Fighter vs Writer - TUF 18 Finale

Fighter vs Writer: Michael Wootten - The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 Finale 
by Ben Heather @benheather

Welcome to another Kingdom MMA fighter vs writer challenge.

For this challenge we challenge some of the biggest names from the world of MMA to give us their picks and fight outcomes for specific MMA events. Then they will be challenged by one of our writers, who will make their own predictions. Previously we have challenged the likes of Luke Barnatt, Jim Alers, Mike Wilkinson, Phil Harris, Cathal Pendred and Dustin Poirier.

This weeks opponent was a perfect man for the job and the only man for the job this weekend. He was part of Team Rousey on the current series of TUF, unfortunately losing in the semi final of the show to Chris Holdsworth. He is of course Michael Wootten.

The Scoring
If you predict the correct winner of the fight you will get one point and if you predict the correct method of victory you will get an extra point. However, if the fight ends in a stoppage and you predict the round as well the method you could earn a third bonus point. If the fight goes the distance you can only earn a maximum of two points.

The Predictions

Gray Maynard vs Nate Diaz

Wootten: Great main rematch and main event. It will be a very close fight and both posses different styles but I am a Diaz fan so I am going with Nate.

Prediction: Nate Diaz - Submission Round 2 

Heather: I love this fight, it could go either way and is a perfect replacement main event for the event, even though both guys come in to the fight after losing in their last outing. My main thought on this is whether Diaz can get the fight to the ground if he can it should be his fight to lose but on the feet I give Maynard the advantage. That being said over three rounds I see Diaz having enough to take the win.

Prediction: Nate Diaz - Unanimous Decision

Julianna Pena vs Jessica Rakoczy

Wootten: Having seen a lot from both girls throughout my time in the TUF house I am very excited to see both girls fight against each other. I think Jessica will win via TKO in the third round. I feel her footwork and boxing experience will be the key.

Prediction: Jessica Rakoczy - TKO Round 3

Heather: Like Mike I think that Jessica will be able to dominate this fight if it stays on the feet. How confident I am that it will stay there I am not sure.... Pena looked a beast in the house dominating her fights and getting the wins but was never really challenged. Rakoczy will certainly do that tonight but I think Pena will have enough and keep Rakoczy down to bring home the win and title of first women's TUF champion.

Prediction: Daniel Cormier - Unanimous Decision

Chris Holdsworth vs Davey Grant

Wootten: Chris and Davey are two great athletes that have different styles. Its a very interesting match up but I think Davey will win via TKO in the second round due to his physicality.

Prediction: Davey Grant - TKO Round 2

Heather: For me, this is the ultimate clash between head and heart. My heart certainly is telling me that Davey will win and bring home the title to the UK. As Mike knows unfortunately all too well, Holdsworth is a beast and certainly has proved why he is a BJJ black belt with the way he submitted Mike on the show.

That being said if Davey turns up bringing his A game like he did to make it on to the show and no thinks no matter what happens I will get the win then it will be a very entertaining fight and could go either way. However, I have to go with my head on this and predict a win for the American.

Prediction: Chris Holdsworth - Submission Round 2

Jessamyn Duke vs Peggy Morgan

Wootten: Tough fight for me to call having seen both these girls train and fight. Two similar styles match up wise as both are very competent strikers. Peggy has the size advantage and Jessamyn has the advantage on the ground. I think Jessamyn will win via sub in the third round.

Prediction: Jessamyn Duke - Submission Round 3 

Heather: I like Mike think that Duke should be able to make the most of her skills getting the fight down to the ground where she will finish the fight.

Prediction: Jessamyn Duke - Submission Round 2

Roxanne Modafferi vs Raquel Pennington

Wootten: Roxy vs Rocky is a clash of styles and experience. Roxanne has been in the game for many years now and rocky is inexperienced compared to Roxanne. But I see rocky being too big and strong at the weight and finishing the fight in the first round.

Prediction: Raquel Pennington  - TKO Round 1

Heather: As Mike has said, you can not even try and say that Roxanne does not have the experience on her side in this fight. I think that experience should see her through and help her defend against the size and strength advantage that Pennington will certainly have.

If she does not use her past experience this fight will be very tough for Modafferi but I think she will be able to pull of a decision victory.
Prediction: Roxanne Modafferi - Unanimous Decision


So that's our predictions for the fights, we will be live tweeting on Saturday night as always and we will keep you all informed as to how the challenge is going with latest scores throughout the main card.

Thanks again to Mike for providing us with his picks for this weekends fights and it just leaves me to say.... May the best man win!!

Poll: Who Wins - Gray Maynard vs Nate Diaz 3

Poll: Who Wins - Gray Maynard vs Nate Diaz 3
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts 

Gray Maynard meets Nate Diaz for the 3rd time at The TUF 18 finale next Saturday with both fighters having already earned a victory other one another.

An intriguing match up between 2 long time top 10 lightweights, fans will surely be divided on who wins the rubber match.

So who wins - VOTE NOW!

free polls

Nate Diaz vs Gray Maynard III set for TUF 18 Finale

Diaz and Maynard Square Off For The Third Time!!

by Tommy Strong @strong_tea
 

The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale, will see top lightweights Nate Diaz take on Gray Maynard for the third time of asking.

Though only officially the second time on record, as the first encounter was in 'TUF' 5 where both men would meet in the semi-finals with Nate Diaz submitting Maynard and then going onto be the winner of "TUF" season 5.

The pair would meet again in January 2010, at UFC Fight Night 20, but this time it would be Maynard who would take the win via split decision.

Maynard (11-2-1) went onto to beat Kenny Florian to earn himself a title shot at the Lightweight belt at UFC 125 when he took on Frankie Edgar, in what would end up being the fight of the night and year! In an epic back and forth battle the judges couldn't split the pair with the outcome being a draw (48-46, 46-48, 47-47) The pair would meet again 9 months later in a rematch that didn't disappoint. Though this time it was Edgar that managed to take the win via an emphatic 4th round KO.

Since then Maynard is (1-1) beating Clay Guida via split decision, and then losing to TJ Grant inside the first round in a lightweight title eliminator fight.

Diaz (16-9) since his loss to Maynard, decided to move back up to Welterweight which he had mixed fortunes going 2-2.

At UFC 135 Diaz returned back to Lightweight and went on to win three fights in a row beating Takanori Gomi, Donald Cerrone and then handing Jim Miller his first ever submission loss to earn himself a title shot against Benson Henderson.

Diaz is currently on a two fight losing streak, having lost a one sided fight in his title shot against Benson Henderson and more recently losing to Josh Thomson via TKO. In that fight Josh Thomson became the first fighter to knockout Diaz.

With so much on the line and the way both fighters like to fight, we could be in for a real treat! (touching wood)

Diaz fined $20k and suspended for 90 days for twitter outburst

UFC waste no time in reacting to twitter outburst

by Tommy Strong @Strong_tea

Hardly a week goes by without one of the Diaz brothers making the headlines. This time its the turn of the younger brother Nate, who finds himself in deep water with the UFC after tweeting a controversial comment towards Bryan Caraway. This was following the news that Pat Healy failed a post fight drugs test where he had tested positive for Marijuana after his UFC 159 fight win over Jim Miller.

Healy defeated Miller via submission and ended up taking home the 'fight of the night' and 'submission of the night' bonuses. For doing this Healy picked up a whopping $130k in bonus money.

However, Healy's reckless decision and subsequent failed drugs test not only cost him his win which now goes in to the record books as a no contest it has also cost him his $130k in bonuses. On top of this he has been hit with a 90 day suspension. This turn of events is what lead to Brain Caraway being awarded the 'submission of the night' bonus instead after submitting Johnny Bedford earlier in the night.

Nate obviously annoyed with the news, took to twitter on Thursday to express his opinions on the matter.

"I feel bad for Pat Healy that they took a innocent mans money and i think the guy who took the money is the biggest fag in the world.."

UFC president Dana White was very unhappy with Nate's comments, and responded by saying that he will either fine, suspend or cut the fighter for his twitter outburst.

The UFC wasted no time dishing out punishment for his comments and released this statement:

“UFC lightweight Nate Diaz has received an immediate 90-day suspension and $20,000 fine for violating the UFC’s fighter code of conduct,” the UFC announced in a statement. “The language used in his tweet was regrettable, offensive and inconsistent with the values and culture of the organization, and is not tolerated.“The money will be donated to charity.”

Something tells me, this won't be the end of the matter!!

UFC on Fox 7 - A final thought - Fights to make after UFC on FOX 7

Fights to make after UFC on FOX 7

by Ben Heather @benheather and Chris Houten @Houts4thewin

Benson Henderson

Benson Henderson vs winner of TJ Grant vs Gray Maynard has been announced so we expect this to be the next time we see Henderson defend his belt in the octagon.

However, I want to see Henderson vs Melendez 2. Although the winner of TJ Grant and Gray Maynard is expected to get the next shot at the lightweight belt, this is the fight to make at the top of the lightweight pile now. Why, because it was so damn close – the fans just need to see it again.

Don't get me wrong, I'm the last guy you will hear saying that champ/ challenger should get an immediate title shot, they clog the division up and kill off top contenders – just see what happened with Pettis vs Guida, but as a fan how can we all be happy with Melendez going away to fight his way back up the contender ladder when he should actually be the champion right now depending on who you ask.

 For me this fights a no brainer and I'm sorry for the Grant vs Maynard winner but you are simply going to have to get in line with the Pettis' of this world and wait for your shot.

Gilbert Melendez

If Melendez doesn't get the rematch (which at this time is looking very unlikely) then I think that Melendez should fight another champion, this time the former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez.

Yes, I know what you are all thinking Alvarez has not signed with the UFC yet and I agree at this point in time it needs everything to align perfectly for this fight to happen but I think not only could it happen it has the name power to easily headline a UFC event.

In any other division the thought of putting two legitimate contenders in the cage together could be thought of as lunacy as your eliminating a top name from the title picture but in a stacked division like the lightweight division anything could happen.

Daniel Cormier vs A Top Light-Heavyweight

Cormier's victory over Frank Mir was impressive, not so much for the way he won the fight, but for the way he was able to control the two time UFC heavyweight champion Mir for most of the fight. But one has to think “Cormier isn't prepared to fight Cain Velasquez that is the frigging point”!

If anything the Mir fight has introduced Cormier to a larger audience and that's about it. I feel now is the time to either step up and say “I'll fight anyone” Jon Jones style when presented with the possibility of fighting Rashad Evans or get on the phone to Mike Dolce, and work out how your gonna get down to 205, while avoiding the same problems with his Kidneys he did during the Olympics.

All things at present indicate to the latter, which if I'm honest suits me, Jon Jones is crying out for challengers at the moment (and not those that fight at MW). I'd like to see Cormier take on the winners of either Henderson vs Evans or Shogun vs lil Nog. Both options would give Cormier a real telling warm fight whether he deserves a shot at the Light Heavyweight belt.

If Daniel Cormier stays at Heavyweight

If however Cormier stays at heavyweight and agrees in the long run that him and Cain would fight I want to see him fight the winner of the Werdum vs Big Nog fight. The winner of that fight should then become the next heavyweight number 1 contender.

Frank Mir

The next time we see Frank Mir enter the octagon a fight vs Overeem would makes sense, both are coming of losses but are still very marketable guys. In a styles vs styles match up the winner of Mir vs Overeem would be back on track at making a run in the heavyweight division. This fight would make a great co-main of any numbered event.

Josh Thomson

Although I predicted a Josh Thomson victory on Saturday night, the manor in which it came was far from to be expected.

Thomson looked awesome, and of all the Strikeforce guys on the card that night he quite possibly showed himself to be the biggest stand out going into the so called big leagues.

The Lightweight division is a stacked division right now and a fight between the winner of Miller vs Healy would not only work in terms to scheduling, it would also be a fight which would take the winner one step closer to a title fight.

Realistically Thomson has just beat the #4 ranked guy in Nate Diaz and a fight versus the winner of this weekends showdown could be made for the next number 1 contender. If Henderson is set to fight either Maynard or Grant than this could be made on the same card to make the next challenger. If not, Thomson vs Miller would make a great fuel headliner if you ask me.

Nate Diaz

For me I can only see one fight which has to be made next for Nate Diaz, that's Diego Sanchez.

Diego started calling for the fight with Nate after he beat Takanori Gomi in Japan saying how he has already beat Nick and wants to be the first person to beat both Diaz brothers. Plus, if both turn up and bring their A games then it will be an incredible fight!! The fact that Nate is now coming off back to back losses makes this fight a possibility again. When Sanchez called him out it didn't look likely but now I really want to see this fight.

However Chris would like to see, Nate Diaz vs Matt Wiman.
I know Diaz has flirted with a move to welterweight citing their are no challenges for him at the weight anymore, but that excuse doesn't go down to well after you get knocked out. Diaz didn't really look himself on Saturday and maybe that can be attributed to the fact that two of his training partners have had the biggest fights of their careers just weeks apart of each other.

No doubt about it Diaz is one of the best lightweights in the world, but at this stage he is on a two fight losing streak and should take a step down in competition. Enter the fighter formally known as handsome - Matt Wiman.

 A fight with Wiman makes a lot of sense. Both guys would enter the fight coming off loses, Wiman gives Diaz the step down in competition he needs right now but still has a good enough record to make the fight sellable. This fight feels like a war!

Matt Brown

I want to see Matt Brown fight Dong Hyun Kim in a rematch of their UFC 88 battle which finished in a split decision win for Kim. The fact Kim has only lost to Condit and Maia and is now on a 2 fight winning streak makes the timing for this fight very good and could easily push the winner in to contendership and well inside the top 10.

Another possibility would be for Brown to fight the Hathaway vs Erik Silva winner.
I had a little chuckle on Saturday night when Bruce buffer introduced Matt Brown as a technical brawler, but damn that dude is on a tear! Now on a 5 fight winning streak having bounced back from losing 3 on a bounce, Matt brown is proof that the UFC should stick by their fight.

Matt brown has knocked out his last 3 opponents as part of his win streak and in any other division it's be hard to argue with a title shot, but if Johnny Hendricks can't get a title shot what hope does Matt Brown have? I'd like to see Matt Brown take on the winner of next months welterweight match up between prospects John Hathaway and Erik Silva.

The winner of this fight will prove a stern test for Brown as he looks towards a title fight, and likewise a fight with Matt Brown will show what the future will hold in the careers of either Hathaway or Silva.

Jordan Mein

Jordan Mein vs Brian Ebersole, Jordan Mein was expected to beat Matt Brown on Saturday and unfortunately it looks like the hype train has been derailed ever-so-slightly. He's young and there is still plenty of time to break the top 10. It's likely Mein will find himself on the undercard of PPV even, or possibly the main card of a fuel / fx card and a fight with Brain Ebersole would make sense - similar skillsets, position in the rankings and both coming off losses.

UFC on FOX 7 Main Card Results - Nate Diaz vs Josh Thomson

Josh Thomson defeats Nate Diaz by TKO Round 2, 3:44

by John Haigh @JohnBjayHaigh

Josh Thomson makes his return to the octagon after a nine year absence, while Nate Diaz comes in to the fight off a defeat to UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. Both men would be desperate for the win both for different reasons, Diaz to avoid back to back defeats and Thomson to get his second stint in the UFC underway with a victory.

In round one Diaz used his usual tactic of trying to goad Thomson in to a brawl. Thomson was having none of it and stuck to his game plan staying on the outside attacking Diaz’s legs with low leg kicks frequently changing stances to keep Diaz guessing. While Diaz continued trying to goad his opponent throughout the remainder of the round, Thomson rushed in and out landing combinations.

In round two Thomson’s game plan came together teeing off on Diaz every time he tried to clinch landing short elbows bloodying Diaz’s face, causing him problems seeing with the blood going into his eyes.

Thomson landed a head kick sending Diaz staggering back across the cage, sensing the end he took Diaz to the mat and attacked with a ground and pound until the referee was forced to stop the fight. A second before the referee stopped the fight the Diaz corner actually threw in the towel to the cage.

Thomson made the perfect return to the UFC and not only got the victory but became the first fighter to stop Nate Diaz by TKO in his career.

UFC on Fox 7 Main Card Predictions

Kingdom MMA: UFC on FOX 7 Main Card Predictions

by Ben Heather @benheather

On Saturday night it will mark the 7th time that the UFC will be on FOX and this fight card has a real UFC vs Strikeforce feel to it all the way through. I really like how the UFC has put this card together and if the introudction most of the Strikeforce fighters have put on up until now is anything to go by, we will be in for a treat on Saturday night.

Below you will find the predictions from all the guys at Kingdom MMA for the main card.

Benson Henderson (18-2) #1 LW vs. Gilbert Melendez (21-2) #2 LW

Scott: There are not many who can significantly challenge Ben Henderson for his UFC lightweight title with Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis heading up this group. Unfortunately for Saturday's main event Gilbert Melendez is not in this group. Henderson is stronger than him everywhere and his skills are to the point where he is proving to be an innovator within the sport. Melendez was lucky to come away with the Strikeforce lightweight championship in a closely fought fight with Josh Thomson and Henderson is a huge step up in quality that I don't think he'll be able to handle.

This fight will be very similar to Henderson's previous versus Melendez teammate Nate Diaz as we will see another superb display of technique and aggression from "Smooth" that will overwhelm the challenger. Henderson won't lose his tag as having on average the longest fights in the UFC, but who cares when he is such a joy to watch.

Prediction: Henderson by Unanimous Decision

John: This will be a close one to call, Henderson is the champion but to be honest he's never really impressed me that much. I still don’t think he beat Edgar either time. On the other hand Melendez was the Stikeforce champion and is coming in off a seven fight win streak, so he's defiantly got some momentum going. I think the fight will go to a decision and I see Melendes edging it.

Prediction: Melendez by Split Decision

Ben: I predict only one thing in this fight, a Henderson victory!! I don't think Henderson gets anywhere near the credit he is due. In his first fight with Edgar he clearly won the fight in my opinion and their shouldn't have been a rematch. The rematch was a lot closer but I still gave him the win. This guy has beat a who's who of lightweight contenders on the way to getting his shot and now as champ has beat Nate Diaz and Frankie Edgar twice.... who else can say they have done that. Nobody!!

I agree with Scott, I am not sure if he finishes him but I do know he will put on a show as he always does.

Prediction: Henderson by Unanimous Decision

Chris: Melendez is an excellent fighter, who can definitely cut it with top 5, top 10 guys in the world, but I'm not as enthusiastic about his chances in this fight as some of his supporters .

Both fighters have similar skillsets but I think Henderson has a wrestling advantage, handles offensive pressure better, and definitely has more kicks in his arsenal.  I think this fight will be a little bit closer than the Diaz fight was, but I think Henderson takes this one quite easily.

Prediction: Henderson by Unanimous Decision

Frank Mir (16-6) #5 HW vs. Daniel Cormier (11-0) #3 HW

Scott: Daniel Cormier came out of almost nowhere to win the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix and announced himself to the world in a big fashion. So much so that he goes into his UFC debut as a heavy favourite against veteran Frank Mir. Cormier's striking has looked on point in his recent fights and I think he'll have the advantage there over Mir. The big question is whether Cormier will utilise his excellent wrestling game against the division's best submission artist. Cormier wasn't afraid to go there with Josh Barnett, but Mir is a different proposition. Cormier will dictate this fight, but there is always the chance of a flash of inspiration from Mir a la his brutal submission of Big Nog in December 2011.

Prediction: Cormier by Unanimous Decision

John: I’m picking this out for fight of the night. Cormier comes in unbeaten and Mir comes in off a loss and will be desperate to get the win so with that I see this being a war. Both fighters have great stand up and are both comfortable on the ground so it will be hard for either fighter to get an advantage. I see this fight going back and forth going the distance with Cormier getting the decision.

Prediction: Cormier by Unanimous Decision

Ben: I think I must be the only person (as i was last week when i predicted that Kelvin would beat Uriah Hall) who thinks that Frank Mir has a decent chance. The odds for this fight baffle me... Yes Cormier has looked very good in his days in Strikeforce and has possibly the biggest hype train of any fighter making his debut in the UFC. But he has not fought anyone with BJJ like Mir.

I predict one of two things, either Mir tries to get Cormier down and in the process gets knocked out or the more likely happening in my opinion. Mir gets hold of one of Cormiers limbs and forces the submission victory. Welcome to the big show Cormier.

Prediction: Mir by Submission Round 2

Chris: I don't see how Cormier loses this one if I'm honest. Sure Frank Mir is an excellent opponent, and one of Cormiers toughest to date, but when you look at the 3 core skills in MMA - wrestling, striking, ju-jitsu, Cormier has beaten guys who are better than Mir in each facet: Striking: Silva and Poa, Wrestling: Barnett and Ju-jitsu: Jeff Monson. I like Cormier to keep this fight on the feet, using his speed advantage to win a Unanimous decision

Prediction: Cormier by Unanimous Decision

Nate Diaz (16-8) #5 LW vs. Josh Thomson (19-5)

Scott: These two bellicose fighters could well put on the night's best fight in what is sure to be a fast paced encounter. Both are holders of BJJ black belts and could cancel each other out in that department bringing things down to the striking and wrestling departments. Thomson likely has the better wrestling, but will he want to risk taking Diaz to the ground. Ben Henderson did, but he had to do a lot of work to escape submission attempts when he wanted to pour on some ground and pound. Diaz has the striking advantage here and I think this will be the most important aspect of the fight and Thomson could well play into Diaz's hands (no pun intended) here as he looks to go toe-to-toe with him.

Prediction: Diaz by Unanimous Decision

John: This one's easier for me to pick, I think Diaz will bounce back from his loss to Benson Henderson and defeat Thomson and make another run for the title. Thomson has been a bit inconsistent over the last few years so I see Diaz winning this one.

Prediction: Diaz by Submission Round 2

Ben: Thomson pushed Melendez all the way in the fights they have had and so has a good reputation and rightfully so. However I feel in this fight, like in the main event it may be a rude awakening and a case of welcome to the UFC. I am predicting that Diaz picks his shots and keeps Thomson at range then when he see's the opportunity he goes for a submission.

Prediction: Diaz by Submission Round 3

Chris: Josh Thomson might be flying under the radar a little bit to the casual fan down to injury problems in the past, but he has beat some quality opponents - Gilbert Melendez, Pat Healy, Dauane Ludwig, Hermes Franca and stands a really good chance here.

Thomson goes into this bout with a clear cut wrestling advantage and if he can exercise a similar game to that of Rory MacDonald or Ben Henderson when they fought Diaz, its conceivable Thomson can win this fight. Sure, it wont be easy, Thomson will need to avoid stay on the outside where Diaz can pick him apart with his much better boxing. He also has to be careful not to fall into the guard of Diaz but if he can do that, I see Thomson walking away with the upset.

Prediction: Thomson by Unanimous Decision  

Matt Brown (16-11) vs. Jordan Mein (27-8)

Scott: Matt Brown has come back from three consecutive defeats and an inevitable release to post a 5-1 record in his last 6 fights winning the last 4 in a row. The self proclaimed "technical-brawler" will find his toughest test to date on that run as he faces Jordan Mein who has fought 35 times professionally at only 23. Both will be ready for an absolute war and Brown's iron chin will be significantly checked by Mein who became the first man to finish Dan Miller in his last bout. Brown's achilles heel is his submission game as he has been finished 9 times by this method and Mein could capitalise on this shortcoming and continue to make a name for himself in the UFC.

Prediction: Mein by Submission Round 2

John: I’m going Jordan Mein for this one, I don't see it being a long fight and don't think it will get out the first round. Mein steps in for an injured Dan Hardy, I think that would have been a lot better fight. However  even with Mein stepping in and having less time to prepare for a tough opponent I think Mien will come in stronger and win in the first round.

Prediction: Mein by KO Round 1

Ben: Again for the second time on this card I am picking the underdog. I think Matt Brown has been on a roll and I dont see it stopping. The way he has finished Swick on Fox 5 impressed me so much and I predict he will do the same against Mein.

Mein did look very impressed and the big stage did not get to him when he finished Dan Miller only a few weeks ago but I think coming in on short notice and against Brown on the run he is on is a combinatin for failure.

Prediction: Brown by KO Round 2

Chris: Fair play to Matt Brown, from a 3 fight losing streak, and 1 fight away from being cut from the UFC, he goes on a run winning 4 of 5, and picking up some impressive KO's along the way. Unfortunately I don't see him being able to continue that run against up-and-coming Jordan Mein. I expect Mein to be able to control the fight from the outside with his crisper striking, and I can see Mein overpowering Brown when he does go inside or in the clinch.

Prediciton: Mein by KO Round 2