On a weekend filled with highly anticipated MMA action (Strikeforce Challengers on Friday night, and a new season of Bellator on Saturday Night), Sunday night’s UFC on Versus 4 show looks to be the “Main Event” everyone is talking about.
And who can blame them?
On paper, this card is stacked with what should be an outstanding night of evenly matched bouts. Not to mention that the entertainment factor that most of the show’s fighters bring to the Octagon is rarely unmatched.
Let’s face it. Matt “Meathead” Mitrione (love him or hate him) is worth the effort of tuning in alone. Pat Barry and Cheick Kongo should prove to be a slugfest. Matt Brown and John Howard, both possibly fighting for their jobs, are never in a dull fight. The Main Event, featuring Nate Marquardt (in his Welterweight debut) and Rick Story (fighting on less than a month’s notice), could put the winner in line for a future shot at the Welterweight Title.
I must also mention that this is the UFC’s first venture in to Pittsburgh, PA. “The Steel City”, a place I have grown affectionate of since marrying into a Western Pennsylvania based family, has been waiting a long time for a major MMA show to emanate from its sports-rich venues. I only hope that this event proves to be a huge success for both the UFC and the Pittsburgh area, so that a bigger, more high-profile event may return in the future.
Now, onto the Roundtable!
Joining us this week is a “Who’s Who” of MMA fans and columnists:
Stephen Schlegel – MMA Writer for UltimateSportstalk.com, and all-around Sports Nut.
Brian Willy – Owner/Operator of Effingham Computer Services, and inspiration for the “Kung-Fu Panda” movies.
Joshua Heizer – MMA Senior Editor at UltimateSportsTalk.com, and (alleged) stalker of Ariel Helwani.
Frank Kline – Sports Junkie and appliance expert that would rather be fishing with his girls.
Greg Mitchell – Owner/Operator of UltimateSportsTalk.com. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t be reading this article on this site.
Larry Cassano, III – Boxing Columnist at UltimateSportsTalk.com, and Host of the #1 Rated, Highly Underappreciated, and GREATEST SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF INTERNET RADIO*, The Ultimate Fight Show.
Chris Bragg – Me, Myself, and I. I put these Roundtable Previews together, try to make friends with MMA fighters and Pro Wrestlers on Twitter @SavWrestlingMMA), and Co-Host the #1 Rated, Highly Underappreciated, and GREATEST SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF INTERNET RADIO*, The Ultimate Fight Show.
*The claims made above about The Ultimate Fight Show do indeed represent the thoughts and opinions of UltmateSportsTalk.com, the participants of this Roundtable Preview, and the rest of the free World.
Now, on to the picks…
Matt Mitrione vs. Christian Morecraft
Stephen – Matt Mitrione via 2nd Round TKO
Brian – Mitrione by Decision
Joshua – Mitrione by KO in Round 1
Frank – Mitrione by KO
Greg – Matt Mitrione
Larry – Matt Mitrione
Chris – I love “Meathead” and think he wins this by TKO in Round 2.
Matt Brown vs. John Howard
Stephen – Matt Brown via Unanimous Decision
Brian – Brown by KO
Joshua – Howard by Round 2 Submission
Frank – Brown by Decision
Greg – Matt Brown
Larry – Matt Brown
Chris – The loser of this fight will likely be cut right out of the UFC. I think Matt Brown survives to fight another day, via Unanimous Decision.
Pat Barry vs. Cheick Kongo
Stephen – Kongo via 2nd Round TKO
Brian – Pat Barry by TapouT
Joshua – Barry by Decision
Frank – Barry wins by KO. He will cut Congo down with his leg kicks, and finish it with his hands.
Greg – Cheick Kongo
Larry – Pat Barry
Chris – I really hope Pat Barry wins this by KO. He should use his awesome kicks to the legs and the body to set up a vicious flurry of shots to Kongo’s head. Round 1 would be nice.
MAIN EVENT Nate Marquardt vs. Rick Story
Stephen – Marquardt via Unanimous Decision
Brian – Rick Story wins by Decision
Joshua – Marquardt by Decision
Frank – Rick Story by Decision
Greg – Nate “The Great” Marquardt
Larry – Rick Story
Chris – This is an important fight for Nate Marquardt. After an underachieving run at Middleweight, he drops down to try and rejuvenate his worth in the UFC. If he fails, he could be in trouble. Rick Story, coming off a Unanimous Decision Victory over Thiago Alves just four weeks ago, shouldn’t feel as much pressure. I feel like Marquardt will grind out a Decision Win in what should be a great battle.
To recap, let’s take a look at the favorites:
Matt Mitrione 7-0
Matt Brown 6-1
Pat Barry 5-2
Nate Marquardt 4-3
Well, those are our picks for UFC on Versus 4. What are yours?
Please leave your comments below, contact me directly through Twitter (@SavWrestlingMMA), or send me an email.
Also, be sure you catch The Ultimate Fight Show this (and every) Saturday at Noon ET, as Larry and I will further break down this card, look back at last weekend’s Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, update you on the always crazy world of Boxing, and take your calls about whatever is on your mind. You can also follow the show on Twitter (@TheUltFightShow) and LIKE us on Facebook.
Have a great weekend!
UPDATE : Marquardt was not cleared for Sunday’s bout, Brenneman will fill in as a replacement. I am guessing that this will also change everyone’s pick for the fight to Rick Story. Although Brenneman has won 8 of his last 9 fights, Story will be a big step up in competition for the young Pennsylvanian fighter. This is undoubtably a chance for Brenneman to make a name for himself in the UFC and to win over some fan support in front of a local crowd. Check back in with us for a complete post fight recap.
yep, Nate’s out. Diminishes the card a little IMO, but I guess I was just completely amped for that fight. Brenneman is no slouch, but yeah, I got Story controlling the entire fight, stopping him late 2nd or early 3rd.
I love watching Meathead fight, but don’t sleep on Morecraft. I think CM is a future top 5 or 6 in the division. Morecraft by dec.
Brown by RNC in a fast paced FOTN battle.
Already posted in another post how I see PB v. CK going. Kongo dec.
Well Said J Burch, but I think Morecraft is going down, allowing Meathead a shot at the top tier Heavies. While I am only speculating, the release of Nate the Great has to have more behind it than a cut or an injury, doesnt it? Do we have a Tommy Morrison situation? Or perhaps a Barry Bonds issue? It could also just be Dana in one of his moods, but I think something is amiss.
Check back for more on this!
I wish to voice my appreciation for your generosity supporting those people that really want help with that matter. Your special commitment to passing the solution all around has been extraordinarily helpful and has usually enabled men and women like me to reach their aims. Your own useful instruction can mean a whole lot to me and additionally to my mates. Warm regards; from everyone of us.
Hi would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California, and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California’s expansive Central Valley. With a 2009 estimated population of 489,676, it is the sixth-largest city in California.[1] Sacramento is the core cultural and economic center of the Sacramento metropolitan area which includes seven counties; with an estimated population of 2,927,123.[2] Its metropolitan area is the fourth largest in California after the Greater Los Angeles Area, San Francisco Bay Area, and the San Diego metropolitan area as well as the 25th largest in the United States. A city attaining global status, Sacramento was cited by Time magazine as America’s most ethnically and racially integrated city in 2002
Awesome post. I just found your weblog and wanted to say that I have very much enjoyed browsing your blog posts. Thanks
Great subject – thanks, it’s no wonder I lose hours a week browsing stuff on the web, I’m just about to take a look around the rest of your site – thanks.
Very nice post, I surely love this site, keep it up.
Good article in addition to simple to help understand explanation. How do When i try obtaining permission to help publish part on the article around my approaching e-newsletter? Giving correct credit ratings to your account this author in addition to link towards webpage would not become a dilemma.