Title Holder:Georges St. Pierre #1 Contender:Thiago Alves GrandPrix Participants 1.Jon Fitch 2.Josh Koscheck 3.Matt Hughes 4.Mike Swick 5.Marcus Davis 6.Carlos Condit 7.Martin Kampmann 8.Matt Serra 9.Anthony Johnson 10.Karo Parisyan 11."Stun Gun" Kim 12.Dustin Hazelett 13.Ben Saunders 14.Matt Brown 15.Paulo Thiago 16.Dan Hardy
Round One #1 Jon Fitch vs #16 Dan Hardy Dan Hardy is an up and coming scrapper from the UK but his opponent is way out of his league. Hardy's only chance of winning this match up is with a lucky punch and we all know that won't happen cause Fitch can take a punch. Jon Fitch will overwhelm his opponent with superior wrestling and vicious ground and pound. Outome:Jon Fitch via referee stoppage 1st round #2 Josh Koscheck vs #15 Paulo Thiago This is a matchup we've seen before. Paulo Thiago caught Koscheck with a vicious punch and knocked out the heavily favourite fighter the first time they met. Unfortunately for Thiago the outcome will not be the same this time, Josh Koscheck will take Thiago down and dominate with some ground and pound. Outcome: Josh Koscheck via referee stoppage 2nd round #3 Matt Hughes vs #14 Matt Brown Matt Hughes was once the most dominant WW in the world, now he is a man in the twilight of his career. That being said his wrestling will still prove useful and he will secure enough takedowns to grind out the decision againist a very tough Matt Brown. Outcome: Matt Hughes via decision #4 Mike Swick vs #13 Ben Saunders A matchup between two very talented strikers. These two fighters are both very fast starters and look to finish. This will be a very exciting back and forth match, Saunders will frustrate Swick with his length at first, but Swick will adjust, taking it to Saunders in the 2nd and 3rd round. Outcome: Mike Swick via decision #5 Marcus Davis vs #12 Dustin Hazelett Classic striker vs submission artist matchup. Although Hazelett is no slouch standing up as seen in his match vs Koscheck, Davis is clearly at advantage. Davis will dominate the action in the early rounds with his crisp jabs. Unfortunately for Davis Hazelett will secure the takedown in the 3rd round and sub out Davis for the upset. Outcome:Hazelett vis submission round 3 #6 Carlos Condit vs #11 "Stun Gun" Kim WEC WW champion Carlos Condit comes in to the tourney on an impressive win streak facing Korean stand out "Stun Gun" Kim. Kim looked impressive in his last match against Karo Parisyan until he gassed out and eventually lost the decision. The lack of cardio will prove to be his downfall as he falls to the WEC champ in the 3rd round. Outcome:Carlos Condit via TKO 3rd round #7 Martin Kampmann vs #10 Karo Parisyan Another upset in the opening rounds of the grandprix. The impressive Kampmann will find himself in trouble against the talented judo practicioner Karo Parisyan. Parisyan will get the takedown and sub the Dutch fighter. Outcome:Karo Parisyan sub round 2 #8 Matt Serra vs #9 Anthony "Rumble" Johnson The much smaller Matt Serra, although a heavy hitter, will find himself in trouble againist the very talented striker Anthony Johnson. The bigger and stronger Johnson will be able to keep the fight standing againist Serra and eventually secure the KO victory Outcome: Anthony "Rumble" Johnson via KO round 2 Advancing fighters #1Jon Fitch #2Josh Koscheck #3Matt Hughes #4Mike Swick #6Carlos Condit #9Anthony Johnson #10Karo Parisyan #12Dustin Hazelett
Round 2 #1 Jon Fitch vs #12 Dustin Hazelett Again Jon Fitch's wrestling ability will carry him to victory. Hazelett is a talented ground fighter and will look for submissions from his back but Fitch will ultimately prove to be too wiley of a veteran Outcome Jon Fitch via Decision #2Josh Koscheck vs #10 Karo Parisyan Another wrestling standout in Josh Koscheck, but Koscheck will keep this one standing and secure the victory will his striking. Outcome Josh Koscheck via Decision #3 Matt Hughes vs #9 Anthony "Rumble" Johnson The legendary welterweight should be the heavily favoured fighter in this matchup. But we have seen Hughes struggle recently against fighters that are stronger than he is and can keep the fight standing, Johnson is one of those fighters. Johnson will outstrike Hughes standing up for the victory. Outcome: Anthony Johnson via TKO round 2 #4 Mike Swick vs #6 Carlos Condit Mike Swick finds himself fighting in another exciting match in the 2nd round. This will be another match where the action will go back and forth. Carlos Condit will emerge as the winner with his superior well rounded skills. Outcome: Carlos Condit via submission round 3 Advancing fighters #1 Jon Fitch #2 Josh Koscheck #6 Carlos Condit #9 Anthony "Rumble" Johnson
2 things. 1, I loled at the fact that Hughes vs. Anthony Johnson matched up, and the fact that Kos vs. Paulo Thiago matched up. 2. Nice to see an upset in Hazelett getting the armbar over Davis.
3rd Round #1 Jon Fitch vs #9 Anthony "Rumble" Johnson This is the round where cinderella story "Rumble" Johnson loses. After knocking out two former welterweight champions Johnson will succumb to Jon Fitch's overwhelming pace. Fitch will keep the pressure on with takedown attempts and mixing it up with the striking. Fitch will eventually secure the takedown in the 3rd and win by submission Outcome: Jon Fitch via submission round 3 #2 Josh Koscheck vs #6 Carlos Condit The WEC champ faces in a very tough opponent in the 3rd round of the grandprix. Koscheck will look to come out and keep this on the feet. This proves to be a bad idea as Condit is no slouch on in the striking game. After two rounds of back and forth striking Koscheck comes out looking for a takedown, this proves to be his demise and Condit catches with a submission from his back. Outcome: Carlos Condit via submission round 3 Final Round #1 Jon Fitch vs #6 Carlos Condit Condit faces another tough wrestler in Jon Fitch. Fitch will prove to be too much to handle for Condit. His superior wrestling and gas tank carries to victory. Outcome: Jon Fitch via decision Championship bout Jon Fitch vs Georges st. Pierre I think we all know what happens here.
With a little more seasoning and experience, I think you'll see Rumble give people some fits. I want to see him on the ground, but his stand up is pretty damn good.
great write up. Love that you found some unique match ups and picked some upsets. Of course I'd be tempted to pick Ben Saunders to get the first round upset over swick. His striking is very solid. I totally agree that condit vs Fitch is a logical Grand Prix final. Of course we'll soon find out how legit Condit is... I CAN'T WAIT!! These exciting and somewhat unexpected matchups further prove the needs for the UFC to get onboard with holding a Grand Prix Tourney IMO!!!
I'll have to hit you up later tonight while I watch NCAA's. Almost done work and I gotta get a few things dun
Whaaat? Mike "Quick" Swick is one of my favorite MMA fighters for a reason. He's good on his feet, he's good on the ground. He can knock you out standing, knock you on on the mat, or submit your ass. I still do not think he has gotten nearly the recognition or opportunities that he deserves. The guy is a beast. No way a Ben Saunders beats Mike Swick, none whatsoever.
Swick has looked lackluster for most of his fights at 170 though. The weight drop has caused him to lose some of his energy I've found. Saunders has some really solid standup, he has the potential to upset Swick. Note how I said 'upset'
