Month: November 2010

Event: UFC 122: Marquardt vs Okami

UFC 122 is on the horizon and it offers some quality bouts that span the UFC weight classes. There are veterans hoping to reenter their respective title pictures, legitimate studs biding their time for a title shot and MMA prospects looking to make a name for themselves inside the Octagon.

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Event: UFC 122: Nate Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami
Date: November 13, 2010
Time: 10PM ET/7PM PT
Location: König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
Broadcast: Spike TV (tape-delay) & PPV
Betting: Bet on UFC 122

Nate Marquardt (33-9-2): -220
Yushin Okami (26-5-0): +175

This is a crucial fight in which the winner will likely be in line for the next Middleweight Title shot. Both men come into the fight with a wealth of experience and both have had their Title aspirations derailed by the same man – Chael Sonnen.

While Okami’s style is a matchup nightmare for many UFC fighters, he has had troubles with good strikers and wrestlers in the past. Marquart fits both of those categories. If this fight stays standing, then Marquart’s technical striking ability will prevail but I have a feeling that this fight will end up on the mat. Okami moved his training to Oregon to train with the only fighter to beat him in the last six fights (the same fighter that beat up Marquart for his only defeat in his last five fights). I think that Sonnen’s influence on Okami will be the difference in this fight. Pick: Yushin Okami +175

Jorge Rivera (18-7): -120
Alessio Sakara (19-7): -110

Two UFC veterans meet in the second last fight of the evening. TUF 4 veteran Jorge Rivera will try to build off a recent hot streak when he takes on another winner of three straight bouts, Italian Alessio Sakara. The winner of this fight may be in line for a Title shot in the 185 pound division down the line.

Both of these fighters have decent striking ability – Rivera is a Muay Thai practitioner and Sakara is a former Pro Boxer. In a striker’s battle, I like the more powerful of the two. Pick: Jorge Rivera -120

Dennis Siver (16-7): -140
Andre Winner (12-4-1): +110

Home town boy, Dennis Siver looks to stay relevant in the Lightweight division while Andre Winner will be looking to bounce back into the win column on Saturday night. Siver is a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous strikers in the Lightweight division, with power in both hands and both feet.

Winner has shown some promise and is a relatively good striker himself. However, Winner lacks the type of power necessary to deter Siver from barging in and doing damage. I like the well rounded home town boy in this one. Pick: Dennis Siver -140

Amir Sadollah (4-2): -300
Peter Sobotta (8-3): +220

TUF 7 winner, Amir Sadollah takes on another German fighter, Peter Sobotta on Saturday night. Both fighters are coming off tough losses – Sadollah to Dong Hyun Kim and Sadollah to James Wilks.

Sadollah is the emerging star of the two – his stand up and take down defense have grown light years since his time on the show. Sabotta has decent stand up and a good judo background but will be no match for the hungrier, more desperate prospect. Pick: Amir Sadollah -300

Krzysztof Soszynski (20-11-1): -115
Goran Reljic (8-2): -115

Two fighters that desperately need a win do battle on Saturday night. Soszynski is a TUF 8 semi-finalist has been up and down in his UFC career while Reljic has lost two straight fights himself. Soszynski will have the size advantage but his defensive deficiencies will be a boon for the Brazilian jiu-jitsu Brown Belt and heavy handed Reljic. Pick: Goran Reljic -115

Kyle Noke (17-4-1): -240
Rob Kimmons (23-5): +190

Two submission style fighters meet in the Middleweight division on Saturday night. Kyle Noke, a TUF 11 veteran, has won three of his last four fights while Kimmons has been inconsistent in his recent MMA career. Noke is the better rounded fighter, has better standup and maybe has the edge on the ground. Noke is better conditioned and trains a superior camp. Pick: Kyle Noke -240

Vladimir Matyushenko (24-5): -300
Alexandre Ferreira (18-6): +220

Former Light Heavyweight contender Vladamir Matyushenko takes on a UFC newcomer in attempts to once again climb the UFC ladder. Alexandre Ferreira is another MMA veteran who has a very good ground game in is currently on a seven fight win streak. Matyushenko is too rugged and too hungry to be denied in this one. Pick: Vladamir Matyushenko -300

Pascal Krauss (9-0): -220
Mark Scanlon (7-0): +175

Two unbeaten newcomers try to make a name for themselves in the UFC German born Pascal Krauss takes on submission specialist Mark Scanlon. Both fighters will look to take this fight to the ground but I like the ruggedness of Scanlon and the fact that he has fought and has been successful in better organizations in this fight. Pick: Mark Scanlon +175

Duane Ludwig (27-11): +200
Nick Osipczak (5-3): -260

Two fighters on two fight losing streaks will be fighting for their UFC lives on Saturday. Ludwig is a striker who has beaten the likes of Jens Pulver and Jonathan Goulet while Osipczak`s unorthodox style have given his competition fits in the past. Osipszak has all the tools but has been unable to put it all together –  he is in deep in this contest. Pick: Duane Ludwig +200

Seth Petruzelli (14-6): -115
Karlos Vemola (8-1): -115

Seth Petruzelli is best known as the fighter that knocked out Kimbo Slice in 14 seconds but he is a decent all around fighter. Karlos Vemola was smothered by Jon Madsen in his last fight and ran out of gas along the way. Petruzelli should be able to employ his good footwork, punches and kicks on his way to an easy victory. Pick: Seth Petruzelli -115

Kris McCray (6-1): -110
Carlos Eduardo Rocha: (8-0): -120

Kris McCray, the TUF 11 runner-up will be looking for his first UFC win against newcomer and jiu-jitsu practitioner Carlos Rocha. McCray is a tough guy who should be able to use his good wrestling and takedown game to overwhelm the overmatched Rocha. Pick: Kris McCray -110

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