MMA-NEWS.NET TOP TEN HEAVYWEIGHTS
By John Gagne
(UPDATED) MMA-NEWS.NET TOP TEN WELTERWEIGHTS
By John Gagne
1. GEORGES ST. PIERRE
2. THIAGO ALVES
3. JON FITCH
4. JAKE SHIELDS
5. JOSH KOSCHECK
6. MATT HUGHES
7. MATT SERRA
8. CARLOS CONDIT
9. PAULO THIAGO
10. DAN HARDY
DIAZ VS SHAMROCK: IS IT WORTH IT?
By John Gagne
Recently announced is a bout between Frank Shamrock and Nick Diaz. What is the point? Despite the fact that Frank beat Nick’s instructor Caesar Gracie, there is little to no reason for this fight. Frank should be more concerned about fighting guys in his division, and solidifying himself as a legend. Not as a guy who will fight anyone, whether it hurts or helps his career.
What if Nick beats Frank? Is that a big win for Nick or a huge loss for Frank? At this point it’s really hard to tell whom this bout would affect more, win or lose. To me it would appear that Frank is the one out of the two that has the most to lose. If Frank losses to Nick the next fight would be a tune up for a Cung Le rematch. Strikeforce would have to give him some one credible, so that fans wouldn’t think he was just handed the shot.
Now if Frank beats Nick, it is a great start on the road back to the Strikeforce Middle Weight Title. I just feel that Strikeforce should be looking for talent that is in each fighters respected division. Not having these “Superfights” at a catch weight. This fight being at 179lbs, which should favor Nick since he probably walks around at that already. I do not understand why Strikeforce is not trying to get a rematch with Noons, or another top guy in that weight class who is not under UFC contract. In the manner of Frank there are plenty of guys at 185 that Strikeforce could find to match up against Shamrock.
Marketing wise I can kind of see the relevance. The event will take place in San Jose, CA where Shamrock trains and resides. This location is also close to Nick Diaz in Stockton, CA, where Nick trains and resides. The numbers for this event should be huge, pending nothing happen to either fighter. I still feel they could bring an equal draw if they matched up each fighter against someone in their weight classes.
From a betting perspective the bookmakers are going to have a difficult time coming up with odds in this fight. I saw Frank is the favorite right off the bat. Although Nick is not a huge underdog, I do still see him as a slight one. My guess for the odds would be Frank Shamrock -210 Nick Diaz +200.
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John’s UFN 17 Predictions and Worth the bet! |
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UFN 17 Fight |
John’s Pick |
Method |
Round |
Minute |
Worth the bet? |
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Joe Lauzon vs Jeremy Stephens |
Winner: Joe Lauzon |
Submission |
2 |
3 |
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Matt Grice vs Matt Veach |
Winner: Matt Grice |
Unanimous Decision |
3 |
5 |
|
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Nick Catone vs Derek Downey |
Winner: Nick Catone |
Technical Knock Out |
2 |
3 |
|
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Mac Danzig vs Josh Neer |
Winner: Josh Neer |
Split Decision |
3 |
5 |
|
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Gleison Tibau vs Rich Clementi |
Winner: Rich Clementi |
Unanimous Decision |
3 |
5 |
|
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Dan Miller vs Jake Rosholt |
Winner: Dan Miller |
Submission |
2 |
3 |
|
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Anthony Johnson vs Luigi Fioravanti |
Winner: Anthony Johnson |
Technical Knock Out |
2 |
3 |
Not Worth It |
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Cain Velasquez vs Dennis Stojnic |
Winner: Cain Velasquez |
Technical Knock Out |
1 |
3 |
Not Worth It |
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Kurt Pellegrino vs Rob Emerson |
Winner: Kurt Pellegrino |
Submission |
2 |
3 |
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Steve Bruno vs Matt Riddle |
Winner: Matt Riddle |
Unanimous Decision |
3 |
5 |
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MMA-NEWS.NET TOP TEN LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
By John Gagne
1. “Sugar” Rashad Evans
2. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
3. Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida
4. Forrest Griffin
5. Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell
6. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
7. Dan “Hollywood’ Henderson”
8. Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva
9. Keith “The Dean of Mean” Jardine
10. Antonio Rogerio Noguiera
MMA-NEWS.NET POUND-FOR-POUND TOP TEN
By John Gagne
BJ Penn, Frank Mir, MMA News, MMA Rankings, Miguel Torres, Mike Brown, UFC, fedor emelianenko, georges st pierre, mma
THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF GEORGES ST. PIERRE
By John Gagne
GSP is probably the best athlete is MMA. He is the definition of a well-rounded fighter. But can his athletic ability propel him to victory over BJ Penn. I will list all GSP’s strengths and weaknesses. And determine if his strengths outweigh his weaknesses, and by how much.
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
All of his strengths are pretty amazing. If you could build a fighter from scratch; GSP would probably be him. He is comfortable in every aspect of MMA, and can dominate and finish from any position.
However, we have seen GSP get tentative and timid. When he has been out struck. We saw in the first Penn fight. That once he was hit, and began to bleed, he started to back away. That is where you want him. On his heals, backing up having to expend extra energy evading the onslaught.
If I picked what factor would play the biggest roll in his upcoming fight with BJ Penn. It would have to GSP’s chin and how he can react to being hit by Penn.
THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF BJ PENN
By John Gagne
We all know that BJ Penn posses an amazing Brazilian Ju-Jitsu game, but what else does he offer. And do his weaknesses out weigh his strengths? I will review them all, and take a look at the components that make up a great fighter. And if being a great fighter in one aspect, while lacking in others. Will help or hurt him, and how much.
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
Out of those strengths and weaknesses. BJ has many more strengths then weaknesses. Now we have to weigh them all. We will see how much these strengths and weaknesses. And figure out when it comes to the total package as a fighter, which prevails.
The biggest strength is without a doubt is his BJJ ability. Followed closely by his warrior spirit. These I feel are the most significant out of all BJ’s strengths. He out classes everyone he faces on the ground. And when BJ wants to fight, he is more driven then many other fighters. His Hawaiian spirit is felt every time he steps in the cage. Some would also say he has a little bit of a crazy side. As we have seen when he licks the blood of his gloves after any victory where his opponent bleeds.
As for his weaknesses, the number one is his ability to stay motivated while training. BJ has shown in many fights; like the second Matt Hughes fight or the first fight with GSP. That he does not always show up prepared. I believe his training partners and talent all attest to this. He has been known to have everyday fighters with training with him. Now I am not taking anything away from his camp. We just do not see the big names helping his preparations. His amazing talent is also weakness. Things come so easy to BJ, he thinks that at 80% he is better than most at 100%. In some cases it’s true, but that will not fly with GSP.
If I had to say pick between which BJ possesses, more strengths or weaknesses. I pick strengths. Even though the weaknesses BJ has may directly cause his demise. I do feel that his strengths will make up for it.
WEC 38: FIGHT REVIEW AND JOHN’S RESULTS
By John Gagne
Last night was a night the MMA world will not soon forget. The main event ended in controversial fashion. The Champ Jaime Varner won a split decision. When an “illegal” blow to a downed opponent caused the fight to stop prematurely. Apparently when this happens in California. The CSAC has rules in place. These rules stop the fight, then the fight judged on the completed rounds. The judging is another problem I had with this situation. I, along with 90% of the MMA world scored Varner 10’s all four rounds, and Cerrone 9’s. A win is a win and I am sure Varner was still happy leaving with a belt, even with a broken hand.
Jens Pulver looked unimpressive in his second straight fight. It really upsets me to see a legend like that, get taken out so quickly by Urijah Faber. Not taking anything from Faber at all. I just know Jens has more fight than he displayed.
A pretty big upset also took place on this WEC card. We saw Hiromitsu Miura get TKO’s by heavy underdog Edgar Garcia. After Miura’s decent showing against WEC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit, a lot more was expected from him.
For this card John had six correct picks out of ten fights. Now bringing his winning percentage to 68% down three percentage points. Check back for John’s latest picks, and his UFC 94 fight predictions and betting advice.
MMA-NEWS.NET TOP TEN MIDDLEWEIGHTS
By John Gagne