The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale- Don’t Call it a Preview
__________________________________________________________________________The Week-to-week ‘Kimbo Slice May Fight’ tease is finally over as UFC’s recent spots advertising a Kimbo Slice fight are no longer empty threats designed to keep the ratings in pre-Kimbo elimination territory. The Ultimate Fighter Finale cards are almost always exciting bouts throughout as we get to see young, (for the most part) hungry competitors who very well may be future heavyweight champions.
YOUR MAIN FIGHT PREDICTIONS
Roy Nelson over Brandon Schaub. Brandon Schaub has looked excellent for most of the season, but Roy Nelson is a very good athlete for his size (and build) and will probably never get the credit or respect he deserves as a top-notch fighter. Nelson’s expertise in Brazilian Jui Jitsu just make him so hard to figure out (and beat) given his…physique. It’ll be interesting to see these two similar styles collide, and this fight could end up getting ugly. In the bad way.
Matt Hamill over Jon Jones. Hamill has seemed to have found a comfort zone in recent fights, but Jones’ multi-faceted attack has made him the Go Go Gadget of MMA. Whether he wins or loses this fight Jon Jones is definitely legit. Hamill has a big edge in experience, which is always important in these fights especially if you can still go, and Hamill should find a way to stop the dangerous Jones before the fight goes to decision.
Houston Alexander over Kimbo Slice. It breaks my heart to have to do this. It’s obvious why Dana White and the UFC powers that be are pairing these two together. This will be a fight that is not expected to go to the ground, giving Kimbo a puncher’s chance at a win and thus lacing The UFC’s pockets with about 500,000 ppv buys the next time they decide to use him.
Kimbo Slice will be fighting on The next UFC card. This time, for real.
Alexander fell off of the light heavyweight radar after taking a dump in three straight fight following a scintillating 2-0 start (both wins by lightning quick knockouts) with The UFC. However Alexander is a fighter. Kimbo is a street fighter. While Kimbo has worked very hard and may have improved over the course of the TUF season, Alexander’s use of Muay Thai and lethal knees and strikes are weapons that Kimbo Slice never saw from a crackhead. My mind’s telling me Kimbo. But my body? My bodyyyyyyyyyyyy’s tellin’ me Houston Alexander. That’s not gay or anything, is it?
Matt Veach over Frank Edgar. Edgar has quite a few wins over big names, but Veach is a decorated wrestler and just the type of fighter who is fine tailored to fight at 155. Both guys will want to gain a quick edge on the ground, but I like Veach’s chances to take control of a groundfest early and throughout this fight.
Marcus Jones over Matt Mitrione. Marcus Jones was one of my favorites watching the Heavyweights season. If handled correctly, mark my words, Macrus Jones will be a star in The UFC. Mitrione is making his debut in The UFC after a pro football career that saw him play for The 49ers, Giants, and Vikings. Thus, Mitrione should be used to the loss he will incur at The Finale.
YOUR PRELIMINARY FIGHT PREDICTIONS
James McSweeney over Darrill Schvooner
Justin Wren over Jon Madsen
Rodney Wallace over Brian Stann
John Howard over Dennis Hallman
Joe Brammer over Mark Bocek
POST FIGHT AWARD PROJECTIONS
Fight of The Night: Marcus Jones vs. Matt Mitrione
Knockout of the Night: Houston Alexander vs. Kimbo Slice
Submission of the Night: Matt Veach vs. Frank Edgar
PROJECTED RATING
This card will be going up against some big time college football games during the last week of the regular college football season. UFC Fight Night always seems to outperform from both a ratings and a quality standpoint, and with The Kimbo Slice effect factored in, expect this show to come relatively close to a 1.0 rating which would be stellar.
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Tags: Kimbo Slice fights, Kimbo Slice vs. Houston Alexander, MMA, Roy Nelson vs. Brandon Schaub, The Ultimate Fighter Finale, The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights, UFC
