The Force is Strong with "Darth" Bader

Fighting to his strengths once again was Ryan "Darth" Bader

The young guns were out Wednesday night for what was another exciting Fight Night on Spike TV. Everyone loves watching the big stars work their mojo in the spotlight, but one can't help make a case for the display put on by this card of young scrappers.

The main card was as follows (one being the opening bout and four the main event):
*Fighters I chose to win tonight are in blue
1. Junie "The Lunatic" Browning Vs Cole Miller
2. Tyson Griffin Vs Rafael dos Anjos
3. Ryan "Darth" Bader Vs Carmelo Marrero
4. Martin "The Hitman" Kampmann Vs Carlos "The Natural Killer" Condit (WEC 170lb. Champ)

In the first fight of the night Junie Browning, who recently won Fight of the Night honors, faced off against formidable opponent Cole Miller. Being deemed overrated by Browning, Cole had some extra fuel to add to his burning fire. Browning figured he would have his way tonight, but boy was he wrong. Miller caught Browning with a guillotine, choke finally silencing the mouthy Browning two minutes into the fight. Maybe Browning ought to think before he speaks. "Who's overrated now?" Well I'll just say it for Cole; Junie Browning is.

The second fight of the night pitting Tyson Griffin against Rafael dos Anjos was packed full of action. Griffin clearly had all intentions of keeping this fight on the feet as he was swinging for home runs left and right. When the two went down to the mat in the first round, dos Anjos utilized a nifty compression knee lock that was dangerously close to sending Griffin home early. Phased a bit by this maneuver, Griffin still had the last laugh as his striking and inside leg kicks eventually lead to his majority decision over Rafael dos Anjos. Other than a few kimura attempts and the compression knee lock that failed, dos Anjos looked absent in this fight. An excellent display of heart by Griffin was shown to battle through that lock in the first round. This fight deserves my Fight of the Night honors.

The third fight of the night was one that looked great on paper, but amounted to embarrassment. Marrero appeared ready to go before this fight began, but it really got away from him faster than the blink of an eye. Ryan Bader was ferocious! His relentless takedowns, stemming from his accomplished wrestling background, ripped through Marrero's confidence. I love when a fighter utilizes his strengths to win a fight and Darth did just that. Round after round like a machine, Bader just kept at it. It was as if Marrero was frozen in time or was the dummy Bader ripped apart during his training. All in all, a great fight for young Bader and an even better showcase of his abilities as he also demonstrated the know how to pull off an armbar. Bravo Ryan! Keep moving on up.

The main event of the night pitted Martin "The Hitman" Kampmann against Carlos "The Natural Born Killer" Condit. In my mind, this fight had all the making for a pay-per-view event. The bout was nonstop action from start to finish. The crowd was truly swayed in favor of Condit as any positive he had was followed by cheering and support from the crowd. This fight was too close to call the whole way as both fighters exchanged their blows. Condit drew first blood, literally, as he opened Kampmann's face with either his elbows or the vicious knee he planted as Kampmann reached his feet. As the fight went on, Condit had one problem: anything Condit could do, Kampann could do better. After finally getting into the octagon, Condit took the wrong walk, leaving Kampmann to reign victorious with a split decision.

It has been awhile since the UFC had a live fight night and I don't think I'm alone when I say thank goodness it's back. The fight card and the action delivered tonight proved once again that Fight Nights are always a great night.

UFC Fight Night Predictions

There is a reason Carlos Condit is known as The Natural Born Killer. I expect the former WEC champion to make a statement in his UFC debut against Martin Kampmann in tonight's main event.

It's time for another installment of one of my favorite UFC events: Fight Night. These free shows on Spike TV are a great way to showcase young talent and tonight's event in Nashville, Tenn., is no different.

I wish the UFC had a long enough time slot to show the Gleison Tibau vs Jeremy Stephens fight as well as the Ricardo Almeida vs Matt Horwich contest, but nonetheless, there is a great night of fights for free so I won't complain.

If you're looking to make a quick buck or just impress your friends, here are the picks to stick with.

Junie Browning vs Cole Miller
This should be an interesting fight, but Miller is the man to go with. Browning has received high praise and has even been compared to Anderson Silva, but at this point it is all hype. Miller is 14-3, has UFC experience and has fought tough competition. Browning has three fights under his belt and if he gets in trouble, I don't see him having the composure to escape.

Miller has proven to be a tough fighter to put away and that should be good enough to escape any troubles he might get into if the fight hits the floor. Browning is a classic ground-and-pound wrestler with good stand-up, but Miller has an underrated jab and submission game. Expect Miller to secure an armbar in the second round.

Miller wins via armbar in the second round

Tyson Griffin vs Rafael dos Anjos
Straight up, Griffin is a machine. His wrestling is tremendous and his cardio and strength are through the roof. The last time dos Anjos stepped in the octagon, he ate a Jeremy Stephens uppercut that knocked him into 2010. While Griffin won't wow anyone with his striking, I think he is good enough to win the fight on the mat despite dos Anjos' jujitsu skills.

In the end, even though Griffin lost his most recent match to Sean Sherk, I think he is more seasoned and prepared. Dos Anjos could be a great fighter, but it looks like he has a lot to improve on before he is ready to move up the ranks in the UFC.

Griffin wins via TKO stoppage in the first round

Ryan Bader vs Carmelo Marrero
Bader is yet another product of the Arizona wrestling scene. Arizona has been turning out hot prospects in MMA recently including Bader, C.B. Dolloway and Cain Velasquez. I expect Bader to be in top condition and ready for a physical fight. Marrero has always been a favorite of mine, but he has a ceiling and he has reached it. Marrero has surprisingly good submissions and is a large light heavyweight who used to compete at heavyweight.

Even with the submission advantage and the size advantage, I still thing Bader is too powerful and has much more potential. Marrero is a trooper and won't go down easy. Bader might even get in trouble a few times this fight, but he will walk away with a decision victory.

Bader wins by unanimous decision

Carlos Condit vs Martin Kampmann
This is an absolute steal for fight fans. This is definitely a pay-per-view quality fight and I am excited about it. Condit, the dominant WEC welterweight champion, will make his highly anticipated UFC debut against former middleweight Martin Kampmann. Condit is one of the most violent, aggressive fighters in the game and is skilled on the feet and on the ground. Kampmann can, quite simply, kick a tree down.

Condit made a name for himself in the WEC as he defended his championship while tearing through tough opponents such as John Alessio, Brock Larson, Carlo Prater and Hiromitsu Miura. His version of Muay Thai is as explosive as any and his long limbs make him a dangerous submission artist.

Kampmann has fought tough competition of his own, including a win over UFC middleweight No. 1 contender Thales Leites. Kampmann gained a reputation for being a dangerous kickboxer. After a severe knee injury he attempted a comeback against Nate Marquardt but came up short and opted to move down to welterweight.

I would be surprised if this fight hit the ground as I am sure Kampmann will look to use leg kicks while Condit will search for the Thai clinch to throw short elbows and knees. If it does hit the ground, Condit will have the advantage, though Kampmann is better than people realize on the mat. I think Condit lives up to his name of Natural Born Killer and puts Kampmann away with a barrage of knees and elbows in the final round.

Condit wins via TKO stoppage in the third round