I honestly don't even know where to start for this event. This is the best event since last Decembers' card. In all 11 matchups, there could be something to write about. I'll try to leave this short with my predictions for all 11 fights.
Shannen Gugerty vs. Matt Grice- Gugerty is coming off a battle with Spencer Fisher and will look to continue his growth against tough fighter in Matt Grice who brawled in his last fight until he lost by a KO. Gugerty by Submission (Choke) in Rd. 2.
CB Dollaway vs. Tom Lawlor- Lawlor is a brawler with pretty good chin. Dollaway was touted to be the next up an comer through TUF series. I feel that he has been humbled and could become a Koscheck type; a tough journeyman who continues to work hard and get the most out of his abilities. Dollaway by Submission (Choke) in Rd. 2.
Dong Hyun Kim vs. TJ Grant- All you need to know about this fight is that Kim is very good young fighter who got the screw job in his fight against Karo Parysian. He beat him in all 3 rounds and lost to the name. First time that I believe the judges got caught up in big name fighter vs no name fighter. Kim by KO in Rd. 1.
Jon "Bones" Jones vs. Jake O'Brien- No folks this is not Keith's son. Jake is a tough wrestler who has not ducked fighting some great competition in the UFC. Look for take downs and ground and pound. "Bones" has been very impressive in his young career and is very active and at times unorthodox. Very long and will keep O'Brien at the end of his kicks and punches. This could be a brawl. Jones by Unanimous Decision.
Jim Miller vs Mac Danzig- Danzig has not lived up to potential since TUF. This is a bounce back fight for Miller who will look to press the action and return to his rise in the lightweight division. Miller has good submission and ground game and improving stand up. He won't get "bullied" in this fight. Miller by Submission (Choke) in Rd. 1.
Mark Coleman vs. Stephan Bonnar- This will be a straight brawl. These 2 fighters might just stand in the middle of the ring until someone gets tired (Coleman). Coleman has better wrestling and ground game and Bonnar is a banger. He is simply the Arturo Gatti of MMA. People want to see you bang not fight, no jiu-jitsu, no submissions. Bang. Bonnar by Split Decision.
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan Belcher- Akiyama is making UFC debut after doing very well in Japan fighting the very elite. KO'd Denis Kang, submitted Melvin Manhoef, and fought legendary fighter in Sakuraba. Belcher is a tough well rounded fighter but is inconsistent. He is a good striker and pretty good on the ground. This may depend on which Belcher shows up. I'm guessing on the inconsistent one. Akiyama by Unanimous Decision.
Jon Fitch vs. Paulo Thiago- In Thiago's debut he KO'd Koscheck and showed he was not afraid to bang. He is a BJJ black belt and is his strength. As you could see though he can stand up and has 1 punch KO ability. Jon Fitch is an animal! He is aggressive with both good stand up and ground games. I'm not sure Thiago can stay up with the pace that Fitch can bring and his own power. Although, this fight can definitely go to the ground and be a technical match, I don't see it happening. Fitch by KO in Rd. 1.
Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping- These 2 TUF coaches do not like each other and that's what will make this fight fun to watch. Bisping has continued to get better every fight that he is in. He has good stand up and improving wrestling game. Hendo is a premier wrestler and power in both hands. Also, Henderson has been in many battles in his career and shown to be one of the toughest in the sport. I think this is actually a tough fight to call. Hendo could KO Bisping early (I think Bisping may have a suspect chin) or Bisping could keep his distance and just outpoint him to the decision. I think it will be the former. Henderson KO in Rd. 2.
Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves- This will be the fight of the night. The fighters match up so well with great conditioning, stand up and ground games. GSP is the best in the sport right now and has beaten the best in his class. Most of the time beating his opponents at their own games. He continues to grow as a fighter and is explosive in so many ways. He also has the experience of fighting 5 round fights before. My namesake is a tough fighter with a great chin and is not afraid to fight standing up or on the ground. I think he has a chance to shock the world if he lands a punch to the chin of GSP. GSP has been caught before (Serra) and I think Alves is prime to do it. These 2 men are at the prime of their careers and will call for fireworks. I love both of these fighters and really don't want to go against a Canuck but... Alves by KO in Rd. 3
Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar- Lesnar is a Freak and has shown immense power and is a world class wrestler in his meteoric rise through the UFC. Mir is now showing his commitment to be the best.. again. It was really too easy for him as a young fighter. He has proven that he is back with his domination of Minotauro Nogueira. He is a submission specialist but has improved his striking and can knock out opponents. He is also a very intelligent fighter. I think is to his benefit and won't get caught in a situation like in the first fight. Mir by submission (Knee bar) in Rd. 3.
On this day in 1944, there was a failed assassination attempt on the Fuhrer himself, Adolf Hitler. The July 20 Plot, as it was later referred to, was detailed in the recent Tom Cruise film Valkyrie. Hitler obviously survived the Wolf's Lair explosion and you can probably guess what happened to everyone involved in the planning of the assassination attempt...
