UFC Weekend: TUF 16 Finale & UFC on FX 6 Preview and Results!
There are two UFC events back to back Friday and Saturday evenings, so this installment will differ compared to previous ones. The beauty of the events is that they are on cable TV as opposed to Pay-Per-View and therefore “free.” For those who have been following the sport for some time, you will recall a time where no event was free. Time, they are a-changing.
Main Card (FX Channel):
155#: George Sotiropoulos (14-4) vs. Ross Pearson (15-6) wins by TKO in RD3!
170#: Brad Scott (8-1) vs. Robert Whittaker (10-2) wins by Unanimous Decision!
155#: Colin Fletcher (9-1) vs. Norman Parke (17-2) wins by Unanimous Decision!
185#: Hector Lombard (31-3-1 1NC) vs. Rousimar Palhares (23-4) wins by TKO in RD1!
Preliminary Card (FUEL TV):
145#: Chad Mendes (12-1) vs Yaotzin Meza (18-7) wins by KO in RD1!
205#: Igor Pokrajac vs Joey Beltran wins by Unanimous Decision!
170#: Mike Pierce (16-5) vs Seth Baczynski (18-9) wins by Split Decision!
170#: Ben Alloway (13-3) vs Manuel Rodriguez (9-4) wins by KO in RD1!
155#: Brendan Loughnane (5-1) vs Mike Wilkinson (8-0) wins by Unanimous Decision!
205#: Nick Penner (11-3) vs Cody Donovan (8-2) wins by KO in RD1!
Ultimate Fighting Championship on FX 6 takes place on December 14, 2012 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Queensland, Australia. The preliminary card starts at 6 p.m. EST on FUEL TC. The main card begins at 9 p.m. EST on FX Channel.
Submission maven and Aussie George Sotiropoulos is facing gritty Brit Ross Pearson. Both fighters have very aggressive, entertaining styles and putting them in the ring together should translate into fireworks. George began his UFC career in 2007 and strung together a 7 fight win streak, including notable wins over Kurt Pellegrino and Joe Lauzon. Sotiropoulos likes to begin fights standing since most people do not want to be anywhere near the ground against him as his submission style is highly aggressive, active, dangerous and unorthodox. He knows that he can’t reveal all his playing cards and will have to strike to find opening to take it to the ground. With two losses back to back including a KO at the hands of Brazilian Rafael dos Anjos, all eyes and pressure will be on him to perform.
Pearson is just pure fun to watch. There will be no surprise here. Pearson comes to strike and knock you out. Don’t be surprised if George obliges him and we have a boxing match. Pearson is 5-3 in the UFC and similar pressure will be on him to perform and win. In essence, both fighters are painted into a corner and will have to win and do so impressively. NBG Pick: Georges Sotiropoulos.
In this fight we have two mini-Hulks facing off. You will be hard pressed to find two guys with more muscle in any division. Both me seem to have that “born to fight” mentality. Cuban Hector Lombard came to the UFC from Bellator as a highly lauded prospect. In Bellator he was smashing people and doing so easily. He came to the UFC in July at UFC 149 and faced Tim Boetsch but lost a Split Decision and looked flat, at times confused, and even lethargic. Much more is expected of him this time around and he has his hands full with Brazilian Rousimar Palhares who has a submission game that revolves around leglocks. Ultra aggressive and highly dangerous, it’s pretty much a given, that if he gets hold of a leg, his opponents will forfeit soon after. NBG Pick: Hector Lombard.
There are the Lightweight and Welterweight finals of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ TV show on the main card, and vets Chad Mendes, Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran, and Mike Pierce to keep your eyes on.
Come back for the results, updates and animated gifs. What are your picks for the headline fight between Sotiropoulos and Pearson? Does Palhares catch Lombard in a leglock, or does Hector come alive and return to his Bellator ways Who wins the bonuses?
Main Card (FX Channel):
265#: Roy Nelson (18-7) vs Matt Mitrione (5-1) wins by KO in RD1!
155#: Mike Ricci (8-2) vs Colton Smith (5-1) wins by Unanimous Decision!
265#: Pat Barry (7-5) vs Shane del Rosario (11-1) wins by KO in RD2!
155#: Melvin Guillard (47-12-3 1NC) vs Jamie Varner (20-7-1 2NC) CANCELLED
145#: Jonathan Brookins (14-5) vs Dustin Poirier (12-2) wins by D’Arce choke in RD1!
Preliminary Card (FUEL TV) @ 7:00
170#: James Head (9-2) vs Mike Pyle (23-8-1) wins by TKO in RD1!
135#: Marcos Pancini (20-4-1) vs Johnny Bedford (18-10-1) wins by KO in RD2!
155#: Rustam Khabilov (14-1) vs Vinc Pichel (7-0) wins by TKO in RD1!
170#: Nick Catone (9-3) vs T.J. Waldburger (15-7) wins by Triangle Choke in RD2!
Preliminary Card (Facebook) @ 5:30
135#: Reuben Duran (8-3-1) vs Hugo Viana (6-1) wins by TKO in RD1!
155#: Mike Rio (8-1) vs John Cofer (7-3) wins by Armbar in RD3!
125#: Jared Papazian (14-8 1NC) vs Tim Elliot (8-3-1) wins by Unanimous Decision!