Click the stars to rate how good you think it will be.
UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira is to be held on August 29, 2009 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. It will feature former UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight champion, Randy Couture, facing off against former PRIDE heavyweight and UFC Interim Heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Matt Hamill pulled out of a bout with Brandon Vera due to injury. Krzysztof Soszynski has taken his place.
Marcus Aurelio will be replacing an injured Matt Veach.
Picks and Predictions for UFC 102: The Loser’s Bracket
UFC 102 Preview: The Main Card, The Prelims
Weigh-in results:
Heavyweight bout: Randy Couture (220) vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (231)
Light Heavyweight bout: Keith Jardine (205) vs. Thiago Silva (205)
Middleweight bout: Chris Leben (185) vs. Jake Rosholt (185)
Middleweight bout: Nate Marquardt (185) vs. Demian Maia (185)
Light Heavyweight bout: Brandon Vera (205) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (205)
Heavyweight bout: Gabriel Gonzaga (259) vs. Chris Tuchscherer (258)
Middleweight bout: Ed Herman (185.5) vs. Aaron Simpson (185)
Heavyweight bout: Michael Russow (260) vs. Justin McCully (238)
Heavyweight bout: Todd Duffee (251) vs. Tim Hague (263.5)
Middleweight bout: Mark Munoz (185.5) vs. Nick Catone (185.5)
Lightweight bout: Marcus Aurelio (156) vs. Evan Dunham (155)
As I wrote, I think this event has the potential to be one of the most exciting of the year.
It definitely has that potential.
My picks:
Randy Couture beats Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by TKO round 2
Thiago Silva beats Keith Jardine by TKO round 1
Chris Leben beats Jake Rosholt by decision
Nate Marquardt beats Demian Maia by decision
Brandon Vera beats Krzysztof Soszynski by decision
Gabriel Gonzaga beats Chris Tuchscherer by submission round 1
Aaron Simpson beats Ed Herman by decision
Michael Russow beats Justin McCully
Todd Duffee beats Tim Hague by decision
Mark Munoz beats Nick Catone by decision
Evan Dunham beats Marcus Aurelio by decision
Preliminary Card
Evan Dunham over Marcus Aurelio – Unanimous Decision
Mark Munoz over Nick Catone – TKO, R1
Tim Hague over Todd Duffee – Unanimous Decision
Mike Russow over Justin McCully – Submission, R1
Gabriel Gonzaga over Chris Tuchscherer – Submission, R1
Aaron Simpson over Ed Herman – Split Decision
Main Card
Krzysztof Soszynski over Brandon Vera – TKO, R2
Nate Marquardt over Demian Maia – TKO, R2
Chris Leben over Jake Rosholt – TKO, R1
Keith Jardine over Thiago Silva – Unanimous Decision
And in the Main Event of the Evening…
Randy "The Natural" Couture over Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira by Unanimous Decision.
Now touch gloves and come out fighting!
Spencer, those seem like solid picks IMO, except two, which makes me wonder if they are based on some personal bias or territorial loyalty.
Though I have to say I wouldn't mind if they go your way.
6-5 E. Spencer Kyte
6-5 Nicholas Bailey
and still the undisputed…
9-2 Eric Kamander