First off, I didn’t see the Babalu/Lawler fight, but apparently Sobral out-struck him to a pretty clear decision.  Atta boy, Renato!

Let’s get to The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale.

I used to watch TUF religiously and am not afraid to admit that the first and, more importantly, second seasons got me into MMA.  Around the time of the USA vs. England season though, I lost much of my interest and started to catch fewer and fewer episodes.  I did manage to catch a decent chunk (slightly less than half) of them this season and here are my thoughts:

- Seemed like a decent viewing season with some fun fights.
- Liddell came across great.  Tito didn’t.
- All the pranks seem to be down from earlier seasons, but again, I only saw maybe half the episodes.
- I predict Brad Tavares as the best fighter to come out of this cast.  This is mainly by default as he has the most time to grow thanks to his youth and because I don’t think anyone else is all that good.

I’m going to skip the prelims on this guy.  Let’s get to the main card with some quick thoughts:

Court McGee vs. Kris McCray

I don’t believe I saw McGee fight at all this season.  I saw McCray’s fights against Josh Bryant and was unimpressed both times.

McGee’s resume is far more impressive and I think he beat the better fighter (Tavares) in the semi-finals so I’m going with him.

Prediction: McGee, Decision

Matt Hamill vs. Keith Jardine

I’ve went back and forth on this one a few times, but in the end I’ve landed on the Dean.

I think Hamill decides not to take it to the ground in the beginning, as he usually does, and Jardine leg kicks the shit out of him until his takedowns are rendered useless.  From there, Jardine out-strikes his way to a very boring decision.

Prediction: Jardine, Decision

Chris Leben vs. Aaron Simpson

I was so impressed with Simpson against Ed Herman, but was just as equally unimpressed with him against Tom Lawlor.  He is tough to figure.

In any event, the fight depends on which Simpson shows up because we know exactly which Leben is showing up – the same mediocre hot-head that has been showing up the last 5 years.

I say the better Simpson shows up and ground ‘n pounds his way to a stoppage.

Prediction: Simpson, TKO, Rd. 3

Spencer Fisher vs. Denis Siver

I don’t care enough about this fight to give in-depth justification to my selection, but I’m picking Siver.  Fisher is due to loss to someone who isn’t a top talent.

Prediction: Siver, Decision

Jamie Yager vs. Rich Attonito

This whole ‘have the most obnoxious asshole as the opening fight of the finale’ is becoming such a joke.

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed watching Yager quit on the stool in that one fight.

Anyway, I have no idea who Attonito is and Yager has decent stand-up so I’ll go with the afro.

Prediction: Yager, TKO, Rd. 2

A pretty blah show, but its free so I’m game.

Possibly some WEC picks tomorrow if we have time, if not maybe just a video.

-Ken
http://www.IntelligentlyDefending.com