When last we left the Fighter vs. Writer series, I came to what I choose to think of as a very respectable draw against Jason "Mayhem" Miller. You could point out that if I hadn't felt the need to be contrary and pick Martin Kampmann over Jake Shields, I would have won. To that I'd say, 'You're right, you jerk. I guess you just know everything, don't you?'
But rather than dwell on hypothetical conversations that exist only in my head, we move forward to UFC 122 and a fight-picking showdown with former "Ultimate Fighter" contestant and recent Sportscenter highlight-maker Gerald Harris, who took some time out from training for his fight at UFC 123 next weekend to match wits with me.
Unlike Gerald, I haven't slammed my way on to ESPN (yet), but I feel pretty good about my prognosticating powers this week. That is why I now turn awkwardly toward the "Hurricane" and utter the four most important words in the English language: You wanna do it?
Nate Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami
Gerald's pick: Before I could even finish explaining how Fighter vs. Writer works, Gerald blurted out, "Marquardt is going to win." That's what you get when you talk to a guy who's been spending a lot of time at the Grudge Training Center in Denver alongside Marquardt and Trevor Wittman. When I asked for a method, Gerald added, "However he wants."
My pick: I'm taking Marquardt too, but I don't think it will be quite so easy. Okami is a big guy who can and will hold you down for fifteen minutes. I think Marquardt stays on his feet enough to win a decision.
Jorge Rivera vs. Alessio Sakara
Gerald's pick: In a direct violation of the Writer vs. Fighter unified rules, Gerald refused to pick a winner here, explaining, "I couldn't care less." When I pointed out that they're both middleweights, like him, he said, "Exactly." I've decided that the only way Gerald can tally a win in this one is in the case of a draw or a no contest. And if that happens, yeah, I'm going to be very mad.
My pick: Rivera. It's going to be tough, and he won't be able to rely on being the better boxer in this match-up, but he's certainly more well-rounded. In a fight this close, I think that will make all the difference.
Dennis Siver vs. Andre Winner
Gerald's pick: "That's a tough one. I'll give it to Siver because of his wrestling. He's a really good MMA wrestler."
My pick: Winner. I know Siver has the strength of all Deutschland behind him, but I think Winner's speed and takedown defense will prove to be sehr, sehr gut.
Amir Sadollah vs. Peter Sobotta
Gerald's pick: "I don't know a lot about Sobotta, but obviously I know a lot about Amir," Gerald said. For you dolts who just started watching MMA six weeks ago, that's because Sadollah defeated Harris to knock him out of the TUF 7 competition. "I'll go with Amir," he concluded.
My pick: Sadollah. Despite his record on the local circuit, Sobotta has yet to win a fight in the UFC. He even lost a decision the last time the UFC was in Germany, so apparently the home crowd doesn't help all that much.
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Goran Reljic
Gerald's pick: "I have to go with Soszynski with...what is that darn move he does? Kimura! Soszynski by kimura."
My pick: K-Sos. I don't think he's sneaking up on anyone with that kimura any more, but I think he edges out a decision against Reljic, who has shown in the past that he can definitely be outwrestled.
But rather than dwell on hypothetical conversations that exist only in my head, we move forward to UFC 122 and a fight-picking showdown with former "Ultimate Fighter" contestant and recent Sportscenter highlight-maker Gerald Harris, who took some time out from training for his fight at UFC 123 next weekend to match wits with me.
Unlike Gerald, I haven't slammed my way on to ESPN (yet), but I feel pretty good about my prognosticating powers this week. That is why I now turn awkwardly toward the "Hurricane" and utter the four most important words in the English language: You wanna do it?
Nate Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami
Gerald's pick: Before I could even finish explaining how Fighter vs. Writer works, Gerald blurted out, "Marquardt is going to win." That's what you get when you talk to a guy who's been spending a lot of time at the Grudge Training Center in Denver alongside Marquardt and Trevor Wittman. When I asked for a method, Gerald added, "However he wants."
My pick: I'm taking Marquardt too, but I don't think it will be quite so easy. Okami is a big guy who can and will hold you down for fifteen minutes. I think Marquardt stays on his feet enough to win a decision.
Jorge Rivera vs. Alessio Sakara
Gerald's pick: In a direct violation of the Writer vs. Fighter unified rules, Gerald refused to pick a winner here, explaining, "I couldn't care less." When I pointed out that they're both middleweights, like him, he said, "Exactly." I've decided that the only way Gerald can tally a win in this one is in the case of a draw or a no contest. And if that happens, yeah, I'm going to be very mad.
My pick: Rivera. It's going to be tough, and he won't be able to rely on being the better boxer in this match-up, but he's certainly more well-rounded. In a fight this close, I think that will make all the difference.
Dennis Siver vs. Andre Winner
Gerald's pick: "That's a tough one. I'll give it to Siver because of his wrestling. He's a really good MMA wrestler."
My pick: Winner. I know Siver has the strength of all Deutschland behind him, but I think Winner's speed and takedown defense will prove to be sehr, sehr gut.
Amir Sadollah vs. Peter Sobotta
Gerald's pick: "I don't know a lot about Sobotta, but obviously I know a lot about Amir," Gerald said. For you dolts who just started watching MMA six weeks ago, that's because Sadollah defeated Harris to knock him out of the TUF 7 competition. "I'll go with Amir," he concluded.
My pick: Sadollah. Despite his record on the local circuit, Sobotta has yet to win a fight in the UFC. He even lost a decision the last time the UFC was in Germany, so apparently the home crowd doesn't help all that much.
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Goran Reljic
Gerald's pick: "I have to go with Soszynski with...what is that darn move he does? Kimura! Soszynski by kimura."
My pick: K-Sos. I don't think he's sneaking up on anyone with that kimura any more, but I think he edges out a decision against Reljic, who has shown in the past that he can definitely be outwrestled.