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.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
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