Bernard's UFC 157 Main Card Picks Plus One
So after reviewing the show this week, I have to come out and disagree with Gary and Chris on a few fights. These will be as short and sweet as I can make them.
Okay, so this is my plus-one. I could have picked a few of the fights for this, but let’s be serious…we have two heavyweights going at it, and we have to take those where we can get them, right? Right.
That being said, this is a hard fight to pick. On one hand, you have Lavar Johnson, AKA the Rock’s cousin (that may or may not be true). He has very weak submission defense, or at least that’s what his losses show. He either knocks out his opponents, or he gets submitted by them…all of them.
On the other hand you have Brendan Schaub, the overconfident bad boy who is coming off of two, almost three, knockout losses. We all know what happened to Overeem and King Mo. Underestimating Johnson will make for a short night for Schaub. His skills are promising; his discipline, on the other hand, is something to be improved upon. Schaub is a brown belt in BJJ, which is a strike against Johnson. Schaub’s chin is an open target for Johnson, who is probably on a hotter seat than Schaub.
This is a fight for employment for possibly both guys. With as many as 100 fighters who could be getting the boot this year you can bet the loser of this fight may not have a job this time next week.
I’m taking experience over theatrics. This is Johnson’s chance to shine. It’s rather difficult to say this but:
Lavar Johnson by KO
Kos, let’s see you make another title run. Lawler’s career of late is absolutely riddled with losses. I’m not sure what’s up with Lawler’s game, but the powers-that-be must have seen something in him to bring him over to the UFC. Lawler is a veteran, but so is Kos. Koscheck has lost a few controversial split decisions recently, and was fighting a back injury that sidelined him for months. This fight has “tune-up fight” written all over it. Let Koscheck grease his wheels, and then maybe get back on the road to GSP vs Koscheck II? I think so. Let’s not overlook his opponent though. Who am I kidding?
Koscheck by submission, but he could very well KO Lawler.
Well, my mind leaned pretty far into Neer’s crotch after seeing that thirty-three in the win column, no homo. But, even so, I will defend McGee. He was on an absolute TEAR until he met Constantinos Phillippou, and what a fight that was! A couple of bad decisions doesn’t make me a believer that he is on the decline. Neer is more than capable of ending a fight, though he seems to fluctuate quite a bit. He’s fought everywhere from Shark Fights to Bellator to UFC. The experience is really stacking up against McGee, but dang it, I can’t pick against him…must be the beard. Neer’s weak point seems to be McGee’s strength. McGee’s submissions are calling out to me right now, but I’ll take
McGee by KO
This bout is very interesting to me because Menjivar is being counted out. I have been watching Menjivar for a while now, and I have to say, he has my vote in this fight. Faber is still a sound veteran in the UFC, and this has great fight written all over it if he shows up ready to battle. If he doesn’t, The Pride of El Salvador walks out with a win – maybe a TKO, if we’re lucky.
Menjivar by unanimous decision
All I hear is H-bomb this, and H-bomb that. Somehow, Machida is still favored. Good. Because I’m taking Machida…but then, I remember back to the Shogun fight. If he can bang and brawl with Rua that way, it does not bode well for Machida.
Good thing Machida doesn’t get into all nitty-gritty like that. Machida’s elusiveness can only save him for so long. This becomes a “who wants to get KO’ed first?” contest really quickly, in my humble opinion. I’m leaning toward Machida throwing the first knockdown punch, but Hendo may revive and finish him like he did Fedor. Why do I torture myself?
Machida by KO
Women’s Bantamweight Title Match
I really don’t see this fight getting out of the first round, due to lethal armbar by Rousey.
Carmouche has an all-around game, and is well deserving of this shot. She’s not as long as I originally thought, but she can fight standing, or on the ground.
Can she touch Ronda? If she doesn’t come out all tentative like Kaufman did, we may have a fight on our hands.
Ronda has done nothing but improve, and I’m anxious to see her get another highlight finish. I don’t think Carmouche is getting the credit she deserves, but Rousey still takes this fight.
