TUF 8 Finale - Picks

ManOfMuscle

ManOfMuscle

Death Dealer
I have been lazy with pick threads lately. I apologize.

Efrain Escudero vs. Phillipe Nover - Nover

Vinicius Mahalhes vs. Ryan Bader - Vinny

Wilson Gouveia vs Jacon Macdonald - Gouveia

Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin the eye gouger Burns - Johnson

Dave Kaplan vs. Junie Browning - Junie

Undercard

Shane Primm vs Krzysztof Soszynski - Krzysztof

Jules Bruchez vs Ellit Marshall - Marshall

George Roop vs Shane Nelson - Roop

Tom Lawlor vs Kyle Kingsbury - Lawlor

John Polakowski vs Roli Delgado - Polakowski
 
Lawler has really calmed down alot and is fighting smarter.....getting off heavy stims helps too lol
 
I forgot to come in and make my picks but I did have both TUF winners correct. No joke. I actually read up on Nover and never saw anything about wrestling. When I realized he had essentially no wrestling experience and Escudero was like a two-time state champ out of Arizona, plus had college level wrestling, I knew he'd win. Nover is good but will never be a contender until he gets a top collegiate wrestling coach or wrestler to work with him. Wrestling isn't everything but its a huge huge piece.
Bader is a beast, he's powerful, and is a natural/true athlete. His only way to truely dominate Vinny was to keep it standing and I knew thats all he would work before the fight. A black in BJJ doesn't make you a master wrestler or takedown artist so I knew Vinny would never get Bader to the ground.
I was wrong on Burns though, was really pushing for Kevin.. is it me or does Johnson look like a monster at 170!!!??? The guy looks like he's weighing 205+ during the actual fight!!
 
Johnson was huge, actually Burns was fairly big as well. I did get this pick correct for winner and that it would be a knockout. I got the minutes right but no the round.

I thought Vinny was going to win by submission but I agree with you JayC, wrestling is a huge part of the game and a good wrestler can defend against the take down plus I think has a better advantage then most to take somebody down; which was proven by Escudero who I also got wrong. Knowing he had a wrestling background I based his performance on his his previous fights when making my picks. I think if the same Escudero that fought in the show went up against Nover, he would have lost. But Escudero on Saturday was an improved fighter and why he won. He said that they watched Nover's fights and knew to duck under for the take down; that is doing your homework and he caught Nover at least 3 times that I can remember, maybe even more. It was a good fight and he wasn't boring at all; which I think even Junie Browning could admit to ... who also I saw as an improved fighter.

Makes me wonder what Mir saw in Dave Kaplan? He lost in the show against Nover by a land slide. And I can't say he was much better against Junie, not by far.
 
JayC said:
I forgot to come in and make my picks but I did have both TUF winners correct. No joke. I actually read up on Nover and never saw anything about wrestling. When I realized he had essentially no wrestling experience and Escudero was like a two-time state champ out of Arizona, plus had college level wrestling, I knew he'd win. Nover is good but will never be a contender until he gets a top collegiate wrestling coach or wrestler to work with him. Wrestling isn't everything but its a huge huge piece.
Bader is a beast, he's powerful, and is a natural/true athlete. His only way to truely dominate Vinny was to keep it standing and I knew thats all he would work before the fight. A black in BJJ doesn't make you a master wrestler or takedown artist so I knew Vinny would never get Bader to the ground.
I was wrong on Burns though, was really pushing for Kevin.. is it me or does Johnson look like a monster at 170!!!??? The guy looks like he's weighing 205+ during the actual fight!!
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More than anything I wanted Phillipe to win because I think he is a more exciting and well rounded fighter. I about pissed my pants when he was locking in the omoplata. I hate to see a fighter win simply by taking the opponent down and controlling them like Efrain did (he landed some good shots the first round though) that's wrestling and not fighting. Johnson has the potential to go to the top at 170. I bet he's about 190 entering the cage. I hated Bader for his lay and pray win over Elliot Marshall but I will give credit where credit is due he came out and kept it standing which made for an entertaining fight.
 
i dont appreciate that they gave junie a place on the main card to grab an easy win off that kaplan retard. its one thing to let him stay on the show for the entertainment value there. no need to throw him on this fight card and to hand him an easy win. im not sure why they are supporting him.
 
ManOfMuscle said:
More than anything I wanted Phillipe to win because I think he is a more exciting and well rounded fighter. I about pissed my pants when he was locking in the omoplata. I hate to see a fighter win simply by taking the opponent down and controlling them like Efrain did (he landed some good shots the first round though) that's wrestling and not fighting. Johnson has the potential to go to the top at 170. I bet he's about 190 entering the cage. I hated Bader for his lay and pray win over Elliot Marshall but I will give credit where credit is due he came out and kept it standing which made for an entertaining fight.
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I'll give ya that, Nover is definetly a more well rounded fighter.. I'm not saying Efrain is complete yet but give him time. After his finale performance I think this kid has the potential to pick up the stand-up part very quickly and become a complete fighter in no time. OH, did you hear that Efrain already called out Huerta??..lol Read that somewhere yesterday. I guess he's saying he wants to be put up against the best in 2009 and mentioned Roger specifically. Huerta would maul him right now.. not a smart move in my opinion. He needs more time at this level.
 
I think they should give him the fight. He obviously takes good instruction and was ready for Nover, perhaps they can prepare him for Huerta. If they did this it probaby would more then likely be like the Nate Quarry vs. Rich Franklin fight ... too soon.

From Efrain's point of view I can understand this; fight the best fighters to see where you are and to show case yourself. If you win then you are propelling yourself big time. I honestly think it would be a decent fight though I believe Huerta would still come out the victor after 2 rounds.
 
^^I guess^^
..it would be better the Amir Sodolah (sp??) though, sounds like its like pulling teeth to get that guy to fight..lol. I've disappointed he still hasn't faught yet when others from his season have already had several fights.
 
JayC said:
^^I guess^^
..it would be better the Amir Sodolah (sp??) though, sounds like its like pulling teeth to get that guy to fight..lol. I've disappointed he still hasn't faught yet when others from his season have already had several fights.
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Amir's bout had to be cancelled because he got hurt. I can't remember what the injury was but it didn't sound too serious.

I think Efrain's strategy against Huerta would be exactly the same as it was against Nover: take him down, hold him, let him up, take him down again. Huerta's wrestling is a lot better than Nover's. He must be really hungry for that Mexican posterboy spot.
 
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