UFC 144 Returns to the Land of the Rising Sun
The UFC takes a trip across the pond this weekend for the first time in a decade to stage UFC 144. The card is headlined by a very intriguing Lightweight title match and is littered with a ton of Japanese talent fighting to stay relevant in the biggest MMA organization on the planet.
UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
Date/Time: February 25, 2012, 10pm ET/7pm PT
Location: Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Main Card:
Frankie Edgar (14-1): -125
Ben Henderson (15-2): -105
The Lightweight Title is on the line in Saitama, Japan as Frankie Edgar tries to defend for the fourth time – this time against former WEC Champion Ben Henderson. It has been a while since Edgar fought anyone other than Gray Maynard but if there is one thing that we learned from those fights it is that Edgar is constantly evolving and strengthening his previous weaknesses.
Henderson is no slouch – impressive wins over Mark Bocek, Jim Miller and Clay Guida have his squarely in the spotlight. His size, speed and aggressive style have been a nightmare for most! But Edgar’s rapidly improving boxing game could be the difference in this one. Henderson will have to get this fight to the mat to have any sort of chance – that plays right into the hands of the defensive boxing prowess of Edgar.
It may not be the most exciting fight, there may not be a whole lot of damage inflicted but Edgar should be able to come out of this with a decision victory. Simply put, there is nothing that Henderson can bring that Edgar won’t be able to defend.
Pick: Frankie Edgar -125
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-9): -240
Ryan Bader (13-2): +190
In a clash of styles, wrestler Ryan Bader will take on Quinton Jackson in the Co-Main Event. Rampage is clearly on the downside of his career but he has all the skills to defeat the young, hungry Bader – take down defense and a legendary striking game. Bader will absolutely have to get this fight to the ground – don’t think that Rampage is not aware of that.
Look to the crafty veteran to keep the fight standing and to inflict some serious damage on the younger fighter. Japan is the scene of a good majority of Jackson’s MMA victories – expect another victory this time in impressive, tenacious style!
Pick: Rampage Jackson -240
Mark Hunt (7-7): +250
Cheick Kongo (17-6-2): -350
It is hard to believe that a fighter with a 7-7 record is on the Main Card of a UFC but that is the case with Mark Hunt as he takes on former Kickboxer Cheick Kongo. Hunt may actually have the striking advantage in this one but Kongo has the enormous all around edge – particularly his work in the clinch.
The key for Kongo is to follow his fight plan, stay away from Hunt’s danger zones and to use his size, reach, strength and conditioning advantage. I think Kongo learned a thing or two from his fight with Pat Barry – don’t get too cute. Look for Kongo to weather a first round storm and take over after that – Hunt’s conditioning will be his nemesis in this fight.
Pick: Cheick Kongo -350
Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-4, 2 NC): +250
Jake Shields (26-6-1): -350
Surprisingly, both of these fighters may be battling for their careers in the UFC with Akiyama having gone 1-3 in his last four fights and Shields 1-2 in his last three. Akiyama will certainly have the striking advantage and he will have a revved up home crowd on his side. But Shields is still a top flight Welterweight with the wrestling chops to get it done.
Akiyama’ conditioning has always been a question mark – now he moves down a weight class which could affect his conditioning even more. There are absolutely no issues with Shield’s conditioning. While an early Akiyama KO is certainly possible, I have to lean toward Shields in this one. After all, he did take GSP’s best for five rounds! Shield’s defense, wrestling and durability will be too much!
Pick: Jake Shields -350
Anthony Pettis (14-2): -220
Joe Lauzon (21-6): -175
A Lightweight scrap of two “B level” fighters starts the pay-per-view festivities on Saturday when Joe Lauzon hopes to take another step up the ladder against the very tough Anthony Pettis. While Lauzon has decent striking and a motor that won’t quit, he is just a notch below Pettis in every aspect of this fight. The one hole in Pettis’ game is his take down defense – I can’t see Lauzon effectively taking this fight this fight down and keeping it there. Lauzon may come out strong but Pettis should be able to weather the first round storm and pick Lauzon apart as the fight wears on.
Pick: Anthony Pettis -220
Yushin Okami (26-6): -375
Tim Boetsch (14-4): +275
Yushin Okami will look to bounce back from the thud that was his title shot against Anderson Silva. Okami is simply better in every aspect of this fight – his grappling is terrific and his stand up is certainly emerging. If Okami’s head is screwed on straight after a brutal loss in Brazil, he should control this fight. In front of his home town crowd, I can’t see him being denied.
Pick: Yushin Okami -375
Hatsu Hioki (25-4-2): -175
Bart Palaszewski (36-14): +145
Highly regarded Featherweight Hatsu Hioki will attempt to inch closer to a title shot against Jose Aldo when he takes on the crafty veteran Bart Palaszewski. While Palaszewski is decent in all aspects of MMA, he is not great in any one discipline. Hioki will bring superior grappling chops and a size advantage into the fight and look to impose his will. I definitely see that happening – Hioki isn’t the third ranked Featherweight in the world for no reason! [ad-3573245]
Pick: Hatsu Hioki -175
Preliminary Card:
Takeya Mizugaki (15-6-2): -200
Chris Cariaso (12-3): +160
Fireworks will ensue when Japanese brawler Takeya Mizugaki takes on Muay Thai practitioner Chris Cariaso in what has Fight of the Night potential. Both fighters have been in there with some top flight opposition and both have fared well against some of the top dogs in the division but Mizugaki’s ability to get out of trouble by taking the fight to the mat should be the difference. Mizugaki’s only recent losses have come at the hands of title holders or serious title contenders – Cariaso is neither of those.
Pick: Takeya Mizugaki -200
Norifumi Yamamoto (18-5, 1 NC): -350
Vaughan Lee (11-7-1): +250
Norifumi Yamamoto has yet to win in the UFC – hopes are that fighting in front of his home crowd will finally allow him to get off the schnide. Standing in his way is the wildly unpredictable Vaughan Lee who has a decent kickboxing background to go along with a desire to submit his opponent at every turn. I actually like the dog in this one – Yamamoto is a one trick pony and his trick hasn’t been very effective as of late. Lee confuses and frustrates Yamamoto on the way to a shocking victory.
Pick: Vaughan Lee +250
Riki Fukuda (17-5): -300
Steve Cantwell (7-5): +220
The wrestler Riki Fukuda returns to the Octagon after recovering from the affects of a car accident to take on kick boxer Steve Cantwell. Cantwell has lost four straight fights – no way he can outpoint or out-tough Fukuda in this one. Wrestling rules the day!
Pick: Riki Fukuda -300
Takanori Gomi (32-8, 1 NC): -220
Eiji Mitsuoka (18-7-2): +175
Takanori Gomi, loser of three of his last four fights needs a win Saturday against submission specialist Eiji Mitsuoka in order to remain in the UFC Lightweight picture. Keep in mind that Gomi’s three recent losses have come by submission and Mitsuoka has submitted the likes of Gleison Tibau, Brian Cobb and Sergei Golyaev. But despite all, I have faith that the Takanori Gomi who terrorized the MMA world nearly 10 years ago will give the new generation a sense of what a great champion he once was.
Pick: Takanori Gomi -220
Tiequan Zhang (15-2): -325
Issei Tamura (6-2): +245
Issei Tamura took this fight on two week’s notice having lost two of his last three fights. Zhang hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire either – just 2-2 in his last two fights. Tamura would love to use his wrestling chops, take this fight to the ground and control Zhang. It is exactly the style that Zhang has had trouble with in the past. Despite the lack of preparation, I like the upset in this one – Tamura is destined to give Zhang fits.
Pick: Issei Tamura +245
