UFC 68
Fight Reviews and Predictions
I'm really looking forward to UFC 68. UFC
67 was by far one of the biggest disappointments to me this year but this
next card shows alot of promise. They've got a big money main event with the
return of Randy Couture, Rich Franklin, Matt Hughes and Renato Sobral. This
is great especially since I didn't really see a way they could put together
a big draw match for Sylvia. I love the other matches on the card though and
it should prove to be a really entertaining night.Jason Lambert vs. Renalto Sobral Eh...I hate these type fights. This fight is basically a "tester" to see if Babalu is coming in strong for his return. I feel like they want Rashad Evans to fight him so they're throwing him in there with Lambert. A tough but very beatable guy. I put Sobral at 3 to 1 winning by submission before the end of 2. If he wins look for a matchup between Sobral and Evans. I hope they show the Martin Kampmann vs Drew McFedries fight. It should be good action. Kampmann is a hell of a fighter on his feet but I hope he's improved his conditioning. He ran out in his last fight where he should've finished the guy. That happens here and he could lose to Drew. I imagine some people have gotten hold of him and improved his training for UFC fighting. Kampmann wins this one. Rich Franklin vs. Jason MacDonald Wow I was shocked that Franklin was getting such a tall order for his first fight back. I suppose they feel like it's somewhat safe because MacDonald isn't a Knockout artist but man they're putting Ace in a position where he could get picked off. It's win/win for the UFC regardless of who wins. I'm cheering for MacDonald here and I hope he submits Franklin. If it makes it to decision MacDonald will likely lose a disappointing but close fight. I give Franklin the 3 to 2 edge here due to hometown but wouldn't be shocked in the least if he gets put down. |
Matt Hughes vs. Chris Lytle
This really isn't even fun for me. Unless Lytle has improved alot he's got to get banged out by Hughes. Matt was in the gym the next day after his loss to GSP and he's going to demolish people to get back. 4 to 1 Hughes
Tim Sylvia vs Randy Couture
I really don't know what to think about this matchup. Sylvia has been so damn boring lately he really looks beatable. Arlovski looked like garbage in their last fight so beating him wasn't that impressive to me. Then the boring "don't lose" fight with Jeff Monson. To keep it on the feet with a short reach/height fighter like Monson and not knock the guy out is really like a loss. Couture is returning to fight Sylvia? Kinda strange but ok. I give Sylvia a big advantage on all these aspects with no outside knowledge on how each guy is training or approaching this fight. I wouldn't bet on this fight with all the unknowns.
Whats the deal with Matt Hamill? He isn't any good and obviously doesn't take any advice from his training partners/coaches since he still fights horrible on his feet.
Update 3/5/2007
I have to say I was speechless on the performance of Randy Couture. Chris Lytle put on a better performance than I thought he would while Mac Donald disappointed. Lambert improved a ton over his last couple of fights. I couldn't believe Kampmann submitted that guy! The entire fight card was off what I thought would happen which to me is great. The UFC competition level is picking up and guys are getting much more creative. Great card.
This really isn't even fun for me. Unless Lytle has improved alot he's got to get banged out by Hughes. Matt was in the gym the next day after his loss to GSP and he's going to demolish people to get back. 4 to 1 Hughes
Tim Sylvia vs Randy Couture
I really don't know what to think about this matchup. Sylvia has been so damn boring lately he really looks beatable. Arlovski looked like garbage in their last fight so beating him wasn't that impressive to me. Then the boring "don't lose" fight with Jeff Monson. To keep it on the feet with a short reach/height fighter like Monson and not knock the guy out is really like a loss. Couture is returning to fight Sylvia? Kinda strange but ok. I give Sylvia a big advantage on all these aspects with no outside knowledge on how each guy is training or approaching this fight. I wouldn't bet on this fight with all the unknowns.
Whats the deal with Matt Hamill? He isn't any good and obviously doesn't take any advice from his training partners/coaches since he still fights horrible on his feet.
Update 3/5/2007
I have to say I was speechless on the performance of Randy Couture. Chris Lytle put on a better performance than I thought he would while Mac Donald disappointed. Lambert improved a ton over his last couple of fights. I couldn't believe Kampmann submitted that guy! The entire fight card was off what I thought would happen which to me is great. The UFC competition level is picking up and guys are getting much more creative. Great card.