UFC 119 - Mir vs. CroCop
 

Live this Saturday evening on ppv from Indianapolis. Here is the card:

Frank Mir vs. Mirko CroCop
Ryan Bader vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Lil Nog)
Matt Serra vs. Chris Lytle
Sean Sherk vs. Evan Dunham
Melvin Guillard vs. Jeremy Stephens

CB Dollaway vs. Joe Doerksen
Matt Mitrione vs. Joey Beltran

Thiago Tavares vs. Pat Audinwood
Steve Lopez vs. Waylon Lowe
TJ Grant vs. Julio Paulino
Mark Hunt vs. Sean McCorkle

Here is another one of those seemingly ho-hum cards on paper that will probably produce some great action.

Mir vs. CroCop - CroCop is taking this on shortish (5 wks) notice and has showed up to Indy with a slight eye injury from a poke in training. He's been cleared to fight. I'm sure Mir thinks he can stand with anyone in the fight game, but he'll likely be looking to put CroCop on his butt and submit him. I'll say Mir by submission here.

Lil Nog vs. Bader - This is quite an interesting matchup that has a lot of ramifications in the LHW division. We are going to find out exactly what Bader is made of here. Most everyone rightly thinks of Bader and JBJ as the future of this division, and they could likely fight each other after this if Bader wins. Personally I would rather see Bader vs. JBJ for a title, because it will happen. Lil Nog probably has a bit better technique on standup and a big advantage in BJJ. Bader has the power edge and the big wrestling advantage. Will be interesting to see how this fight plays out, but my gut tells me that Bader will get his first loss. :)

Serra vs. Lytle - Rematch of the TUF 4 finale, which went to Serra obviously, but easily could have gone Lytle's way. I feel Lytle has much improved his aggression since then and I am extremely interested in seeing how he handles Serra this time around. Both these guys are quite quite good on the ground, and sloppily good on the feet. Really can't wait for this one and hope to God that Lytle finishes Serra this time somehow.

Sherk vs. Dunham - If you know me, you know how much I've been on the Dunham bandwagon for quite a while. He's well rounded, great toughness, a good chin, and gas tank enough to go the distance. He's also beaten some really tough opponents. But Sherk is by far his toughest test yet. Sherk has been out of action for over a year. Ring rust may be a factor. I don't really see Sherk being submitted. I want Dunham to win quite badly, but feel a Sherk decision is on the horizon.

Guillard vs. Stephens - Ok. This one will not be boring. Guillard called out Stephens. Both these guys LOVE to stand, bang and knock someone out. I think Stephens is the much more well rounded fighter, but both have quite equally devastating power and I don't really see much happening on the ground with this one. Stephens is my pick.

Dollaway vs. Doerksen - Another decent matchup IMO. Dollaway coming off his victory over Reljic. Doerksen coming off his victory over Lawlor. Dollaway is prone to being submitted in his losses, and Doerksen wins the majority of his fights by submission. I see a Doerksen victory.

Also of note....Mark Hunt is making his Octagon debut. Should be an interesting night of fights in what certaintly isn't the most high provils card.

Maybe I am crazy but I want to see the Guillard vs. Stephens fight more then anything else on the card. No title implications I just think those guys will throw down the whole time.
I wasn't really sure if I was gonna buy this card because it looks kind of weak but what the hell usually these cards have better fights then some of the big name cards.

Guillard vs. Stephens is gonna be a slugfest. Should be a wild one too. Good call.

Should be an interesting night. Stephens should be great. As a big Mir fan I hope to see that same Mir that fought Kongo. Bader should be able to over power Nog I think.

Maybe this will be one of those cruddy looking cards that ends up being good.

Lets get real here...lol

Mir vs Crop Cop... Mir is in his prime and poor Mirko hasnt done anything lately and is looking beat up. If this fight would have happened 5 years ago I may be excited lol I'd still love to see Mirko pull something out his rear and pull out a win as I hate Mir.

Lil Nog vs. Bader.. Lil Nog hasnt impressed me at all in the UFC.. Personally I think he lost his last fight, got a reall lucky decision, Brills took that fight on short notice and proceded to dominate. Watch for Bader to win by Decision.

Matt Serra vs. Chris Lytle.. I hate Serra, Im really hoping Lytle wins lol

Sherk vs. Dunham.. Thinking Dunham will get through Sherk. Hes been in with some good guys. He beat a tough Tyson Griffin who was on a roll at the time and something tells me he finds a way to win.

Guillard vs. Stephens .. Im a big Guillard fan and hoping he comes through with a big KO

Hoping this turns into one of those great nights of fights when we least expect it!

Yawn

Coop, I really like the way you think. Don't like Mir, can't stand Serra. Would give anything for Lytle to rip one of Serra's arms off in a sub. My gut just tells me lil Nog is gonna pull it out. Plus, If Bader wins, I bet they put him in against JBJ and I really don't want to see that just yet. But I can easily see Bader pulling this one out. Really hope Dunham can pull it out and keep his unbeaten string intact and put himself into position to face either Maynard or Edgar. Sherk is one tough mofo....only four losses (Hughes, GSP, Penn, and Edgar) LOL. Thats quite a list.

Ah yes...... Another Saturday when I'll be eating pizza and rotting in front of the TV :D

One approval vote for Mir here... Cocky mofo, but he always looks to finish...

I like Mir as a fighter and even as a commentator but he is arogant for really no good reason. I've been a Cro Cop fan for a looong time so its been rough to watch him slide as he has in the past couple years. I'd love to see him rally a little of the glory days and beat Mir's ass but I don't see it happening. I think I'll be watching it but we'll see...this card doesn't exactly pump my nads!

The local Casino down the street about 4 minutes from my house has been getting every UFC lately. Free food and $1 beers lol My Directv bill has been cut in half! Plus its kinda fun to watch with a bunch of other people who are really into it and a bunch of people who really dont know much except Chuck Lidell and Lesnar lol

As usual. Card doesnt look that great on paper but turns out AWESOME!!

I agree, I almost didnt order it but did at the last minute. Some great fights although I thought the Mir Crocop fight was very boring. I think they need to cut Crocop from the UFC. He just doesn't have the ferocity he used to. Barely even through any high kicks. I like Sean Sherk but thought he lost that fight. All in all a very good night of fights. I would love to see Bader and Bones Jnes go at it I think that would be a great match up

Good night of back and fourth fights including the preliminary fights. Most were too close to call. As a Mir fan I am terribly dissapointed (again), just no fire or pressure from him. He needs to go back to the aggressiveness he had with Nogiuera or Kongo. not the best night of fight, but still plenty enjoyable. Serra is a tough Mo-fo he took some serious shots. Shrek (sp on purpose) looked good but nowhere ready for Edgar like he says.