Brad’s MMA Blog

Main Card Bouts:
Rashad Evans (9-0) vs. Sean Salmon (9-1)

Rashad Evans is the Undefeated TUF Season 2 winner and recent dismantler of the Jason Lambert bandwagon. Evans has as more athleticism and speed than anyone right now at 205 in the UFC. In fact the only fighter I have seen with any more raw talent than him at 205 is Mauricio Shogun Rua. My only gripe with the guy was that after he won TUF that he stayed with his unknown camp and now that he is with Jackson’s camp in New Mexico I feel the sky is the limit with him.

I have never seen Salmon fight but his only loss is to an undefeated David Heath who I saw easily take out Cory Walmsley (RNC) at Chuck vs Babalu 2. Salmon has several submission wins including wins by Strikes, keylocks, and an Armbar. Salmon also spent some time at THE Ohio State wrestling but only for his freshman year.

All and all I’m just taking a stab in the dark but by looking at Salmon’s record it seems he likes to win from the top position (mostly by submission). Since I give Salmon no chance of getting on top of a more experienced and more explosive wrestler in Evans I believe Salmon has a very small chance of winning. I see Evans using his unorthodox striking to get Salmon to his back where he will be quickly dismantled by Rashad’s newly found G and P. TKO round 1 (strikes).

Heath Herring vs. Jake O’Brien (9-0)
Now I have seen O’Brien fight (14 seconds vs Team Quest trained Jay White) and Heath Herring on DVD but I’m just going to give you guys the result TKO round 2 (strikes).

Hermes Franca vs. Spencer Fisher
Evan though I heard this fight might be called off (Clavo from the forums said Spencer is hurt.) I feel this could be the fight of the night. Franca will have a tough time dealing with a dangerous striker like Fisher and an even tougher time submitting him.

This will be Spencers first big test and I think he will lose a close one. Franca Unanimous JD (29-

Tomorrow I will go over the other fights.

Nathan “The Great” Marquardt vs. Dean “The Boogeyman Lister

Preliminary Bouts:
Josh Burkman 18-3-0 vs. Chad Reiner 13-1-0
Ed Herman vs. Chris Price
Din Thomas vs. Clay Guida
Rich Clementi vs. Ross Pointon

Brad

http://www.mma-fighter.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19299

1. Nate Diaz
2. Matt Wiman
3. Joe Lauzon
4. Robert Emerson
5. Marlon Sims
6. Gabe Ruediger
7. Jason Reinhardt
8. Alan Berubie
9. Leigh Remedios
10. Noah Thomas
11. Cory Hill
12. Jamie Varner
13. Cole Miller
14. Jason Dent
15. Manvel Gamburyan

The guys I’m looking forward to seeing the most are Manvel, Gabe, and Emerson. (The local Guys)

I have never seen Manvel fight but I heard he tools some top BJJ guys when he trains with them. I also know he has taken out TUF contestant Sam Morgan so he should have no problem dealing with tough strikers.

I know Emerson can hang with any of these guys. He has fought tough tough competition and has the speed and strength to take the whole thing. I just wonder if he is gonna be the guy who I saw dominate Julian Samaniego and Jamie Schmidt or the fighter who dinked around in the ring against Joe Camacho. If he shows up and keeps his fights standing he could win it all.

I’m also excited to see Godzilla fight and to see him in the reality portion of the show as well. I think he has a good personality and it will show. I think he has a good shot of winning it all but he may have troubles with guys that can keep it standing.