The main card for UFC 121 has been announced and it’s a doozy.

Let’s take a look:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010
Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, California

265 lbs.: Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez
205 lbs.: Matt Hamill vs. Tito Ortiz
265 lbs.: Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Brendan Schaub
170 lbs.: Martin Kampmann vs. Jake Shields
170 lbs.: Diego Sanchez vs. Paulo Thiago

Brock vs. Cain is huge. I was one of the first people on the Velasquez bandwagon when he arrived and it’s been a joy to watch him develop these last two and a half years. He started as a mammoth wrestler and has grown into a mammoth wrestler with serious ground ‘n pound and improving strikes. On the other hand, I love Brock too and want him to develop a great legacy in the sport – so I will officially be torn on this one. I probably wont know who I want until the bell sounds.

Tell you one thing, I like Velasquez’s chances. I think his boxing, though not as powerful, is more technical than Carwin’s. If he can stuff a takedown or two from Lesnar he can catch the champ with a punch and then probably learn from Shane’s mistake and meticulously work for a finish - instead of unloading wild punches and gassing… Wait, I mean, unloading wild punches and getting Lactic Acidosis. My mistake.

Of course, Brock is going to have twenty pounds on him so stuffing a takedown will be easier said than done – but we’ll see.

Tito vs. Hamill will mark the first time a TUF coach has fought one of his own fighters. I have no clue how this is going to go. Ortiz’s stand-up is probably more technical than Matt’s, but Matt’s is more powerful – ugliness notwithstanding. I don’t see Hamill wanting to take this to the ground and I don’t think Tito will get the big fella down – so I’d say we’re in for an entertaining 15-minute train wreck.

I realize Gabriel just got knocked on his ass by Junior two Saints, but I still think this may be too big a step up for Schaub. Still, Brendan has been knocking kids out and when your chin is as glass as Napao’s has been lately you always have to be cautious. A win for Schaub propels him to the next level and a win for Gabe gives him some momentum after a crushing defeat.

The UFC Welcome Committee President, Martin Kampmann, will introduce the company’s new prize-possession Jake Shields to the Octagon. I know it’s hard to bet against Jake after that dominating performance over Dan Henderson, but don’t sleep on Marty. If Shields doesn’t bring his ‘A’ game he’s walking out with the loser’s share.

Diego vs. Paulo will send one man back to relevancy and one man into deep, deep trouble. Personally, I think Paulo has been overrated from the start and Sanchez will show some new life now that he’s back with Greg Jackson – but we’ll have to wait and see.

Overall, this looks great on paper. The queso dip and wings will be flowing at my place come the 23rd of October.

Stay lucky.
Ken

Good freaking Lord, that’s a lot of spam awaiting approval in the comments section.

I don’t know whats worse - that I’ve accumulated that much junk due to inactivity, or the fact I’m so out of touch that I don’t recognize half the names of the women I can supposedly see naked.

In any event, time to get back to business around here.  Let’s take baby-steps and start with some quick picks for tomorrow nights UFC Fight Night 18.

Carlos Condit def. Martin Kampmann vis decision

I would love nothing more than my main main Martin to pick up the big win, but I don’t see it.  The superior grappling of Condit controls the fight.

Ryan Bader def. Carmelo Marrero via decision

The great wrestling cancels itself out and Bader shows more stand-up prowess in picking up the decision.

Tyson Griffin def. Rafael dos Anjos via TKO rd. 2

It’s been 2.5 years since Tyson has finished a fight - he’s due.  Griffin drops dos Anjos with a big punch and finishes with strikes on the ground.

Cole Miller def. Junie Browning via submission rd. 2

Won’t bother debating whether or not Browning deserves to be on the main card because, fact is, I don’t care.  Miller takes it fairly easily with far superior BJJ.

Gleison Tibau def. Jeremy Stephens via submission rd. 2
Ricardo Almeida def. Matt Horwichvia via submission rd. 1
Brock Larson def. Jesse Sanders via TKO rd. 1
Tim Credeur def. Nick Catone via submission rd. 1 (I’m really becoming a Credeur fan)
Jorge Rivera def. Nissen Osterneck via decision
Rob Kimmons def. Joe Vedepo I have no idea
Aaron Simpsondef. Tim McKenzie via TKO rd. 2

It should be a fun little night of free fights followed by the new season of TUF which I will be watching as always.

Enjoy.

-Ken
http://www.IntelligentlyDefending.com