UFC Fight Night : Manchester -The only pics that matter.

Post date: 25-Oct-2013 13:35:02

Catch all our UFC Fight Night : Manchester coverage live from the areana Sat the 25th.

Brad Scott (23/10) v Michael Kuiper (1/3) – unlike most curtain jerkers on Facebook, many of you reading this article may well recognise these names. Brad Scott was a finalist on TUF: The Smashes, dominating overmatched Australians with his size and grappling en route to the final, where he lost a fairly one sided decision to Robert Whittaker. Kuiper is a three fight UFC veteran, having been in there with the likes of “Sapo” Natal and Tom Lawlor. You may remember him from his absolute war with Jared Hamman, where he emerged victorious. I think the difference here is that Scott looked OK on TUF, whereas Kuiper has looked OK in the UFC, so I’ll pick the Dutch judoka to just edge it in this Middleweight bout. Kuiper by Decision

Jimy Hettes (1/4) v Robert Whiteford (3/1) – it is even rarer that the 2nd fight of a card is far and away the one with the most interest from our readers. If you’re reading this article, and our site, then you know everything about this one already. Hettes is no pushover, having mauled veterans Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia, but if he can’t get the takedown, as we saw in the Brimage fight, he is gunshy. Hettes has excellent judo and his submission game is world class, but look for Rab to use his own judo to keep it on the feet and dominate in the striking department. Whiteford by T/KO

Cole Miller (4/9) v Andy Ogle (13/8) – even though most Scottish fans will be too busy celebrating to pay attention to this one, you’d do well not to miss this one. Ogle is coming off a good decision win over Josh Grispi where he showed great wrestling and submission defence, the submission defence in particular will be key in this one. Miller’s length means his submission attack will always be dangerous, but he is borderline skeletal at featherweight, and I do think Ogle will be able to muscle Miller to the ground. The question is whether Miller will get the sub. I think Ogle may get in a few sticky spots on the ground, but I like the Geordie to survive them, maintain top position throughout the course of the fight and pull off the upset, keeping the British fans smiling. Ogle by Decision

Rosi Sexton (8/11) v Jessica Andrade (11/10) – the first female UFC fight to take place in the UK pits a veteran and the face of female MMA in the UK against a Brazillian rising star. Both fighters lost their UFC debut earlier in the year against top 5 level competition, and both will see this as an opportunity to make their mark. The story of TUF this year has been new, young, fresh female fighters dethroning the veterans of the sport, but I see this fight bucking that trend. Sexton showed in her last fight that she is incredibly difficult to stop. Andrade looked good early in her last fight before fading. Andrade may have a good first round, but I like Sexton’s cardio and experience edge to guide her successfully through the later rounds. Sexton by Decision

Andrew Craig (8/15) v Luke Barnatt (11/8) – unfortunately, I see the run of British wins coming to a halt in this one. Fans will recognise Barnatt as a member of Team Sonnen on TUF 17, indeed uncle Chael will be cornering the 6”6 middleweight, but I don’t think even Chael’s presence will be enough. Craig has some pretty impressive UFC wins over the likes of Chris Leben and “Sapo” Natal, and I think the speed of his striking, and his wrestling if he needs it, will be too much for Barnatt. Craig by T/KO

Al Iaquinta (4/6) v Piotr Hallman (6/5) – first fight of the night to not feature a Brit. Hallman had an amazing UFC debut, taking a big beating, before coming back to submit a Brazillian in Brazil – no mean feat. However, before his opponent gassed, he looked in pretty big trouble. Iaquinta is a solid all-rounder coming off a demolition of Ryan Couture. I think Iaquinta can expose Hallman’s striking issues, whilst not getting too reckless, chasing the finish and gassing himself out. I think Iaquinta will be able to keep this one on the feet and pick his shots. I hope I’m wrong though as Hallman’s debut was such a display of heart. Iaquinta by Decision

John Lineker (2/7) v Phil Harris (11/4) – the question here is if Lineker will miss weight or not. Especially being in a new country. If he does, that would be three times he’s missed the flyweight mark, and a move to bantamweight would surely be inevitable. The reason the UFC has been lenient on Lineker is the fact that he is the most entertaining fighter in the division, with arguably the heaviest hands. He’ll throw these hands here and he’ll land, unfortunately. Lineker by T/KO

Alessio Sakara (1/2) v Nicolas Musoke (6/4) – I didn’t even realise Sakara was still in the UFC. The Italian, who is riding a three fight losing streak, is definitely drinking in the last chance saloon. Musoke will be familiar to Scottish fans – he actually won the On Top 2 Welterweight tournament, defeating Steven Ray in the final. This fight is at middleweight, so Musoke, as a natural welterweight, will be at a size disadvantage, and is fighting on short notice. However, this is just the way it seems to be if European fighters want in the UFC, they have to do things like this. I’m actually gonna pick Musoke for the upset here. I don’t know that much about him, but I know Sakara is on the way down, and picking a declining fighter is not the way. Musoke by Decision

Norman Parke (8/15) v Jon Tuck (11/8) – this is an interesting one stylistically. Parke, the winner of TUF: The Smashes has done well do far in his UFC career by using his takedowns and maintaining top position. Tuck is however a former Jiu Jitsu world champion, so Parke may not wish to test his ground skills with the American. However, Tuck could not finish Tiequan Zhang, so he is no world beater. I like Parke to keep it on the feet and use his relatively good striking to control the fight. Parke by Decision

Jimi Manuwa (1/2) v Ryan Jimmo (6/4) – it’s a UK UFC event, so of course Jimi Manuwa is fighting! Manuwa is clearly a devastating striker, with his last two opponents both failing to answer the bell to come out for the next round. However, Jimmo is no slouch on the feet, having displayed good power especially in a 7 second KO of Anthony Perosh. Also, Jimmo has a history of using stifling wrestling to win decisions and I think we see that here. Manuwa may have dominated Kyle Kingsbury, but Kingsbury still got some takedowns. It’s obviously possible that Manuwa lands early and finishes Jimmo, but I don’t see it. I see Jimmo using his wrestling to wear out the British striker and dominating on top. Jimmo by Decision

Melvin Guillard (8/11) v Ross Pearson (11/10) – horrible style match up for Pearson here. Guillard loses to more powerful strikers, or crafty submission artists. Pearson is neither. I think Guillard lands early and finishes this one pretty quickly. Pearson may have a chance if it goes to the later rounds, but I just don’t see it. Guillard by T/KO

Lyoto Machida (2/7) v Mark Munoz (11/4) – probably the easiest fight on the card to call. Munoz will be unable to take Machida down – I think it’s actually more likely that Machida takes Munoz down. Munoz’s wrestling is a trifle over rated. As you all know, if Munoz can’t get it to the ground, it’s a bad night. I think we see something similar to Machida’s victory over Ryan Bader. Machida by T/KO

Betting

Easy this week.

Look at the price next to Robert Whiteford’s name. Go and put money on him. Now.

As regards an acca for a bit of fun;

Kuiper, Whiteford, Ogle, Craig, Parke, Guillard, Lineker, Jimmo and Machida all to win pays out at 234/1

Hey, if a Scot can make it to the UFC, anything is possible!!

Disagree with my picks. Or even agree with them? Let me know @JimboJitsuSBG @mma_show