After going 0-3-1 in my four picks this past weekend (first time all year i didn't get one right!) I'm left with a disappointing 6-7-1 record in picks this year. The UFC's first visit to Kentucky at the state of the art YUM! Brands Center in Louisville gives me the perfect outlet to regain my form following last weekend's debacle. Now, let's get to it :
Diego Sanchez vs Martin Kampmann - The main event features 2 welterweights with redemption on their mind, Diego Sanchez vs Martin Kampmann. Sanchez rebounded from a poor showing against John Hathaway last summer to dominate Paulo Thiago in his second fight since returning from a stint at 155 last October at UFC 121, while Kampmann is looking to rebound following his decision loss to the debuting Jake Shields on the same card (even though, like many others, I felt Kampmann did enough to win).
Sanchez's biggest strength is his ability to bounce back from adversity which he did against Thiago, while he's never one to shy away from throwing heavy hands. Kampmann is a pure bred out and out kickboxer, who while dominating Thiago at UFC 115, got a little carried away and thought he could outgrapple Shields. It didn't work. Expect the fists to fly hard in this contest, with Kampmann coming away the victor.
The pick : Kampmann by 2nd round TKO.
The co-main event features CB Dolloway, a BJJ master (and to this day the only dude I've ever seen been able to pull off a Peruvian necktie) taking on Team Black House mainstay Mark Munoz. This will be a tactical battle on the ground, and while I expect to see Dolloway pull off more than one submission attempt, I think Munoz's training with guys like Noguiera, Anderson Silva and Jose Aldo be the difference in this one.
The pick : Munoz by split decision.
Former WEC 135 lb. kingpin Brian Bowles will make his promotional debut on the main card, taking on Damacio Page, who's also making his debut. He'll also be trying to avenge his loss to Bowles that happened at WEC 35 in 2008. Page is a submission master, with 6 of his 15 wins coming by that discipline. Though he won't get caught by a guillotine like he did against Bowles in their last fight, his over aggressive style will let a mistake slip and I see Bowles coming out on top again.
The Pick : Bowles by submission.
The preliminary card being streamed via Facebook has 2 guys with a lot on the line. One being Danny Castillo, trying to make a name for himself after being promoted to the WEC roster, while his opponent, Joe Stevenson, is trying to stay relevant in the lightweight picture after 2 consecutive defeats to George Sotiropoulos and Mac Danzig, by decision and KO, respectively. If he should lose, will it lead to his ultimate release or will the persuade him to drop to 145? While "Daddy" does put on an exciting fight, his strength and size will be the factor in this fight.
The Pick : Stevenson by decision.
Well, what do you guys think? agree or disagree? want to get back to me? leave a comment at the bottom of the page, or as always email me at mmarmaggeddon@gmail.com
Until next time, fight fans!
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