UFC 111 - St. Pierre vs Hardy

UFC 111 - St. Pierre vs. Hardy
March 27, 2010 ,

Prudential Center,

Newark, New Jersey


Welterweight Championship
Georges St-Pierre vs. Dan Hardy - I like GSP pretty big in this fight. The UFC is trying hard to sell the 'punchers chance' but the truth is that Hardy isn't a big 'one-punch' knock out guy &
St. Pierre is just on another level.
I mean, Penn has better power, striking, take-down defence than Hardy and we all know how well he did against GSP.
Hardy got hit repeatedly by Mike Swick's jab and he's gonna be in for a rude awakening when
St. Pierre brings the double & triple jab. Add the takedowns & grappling skills of the French Canadian and it just doesn't look good for 'the Outlaw'. I am really feeling a GSP by submission, rd. 3.
I think St. Pierre didn't want to give up dominant position against guys like Alves, Fitch, & Penn so he didn't really go for submissions, but against a guy like Hardy, who isn't great on the ground, I can really see him reaching into his 'tickle trunk' and pulling out an armbar or a rear-naked choke.


Heavyweight Interim Championship
Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir - This is the fight I'm most excited about, I really don't know how this goes down. Mir is obviously better on the ground than Carwin, but that didn't help Gonzaga when he got hit by Carwin's power. Mir has looked to be in the best shape of his life lately but I really think he is overlooking Carwin in his obsession with a rubber match with Lesnar. Mir has improved in his striking game and more importantly, his strategy, but I don't think he's durable enough to handle Carwin's big shots. Carwin hits like a Mack truck. I believe Carwin can get back to his feet if Mir gets him down & when he does he is gonna hit Mir hard. Either way, I don't think it takes to long. Carwin by KO, rd. 1

Fabricio Camoes vs. Kurt Pellegrino - Another good, tough fight. I feel like it'll go to the cards but I wouldn't be surprised if Camoes pulls off a submission. Camoes by decision.

Jon Fitch vs. Ben Saunders - I was super excited about the Thiago Alves/Jon Fitch rematch but a last minute medical problem with Alves took him off the card & Saunders stepped up. This is still a great fight but I think its too much too soon for Saunders. Fitch is a great wrestler and he's gonna grind Saunders to a decision. Saunders looked lost on his back against Mike Swick and Fitch is better than his A.K.A. Teammate. Saunders could clinch up and land a big knee but I think Fitch is too experienced. Fitch by decision.

Mark Bocek vs. Jim Miller - Bocek is a solid fighter but Miller is a top lightweight and should be too much for the ginger Canadian. Miller by submission, rd. 1


Nate Diaz vs. Rory Markham - Nate Diaz by submission (standing kimura, anyone?), rd 3.

Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Brown - This is a tough fight to pick. Almeida is the better grappler but Brown has some ground skills as well, and I think he'll be able to defend Almeida's submissions. Brown has the advantage in the stand up but tends to run out of gas by the 2nd round. I think Almeida will clinch up and if he can't sub Brown he'll dominate where the fight takes place and sway the judges. Almeida by decision.

Jared Hamman vs. Rodney Wallace - Wallace by decision

Tomasz Drwal vs. Rousimar Palhares - I like watching Toquino in action & I really hope we get to see this fight. Palhares by submission, rd. 1

Matthew Riddle vs. Greg Soto - Riddle by decision.