UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit Tonight 3am
ESPN
Ed Herman v Clifford Starks
Clifford Starks makes his second appearance after stepping into the big league he's somewhat of a latecomer at 30 & hasn't had many fights but is unbeaten in the 8 he's had so far. Ed Herman is 19-7 in his career but only 6-5 in the UFC comming off a TUF final loss in 2006 & is somewhat of a midrange fighter who doesn't look like he's gonna get any higher but is still a decent fighter all the same & his experience should see earn a decision over Starks.
Renan Barão v Scott Jorgensen
After losing his first fight by split decision in 2005 25 year old Bazilian Renan Barão has moved to 27-1 (2-0 UFC) 5 of his last 7 wins are by submission to take his sub total to 13 & is looking to make a name for himself in the Bantamweight division.
Scott Jorgensen 13-4 (2-0 UFC) lost a unanimous decision to Dominick Cruz for the WEC/UFC Bantamweight title, his only loss in his last 7 & will be looking to get another crack at Cruz should he win here but faces a tough task against BJJ black belt Barão. Whilst Barão only loss is by decision Jorgensen has 3 decision losses & only 1 submission loss his wins are 4 subs & 7 decisions so this looks a very intriguing fight. A finish looks on the cards given Barão's hight & reach advantage but I wouldn't rule out a Barão decision.
Josh Koscheck v Mike Pierce
Mike Pierce 13-4, (5-2 UFC) has lost a decision in all his fights against top level opponents Mark Muñoz, Jon Fitch & Johny Hendricks with 8 of his last 10 going the distance & will be looking to take a step out of Chris Weidman's book by taking advantage of this opportunity but faces a very big task of overcoming Josh Koscheck.
Josh Koscheck himself faces a challenge in Pierce who has never been stopped but Koschek has only gone the distance in 2 of his last 7 one of which was a loss to GSP. Koscheck will nodoubt be looking to get back in the title picture with a win here & face the winner of the main event depending on the time scale of the GSP injury which could see him face the loser for the number one contender slot.
Josch Koscheck should have too much experienced at this level for Pierce to earn a decision but with Pierce winning 6 KO's we may see some big shots being thrown in which I'd still give the upper hand to Koscheck.
Roy Nelson v Fabricio Werdum
Interesting fight this given both fighters hold very similar records.
Nelson 16-6 KO
9-1 Sub
5-0 Dec
2-5, Werdum 14-5 KO
4-1 Sub
8-0 Dec
2-4. Nelson has the KO advantage & Werdum the Submission. Both fighters have an in & out record over the last few years but both are fighting at the top end of the sport.
Werdum should have an advantage in the takedowns given he's taller & has a bigger reach so should be looking to take the fight to the ground but will face a though task in handing Nelson his first sub loss eventhough they're the same weight Roy Nelson isn't an easy man to move albeit Werdum is a 2nd degree BBJ black belt so may use Nelson's weight against him to try & take his back. Just like the main event this should be a close fight in which I'd give the advantage to Fabricio Werdum for a decision win.
Nick Diaz v Carlos Condit
I know it's been said many a time but this is one of those fights that could be one of the best you'll see with the records being very similar.
Diaz 26-7 KO
13-2 Sub
8-0 Dec
5-5 Condit 27-5 KO
13-0 Sub
13-3 Dec
1-2. Nick Diaz is on an 11 fight win streak in which he won the Strikeforce Welterweight title & defended it 3 times before coming back to the UFC & retiring BJ Penn his only loss in his last 17 was by doctor stoppage.
Carlos Condit himself is on a 4 fight win streak with a split decision loss to Martin Kampmann stopping him being unbeaten in 13, his last 3 have resulted in both KO & fight of the night awards & he will no doubt be picking up another fight of the night here.
This is too close to call with Diaz last being stopped by a fighter way back in 2002 via TKO
(Doctor stoppage in 2006) with Condit losing via submission in 2006. Pretty much anything could happen here with Condit winning by TKO/KO in his last 3 but Diaz is a very smart striker albeit not a big puncher with only 1 of his 13 finishes being a KO but the 12 TKO's just shows how effective his none stop pepper punches are & most don't seem to be able to figure them out but Condit is a very big puncher & will relish the thought of coming up against a striker just like he did against Dan Hardy.
A though one to call but untill I see a fighter get past the pace & constant punches in buches of Nick Diaz I just don't see him losing, but I also don't see him finishing Carlos Condit, the striking of Diaz & his BBJ could earn him a decision.
What a show this could be!!!
Nick Diaz v Carlos Condit -
Diaz Submission
Roy Nelson v Fabricio Werdum -
Werdum Decision
Josh Koscheck v Mike Pierce -
Koscheck TKO
Renan Barão v Scott Jorgensen -
Barão Submission
Ed Herman v Clifford Starks -
Herman Submission