Affliction Preview and Picks

Another big weekend of fights is on tap with Affliction 2, Antonio Margarito vs Shane Mosely and WEC 38. That means I have plenty of picks to make and I will start with Affliction 2. 

The second installment on mixed martial arts action from the clothing company seems like a winner. Oscar De La Hoya is helping promote it, Tito Ortiz is commentating and one of the biggest heavyweight matchups of all time is headlining the card. The event had its road bumps though.

The company has been rumored to be on the verge of bankruptcy, though owner Tom Atencio firmly denies it. They also struggled to sell tickets for the event and the general consensus is the pay-per-view purchases won't be enough to offset the financial losses the event will most likely accumulate. 

If that wasn't enough, it received heartbreaking news just a few days ago when Chris Horodecki was not medically cleared by CSAC to fight Saturday. I was looking forward to Horodecki getting back in action, especially against a quality opponent like Dan Lauzon.

But if this is the last card Affliction puts on, then it is going down in a blaze of glory. Though I think Affliction's new financial backer, Donald Trump, might be able to throw some cash at them if they need it.

Anyways, this isn't an economics class, so lets get to the picks that will be the sure money makers for all you gamblers out there. 

Jay Hieron vs Jason High

Hieron has had a lot of praise lately, and while he has improved, I think he may be getting a little overhyped. However, the Xtreme Couture member draws an inexperienced fighter in Jason High. High is 5-0 with a win over tough Kevin Burns, but Hieron's athleticism and experience should be enough to get the win. 

Hieron via unanimous decision

Paul Buentello vs Kiril Sidelnikov

This is going to be an exciting fight. Buentello loves to go for the knockout and Sidelnikov is Fedor Emelianenko's protege. Though Buentello has faced much better competition and is much more experienced, every future star needs a breakout fight and I think that's what this will be for Sidelnikov. Here is the upset pick.

Sidelnikov via 1st round knockout

Antonio "Minotoro" Nogueira vs Vladimir Matyushenko

This should be a war. Nogueira, the brother of the former UFC heavyweight champion, is a jujitsu ace and is tough as nails. Matyushenko was dominant in the IFL and is also a tough out. I expect Matyushenko to put Nogueira on his back and try to ground and pound, but Nogueira's jujitsu will be too good. The fight will get back on the feet where Nogueira should put Matyushenko down. 

Nogueira via 3rd round knockout

Josh Barnett vs Gilbert Yvel

Yvel is dangerous on his feet, but for some reason I just don't get excited about this matchup. Barnett will look to shoot alot and secure his share of takedowns and probably put Yvel away with some tough work and ground-and-pound offense. Yvel's only chance is a perfectly timed kick on a Barnett shot, but I think this one is pretty much decided. This is the sure bet. 

Barnett via 2nd round TKO stoppage

Vitor Belfort vs Matt Lindland

This is tough. Lindland is maybe the best wrestler in MMA, but he only has two fights in the last two years and is 38 years old. Belfort can be a phenom, like his nickname suggests, but he loses focus at unpredictable times. Lindland trains very hard, but Belfort has confidence with a three-fight winning streak going. If it's on the feet I think Belfort, if it's on the ground it could go either way. Time to make a decision. 

Belfort via 2nd round knockout

Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs Renato "Babalu" Sobral

This is probably not right of me, but anytime I think of Babalu I think of him getting knocked out by Jason Lambert. I know Sobral is a great fighter, and people have jumped on his bandwagon again, but I'm not ready to. I know he really wants to fight Tito Ortiz and the only way to do that is win, but I think Sokoudjo is too explosive of a striker and will knock him out. 

Sokoudjo via 1st round knockout

WAMMA Heavyweight Championship: Andrei Arlovski vs Fedor Emelianenko

I am beyond excited for this fight. Arlovski is a Chicago guy and brought in legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach. Emelianenko is...well...he is Emelianenko. This one will have fireworks throughout and while I think Arlovski will have his moments, Emelianenko has no quit. When asked about Arlovski's training with Roach, Fedor just smiled. Not in a cocky way, but in the way you know he has it won. There is something very scary and unexplainable about him. 

Emelianenko retains title via 3rd round knockout