Supposedly there’s some big sports event this weekend. I’m guessing that event would be tomorrow night’s UFC: 109. After all, who isn’t interested in seeing 46 year old Randy Couture take on 45 year old Mark Coleman?
If you’re not interested, you are either not a fan of the sport itself or you don’t know you’re history.
These two guys are two of the most important figures in UFC history. Both have not only been champions but they’ve actually influenced major portions of how the men who step into the cage fight.
It’s not like these two guys are in wheelchairs. Yes, they are past their prime, but they are still strong in their areas of expertiese. They still have the passion to win. The only difference is, they’re both smarter fighters than they were when this match was supposed to happen 10 years ago.
I can’t wait for this one.
Oh, yeah, the rest of the card looks pretty good too.
Steve: 135 - 86 (32 perfect picks)
Josh: 127 - 94 (35 perfect picks)
Randy Couture vs Mark Coleman
Steve: I hate this fight! Two of my all time favorite fighters. This is really tough. If it goes to decision, judges seem to always favor Couture. Randy has better conditioning, better gamesmanship, more well rounded. They both have great heart. Coleman is a better wrestler and is definitely stronger. Coleman finishes most of his fights, Randy does not. I hate this. But I am going to go for the underdog, and go Coleman, 3rd KO.
Josh: Really? Coleman has better wrestling? I’ll give Coleman the advantage in the strength department. That’ll help for the first round of the fight, then Coleman will be completely gassed and Randy’s superior conditioning will steer him to the victory. I see this fight going to a decision and ending with Randy’s hand raised.
Nate Marquardt vs Chael Sonnen
Josh: Nate Marquardt is one of those guys that I’ve overlooked until his last few fights. The man is just a dominant fighter. I think he’s way to much or Chael to handle. Marquardt gets the decision.
Steve: Chael is a good wrestler… but not as good as Nate. And with his size, power, submission and now knock out advantage, I don’t see Chael having a chance. Nate, 2nd KO.
Mike Swick vs Paulo Thiago
Steve: Thiago has never been that impressive. His knock out of Josh Koscheck was a fluke. I see Swick making a return to old form… I see Mike “Quick” Swick KO in the 1st. He needs to bounce back to the contender’s section.
Josh: This one’s tough for me. Maybe it’s because I’m buying into the Thiago hype; maybe it’s because I never bought into the Swick hype. Either way, this is a tough call for me. I’ll go against my instinct and say Swick overwhelms Thiago with a KO in the 1st.
Demian Maia vs Dan Miller
Josh: This is tough. I have a couple friends who train with the Miller brothers and they’re always talking up how great those guys are. I’d love to side with them every time, but Maia is on a level when it comes to submissions that few have even seen. Demian Maia with a 2nd round submission.
Steve: This is an intriguing match up… wrestler vs jui-jitsu master. I see Maia winning this one via 2nd submission.
Matt Serra vs Frank Trigg
Steve: Another intriguing match up. Serra is close to retirement, Trigg wants a comeback. In theory, Serra is better in all aspects aside from wrestling, but I really think Trigg needs this, and he will fight to the end. Trigg, by decision.
Josh: In my opinion, Matt Serra beat Matt Hughes. He also had a pretty good showing against GSP considering how tough GSP really is. I think Serra is one of those guys that people will never give enough credit to. I’m picking Matt via 2nd round RNC submission.
Mac Danzig vs Justin Buchholz
Josh: Danzig bores me and he’ll probably bore me again as he grinds his way to a decision win. Don’t get me wrong, he’d completely kick my ass in a fight, but I’d probably yawn half way thru it.
Steve: Mac has definitely been the biggest bust in TUF winners. He has lost so many of his recent fights, I believe the UFC is giving him whoever they think he can beat. Mac, 2nd submission.
Melvin Guillard vs Ronys Torres
Steve: Melvin is a solid performer, but it all depends on which Melvin shows up. If his heart is in it, he will win just about every time. Guillard, 2nd sub.
Josh: I’ve never been impressed by Melvin Guillard. He’s fun to watch, but I enjoy it even more when he’s tapping out. I’m thinking he’ll be tapping from a RNC by Torres in the 1st.
Phillip Nover vs Rob Emerson
Josh: Yeah…Torres’s record idn’t so good. I’m going to have to pick Emerson by…some well placed punches. TKO. 2nd.
Steve: Nover needs to get back on track and Emerson is just the type of guy who will give him a reasonable test without overwhelming him. Nover, 2nd submission
Brian Stann vs Phil Davis
Steve: I really don’t know Phil Davis. Stann is a slow and plodding ex-Marine who does an adequate job but never really impresses. I give it to Stann, decision.
Josh: Phil Davis by surprise TKO in the 1st. Why? I have no idea who the hell this guy is, but he looks like the kind of guy who would do that.
Tim Hague vs Chris Tuchsherer
Josh: Haven’t seen much from Tuchsherer. His only fight in the UFC was a losst to Gonzaga. Tough to gauge from that. I say Tuchsherer by decision. I realize that’s risky, but accept full responsibility.
Steve: This is a fight that could go either way. Hague is the guy who was destroyed by Todd Duffee in the record breaking fastest KO in UFC history. I believe if he gets beat, he will be out of the UFC. Because of that, I will give it to him, by decision.
Mustapha Al Turk vs Rolles Gracie
Steve: Rumor is, Mustapha is out. Regardless, how can you go against a Gracie returning to the Octagon… especially one in the Heavyweight division? Rolles Gracie, 3rd submission.
Josh: How could I not pick Rolles Gracie? How could I not pick him to win by submission in the 1st? What kind of Jiu Jitsu guy would I be if I said any different?