Verbal Submission: UFC 119 Preview

Time to preview UFC 119

Music to listen to: Wild Boyz by Duran Duran

I chose that song because Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipoic is known for using this as his walkout song in his MMA fights.

Cro Cop is also fighting in the main event in UFC 119 against Frank Mir in Indianapolis, Indiana. Let’s break down the fights.

Cro Cop vs. Frank Mir: If this fight was done five years ago, it would have garnered more attention. These two men weren’t actually supposed to meet at UFC 119 as Mir was supposed to have a rematch against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira aka Big Nog but the latter fighter bowed out due to injury. This fight is a classic style matchup of a top ground guy in Mir and a top standup fighter like Cro Cop. The biggest difference is that Mir can actually stand up and be competent on the ground while Cro Cop has never shown the ability to fight on the ground at a high level, especially in 2010. I’m a fan of both fighters but if Mir doesn’t win, it would be a surprise.

Prediction: Mir by Submission Round Three

Ryan Bader vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: No, that isn’t the same guy who was supposed to fight Mir. They are actually twin brothers with the same first and last names but different middle names that almost sound the same. The odd thing is that the two men fight in different divisions as well. Thank you, Mrs. Nogueira for the confusion. Anyway, Little Nog will be back in the octagon after barely beating Jason Brilz in UFC 114. I don’t think he gets past Bader, who will use his superior wrestling and overall strength to stay undefeated and continue his quest to be one of the rare winners of the Ultimate Fighter not named Forest Griffin, Rashad Evans or Matt Serra to win a world championship. This may all be a moot point because apparently the winner of this fight gets Jon Jones, who will probably beat any of these guys.

Prediction: Bader by decision

Chris Lytle vs. Matt Serra: This one was made strictly for the fans. Lytle is from Indy and Serra is a polarizing figure who is either a fan favorite or plays the role of a villan well. Lytle has won his last three fights and will probably make it four.

Prediction: Lytle by decision

Evan Dunham vs. Sean Sherk: Its interesting that Sherk is on this card after we found out that Chael Sonnen failed his drug test after UFC 118. Sherk failed his own drug test in 2007 after a UFC fight in California. I’m going to take the mild upset and go with Dunham, who is undefeated and a rising prospect in the lightweight division.

Prediction: Dunham by decision

There are other fights on the card but overall, this is one of those cards that you save your money for and wait for Lesnar and Valasquez in October.

However, its always good to see Cro Cop and Little Nog fight for Pride nostalgia. Unfortunately, I see a loss for both guys.