TUF 9 Plays
If you made it through the 9th season of The Ultimate Fighter, you are probably a fan of the movie ‘Snatch.’ Team USA vs. Team UK brought us some great fights, but even Brad Pitt’s Mickey O’Neil character in the film would’ve been struggling to understand what some of the Brits were saying most of the time. Juno ut I mine Mate?
Despite the occasional mass confusion, I still thought it was an entertaining enough year that could yield one or two future household name type guys. The rivalry between coaches Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping was non-existent, but it will be fun to see the overrated Bisping get beat up at UFC 100. But for now, here is my look at the Finale show on Saturday evening.
Diego Sanchez -320
Clay Guida +260
There have been rumblings of Sanchez (22-2-0) facing the winner of the B.J. Penn – Kenny Florian fight once he defeats Guida (25-6-0). Now I know that Diego is a bad man and a heavy favorite to come out victorious here, but let’s all calm down for just a second.
Possibly the most intense dude in the UFC, Sanchez should be a heavy favorite here. As if he needed anymore help achieving his goals, he’s even taken on the guidance of world renowned goofball motivator Tony Robbins! What can’t these two accomplish together? “Nightmare” Sanchez really is a nut job though. Did you know that he used to work for UPS? Just look at his picture. Could you imagine this guy showing up at your door? “Sign for the PACKAGE...NOW!!!” Once you hesitate from the instant fear, he smashes you over the head with the box, puts you in an arm bar and UPS only insures up to $100. I’m glad he found MMA.
As for Guida, he’s been getting knocked around by fans lately for putting on “boring” fights. He was involved in two really great bouts against Roger Huerta and Tyson Griffin, but lost both. Now he has made some adjustments and won three straight, but it translates into a boring style – most notably in his last fight where he laid on top of Nate Diaz for most of the fight to earn the lackluster split decision victory.
Winning is less than half the battle in the UFC. If your fights are putting fans to sleep, you can be 10-0 and Dana White will send you packing. Guida has to realize this, and be ready to match Sanchez’s intensity throughout. At least I hope he realizes this, because I’m playing him. Sanchez is the man, but Guida at those odds are too good to pass up for yours truly. Plus, I’m loyal to anyone who could finally take out my nemesis Nate Diaz, for life.
DeMarques Johnson -385
James Wilks +295
When I first saw Johnson (14-6-0) in his preliminary fight to earn his way into the house, I said out loud that he was going to be the welterweight winner. I’m not wavering on that belief now. I think that DeMarques will be the biggest star to emerge from this cast. He has no nickname as of yet, but I’d like to suggest “Beeps” for him. Never in the history of the show has anyone cussed so much. With all the Maury Povich beeps whenever he would talk, he was almost as hard to understand as the Brits.
As for James Wilks (6-2-0), he has a really cool name. Sounds like someone from the 70’s wearing a leather hat with a feather in it who would never get dissed by a lady. He made it to the finals by beating up a game Frank Lester twice. I do like his fighting style, but I think DeMarques has what it takes to win the show.
Andre Winner -245
Ross Pearson +185
Poor Ross Pearson (10-3-1) looks like Sloth from ‘Goonies’ and he once enrolled in college to become a bricklayer. Does it get much worse than that?
Yes, yes it does. Andre Winner (10-2-1) is my play for the lightweight TUF champ. By the way, this show gave us a Winner (Andre) and a Dollar (Cameron). Thanks guys!
Nate Diaz -155
Joe Stevenson +135
As best I can tell, pigs are not flying, and hell hath not frozen over. Regardless, I am putting money on the dreaded Diaz brothers in the same month. A few weeks ago I won on Nick in Strikeforce, and believe it or not, I’m taking my most hated fighter, Nick Diaz (10-3-0) tonight. Sound the alarms, I’ve gone mad!
“Daddy” Stevenson (34-10-0) set the UFC ablaze when he arrived, gaining a 5-1 record. Since then he has dropped three of four, all to quality opponents (Penn, Florian, Sanchez). He hasn’t really been the same since getting completely mauled by B.J. Penn. Sad to say it, but I think his slide continues.
I can’t stand Nate Diaz, but I know his game inside out from rooting against him for so long. What he lacks in the power category, this lanky Gracie jiu-jitsu standout will compensate for with his wide array of submissions. When he is on his back and his legs start swinging all over the place is when he is at his best. Diaz has a 5 inch height advantage on Stevenson, and should be able to avoid his power until he figures out a way to submit him. It pains me to say it but, go Nate Diaz?
Nick Osipczak -240
Frank Lester +180
Osipczak (3-0-0) showed some skills on the show until he met up with the dominant DeMarques Johnson. But even in that fight, he was able to rock DeMarques a couple of times before succumbing. And guess what he did before he became a fighter…He was a professional gambler! He knows his odds and probably has his entire family laying down the rent on him. Either that or he’ll throw the fight to settle an old debt? Oh no.
Lester (3-2-0) showed tons of heart. After getting beat to a pulp by Wilks, he was an injury sub and was able to beat Daniel Faulkner, who some considered the Brits biggest threat. Unfortunately that earned him the right to get beat up by Wilks again, but he did hang tough for awhile.
But poor Frank Lester’s UFC profile page looks like someone spent maybe 2 minutes on it. He’s listed as being 5’1” and his favorite grappling technique as “Overhand right” and favorite striking technique as “Rear naked choke.” Poor Frank. I think he’ll be gone soon. But he’s sure got heart!
Despite the occasional mass confusion, I still thought it was an entertaining enough year that could yield one or two future household name type guys. The rivalry between coaches Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping was non-existent, but it will be fun to see the overrated Bisping get beat up at UFC 100. But for now, here is my look at the Finale show on Saturday evening.
Diego Sanchez -320
Clay Guida +260
There have been rumblings of Sanchez (22-2-0) facing the winner of the B.J. Penn – Kenny Florian fight once he defeats Guida (25-6-0). Now I know that Diego is a bad man and a heavy favorite to come out victorious here, but let’s all calm down for just a second.
Possibly the most intense dude in the UFC, Sanchez should be a heavy favorite here. As if he needed anymore help achieving his goals, he’s even taken on the guidance of world renowned goofball motivator Tony Robbins! What can’t these two accomplish together? “Nightmare” Sanchez really is a nut job though. Did you know that he used to work for UPS? Just look at his picture. Could you imagine this guy showing up at your door? “Sign for the PACKAGE...NOW!!!” Once you hesitate from the instant fear, he smashes you over the head with the box, puts you in an arm bar and UPS only insures up to $100. I’m glad he found MMA.
What can Diego do for you?
Winning is less than half the battle in the UFC. If your fights are putting fans to sleep, you can be 10-0 and Dana White will send you packing. Guida has to realize this, and be ready to match Sanchez’s intensity throughout. At least I hope he realizes this, because I’m playing him. Sanchez is the man, but Guida at those odds are too good to pass up for yours truly. Plus, I’m loyal to anyone who could finally take out my nemesis Nate Diaz, for life.
DeMarques Johnson -385
James Wilks +295
When I first saw Johnson (14-6-0) in his preliminary fight to earn his way into the house, I said out loud that he was going to be the welterweight winner. I’m not wavering on that belief now. I think that DeMarques will be the biggest star to emerge from this cast. He has no nickname as of yet, but I’d like to suggest “Beeps” for him. Never in the history of the show has anyone cussed so much. With all the Maury Povich beeps whenever he would talk, he was almost as hard to understand as the Brits.
As for James Wilks (6-2-0), he has a really cool name. Sounds like someone from the 70’s wearing a leather hat with a feather in it who would never get dissed by a lady. He made it to the finals by beating up a game Frank Lester twice. I do like his fighting style, but I think DeMarques has what it takes to win the show.
Andre Winner -245
Ross Pearson +185
Poor Ross Pearson (10-3-1) looks like Sloth from ‘Goonies’ and he once enrolled in college to become a bricklayer. Does it get much worse than that?
Yes, yes it does. Andre Winner (10-2-1) is my play for the lightweight TUF champ. By the way, this show gave us a Winner (Andre) and a Dollar (Cameron). Thanks guys!
Team U.K.
Joe Stevenson +135
As best I can tell, pigs are not flying, and hell hath not frozen over. Regardless, I am putting money on the dreaded Diaz brothers in the same month. A few weeks ago I won on Nick in Strikeforce, and believe it or not, I’m taking my most hated fighter, Nick Diaz (10-3-0) tonight. Sound the alarms, I’ve gone mad!
“Daddy” Stevenson (34-10-0) set the UFC ablaze when he arrived, gaining a 5-1 record. Since then he has dropped three of four, all to quality opponents (Penn, Florian, Sanchez). He hasn’t really been the same since getting completely mauled by B.J. Penn. Sad to say it, but I think his slide continues.
I can’t stand Nate Diaz, but I know his game inside out from rooting against him for so long. What he lacks in the power category, this lanky Gracie jiu-jitsu standout will compensate for with his wide array of submissions. When he is on his back and his legs start swinging all over the place is when he is at his best. Diaz has a 5 inch height advantage on Stevenson, and should be able to avoid his power until he figures out a way to submit him. It pains me to say it but, go Nate Diaz?
I lost money on this
Frank Lester +180
Osipczak (3-0-0) showed some skills on the show until he met up with the dominant DeMarques Johnson. But even in that fight, he was able to rock DeMarques a couple of times before succumbing. And guess what he did before he became a fighter…He was a professional gambler! He knows his odds and probably has his entire family laying down the rent on him. Either that or he’ll throw the fight to settle an old debt? Oh no.
Lester (3-2-0) showed tons of heart. After getting beat to a pulp by Wilks, he was an injury sub and was able to beat Daniel Faulkner, who some considered the Brits biggest threat. Unfortunately that earned him the right to get beat up by Wilks again, but he did hang tough for awhile.
But poor Frank Lester’s UFC profile page looks like someone spent maybe 2 minutes on it. He’s listed as being 5’1” and his favorite grappling technique as “Overhand right” and favorite striking technique as “Rear naked choke.” Poor Frank. I think he’ll be gone soon. But he’s sure got heart!
