UFC 155: JDS vs. Velasquez 2 (12/29 on PPV)

[EmpireWF]

Saturday, December 29, 2012
Las Vegas, Nevada
MGM Grand Garden Arena

PPV (10pm ET)

UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT
Champion Junior dos Santos vs. Challenger/Former Champion Cain Velasquez

Joe Lauzon vs. Jim Miller

Tim Boetsch vs. Constantinos Philippou

Alan Belcher vs. Yushin Okami

Chris Leben vs. Derek Brunson


FX (8pm ET)

Brad Pickett vs. Eddie Wineland
Jamie Varner vs. Melvin Guillard
Erik Perez vs. Byron Bloodworth
Myles Jury vs. Michael Johnson

FACEBOOK (6:30pm ET)

Todd Duffee vs. Philip De Fries
Chris Cariaso vs. John Moraga
Leonard Garcia vs. Max Holloway​

 

[SHOGUN]

Cain is going to get KO'd again. A healthy knee wouldn't have changed the outcome of the first one. #teamcigano

The main undercard isn't exactly sexy outside of Lauzon/Miller, but they are some interesting matchups. How in the hell did Derek Brunson make the main card?

That FX prelims look very good.

I like that they aren't rushing Johnson into bigger fights. He's still a very interesting talent that has improved in every fight.

I'm mildly interested in Duffee's return. He's been inactive for a long time, but the potential is still there.

 

[Liquidrob]

Cain gets through the first 2 rounds without getting KOd and he will wear JDS out in 3, 4 and 5

 

[Jmiles]

I'm really excited about this card... I wish there was more chatter in the MMA forum.

Cain is going to bring the pressure this time around. He doesn't want to stand, and I think he is the only guy who has a legit chance at getting jds down and keeping him there. I am going out on a limb and saying Cain wins a decision...yes decision.

Velasquez via decision

Miller/Lauzon is a fun co-main, and I really like both guys. I don't think I have ever seen either in a boring fight. Both are tough to finish, and both are always going for a finish. Lauzon will have to keep his distance and work a good gameplan. Miller will have to use his strength (and wrestling) advantage if he wants to win. I think millers strength will prevail.

Miller via decision

Belcher/okami rematch... I love Belcher's Muay Thai style and always come forward attitude. He is a stronger fighter than the first time the two fought, and much more seasoned, obviously. He wants that title shot, and I think this is his last chance. He's going to keep the streak going... Possible fight with Lombard on the horizon?..

Belcher via TKO rd 2

Leben/Brunson... I wish I could say I have seen Brunson more than once... But I haven't. Poor on my part. Brunson seems to bring the heat which makes for a good opening scrap for the ppv. Let's see if he can get over the octagon jitters quick. Leben is supposed to be a changed man, but we will see. I hope he is. I doubt it though. I don't doubt that he comes straight forward, I'm just wondering if that is a good thing with his wear and tear body.

Brunson via KO rd 1


Can't wait for this card. Will put the rest of my predictions tomorrow. :cheers: until then

 

[EmpireWF]

Out on a limb, eh? If they go to a decision, biggest surprise in 2012 MMA

I hope Belcher beats Okami, keep the fresh blood in the picture

Brunson, 1st round KO....Leben could always show up and fight like crap after more than a year off....and Brunson has some power, but I gotta think he'll be more inclined to want to get the fight to the ground. He's not guaranteed another fight if he ends up knocked out.

 

[EmpireWF]

Saw Dana talking about how Pickett is one of his favorite fighters of late. Plus, winner of that fight may get next crack at interim 135 belt.

Went to look at how the switch to the UFC has made a difference for Pickett. Only thing is, he hasn't fought in the U.S. since moving to the UFC so no idea what his basic purse deal is (assuming it's not the same as his WEC days...which was an escalating model...3k show/3k win, 4k show/4k win, 5k show/5k win and 6k show/6k win).

He had 4 fights (over the span of 1 calendar year, going 3-1) in WEC where he won $41,000 between his purses and known bonuses.

155 will be his first fight in America since WEC. Based on his 3 UFC fights (going 2-1 since November 2011), he's received $160,000 in known bonuses, alone. If he should get his 4th bonus this weekend, it'll be over $200k.


Puts into perspective what must be on the minds of all the Strikeforce guys about to come over.

 

[Liquidrob]

Joe Rogan is ready!

 

[EmpireWF]

Dana White talking to the MMA media, said how much he despises the pro-wrestling style entrances some guys do. He was asked by Helwani why he was now allowing Erik Perez to do his lucha gimmick before his fight (he'll fight on FX, so it won't make TV). Dana said Perez and his people sat him down and explained the situation (meaning of lucha masks in Mexican culture) and he ok'd it.

This is from Meltzer on Thursday about it...

--UFC is heavily pushing Erik Perez doing a Luchador gimmick, focusing on that his favorite wrestler is Octagon. They are trying to work out a meeting with Perez and Octagon at some point. He will be coming to both weigh-ins and the fight wearing a mask that was designed for him by the same guy who does the masks for many of the top Luchadores in Mexico City.

<script src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?height=360&embedCode=J1eXB3NzpC_1yumyraN2ZDShnT0c9IC_&video_pcode=x5a2Q65l4aFgajCURWYQz1hisIhV&deepLinkEmbedCode=J1eXB3NzpC_1yumyraN2ZDShnT0c9IC_&width=640"></script>

 

[Liquidrob]

I estimate 42,000 buys

 

[SHOGUN]

:jonesy:

We are only a few matches in and I miss Goldie already. Anik is all kinds of awful.

Leonard Garcia probably got robbed and I am smiling. Joe Rogan was trying REALLY hard to sell Garcia's offense on commentary.

Nice comeback KO by Duffee.

 

[Liquidrob]

Duffee is back! The new breed of HW!

I still cant get the image of THE REEM putting him away with the heart punch and UBERKNEE combo

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Jewish luchadore

 

[SHOGUN]

Perez is pretty good. Another good performance by him. Dana might have found his new Roger Huerta. Could be the Bantamweight Bisping. That Octagon gimmick sounds lame and forced (because it is), I hope they don't put that into effect.

I figured Jury could pull the upset, but Michael Johnson got raped. Really bad look on his part, but a dominating performance by Jury.

Varner/Guillard was a very fun fight. Now that Guillard has lost 4 of his last 5, do you think there is a strong chance he gets the axe?

 

[SHOGUN]

Main card was shit (as expected) outside of the top two fights. Miller/Lauzon was amazing.

Wow. Cigano gassed in a hurry and got fucked up for five rounds. Dominant performance by Cain, but I was very surprised that JDS was stumbling like a zombie throughout most of the fight and still wasn't able to be put down.

 

[JimLeavy59]

Am I wrong for not giving a shit about the UFC Heavyweight division?

 

[SHOGUN]

Am I wrong for not giving a shit about the UFC Heavyweight division?

You're not really wrong, but you could be missing out as this is the strongest the division has been in ages.

 

[EmpireWF]

Am I wrong for not giving a shit about the UFC Heavyweight division?

You're the little girl.

 

[JimLeavy59]

You're not really wrong, but you could be missing out as this is the strongest the division has been in ages.

I'm waiting for the next Overeem fight tbh.

 

[CrimsonGhost56]

Am I wrong for not giving a shit about the UFC Heavyweight division?

 

[JimLeavy59]

I'd love to see his reaction when he got his test results.