UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop

Date: Sep 25, 2010

Location: Indianapolis, Ind.

Venue: Conseco Fieldhouse

Broadcast: Pay-per-view and Spike TV


MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Frank Mir

Ryan Bader vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

Chris Lytle vs. Matt Serra

Evan Dunham vs. Sean Sherk

Melvin Guillard vs. Jeremy Stephens

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)

C.B. Dollaway vs. Joe Doerksen

Joey Beltran vs. Matt Mitrione

PRELIMINARY CARD

Pat Audinwood vs. Thiago Tavares

Steve Lopez vs. Waylon Lowe

T.J. Grant vs. Julio Paulino

Mark Hunt vs. Sean McCorkle


Predictions
 
Mirko Cro-Cop
Antonio Rogerio "Minotoro" Nogueira
Chris Lytle
Evan Dunham
Melvin Guillard
C.B. Dollaway
Joey Beltran
Thiago Tavares
Waylon Lowe
T.J. Grant
Mark Hunt


Preview
 
Only two more days until I get to go to my next UFC event, UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop. This will my first UFC as an MMA Journalist and I can't wait. I might stop writing right now and drive down to Indy...No, that wouldn't be right. I have to explain my picks for the Main Card first.

I'll be honest, I am picking Mirko Cro Cop and Rogerio Nogueira purely because I want to see them both win. I've been a fan of both for a long time and simply wish them success inside the UFC Octagon. I highly respect them both and just can't go against them. I, for one, will be on the edge on my seat the entire time these two bout's are taking place.
 
Chris Lytle is going to have the whole State of Indiana behind him when he meets Matt Serra. He is a native of Indianapolis and also works as a Fireman there as well. The first meeting between these two ended in a closely contested split decision in Matt Serra's favor. I think Chris has become a way better Fighter since then. He should be able to control the pace and could possibly even knock out Serra.
 
The second bout of the evening pits the old veteran vs. the young upstart. Sherk vs. Dunham is going to tell us who deserves to move up towards the top of the UFC's 155lb. weight class and who gets knocked down a couple notches. Dunham has shown great takedown defense along with speedy hands and great knowlegde of Jui-Jitsu. Sherk also has all those quailties as well but will how well a they stack up against someone who is a new breed of MMA fighter? It's gonna be close, I think Dunham wins it via decision.
 
The opening fight of the PPV pits two slugger's who are gonna trade blows until one falls flat on his face. I'm going with Melvin Guillard to upset Jeremy Stephens. Melvin has had two body shot knockout's since joining the famed Jackson/Winkejohn MMA camp and they were very impressive. I see no reason why he won't be able to dance around Stephens and imposed his will on the guy. It won't be easy but I see Melvin getting his thrid KO in a row.
 
Now...I'm off to Indianpolis. Have a great weekend. Cheers!!!