There are two kinds of people that are excited for Saturday’s double-dip MMA action – rabid fans and cheap/broke fans. Strikeforce: Evolution will be showcased on Showtime, while WEC’s action will take place on the Versus Network. Avoiding pay-per-view costs = a good thing. It’s a great chance to see that there are indeed exciting fighters outside of top dog UFC’s stable.
Cung Le -350
Scott Smith +260
We’ll start off with two Strikeforce events. Cung Le (6-0) was the Middleweight champ when he pulled a Rampage Jackson/Roger Huerta and left fighting to go and act in a bunch of movies that nobody will ever give a crap about. Is anyone shocked that these guys come back to fighting once they realize that they aren’t going to be the next Denzel Washington? Hell, they won’t even be the next Pee Wee Herman. It’s just a painful decision for all parties involved.
Well Le is back where he belongs. He was on quite a tear, destroying all of his opponents. When he defeated Frank Shamrock for the belt, he broke Shamrock’s his arm from a series of kicks. Pretty nasty stuff.
I like Scott Smith (16-6-1). He is a true gamer with some powerful and speedy hands. You can’t really call any of his fights boring. The problem here is that he makes a living off beating journeymen types of guys, while losing to more talented competitors like James Irvin, Patrick Cote, Ed Herman, Robbie Lawler and most recently, Nick Diaz. Cung Le is definitely going to be a huge challenge for Smith.
I’m taking a shot on Smith and the money. It’s worth taking a crack at Le being rusty in his first fight back since March 2008. Maybe Smith can do his part to send Le back into retirement to concentrate on Tekken 2.
Josh Thompson -120
Gilbert Melendez -110
If I’m using the “being rusty” angle for Cung Le, then I certainly have to apply it towards Thompson (16-2-1) as well, don’t I? Due to some leg and ankle issues, he hasn’t stepped in the ring since September 2008. The fact of the matter is, I’d take Melendez (16-2-0) regardless in this Lightweight Championship rematch.
Thompson is no slouch, having beaten his last eight opponents by a variety of submissions, TKO’s and unanimous decisions. Back in June ’08 it was Melendez who relinquished his belt to Thompson via 5-round decision.
The odds are about as close as can be, and I’m looking for a super fight. Melendez has looked sharp lately, completely destroying the last two chumps to stand before him. My money is on him taking back his hardware.
***********
The WEC headliner will pit Donald Cerrone against Ed Ratcliff. Cerrone is at -400, and for good reason. He’s going to destroy Ratcliff. Not much money to be made here, but if you’ve never seen Cerrone fight, check it out. There are two other fights with a little more value that I like.
Anthony Njokuani -185
Chris Horodecki +155
Hey did you hear the one about the Nigerian and the Polack? Well, it kinda goes like this – the Polack leaves on a stretcher. Seriously though, Njokuani (12-2-0) is going to hurt him.
Horodecki (13-1-0) racked up a nice record in the IFL, but the WEC isn’t doing him any favors setting up his debut against Njokuani, who is looking mighty impressive. He has garnered KO of the Night honors in his previous two meetings against Who Are You and Whatever. He will use his four inch height advantage to pummel Horodecki even more. I’m actually giddy about this spread being so low as I expect big things from Njokuani in the near future. Books beware.
Joseph Benavidez -215
Rani Yahya +170
Benavidez (10-1-0) is coming off of his first loss. He is certainly a fan favorite of mine and I’m eyeing up a successful return to the winner’s circle for him.
At only 5’4” he is simply adorable. I want to put him in my pocket and show him off to friends. I pity those who have judged Benavidez in life by his size. He is nonstop energy and offers a wide arsenal of strikes and kicks to batter his adversaries.
Rani Yahya (15-4-0) has earned Submission of the Night in all three of his WEC fights so far. I wish him luck getting close enough to Benavidez to be able to go for an attempt. Does Yahya have a shot? Nono.
Cung Le -350
Scott Smith +260
We’ll start off with two Strikeforce events. Cung Le (6-0) was the Middleweight champ when he pulled a Rampage Jackson/Roger Huerta and left fighting to go and act in a bunch of movies that nobody will ever give a crap about. Is anyone shocked that these guys come back to fighting once they realize that they aren’t going to be the next Denzel Washington? Hell, they won’t even be the next Pee Wee Herman. It’s just a painful decision for all parties involved.
Not this crap again
I like Scott Smith (16-6-1). He is a true gamer with some powerful and speedy hands. You can’t really call any of his fights boring. The problem here is that he makes a living off beating journeymen types of guys, while losing to more talented competitors like James Irvin, Patrick Cote, Ed Herman, Robbie Lawler and most recently, Nick Diaz. Cung Le is definitely going to be a huge challenge for Smith.
I’m taking a shot on Smith and the money. It’s worth taking a crack at Le being rusty in his first fight back since March 2008. Maybe Smith can do his part to send Le back into retirement to concentrate on Tekken 2.
Josh Thompson -120
Gilbert Melendez -110
If I’m using the “being rusty” angle for Cung Le, then I certainly have to apply it towards Thompson (16-2-1) as well, don’t I? Due to some leg and ankle issues, he hasn’t stepped in the ring since September 2008. The fact of the matter is, I’d take Melendez (16-2-0) regardless in this Lightweight Championship rematch.
Thompson is no slouch, having beaten his last eight opponents by a variety of submissions, TKO’s and unanimous decisions. Back in June ’08 it was Melendez who relinquished his belt to Thompson via 5-round decision.
The odds are about as close as can be, and I’m looking for a super fight. Melendez has looked sharp lately, completely destroying the last two chumps to stand before him. My money is on him taking back his hardware.
***********
The WEC headliner will pit Donald Cerrone against Ed Ratcliff. Cerrone is at -400, and for good reason. He’s going to destroy Ratcliff. Not much money to be made here, but if you’ve never seen Cerrone fight, check it out. There are two other fights with a little more value that I like.
Anthony Njokuani -185
Chris Horodecki +155
Hey did you hear the one about the Nigerian and the Polack? Well, it kinda goes like this – the Polack leaves on a stretcher. Seriously though, Njokuani (12-2-0) is going to hurt him.
Njokuani could play in The Shannon Sharpe Story
Joseph Benavidez -215
Rani Yahya +170
Benavidez (10-1-0) is coming off of his first loss. He is certainly a fan favorite of mine and I’m eyeing up a successful return to the winner’s circle for him.
At only 5’4” he is simply adorable. I want to put him in my pocket and show him off to friends. I pity those who have judged Benavidez in life by his size. He is nonstop energy and offers a wide arsenal of strikes and kicks to batter his adversaries.
Rani Yahya (15-4-0) has earned Submission of the Night in all three of his WEC fights so far. I wish him luck getting close enough to Benavidez to be able to go for an attempt. Does Yahya have a shot? Nono.
Him small. And him good too!
!!!!
