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Thanks to MMAmania.com reader “Mario” for the assist.
Written by admin on December 7th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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Weigh-ins for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 6 Finale took place earlier this afternoon at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The field of 18 fighters all tipped the scales without incident.
Here are the official results from UFC.com:
Clay Guida (155) vs. Roger Huerta (155)
Mac Danzig (168.5) vs. Tommy Speer (170)
Jared Rollins (169) vs. Jon “War Machine” Koppenhaver (170)
George Sotiropoulos (169) vs. Billy Miles (170)
Ben Saunders (169) vs. Dan Barrera (170)
Troy “Rude Boy” Mandaloniz (170) vs. Richie Hightower (170)
Matt Arroyo (169) vs. John Kolosci (170)
Roman Mitichyan (170) vs. Dorian Price (170)
Paul Georgieff (170) vs. Jonathan Goulet (170)
The televised portion of the SpikeTV special begins Saturday, December 8, at 9 p.m. ET. We will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of the main card action at this time.
TUF 6 Finale quick results, however, will begin to flow earlier than that here at UFCmania.com at about 7:30 p.m. ET with the prelim fights.
It’s going to be a fun night of FREE mixed martial arts action — see you all then!
Written by admin on December 7th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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Desert Dog here with tips and “Smart Bets” for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 6 Finale this Saturday, December 8, at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It’s a fight card that has been literally months in the making. And in about 24 hours we’ll get to see all the action and drama unfold for FREE on SpikeTV at 9 p.m. ET. This special event has some solid betting opportunities and we want you to take advantage of them before the lines narrow.
Let’s get to it.
Here are the “Smart Bets” for the TUF 6 Finale:
Main card picks:
(Note: + = Underdog, - = Favorite)Roger Huerta -115 (Bet $100 to win $86.96)
or -160 over 2.5 rounds (Bet $100 to win $62.50)
Jared Rollins -105 (Bet $100 to win $95.24)
George Sotiropoulos -500 (No action)
Ben Saunders -260 (Bet $100 win $62.50)Preliminary card picks:
Richie Hightower -145 1/2 Bet (Bet $50 to win $34.48)
Roman Mitichyan -500 (No action)
Matt Arroyo -310 1/2 Bet (Bet $50 to win $16.13)
Jonathan Goulet -500 (No action)
NOTE: MMAmania.com recommends BetUS.com to place wagers (FREE $75 play with a deposit of $50 or more … you actually make money). However, Bodog.com is also a good place to bet and compare odds.)
As always — if you are going to bet — only play with what you are willing to lose.
There aren’t any standout values on this card except perhaps Tommy Speer (+120). Another relatively safe bet is to forgo picking a winner in the main event between Roger Huerta and Clay Guida and take the over/under to go past 2.5 rounds.
Now onto a more detailed breakdown of the fights for those bettors who require a little more reassurance.
Main card bouts:
Roger Huerta (-115) vs. Clay Guida (-115)
The question is can Guida win a decision over the Latino poster boy? Yes, but I don’t think he will.
“El Matador” may not have fought the names “The Carpenter” has, but he is undefeated in the UFC (5-0) and he finished three of those via technical knockout. Huerta’s biggest weakness in this fight is his submission game, by that I mean he’s very unlikely to finish this one with anything other than his fists. His wrestling and ground defense should allow him to keep this fight where he wants it — on the feet — at least enough to maintain control. He has more than shown this ability in his last three fights. Huerta’s takedown defense did seem exposed while fighting Evans, but he adjusted and poured on the aggression to win the bout in convincing fashion.
Guida shows tremendous pace and technical skill, but he has not demonstrated the ability to finish high level fighters. Guida’s last three fights went to decisions and although the fights were exciting and fun to watch, he never put them away. Clay has a solid submission game but it’s not good enough to finish Huerta — his standup is also good but it’s mostly defense and counter striking. Clay’s biggest strength has been his wrestling and ability to avoid being controlled on the ground. That won’t be enough to win against a skilled wrestler with good submission defense and excellent scrambling. Guida will push for ground control and leave all of his relentless energy inside the Octagon.
The stage is set for a great three-round battle for control.
Current odds have this one as a “Pick ‘em” fight, which is right on the money. I placed a bet when Huerta’s odds hit +125, but at this price it’s up to you. Overall the odds are very high that this fight will go the distance (-160 over 2.5 rounds), which might be your best value if you don’t want to pick a winner.
Prediction: Huerta via decision
Mac Danzig (-150) vs. Tommy Speer (+120)
TUF 6 coach Matt Hughes probably hit the nail on the head on this match up: “skill vs power.”
The one advantage I see building on the side of Speer is continuing to train with Hughes. I doubt he’s a submission specialist by now but this amount of time in Matt’s camp should have provided him with some solid defense against Danzig’s submission skills. Danzig’s best shot at a win is a submission, while farmboy’s best shot is by technical knockout.
If this goes to decision it could come down to the final round, Danzig is hoping Tommy will tire and make mistakes, but dealing with a fighter this much stronger for the first two rounds could leave him unable to take advantage of any errors. I think Speer may be the young new Matt Hughes protege and pull out this win. It may sound odd but having a motivated Hughes training Tommy is the edge in this fight.
Prediction: Speer via decision
Jared Rollins (-105) vs. John “War Machine” Koppenhaver (-125)
Another close fight.
Jared Rollins holds a slight strength advantage but he may be worried that beating the crap out of the “War Machine” will just lead to another upper decker. Damn these kids got bored fast. Rollins has great Brazilian jiu-jitsu training and experience including a fight under the Pride FC banner. There’s some question about his chin, but I don’t think that comes into play in this fight. Overall he has a slight edge on the ground where this fight is going to be often.
John has been through some very good training camps as well and has put together a very solid game in the cage. His biggest weakness still seems to be mental — his confidence is so up and down it makes me very nervous. He looked great against Speer, until he’d spent his load and got bulldozed. It looked like both physical and mental failure. I don’t think he’ll be able to catch J-Roc in an early sub and as the fight goes on look to him to fade.
Prediction: Rollins via submission
George Sotiropoulos (-500) vs. Billy Miles (+300)
Billy “please don’t hit me” Miles looked lackluster at best on the show. George’s skill and composure in the cage will easily translate into an early submission victory.
The odds do not provide enough value for a bet here.
Prediction: Sotiropoulos via submission
Ben Saunders (-260) vs. Dan Barrera (+200)
This rematch from the show is actually intriguing simply because of the characters. Ben Saunders — the very skilled Jeet Kune Do practitioner and all around goof ball — is paired up again with the ADD, god fearing loon, Barrera. I don’t see this fight going much differently simply because Dan is very inexperienced and one dimensional — he punches … that’s about it. Ben is very well rounded, healthy and knows what he’s facing. It adds up to a relatively easy pick, unfortunately it’s right on the edge for value. I’d prefer to get a return of more than 40 percent, but I’m placing a bet for the sake of action.
Prediction: Saunders via submission
Preliminary bouts:
Richie Hightower (-145) vs. Troy “Rude Boy” Mandaloniz (+115)
Hightower, annoying as he may be, has a much more well rounded game than Troy. If Richie sticks to a solid game plan of getting the fight to the ground and working subs he has a very good chance of pulling out a win. However, if he decides to make it a stand up battle he’ll eventually get knicked. I’m giving Richie the benefit of the doubt on this one and I’m putting a half bet on him.
Prediction: Hightower via submission
Matt Arroyo (-310) vs. John Kolosci (+250)
This match up again seems like strength vs, skill. Unfortunately for John if he gets the fight to the ground he’s in trouble whether he’s on the top or the bottom. Arroyo will be looking to showcase his skills and make up for dropping from the semifinals. The huge difference in skill levels will shine brightly in this fight. It’s not a great value above -300 but I’m adding another half bet.
Prediction: Arroyo via submission
Roman Mitichyan (-500) vs. Dorian Price (+300)
This one’s is all about the odds. Mitichyan is the favorite in this fight because of his sick judo skills, submission experience, and general ability to curse. But come on … an 80 percent chance to win?! Dorian’s record is decent, he’s got a very solid submission game himself (90 percent of his wins) and he’ll be sporting a significant reach advantage to go along with his solid striking and kicks. Ugh, I feel that Dorian should be around +200, but I’m not convinced that this is his night. The odds say make a bet on Price but my gut says NO.
Prediction: Mitichyan via submission
Jonathan Goulet (-500) vs. Paul Georgieff (+300)
To be honest I know almost nothing about Georgieff. He didn’t look too good on the show and as soon as he lost he basically vanished from the series except for a few blurbs about other fighters. Goulet has been on a roller coaster ride in the UFC, but he’s is at a much higher skill and experience level than Paul. The odds are too heavy for a bet, but the pick is easy.
Prediction: Goulet via technical knockout
That about does it for this installment of betting tips and advice. Remember to bet smart.
Betting is not for everyone. But if you want to take a stab at it head over to BetUs.com (with a deposit you get a $75 free play) or to compare competitive MMA lines visit Bodog.com.
Enjoy the fights and good luck.
Written by admin on December 7th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on UFC betting tips from Desert Dog and TUF 6 Finale and UFC on SpikeTV and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and UFC The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) and MMA.
Written by admin on December 7th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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Props: SimonSays.com
Quoteworthy:
“If you know anything at all about mixed martial arts and the UFC, then you know the name Matt Hughes. With devastating slams and ground-and-pound — and nine championship belts to his credit — Matt is the most dominant fighter in UFC history…. Matt discloses his most private thoughts and feelings during both his epic victories and his crushing losses. But when the gloves come off, there’s Matt Hughes the man. He talks with unflinching honesty about his early hell-raising and his near-death experience, the moment he let God into his heart, falling in love with his wife, the birth of his daughter, and all the important events of his life — and he shares personal photographs never before seen by the public. A Christian, a family man, and a fighter, Matt Hughes could only have been made in America.”
The publication date is set for January 1, 2008, from Simon Spotlight Entertainment. It’ll cost 24 clams.
(Thanks to MMAmania.com reader “Mario” for the assist.)
Written by admin on December 7th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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“As I enter a new chapter in my life, I look forward to demonstrating my love and passion for the MMA world in my new role at The Fight Network. It’s a perfect fit for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
– “Big” John McCarthy comments on his retirement from mixed martial arts as a referee and his new career as an on-air personality and strategic adviser for The Fight Network. McCarthy will retire after officiating his 535th bout (the main event between Roger Huerta and Clay Guida) this Saturday night for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 6 Finale in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 8. For more background click here.
Written by admin on December 7th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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Video courtesy of FOXSports Radio 1460 AM in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For one-on-one interviews prior to The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 6 Finale this Saturday see below:
In addition, Steve Cofield has some great coverage of the boxing super fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Ricky Hatton that is also taking place this weekend. Head over to his Web site right here for all the goodness.
Written by admin on December 7th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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If the purpose of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) is to groom up-and-coming talent for a specific weight class then what’s the point to bring in fighters who aren’t even going to compete in that weight class once the show wraps?
Here’s a snip from TUF 6 welterweight finalist Mac Danzig:
“I decided that before I even went on the show. I really have no business fighting the top five guys at 170, or even the top ten when it comes down to it. It’s not that I can’t beat them, but if you put me in with Matt Hughes or Georges St-Pierre ten times, I’m gonna win a number of those times, but realistically, with all skills being the same, those guys are extremely skilled and much bigger than me. I walk around at 170, those guys walk around at 190, so it’s not a good idea for me. I really want to make a run for a title, and 155 is my weight class. I feel that within a couple of years I can be a world champion at 155. [It’s] the toughest weight class there is by far, and that’s where I’ve got to be. I’m looking forward to jumping in the mix with those guys and I think that’s where the exciting fights are.”
It was no secret even before the first show aired that Danzig was not a 170-pound fighter. He joins Joe Stevenson, Rashad Evans, Diego Sanchez, Josh Koscheck, Kenny Florian, Din Thomas, Melvin Guillard and a host of other talented fighters who competed on the show at certain weights only to drop down afterwards.
More than likely there’s more going on behind the scenes. Furthermore, fighters such as Mike Swick often make the decision several fights into their official UFC careers.
Whatever.
It should be fun to watch Danzig scrap with the other lightweights competing under the UFC banner. There is certainly no shortage of talented fighters in the division.
Note: Danzig will take on Tommy Speer during the TUF 6 Finale this Saturday, December 8 for the six-figure UFC contract and bragging rights as the welterweight winner of the 16-man tournament-style competition.
Written by admin on December 7th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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It’s good to have friends in high places.
Sean Sherk — who was in peril of losing his 155-pound belt because of being popped for illegal steroid use — apparently still maintains the lightweight title, according to Steve Seivert at Brawl Sports.
Here’s the snip:
“The UFC has yet to comment and when asked about the situation late today, the UFC confirmed that Sherk remains the promotion’s 155-lb. titleholder.”
Not an outright declaration, but telling because the UFC brass has had a half-year to determine how to handle this situation when a verdict was turned in and hasn’t said boo about it. The silence on this matter is deafening.
That’s because UFC President Dana White indicated numerous times prior to the final appeal hearing that he would strip Sherk of the title if the California Athletic Commission (CSAC) upheld its finding that he had elevated levels of Nandrolone in his system following his successful title defense against Hermes Franca at UFC 73: “Stacked” in July.
It took almost six months and three appeal hearings for the CSAC to determine that Sherk was in the wrong; however, the athletic commission did reduce his suspension from 12 months to six. During this time White — frustrated because of the apparent bumbling of the case — booked BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson to battle for the interim lightweight championship until a final verdict was delivered regarding Sherk.
The question is why book an interim title fight if Sherk was going to remain champ all along regardless of the CSAC ruling?
This possible decision also creates other major problems:
There’s a very real chance that Sherk is indeed being truthful — perhaps he had no idea the supplements he was taking would trigger positive test results. For what it’s worth, he did pass a lie detector test.
But if I’m doing 90 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone and a cop pulls me over I’m more than likely going to get a speeding ticket even if I tell him (truthfully) I wasn’t aware of how fast I was going. And, I could probably pass a lie detector test.
The point being Sherk — knowingly or unknowingly — had steroids in his system. It sounds ridiculous to say but he should have done his homework prior to eating a smörgåsbord of shakes and pills … not after the fact when his good name and career were on the line.
I know it’s easier said than done.
Long story short the UFC (in this writer’s opinion) has no choice but to strip Sherk of his title. Not only does it set a dangerous precedent, but it will more than likely do more harm than good in the long run to Sherk in particular and the promotion in general.
A tangled web has been woven, but it will get much worse if Sherk continues to hold the belt and the UFC thumbs its nose at the CSAC.
Written by admin on December 7th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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