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Posted 08/09/2008 at 02:42 AM
Since we are not offering mixed martial arts pick on our website even though I have been supplying them for quite awhile, I figure on releasing my UFC 87: Seek and Destroy selections for free. Good luck with your selections.
GEORGES ST. PIERRE -300
St. Pierre is an incredibly well-rounded fighter, and has dominated the past couple of wrestlers he has faced. The French Canadian took noted wrestlers Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck to the ground en route to victories, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Matt Serra before recording a second-round TKO.
Fitch is a grinder, not overly impressive in any area but he wins. The former Purdue wrestler started that program as a walk on and worked his way up to team captain by his senior year. Nobody outworks Fitch, who has tied Royce Gracie for the most consecutive victories in the UFC at eight. However, he doesn't have the all-around game or athleticism to topple St. Pierre. This marks Fitch's first championship fight, and I think GSP wins by TKO via strikes in the third round.
BROCK LESNAR -200
Lesnar makes just his second start inside the octagon after falling to Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Frank Mir. That was the worst possible matchup for the former NCAA wrestling champion. Lesnar was the 'heel' in that matchup, taking on a Vegas local, but he will have the hometown support in Minnesota. Lesnar actually has to cut weight down to 265 to make the UFC heavyweight division, and is incredibly skilled and agile for his size.
Herring's lone advantage in this contest is his experience, fighting bigger names than Lesnar so he won't be intimidated. However, I expect quick work in this contest since Herring's takedown defense leaves much to be desired. Lesnar isn't very technical, but wins with overpowering force. Expect this fight to go to the ground rather quickly, with Lesnar prevailing by ground and pound midway through the first round.
KENNY FLORIAN -140
Florian has fought tougher fighters on bigger stages, and is a more technical fighter. Florian fought for the title and lost to Sean Sherk, but he did bloody him up with a vicious elbow from his back. Florian remains a major player in the lightweight division due to his jiu-jitsu.
Roger Huerta has remained undefeated in the octagon, but his first five fights were against opponents making their UFC debut. Huerta did beat Clay Guida his last fight with a comeback victory, but Florian is a much better fighter. Expect to see plenty of action that is typical of this division, but Florian recording a split-decision victory.
JASON MACDONALD +220
What kind of free selections would this be taking all 'chalk?' This play is actually one of my biggest of the evening, MacDonald is an incredibly athletic middleweight fighter that has only lost to former champion Rich Franklin and Yushin Okami. Both of those fighters are huge for this division, but he has dominated everyone else he has faced in the UFC. He is a well-rounded fighter that is in the upper echelon of this division.
Brazilian Demian Maia has incredible jiu-jitsu, but he isn't very well rounded. He will have to get this fight to the ground somehow, but MacDonald is adept at keeping fights standing. I see this contest breaking down very similar to the Patrick Cote-Ricardo Almeida matchup where it is a striker vs. a ground guy. MacDonald wins this fight standing up, while Maia wins on the ground. Expect to see a chess matchup, but there is too much value here not to select MacDonald.
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