up against the cage and limited Phan's chances of a standup fight.
Future matchups to make: A bout with grappler Javier Vazquez could make alot of sense for Brown
Rafael Natal defeated Paul Bradley by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
My Prediction: Natal by Submission 1st Round
My Rating: $$
What Happened: Natal was able to stuff Bradley's takedowns pretty much through the whole fight or was able to scramble back to this feet. Bradley did have his chances in the 2nd but was unable to capitalize.
Future matchups to make: Natal's original opponent Phillippou makes the most sense.
Tweet
No comments:
Post a Comment