UFC 101 Declaration Predicitons (8/5/9)

Saturday night, UFC 101: Declaration features two of the most unpredictable and exciting co-main events of the past few months in the UFC.  No offense to the previous few fights, but there really weren’t any shocking unexpected outcomes in any of them (or at least in my mind anyways).  So without further adu, let’s get right into the analysis for each fight.

 

Silva v. Griffin (light heavyweight 205lbs)

 

Anderson Silva is without a doubt one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time.  He hasn’t lost since January 20, 2006, and that was a disputable disqualification loss against top middleweight Yushin Okami (hit in groin, fight couldn’t continue).  Since then all Silva has done is win a record nine straight fights inside the Octagon, looking dominant in all except for his last two where Silva has honestly looked quite bored and unchallenged. Enter Forrest Griffin. 

 

Griffin rose to fame through the first season of Utimate Fighter due to his exciting style and willingness to brawl with anyone, culminating in winning his six-figure contract against Stephan Bonnar in an extremely thrilling, close decision in the season finale. Since then though Griffin has become exponentially better with each fight, adding all aspects of the fight game to his repertoire and had logged two huge back-to-back  ‘upset’ wins over two of the best light heavyweights in the world in Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Maurice ‘Shogun’ Rua before losing his light heavyweight title to Rashad Evans in his last fight.

 

Griffin will no doubt be Silva’s biggest challenge to date.  This will only be Silva’s second fight at 205, but that shouldn’t be a problem since his walk around weight is reportedly in the 220-230 range.  Forrest will bring the fight right to Silva and that plays to Silva’s advantage.  Silva may be the best counter striker in the world (sorry I’m not a believe in Lyoto Machida, yet) and if Griffin comes right at him it could get ugly quick.  However, Silva isn’t use to three round fights, he usually has five to work with, so it will be interesting to see his approach to this fight.  Hnestly I think this fight is a toss up and could go either way, but since I only see one upset on the night, I’m going with Silva with a three round decision.

 

Penn v. Florian: Lightweight Title Match (155)

 

That’s right, I said it: there will be one upset on Saturday night and that’s Kenny Florian taking the title away from the Prodigy.  No rhyme, no reason for this pick, I just think Ken-Flo has the heart.  Penn’s biggest question has never been his talent; he is undoubtedly one of the most talented to ever step in the 8-sided cage, but it has always been a question of desire for Penn.  Anytime I see him on tv he’s laughing, jumping out of pools, hanging in hot tubs, blah blah blah.  When I see Florian I see a pissed off mofo ready to kill anyone he sees.   Been there, know that.  He want’s this belt more than anything; Penn’s already been there.  Penn won’t submit him, CAN’T KO him, this fight goes decision.  Ken-Flo in better shape, wins in a shocking five round decision, but the fight should be a 48-47 split decision in his favor. 

There you have it America.  Probably the best co-main event of the year.  Disagree with my choices?  Twitter me @jeffcarlsonNOLA.

 

BONUS PICK: Sadollah v. Hendricks

 

Hendricks KO’s Sadollah in 2^nd round.  Sadollah lists Oprah as one of his heroes.  Seriously, look it up!  I’m suppose to think this guy can fight? Guy looks like the little kid everyone made fun of and beat up in jv gym class (he is probably still enrolled).  Never beaten a real fighter, Hendricks a bad ass, I’m going Hendricks, in the 2^nd but realistically probably in the first, but I’ll be generous.

 

Quick Hits (7/23/9)

Lebron Dunk Tape: pathetic, no big deal Kobe would never hide anything like that.  Laugh it off and relax self conscious jackass
Lebron High School Marijuana Use:  who cares.  Anyone ever think he didn't
Tour de France: Armstrong not first?  boring.  no one likes cycling
TO:  reality show, cereal, children's book?  Love you welcome to life after football (still taking you in the 4th in my ff league if your there)
Tim Tebow:  Greatest college athlete of my lifetime.  Phenomenal and genuine.  Who didn't vote for him on all Sec preseason? my money is on Spurrier
Russell Shepard:  Hope your half a Tebow (equals one national 'ship in 3 years, I'll take it)
Superbowl Favorite:  Pats, Brady is a stud
Pujols:  Best baseballer alive and I think only star who is clean.  Don't prove me wrong
Roethlisberger: sexual assault serious, doubt your guilty.   Fight that money hungry b#@##@
Brett Favre: Still an asshole. retire I hate you





Michael Vick: from the Big House to Goodell's Dog House (7/21/9)

Michael Vick: highly touted, gifted, phenom, first overall pick, jaw dropping, electrifying, record setter, felon, ex-con, NFL superstar reborn?

  Yesterday Vick was released from incarceration and house arrest after serving a 23-month sentence for a federal dog fighting conviction (he still has a three year suspended state sentence pending as well).  At some point in the next 24-48 hours Vick will likely apply to the NFL brass officially for reinstatement and then commissioner Roger Goodell will be faced with one of the toughest tasks of his administration to date: Vick’s full reinstatement without further punishment or a lengthening of Vick’s indefinite 2007 suspension.  

So far in his tenure, Goodell has demonstrated swift action and a tendency to favor harsher penalties for players:  Donte Stallworth has received a indefinite suspension for DWI manslaughter, Adam “Pacman” Jones was suspended a year for his various legal issues, Tank Williams was suspended eight games for a probation violation stemming from a gun charge, etc.  Of the above, “Pacman” is the only one who failed to serve jail time, but no one has faced the lengthy jail sentence Vick has (Williams got 60 days while Stallworth served only 24).  The question Goodell will have to decide is whether Vick has already paid a high enough cost for his crimes.

  Talent or ability is not the issue; Vick has always been a supremely gifted athlete with excellent conditioning so he shouldn’t have to work that hard to get back into playing shape and due to the lack of depth in the NFL he probably can earn one of the 53 roster spots on one of the league’s 32 teams.  Some people just have a natural gift for athletics and Vick happens to be blessed with that ability   

Vick was never a typical quarterback with stellar numbers (53.8% passing percentage, 11,505 passing yards, 71 tds, 52 ints in six years) and some say he wasn’t ever a great or even really good quarterback to begin with.  He was hard to play with because of his mobile style: too unpredictable and somewhat reckless.  Look at Roddy White, career year after Vick left and now considered among the NFL elite while most people thought he was another Falcons receiver bust with Vick.  Vick was a playmaker rather than a true quarterback when he was in the peak of his career so who is to say Vick could even come back to play quarterback now?  That’s not the question facing Goodell however.  He must decide whether Vick deserves the chance to show he is still capable of playing in the NFL again.

  When Vick was originally convicted I came out as one of his harshest critics (even creating an anti-Vick group on facebook, the end all be all social website for this generation) and openly spoke about my disdain for the heinous acts he committed.  No doubt cruelty to animals is a truly reprehensible crime, especially specifically breeding dogs lacking self decision making thought to fight to the death for personal satisfaction or gain, but our society has set certain laws and punishments for when those laws are broken; and Vick, whether you agree with the length of his sentence or not, has paid his due deemed appropriate by society.  When prisoners are released from custody we want them to become productive members of society again; what Vick does is play football, that’s it.  If he can perform, he’ll get a job.  Today’s world is a what can you do for me society.  If you are an exceptional talent in your profession no matter what crimes you commit or immoral acts you perform, you will get a second chance.  The fact that Vick’s second chance comes in a job that can pay millions should not be a factor in his reinstatement.  Vick is fortunate enough to possess a talent our society deems worth millions so that shouldn’t be held against him, and maybe has more to say about us as a people and what we value in life.  

I’m not a judge, I only hold a law degree, so I can’t say what Goodell should or should not decide.  The NFL is a business and to play in it is a privilege not a guaranteed right, and Goodell will do what is best for business, bottom line. Goodell has repeatedly stated he wants to see genuine remorse from Vick for his crimes and a true change from the man Vick was before he entered the federal penitentiary before considering Vick’s reinstatement.  Vick needs to show he has seriously changed and that he is making efforts to atone for his crimes. I believe in second chances and even though I in no way condone or accept what Vick has done, I cannot let my personal beliefs or values bias my thoughts on whether Vick deserves reinstatement.  If he can show the commissioner he truly is regretful for his past, then I believe he at least deserves a chance based on the guidelines set by society to show he can play again. Whether or not he can actually still play, or ever could, that’s another debate.