Saturday Smackdown

It's fight night folks and you know what that means.... another edition of the Saturday Smackdown! It's been a hot minute since the last edition so we will be reviewing some of the big news stories and I (@cagechattererik) will get my picks in for tonights UFC on Fox Henderson vs Diaz (best free card ever?)!

THE NEWS

Cyborg vs Rousey is set....no date though

It has been announced that the biggest women's MMA in recient memory has been signed by both sides. Cyborg (serving end of suspension for postive drug test) will face the newest face of women's MMA and perhaps her greatest challenge ever, Ronda Rousey! This will be the second fight under the UFC banner for Rousey since becoming the first women ever signed by the UFC last month. Rousey is set to defend her Bantamweight Title vs veteran Liz Carmouche in the main event at  UFC 157.

Dominic Cruz re-injures knee

UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominic Cruz has suffered yet another trying to come back from a torn ACL. This is the same ACL that was torn while he was coaching TUF two years ago. Interm Champ Renan Barao will now defend his title vs #1 contender Michael McDonald which shoul be an all out war!!

UFC ON FOX 5 Henderson vs Diaz

Fight Picks

Matt Brown vs Mike Swick

Swick looked damn good since returning from over a year long hiatus from the cage. This fight has STAND AND BANG written all over it and don't be quick to count out Brown as he has great power in his hands. He seems to be one of the fighters that fights up and down to his opponent and tonight he will really have to pick up his game. At the end of the night will it be enough? I don't think so.

Swick by KO

Alexander Gustafsson vs Shogun Rua

How do you spell for of the night??? I spell it SHOGUN. He recently told reporters he isn't worried about titles anymore (the LHW title is kind of being held hostage for the next 5-7 years) he now wants to put on great shows for the fans. He has done nothing short of that over the last two years with two Fight of the Year nominees (Hendo and Vera) and tonight could be another. Gustafsson is one of the most overlooked and under hyped fighters in the UFC and this dude is a SAVAGE! I don't see this fight going to the ground and it will garner more fans for the UFC as these two will play rock em sock em robots for 3 rounds if given the chance. This is just another top name for Shogun to fight but this is the biggest fight of Gustafsson's career and I believe that hunger is the difference.

Gustafsson via TKO

B.J Penn vs Rory McDonald

I have been waiting for this fight for as long as the fighters themselves! These two hate each other (scroll back as we covered all the talk earlier). This fight can go anywhere and most likely will. I do give the ground advantage to BJ but that may not be enough. Rory is the protege of GSP and if GSP is any sort of coach (he is pretty amazing) he has given the formula to Rory on how to dominate BJ like he did years ago. This fight reminds me of a teenager fighting a father in that BJ has a ton of years of experience but Rory has a ton of skill. If dad can get the fight where he wants it then it's a wrap but if the son gets confidence early then it's gonna be a long night for pops.

McDonald via TKO (ground and pound)

MAIN EVENT: UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson vs Nate Diaz
I am not sure how this fight goes but it should be one hell of a battle and it will be the best main event of the night in any combat sport (sorry Manny). Takedowns are the friend of Henderson but that puts the fight where Diaz wants it because his BJJ game is top 5 in the UFC. The stand-up is a stalemate but if I had to pick an advantage I would go Diaz due to reach but Henderson uses so many kicks it isn't funny. This fight really is a coin flip so here we go.
Diaz via submission. I think Henderson takes him down late in the fight and realizes it was a mistake and game over. The length of Diaz's arms anywhere in the fight will be the difference.

UFC 154 Fight Preview and Predictions

FINALLY THE UFC IS BACK!!!! It seems like it has been forever and a day since UFC 153 but here we are and it's FIGHT WEEK!!! I have been waiting for this card for a LONG TIME and I expect it to be one of the better ones of the year so far (and that is saying a lot because we have been spoiled so far). This card features the return of one of the top P4P fighters ever in GSP, that also means that the card takes place in Canada (4 out of 8 of GSP's title defenses have been in Canada and 3 of them in his hometown of Quebec).

ufc.com


*** Make sure to post your pics to my Twitter (@cagechattererik) for a chance for some signed UFC stuff and take part in our Fight Night Chat which usually includes some UFC fighters such as Vinc Pichell and other TUF stars!***

The Fights:

Mark Hominick vs Pablo Garza

About This Fight:

This Featherweight bout feature two fighters looking to right the ship as Hominick (31-11 overall 3-3 UFC) has lost three straight and Garza (11-3 overall 2-2 UFC) two straight. Both fighters have a resume that includes top fighters such as Jose Aldo and the Korean Zombie for Hominick where as Garza has battled the likes of Dustin Poirier and Dennis Bermudez. This could be seen as a must win fight as the featherweight division continues to grow and both of these fighters are .500 under the UFC banner.

How It Should Go:

I look for Hominick to try to make it a stand up fight for a round but if Garza is given the chance to take this fight to the ground he will capitalize. This fight could be more interesting that most would think as these two know they are fighting for their jobs.

Who Wins and Why: 

Hominick via TKO. He is the vet in this fight and fighting on his turf (Canada). I like him to keep the fight standing and he has some serious power in those hands.

Nick Ring vs Costa Philippou

About this Fight:

This Middleweight fight has AWESOME written all over it! Philippou (14-2 overall 4-1 UFC) is riding a four fight win streak and only loss in the UFC was a catch weight fight with Nick Catone. Ring comes in with a 12-1 record and bounced back from the loss to Tim Boetsch with a decision win over Cort McGee. One has to think that a win for Philippou could put him in the top 7 of the division where as a win for Ring would get him back to his winning ways and some momentum in a very though division.

How It Should Go:

Both fighters have proven they are willing to let the judges decide the fight as they have a combined 10 decision wins. Ring is a hybrid striker who has great skills but looks for the submission where as Phillippou has a Blue Belt in BJJ yet looks to end the fight standing. This should be awesome!

Who Wins and Why:

Phillippou via decision. This fight should be great and it will be that way right to the final horn. Both fighters have great skills where ever the fight goes and I think that leads to them to go outside comfort zone.    

Francis Carmont vs Tom Lawlor

About This Fight:

This Middleweight bout could be sleeper for fight of the night if the two fights after it don't deliver (I am sure they will). Lawlor (13-4 overall 4-3 UFC) looked really good the last time we saw him on his birthday when he defeated Jason MacDonald. Carmont (19-7 overall 3-0 UFC) has flown under the radar and is still undefeated in the UFC and is riding a 7 fight win streak.

How It Should Go:

This is our classic striker (Lawlor) vs grappler (Carmont) but don't get it twisted Carmont has some huge power in his hands and knees and Lawlor has Blue Belt in BJJ. Lawlor is always exciting to watch and Carmont is gathering a cult following of fans so get ready! I look for Lawlor to keep this fight up on the feet because he is prone to the choke and Carmont has 6 choke submission wins (2 in UFC). I think Carmont will surprise some people with his solid stand up game and take down defense is Lawlor goes for a leg.

Who Wins and Why:

Carmont via submission. I believe Carmonts stand-up will bother Lawlor and he will go for a take down and be caught by a choke. Upset of the night.

Martin Kampmann vs Johny Hendricks



About This Fight: MARK MY WORD THIS FIGHT WILL BATTLE VERA VS SHOGUN FOR FIGHT OF THE YEAR! When this fight was announced I remember standing up in my office and just clapping at Joe Silva. This fight pits the most underrated, under appreciated and under-ranked fighter in MMA, Martin Kampmann vs what could be the fastest rising sleeper in MMA Johny Hendricks. The winner of the fight next fights the winner of Condit vs GSP (just announced). Kampmann (20-5 overall 11-4 UFC) is riding a three fight win streak with wins over Ellenberger, Alves and Story where as Hendricks (13-1 overall 8-1 UFC) is on a four fight win streak and just beat down Kos showing his range in both standup and wrestling.



How It Should Go:

I see this fight going much the way that Kampmann vs Alves went but Hendrick does have a more versatile striking game and perhaps more power. Hendrick will look to keep the fight close and land those bombs that have earned him two KOTN awards. Kampmann will do whatever his game plan is set to do because he is great on both his feet and the ground.

Who Wins and Why:

Kampmann via Submission. I do see this going just the way the Alves fight went. Kampmann is 6 feet tall where as Hendricks is 5'9 and he holds a 3 inch reach advantage. Alves had the same reach as Kampmann and Martin kept him at bay and what seemed to be at least a foot away all night. Look for more of the same Saturday night.

MAIN EVENT

Welterweight Championship Unification Fight

  Carlos Condit (Interm Champion) vs Georges St- Pierre (Champion)



About This Fight: Simply put, to be the man you have to beat the man. GSP (22-2 overall 16-2 UFC) has been out of the game for a year and a half due to various injuries and now returns to face perhaps his biggest test since Matt Hughes in Carlos Condit (28-5 overall 5-1 UFC). I am not going to go to much into this fight because I will be posting the UFC Prefight videos that are on Spike.

How This Fight Goes:

If GSP treats this fight like the Shields fight then he is done for. He needs to go back to the ways he fought Kos, BJ Penn and Hughes which means take downs, knees and elbows. He toyed with Shields and it almost caught him.

Condit must lay everything on the line because this is the biggest fight of his career.He is a greatly rounded fighter with 13 Ko's and Sub's but if GSP has you on the ground then you are not going anywhere and your dead, you just don't know it yet. Carlos's best chance is to keep fight standing and pepper GSP all night.  

Who Wins and Why:

GSP via TKO. This all depends on just how close to 100% ACL GSP tore is. If he is back to nomal GSP I don't see this fight making it to the championship rounds. GSP has been gone for so long that people forget just how dominating at this weight he really is. I mean people are talking about him taking on Anderson Silva who is allergic to losing and is a freak at Middleweight and you would let him add on 15lbs. GSP is one of the top 5 fighters of all time and if he is 100% Condit is in for a long night unless he can connect on a bomb (which he can and has 13 times in his career). I think GSP treats him like he did Kos and Hardy and takes fight down and breaks him apart.

AWARDS

Knockout of the Night = Hominick

Submission of the Night = Kampmann

Fight of the Night = GSP vs Condit

UFC signs another former Strikeforce Women's Champion

Rumors of Strikeforce ceasing operations after their January 2013 event is huge news in the MMA world, however it's the women's division in Strikeforce that is making everyone talk!

After news broke that current Strikeforce bantamweight 135lb Champion Ronda Rousey signed with the UFC, another former women's bantamweight champion has also signed on with the UFC.

According to Miesha Tate's official twitter page she tweeted

@MieshaTate: So Stoked to be fighting for the @UFC it's been a dream of mine for along time! SO happy it's finally come true
:-D

This makes me wonder if the UFC is taking measures to block upstart women's MMA organization Invicta from signing arguably the most marketable women fighters in the world or they truly believe there is a market for women's MMA in the UFC.

RUMOR: "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey Signs with UFC

At the current moment it's being reported by TMZ that current Strikeforce 135 lb Bantamweight Women's Division Champion Ronda Rousey has become the first female figher to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) .

This move assures that Rousey will not go over to upstart all women's Mixed Martial Arts organization Invicta.

Questions to ponder. If this rumor is confirmed does this set up a huge PPV fight for Rousey with the currently suspended Cris "Cyborg" Santos or does the UFC give Rousey a fight before Cyborg is off suspension with the likes of an opponent that most likely will be submitted by an armbar in 30 seconds of the first round..

Check back here often as more information develops in this potential huge moment for women's MMA

UFC returns to Brazil

It was announced earlier this week that the UFC would return to Brazil and a huge headliner was also announced, Michael Bisping vs Vitor Belfort!!! Bisping is coming off a huge decision win over Brian Stann where as Belfort is coming off a title fight loss to Jon Jones. One has to believe that if Bisping can win this fight that he will get the title shot that has eluded him his entire career. We will update you on any other matches added to this card as soon as they are announced!

Sunday Smackdown 10/21

Well it is Sunday and that means two things are going down, football and the Sunday Smackdown here at mmacagechatter! So lets get this going!

Cain vs JDS 2 Gets a Date!

This rematch for the Heavyweight Title is going down Dec 29th at the MGM in Vegas! This time Cain is healthy and has tunnel vision to get this belt. He got caught by a much better JDS last time now we get to see what he does different in hopes to getting to the top.

GSP vs Condit headed to the big screen

When GSP returns to the octagon to defend is Welterweight Title vs Carlos Condit lots of lucky fans will get a chance to see it on the big screen... because it is going to be at select move theaters!

Riddle and Rivera Fail Drug Test

Matt Riddle and Francisco Rivera have had their UFC 149 wins overturned and are now listed as a "no contest" because both fighters failed a post fight drug test. Riddle was positive for marijuana and Rivera for a banned over the counter stimulant.

TUF 16 Thoughts

This season has been a bit off in my eyes. It all started at the beginning when Roy Nelson was named as a coach, he has the reputation as having a sub-par fight camp and nothing about him says professionalism. Don't get me wrong I like the idea of Roy Nelson (big guy winning fights) but he doesn't do anything to make you root for him. That whole segment after his fighter lost where he complained to Dana about Bristol not making weight, I mean come on man!

  The cast of the show seems a bit odd as well. You have professionals such as Bristol, Ricci and others but then you have clowns like Lane, who if you didn't know better you would think doesn't have a professional fight under his belt. When he stated he "never fought two rounds" it sent a red flag in the air for me. Yeah there have been rookies on the show like Corey Hill but they he was mature enough to be on the show, Lane isn't even close.

 Hopefully this season heats up and the fights get a little better (if Roy would pick normal fights and not draw straws it might just happen) I think this could be good for next season when rivals Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen face off as coaches.

TUF 16 Finale gets some amazing fights!!

Even if you are not a TUF fan (give next season a try as Jones and Sonnen will have some fireworks) this season's finale may be the best yet. Just announced HUGE featherweight scrap between Dustin Poirier and Jonathan Brookings and a flyweight battle as Tim Elliott faces off with Jared Papazian.

 These are some amazing fights with both main event fighters (Poirier and Brookings) trying to get back on the winning side of things. Poirier is coming off a Fight of the Year (loss) nominee vs the Korean Zombie last May. Before that loss he had win five straight and was in line for a title shot.

 Former TUF winner (won at lightweight), Brookings has gone 1-2 since going to Featherweight losing to the likes of Erik Koch and Charles Olivera. Brookings defeated Vagner Rocha. A win over a stud like Poirier would be a huge kick start for Brookings and get him back to .500 at Featherweight.