Barnett vs Fedor Fight Is Off For Affliction

Posted on 23. Jul, 2009 by moneybags.

I’m not breaking any news here. Josh Barnett tested positive for a banned steroid and will not face Fedor at Affliction 3 Trilogy. Everyone is disappointed for this, but nobody more than Josh. I really thought this could have been Fedor’s first loss more so than at any other time.

Josh appeared to be peaking at the right time. Ugh. Now if they get a replacement, I can’t imagine anyone that would have had as good a shot at beating Fedor. Not that I’m even rooting for Fedor to lose.

The talk now is Vitor Belfort will step up and fight Fedor. Although Vitor is the probably the faster striker with better hands and serious KO potential, however, Fedor will have an edge on the ground (imho) despite Belfort being a blackbelt.

With Belfort giving up so much weight I think Fedor should win this fight, but it might go to the second round to do it.

We’ll see how this card settles down. When I know more I’ll make picks.

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Affliction Odds Fedor Emelianenko vs Andrei Arlovski

Posted on 23. Jan, 2009 by moneybags.

The odds for the Affliction Day of Reckoning card are here.

Andrei Arlovski is currently peaking in terms of conditioning and striking. I’ve picked him to upset The Last Emporer, Fedor Emelianenko. If Arlovski can avoid the sub, he has an excellent shot at winning this.

For the rest of my Affliction picks click here.

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Affliction Weigh Ins On Inside MMA Now

Posted on 23. Jan, 2009 by moneybags.

Just watching the weigh ins on Inside MMA, on HDNET, right now.

I’ve posted my Affliction predictions, as well as my upset pick in Arlovski over Fedor.

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Affliction Day of Reckoning Fedor vs Arlovski Predictions

Posted on 17. Jan, 2009 by moneybags.

Affliction Day of Reckoning takes place January 24th where top rated heavyweights Fedor Emelianenko vs Andrei Arlovski in the main event.

Fedor vs Arlovski

Arlovski is fighting like the first days of his entrance to the UFC. Dominating heavyweights, but due to his ability not to speak English he wasn’t promoted as he could be. It took 2 years after a highlight KO of Vladimir Matyushenko via sweet uppercut, to land a title shot against Tim Sylvia where he dispatched Sylvia via ankle lock. After holding the title Arlovski dominated for several fights against weaker opponents. Then he comes back and loses twice to Tim Sylvia in some of the biggest WTF matches of my MMA viewing career.Since those losses to Sylvia, Arlovski has shown unbelievable improvement in his striking. Its like the old Arlovski on speed. He is much more dynamic and precise now.

Fedor’s record speaks for itself. Losing only once a long long time ago against most of the best of the best fighters in the game. Will Fedor be able to KO or submit Arlovski? I don’t think so. If Fedor wins it will be by decision. HOWEVER, I’ll take the upset and go with Andrei Arlovski for the win.

Josh Barnett vs Gilbert Yvel

Yvel a great striker with powerful Muay Thai strikes, however, he is fighting a guy who is one of the best at Gilbert’s weaknesses. I don’t see Barnett getting leg kicked across the jaw, but I do see Barnett getting this to the ground and finishing Yvel. Barnett will have a monsterous wrestling advantage as well. If it gets to the ground Yvel won’t be able to get up without referee intervention.

Vitor Belfort vs Matt Lindland

Vitor had a very nice comeback fight against Terry Martin KO’ing him in the second round. Belfort who I did not pick, came out and looked impressive. Lindland shouldn’t have the ground advantage here and will not have a striking advantage. I’m picking Vitor Belfort.

Renato Sobral vs Thierry Sokoudjou

Renato has been so up and down in his career. When he’s up he has been so dominant and when he has lost focus he has lost terribly. Sokoudjou is one of those fighters that could cause Sobral disappointment. Sokoudjou’s one weakness is that he comes out firing with everything he has 100%. No pacing at all when it comes to the first 1 1/2 rounds no matter who he fights. Then Sokoudjou has tired out and gets worked over rather easily. Sobral could easily slip right into this pattern and submit The African Assassin in the later rounds once he tires out. However, I’m going to pick the underdog here in Sokoudjou as Sobral has been susceptible to good strikers.

Paul Buentello vs Kiril Sidelnikov

Kiril is nicknamed ‘baby Fedor’, until that name is proven so, I like Buentello via KO.

Bobby Green vs Dan Lauzon

Chris Horodecki was not medically cleared to fight. Bobby Green has stepped in on 2 days notice. I’ll take Lauzon here.

The HDNET Undercard Fights

Antonio Rogerio Noguiera vs Vladimr Matyushenko

Great fight here. Matyushenko has been on such a great streak in dominating fashion. Little Nog also had a great fight in his last outing. I’m going to avoid this one and just watch.

Brett Cooper vs Patrick Speight

From what I’ve seen, this guy Brett Cooper appears to have potential to be great. Picking Cooper in the dark here.

Check the odds here for this card at BetUS

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Skewed Odds For Fedor

Posted on 19. Jul, 2008 by moneybags.

The odds might be a little too skewed right now for Fedor and might be an odds play for a bet on Sylvia here. hmmm.

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Aleksander Emelianenko Out Gary Goodridge In

Posted on 18. Jul, 2008 by moneybags.

I like Paul Buentello against Goodridge here.

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Affliction Banned

Posted on 13. Jul, 2008 by moneybags.

Event takes place July 19th on PPV. This fight card is a really good one.

Tim Sylvia vs Fedor Emelianenko

Tim had enough problems against Randy Couture that I think Fedor will win this one. However, the odds makers have it so stacked that it might not be a good fight to play.

Andrei Arlovski vs Ben Rothwell

Ben hits hard and Andrei had a tough time against Sylvia twice before. Sylvia is Rothwell’s training partner also so I think if Andrei wants to win this fight he has to get it to the ground. Arlovski has been known to want to brawl when he doesn’t have to. If Andrei can get it on the mat I’d pick him to win, but I think he will want to keep it up and therefore Ben Rothwell will win it.

Josh Barnett vs Pedro Rizzo

Barnett has been licking his chops to fight Rizzo ever since he lost to him when he was an MMA pup. I’m taking Barnett over the aging Rizzo (who used to be a friggin stud – mad respect).

Matt Lindland vs Fabio Negao

Lock of the night. Lindland.

Renato “babalu” Sobral vs Mike Whitehead

The ex Ultimate Fighter is another form of fighter since you saw him on the show. Don’t confuse the two. However, I think the experience of Sobral and desire to prove something since his kicking outtage by the UFC will get Sobral the win. I don’t know if Renato can get a RNC around Whitehead’s big noggin and neck though. It will be interesting to see him try.

Mike Pyle vs JJ Ambrose

Good fight here. I’m going with Pyle. Ambrose hasn’t faced the same level of competition.

Aleksander Emelianenko vs Paul Buentello

I like the upset in this one. If Paul can keep it on his feet that is.

Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera vs Edwin DeWees

Lock of the night numero dos! Little Noguiera wins.

Vitor Belfort vs Terry Martin

I haven’t seen Belfort fight since he razor cut Couture’s eye lid with his glove a long ass time ago. I’ll go with Terry Martin because I’ve seen him fight within the last 3 years. Plus he can knock a brother out and Vitor can’t be the fighter he used to be.

Ray Lizama vs Justin Levens

I haven’t seen Lizama fight, but I have seen Levens and he’s a tough fighter. I’ll go with Levens in the dark.

Savant Young vs Mark Hominick

This could be fight of the night contender. I’m going to go with Hominick because Young has had trouble against similar style fighters in the past. Hominick also has revenge on his mind from his early exit from his ultra disappointing WEC debut.

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