The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale Preview/Picks

IT’S TIME!! Eleven bouts in the UFC’s Octagon! Introducing first, whining out of the blue corner, you guys. And in the red corner, he is the reigning, defending Pick ‘Em Champion, R.K. Menn! I’m just playing, I love all of you. However, I do plan on going 11-0, so when you pick against me, think twice. Yes, that’s always the plan, but I can feel it this time. I’m 60-40 guys, so take it for what it’s worth. If you head over to Bodog.com and bet, it’s probably worth a lot. Just saying. As always, I expect half. Cash, Check, Money Order or Paypal. I accept all of these methods of payments.

Now, on to the show. I think every matchup should be entertaining. Even one-sided matchups like that McSweeney/Browne fight. A violent ending is still entertaining, yes? Yes. So be prepared to be glued to your televisions. And let me say that I’m glad they put the fight to determine the winner of TUF 11 as the Main Event. I hope they do this for future shows, because crowing the winner before the show is over is anti-climatic. Just saying. Fight card airs live on Spike TV this Saturday night. Check your local listings for start time. Now, let’s see what R.K. has for you…

PRELIMINARY CARD

Heavyweight bout: James McSweeney vs. Travis Browne

Browne’s last three fights have lasted a grand total of 52 seconds. All knockouts, all devastating. Two were under 10 seconds. Just wow. His boxing is very good. That’s an understatement, but you get the idea. I really don’t see how McSweeney wins this. He’s three inches shorter and about 20 pounds lighter. Size isn’t everything, but I never thought McSweeney was all that good. He’ll probably try to implement that Greg Jackson Lay & Pray gameplan, but it won’t work.

My Pick: Browne, Round 1, KO

Middleweight bout: James Hammortree vs. Chris Camozzi

This should be a close fight. I’m leaning towards Hammortree, but we never really got to see all of what Camozzi is capable of. His jaw was fractured during the fight to enter the house and had to be removed. But, that fight was very entertaining. Still, I think Hammortree we get some takedowns and work over the judges. He probably won’t get that coveted TKO, but he’ll do enough damage and have enough control.

My Pick:Hammortree, Round 3, Decision

Middleweight bout: Kyle Noke vs. Josh Bryant

I think Bryant is fighting in the wrong weight class. He’s just too small. The guy has a ton of heart, and he may make me eat my words, but I just don’t see him beating Noke. Well, that is, if Noke works on his cardio and takedown defense. Noke can strike, that’s for sure. But Kris McCray took him down and wore him out in a fight he should’ve easily won. I’m sure he’s worked on it, and that’s the reason I think he’ll land the necessary shot to stop Bryant.

My Pick:Noke, Round 2, TKO

Middleweight bout: Brad Tavares vs. Seth Baczynski

Rematch! Who doesn’t love rematches? I know I do. Especially when the first fight ends because of an illegal soccer kick to the face. Man, that was vicious. The first fight was shaping up to be something special, and this one should be the same. Baczynski is the more experienced of the two, but Brad Tavares can throw those fists with the best of them. I expect a highly exciting fight with someone landing a shot that puts the other guy down, then following up with the ending punches for a TKO. Who?

My Pick:Tavares, Round 3, TKO

Lightweight bout: John Gunderson vs. Mark Holst

Unless Gunderson lands a hail mary knockout shot, I don’t see him winning this. His strong suit is the submission game. He’s not going to submit Holst. It would be foolish to even try to get him to the ground. So this fight will probably be fought standing, where Holst has a distinct advantage. Holst is 11-1 in pro Muay Thai competition. If Gunderson wants to stand with Holst he’ll be picked apart. Holst has never gone to a decision and I don’t see it now.

My Pick: Holst, Round 2, KO

MAIN CARD

Middleweight bout: Jamie Yager vs. Rich Attonito

Really? The “Tin Man” gets to fight on the televised portion of the card? Why? He quit. I hope Attonito beats him down. Yager has talent but no heart. Hopefully Attonito watched some tape and just presses the action and makes that quitter wilt under pressure, because you know he will. I’m sure Attonito will be able to weather the storm that Yager will put on early, and then he’ll break the “Tin Man.”

My Pick:Attonito, Round 3, Submission

Lightweight bout: Spencer Fisher vs. Dennis Siver

This will probably be Fight of the Night. Siver has some serious power in those leg kicks, and he loves to throw that spinning back kick. But, he’s no where near as fast as Fisher. If this is going to be the stand-up war I think it is, it’ll be Fisher’s speed that will allow him to out-point the German. Still, Siver is always a kick away from ending it.

My Pick: Fisher, Round 3, Decision

Middleweight bout: Chris Leben vs. Aaron Simpson

I really don’t see Simpson losing for the first time ever to Leben. Leben has a nice punch and that’s about it. His cardio is lacking and his striking has a lot of holes in it. He did pick up a much needed win against Jay Silva, but it’s not like Silva is a world-beater. This bout will go like this: Simpson gets in, gets takedown, does some damage. Repeat. Simpson moves to 8-0.

My Pick: Simpson, Round 3, Decision

Light Heavyweight bout: Matt Hamill vs. Keith Jardine

Jardine better win this. It’ll be four straight losses if he doesn’t. His last two losses we by KO, and Hamil definitely has the ability to make that three KO’s in a row. Hopefully for the UFC’s sake Jardine wins. He’s easier to market than Hamil and for some reason people like to watch him fight. That’s the only reason I can come up with as to why Jardine is still employed. I really couldn’t tell you who is going to win this, but my gut tells me Jardine will find a way to do so. He’s not going to out-wrestle Hamil so the Greg Jackson Lay & Pray won’t work, but I think his unorthodox style will give Hamil some trouble and he’ll land some leg kicks for the points win. All that being said, Go Hamil!

My Pick:Jardine, Round 3, Decision

Middleweight bout: Court McGee vs. Kris McCray

Earlier this week it was announced that the finalists would be moved up to Main Event status. Had you been reading my “MMA Quick Hits” you would already know this. Those of you that have kept up, this is no surprise. And I’m all for it. The Ultimate Fighter Finale should always showcase the finalists of the show as the Main Event. It’s the whole reason we watched the show. Now, as for the fight itself, I think Court McGee wins relatively easy. McCray has improved since his first fight in the house, but McGee’s striking is better and his takedown defense seems solid. If McCray hasn’t improved that cardio he’ll be submitted. And based on the show, that’s exactly what I see. Ladies and Gentlemen, your TUF 11 winner…

My Pick: McGee, Round 2, Submission