The Poker Jerk’s UFC 97 Predictions

Hey losers, it’s been a while since I posted some MMA predictions. I’ve been a huge MMA fan for years, and enjoy betting on fights even though I am not into betting on other sports. If you want to win/lose with me, check out my predictions. I like to bet at Bodog – they are US friendly, and give you $50 in cash when you make your first deposit.

Denis Kang (-325) vs Xavier Foupa-Pokam (+250)

Luckily I don’t have to try to pronounce his name. And it won’t matter anyway, because he’s going to get destroyed by Kang. I have to say, it’s crazy seeing Kang fight in a dark match in his own country, after being pegged as a potential champion in his weight class. Hopefully this will give him the opportunity to get the jitters out of his system so he can get back to putting on dominating performances on the road to being a champion. After Anderson Silva retires, of course.

Cheick Kongo (-350) vs Antoni Hardonk (+275)

This is one of my upset picks of the show, where I expect the underdog to win. I expect a K-1 style fight here; in other words, expect it to be a kickboxing match between two decent heavyweight kickboxers. One would expect Kongo to excel in this type of match, but Hardonk can really take a punch, and has the ability to keep the distance with superior low kicks. If Kongo takes it to the ground, it would be a surprize, but it would also be in his favour. But like I said, Kongo will want to Knock him Out, so will end up getting TKO’d himself.

My prediction: Antoni Hardonk by TKO in Round 3

Sam Stout (-140) vs Matt Wiman (+110)

This is going to be another great fight, and again it’s technically an undercard match. These guys are going to fucking BANG. Sam Stout is one of Canada’s better strikers, but hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire in UFC. Matt Wiman is a decent well-rounded fighter who isn’t afraid to stand up with anyone. This one is a toss-up and with these odds, I am going to stay away. If Wiman was a bigger underdog, he would be a great bet.

My prediction: Sam Stout by KO in Round 3

Mark Bocek (-285) vs David Bielkheden (+225)

This could be a fun grappling match, but Bocek is better in every way. I wouldn’t risk taking the underdog here.

My Prediction: Mark Bocek by Submission in Round 1

David Loiseau (-130) vs Ed Herman (Even)

Loiseau is back in the UFC! In Canada! If you just started watching UFC, you missed out on Loiseau’s sick elbows. There should be some videos on Youtube, if you are ever curious what it looks like to see a man’s skull while he is living.

Quite an even fight, but I fully expect Herman to be able to get Loiseau to the ground and submit him. As long as he doesn’t get his head split open first.

My prediction: Ed Herman by Submission in Round 2

Nate Quarry (-120) vs Jason MacDonald (-110)

Besides the main events, this is the fight I am looking forward to most. It is going to be a battle, and is my prediction for Fight of the Night. And weirdly, it’s another dark match starring a Canadian (one of the better Canadians at that). Unfortunately it’s just too close to call, so it’s tough to pick a winner. I still have to go with MacDonald though, on a coin flip.

My prediction: Jason MacDonald by Submission in Round 3

Luiz Cane (-340) vs Steve Cantwell (+260)

This has a chance of being a show stealer, with Cane’s aggressive style. He is obviously the huge favourite to win, and I think he will. However, Cantwell has the technical ability to hold off more aggressive fighters and catch them. Other books are putting Cantwell at +180 or so, so at +260 it definitely makes him an interesting underdog pick. Not enough to convince me though.

My prediction: Luiz Cane by KO in Round 3

Krzysztof Soszynski (-155) vs Brian Stann (+125)

Brian Stann has a good story behind him, being a war hero in Iraq and all. But he’s not quite at Soszynski’s level overall. He does have good power in his punches, so there is always the chance that he’ll catch Soszynski. But I expect Soszynski’s veteran experience to allow him to avoid the brawling style and pull through with a win here.

My prediction: Krzysztof Soszynski by Submission in Round 2

Chuck Liddell (-200) vs Mauricio Rua (+160)

One of the biggest disappointments to come over from the Pride FC collapse (the biggest of course being Cro Cop), Shogun has gone from being the top ranked 205 lbs fighter in the world to being an underdog against an aging Chuck Liddell after just two fights. Both fighters need this win bad, and Dana White has even suggested that his very close friend will retire if he loses this fight. I’m not sure if he spoke to Chuck about this though – Chuck will fight until he literally can’t fight anymore, be it in UFC or whereever.

Rua has managed to build decent hype for all his fights, but I am not at all convinced. I think that his bum knee has basically ruined his carreer – even before the loss to Griffin, Shogun looked quite sluggish against Nakamura in 2006. Chuck on the other hand didn’t look good at all against Rashad Evans or Rampage, but then those two are quite a bit better than Liddell and Rua. However, he is declining steadily in pretty much every way, while Shogun has dropped off a cliff. With Chuck, we know what to expect – the guy who has trouble handling the best Light Heavyweights in the game, but can still pull out a great win (like he did against Wanderlei). With Shogun, we can’t be 100% sure what we’re going to get. I personally don’t expect to see the 2005-era dominating explosive Shogun in the drug testing environment of the LVAC. Instead, we’ll probably get the fat pig with a bum knee.

My prediction: Chuck Liddell by KO in Round 3

Anderson Silva (-675) vs Thales Leites (+475)

With all due respect to Leites, he is going to get killed. Anderson Silva was not happy with his last performance – he wanted to dance around, toying with Patrick Cote like a cat plays with its prey before eating it. Unfortunately, Cote’s knee blew out before he could finish him, and the end result was unsatisfactory. He’s pissed about that, and will want to make a statement that he is still the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

My prediction: Anderson Silva by Murder in Round 1

And that’s it for now! I am putting most of my money on Hardonk.