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.