UFC on FX 2: “Alves vs. Kampmann”
Welterweights headline Friday night’s card when the well rounded Martin Kampmann takes on the powerful Thiago Alves.
Date: Fri., March 2, 2012, at 10 p.m. ET on FX
Location: Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia
Broadcast: FX
Thiago Alves (19 – 8 – 0): -140
Martin Kampmann (18 – 5 – 0): +110
Kampmann, a former kick boxer is obviously a good striker but he also has a very good submission game while Alves is all about the power punches, low kicks and a lethal Muay Thai attack.
Kampmann is an intriguing fighter for sure but he lies in the “B level” of welterweights. To have a chance in this fight, he will most certainly bring the fight to the mat – not an easy task against the “B+ level” Alves. Simply put, Alves is bigger, stronger and has the defensive skills to nullify anything that Kampmann hopes to do in this fight. Alves bullies his way to victory in this one.
Pick: Thiago Alves -140
Joseph Benavidez (15 – 2 – 0): -900
Yasuhiro Urushitani (19 – 4 – 6): +550
Flyweights do battle in the second fight of the evening. WEC standout Joseph Benavidez takes on top ranked Japanese fighter Yasuhiro Urushitani. Benavidez has two losses in his career – both to UFC Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. His last two wins have been dominant. Yasuhiro Urushitani hasn’t tasted defeat since 2008 and has a mind-boggling six draws in his career. He has good wrestling and has quick and powerful strikes but his skills are not in the same class as Benavidez. Benavidez is bigger, stronger and better in every aspect of this matchup.
Pick: Joseph Benavidez -900
Ian McCall (11 – 2 – 0): +265
Demetrious Johnson (14 – 2 – 0): -350
Demetrious Johnson will look to employ his unorthodox striking style, his blazing speed and his wrestling chops to defeat highly touted and newly signed Ian McCall in flyweight action. While Johnson is fairly well known and has fought some tough customers McCall has all the tools to make this fight interesting. McCall comes into the match having won three in a row – one against top ranked Brazilian Jussier Da Silva. Mighty Mouse is in for a fight in this one.
Pick: Ian McCall +265
Court McGee (14 – 1 – 0): -135
Constantinos Philippou (9 – 2 – 0): +105
Former The Ultimate Fighter winner Court McGee will look to build on a three fight wins streak in the UFC when he takes on heavy handed striker Constantinos Philippou. McGee is a well rounded fighter but will be best served getting this fight to the mat and out of Philippou’s danger areas. While I like McGee’s game, I can’t help but think that Philippou is going to catch him with a power shot and end the fight. Philippou has a ton of confidence after defeating Jared Hamman in December – look for him to ride that confidence to victory Friday.
Pick: Constantinos Philippou +105
James Te Huna (13 – 5 – 0): -300
Aaron Rosa (17 – 4 – 0): +240
James Te Huna will look to make it three wins in four fights against a fighter that recently won his bout against Joey Beltran in the Heavyweight division – Aaron Rosa. While Rosa is as tough as nails, his attack is rather one dimensional and his conditioning could be a question mark after the weight cut. Te Huna’s footwork, explosiveness and all around nastiness in the striking game wins out in this one.
Pick: James Te Huna -300
Anthony Perosh (12 – 6 – 0): even
Nick Penner (11 – 1 – 0): -130
Nick Penner will venture into Anthony Perosh’s back yard on Friday looking for his first UFC win. Both fighters have a good submission game but the kick boxing background and more importantly the take down defense of Penner will be the difference. Perosh may have won his last two fights but the streak ends on Friday in front of his home town crowd. [ad-3573245]
Pick: Nick Penner -130
Cole Miller (18 – 5 – 0): -400
Steven Siler (19 – 9 – 0): +300
TUF 14 alum Steven Siler is in tough against the very well rounded Cole Miller. While Siler has been around the block a few times, Miller has the standup and the submission game to give the veteran fits on Friday night. Miller is better than advertised and Siler is worse than advertised. It all adds up to an easy Miller win.
Pick: Cole Miller -400
Andrew Craig (6 – 0 – 0): +215
Kyle Noke (19 – 5 – 1): -275
Well rounded Andrew Craig will take on Australian submission specialist Kyle Noke in what should be a very good fight. Craig possesses good grappling and tremendous conditioning but Noke just may be a little better in every aspect of MMA. Look for Noke to end Craig’s unbeaten streak in a back and forth affair.
Pick: Kyle Noke -275
T.J. Waldburger (14 – 6 – 0): -115
Jake Hecht (11 – 2 – 0): -115
Prospect Jake Hecht will try to bang his way to a second victory in the UFC when he takes on decent wrestling practitioner T.J. Waldburger. Waldburger’s one flaw is that he can’t take a lot of punishment – that plays right into Hecht’s hands. Look for Hecht to get the better of the standup and end this fight early!
Pick: Jake Hecht -115
Daniel Pineda (16 – 7 – 0): +135
Mackens Semerzier (6 – 3 – 0): -165
Mackens Semerzier will take on late replacement Daniel Pineda at UFC on FX 2 but don’t be fooled – Pineda is a skilled and dangerous foe. Semerzier will certainly come to fight and he should be able to impose his wrestling chops and use his freakish strength to overwhelm Daniel Pineda.
Pick: Mackens Semerzier -165
Oli Thompson (9 – 2 – 0): +160
Shawn Jordan (12 – 3 – 0): -200
Two Heavyweights make their UFC debuts on Friday when Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Shawn Jordan takes on another decent prospect Oli Thompson. Thompson has shown an ability to win via submission and with his power but Jordan’s wrestling prowess and conditioning will likely be too much on Friday.
Pick: Shawn Jordan -200
