UFC 86

I have been severely derelict in keeping this blog up to date lately. My apologies for that. As a token of my regret, I am posting a UFC 86 preview. Given my track record of late, you should have plenty of laughs at my predictions come Sunday morning. On to the show.........

Tyson Griffin 11-1 vs. Marcus "Maximus" Aurelio 14-5

Tyson Griffin is quickly emerging as a contender in the lightweight division only suffering defeat one time in twelve fights. Griffin has a lethal combination of strong cardio and knock out power. The only loss of his career thus far is to highly respected Frank Edgar. Marcus Aurelio is extremely tough and has not been stopped in 21 fights (5 losses are by decision.) This is a tough one to call. Aurelio has fought much tougher opponents than Griffin and I have to give the nod to experience.

Prediction: Aurelio by decision.

Josh "Kos" Koscheck 13-2 vs. Chris "Lights Out" Lytle 35-15-4

Koscheck is a very tough kid. He has fought some tough opponents and even went the distance with the current welterweight champ just one year ago. The problem....BORING! The guy seems to have absolutely no interest in finishing fights. With his wrestling skills, I would love to see him train with Tito Ortiz at Team Punishment and learn some ground and pound. Chris Lytle has had a tough career. Ever time he gets some momentum going, he ends up losing a fight. He posted 3 wins then lost to Robbie Lawler, 4 wins then lost to Karo Pariysan, 2 wins then back to back losses to Serra and Hughes, then 2 more wins and a loss to Thiago Alves. He doesn't seem to be able to win any big fights. I don't see this one being any different.

Prediction: Koscheck by decision...yawn.

Joe "Daddy" Stevenson 33-8 vs. Gleison Tibau 27-4

Stevenson is coming off the biggest fight of his career after losing a title fight to BJ Penn. In my opinion, he will one day hold the lighweight belt in the UFC. Enter the sacrificial lamb, Tibau. I see this as a bounce back fight for Stevenson. Despite being a jiu-jitsu specialist, Tibau is no match for Stevenson's wrestling and cardio.

Prediction: Stevenson by TKO, 2nd Round

Patrick "The Predator" Cote 13-4 vs. Ricardo "Big Dog" Almeida 9-2

Cote is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division. Considered small for his division, he still packs knockout power. Almeida, a jiu-jitsu specialist is currently riding a 7 fight win streak. Almeida however lacks knockout power which will give Cote the courage to stand in front of him and throw.

Prediction: Cote by knockout, 1st round

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson 27-6 vs. Forrest Griffin 15-4

Finally, a championship fight that earns my distinction as fight of the night! How can you not love Rampage. He is a fun loving, jokester out of the ring and a vicious savage inside the ring. Rampage is making a laughing stock out of the light heavyweight division defeating previous poster boy Chuck Liddell and Pride veteran Dan Henderson. The only marks on his career at this point are two brutal beatings at the hands of Wanderlei Silva and a loss to "Shogun" Rua. Forrest certainly is the sentimental favorite. In my opinion, his fight against Stephan Bonner in the TUF season 1 finale is the best MMA fight I have ever seen. He also holds a last second victory via naked choke over the last man to beat Jackson, "Shogun" Rua. Couple that with the fact that he has been training with Wanderlei Silva and this on has the makings of a real brawl. His only career losses are to Dan Severn, Jeremy Horn, Tito Ortiz, and Keith Jardine, which is nothing to be ashamed of. Both of these guys have amazing chins. In a total of 53 combined fights, they have been knocked out only 5 time combined. This is going to be an all out war with both guys willing to stand and trade. The problem is, I don't think Forrest can hurt Jackson with punches. The champ is just too tough.

Prediction: Jackson by decision.

This is one of the best PPV events the UFC has put on all year and should be well worth the $45 bones. Lets hope the Gonzaga vs. McCully fight is a good one and gets bumped to the main show.