UFC 105 Monday Morning Pick Roast

What happens to all those bad pick segments?

This is a question that has been bugging WKR for some time. Writers and pundits often make horrible predictions yet no one holds them accountable (except for our readers, of course). The bloated size of the Internet often allows us to hide our mistakes behind the ether of electrons and photons, but not here at WKR.

We are introducing a new feature we are calling Monday Morning Pick Roast where we will recap our major event Picks Segment FJM-style. Our observant readers will notice that our first edition is already a day late which we wouldn't have any other way. But the point of this feature is to allow our readers to see our horrible mistakes in bold helvetica font.

SBN coverage of UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera

First up in the roast machine is Nick Becker,

"The Natural" knows that a title shot is just over the horizon if he can beat Vera in convincing fashion.  Couture via TKO Round 2.

Somehow, I don't think hugging Vera for three rounds and getting a gift decision qualifies as ‘convincing fashion.'  Despite this obvious fact, the UFC hype machine will show utter contempt for the laws of physics and somehow spin Couture's win in that direction.

Both guys will be looking to make a statement that they can be competitive against the monolithic GSP.  Hardy by Split Decision in the Fight of the Night.

Did I really say that both men will look to make a statement that they can be competitive against GSP?  On their best day, in a handicap match, with steel chairs involved, and Mr. Fuji as their manager throwing salt in GSP's eyes, they would still get destroyed. 

Although Kang's a talented fighter who can beat most middleweights on any given day, I expect him to continue his inconsistent streak. Bisping by Unanimous Decision.

You have to give it to Denis Kang.  He can find a way to lose a fight he's winning better than anyone in the game. Even though it's nothing to be proud of, it's still a skill.

I see Wilks having a difficult time dealing with the ferocity that Brown brings into the cage and eventually wilting against the pressure.  Brown by TKO in Round 2.

I knew Luke Thomas Matt Brown would pull this out.  I just got the round wrong, that's all.

I see Riley's experience being the deciding factor.  Riley via Unanimous Decision.

Experience is overrated.  Just ask Denis Kang.

I think Etim's technique is a bit better than Gugerty's and his submission skills should win out in a battle that I believe will produce the Submission of the Night.  Etim via Submission (of the Night) Round 2.

Hot Diggity!  I got one right!!  I better call my mom, she'll be so proud!!!

I believe Hamman will fold if Gustafsson puts a ton of pressure on him in the early-goings.  If Hamman survives the opening round, I think he'll ultimately earn a decision victory.  Hamman via Unanimous Decision.

Damn, I had a feeling Hamman would do his best Origami impression.  Can I get half a gold star for being partially correct?

Delgado probably possesses the stronger overall skills so I'll go with Delgado by TKO Round 3.

I figured since Delgado was good enough to earn his black belt in a week, he'd have no trouble dealing with Winner.  Despite this minor setback, I'm sure Delgado will be back on track for a title shot in no time.  My early prediction:  He submits BJ Penn with a flying gogoplata in the first round.

Now it's time to move north of the border and deal with that damn Canadian, E. Spencer Kyte,

I can't stick with one decision on this fight for the life of me. On one hand, Couture is older than dirt and has showed signs of slowing down, but am I really going to let myself pick Brandon Vera? That being said, he looked crisp against Soszynski and has the tools to beat Couture just about anywhere this fight goes, but he's had those same tools in some of his less-than-memorable performances too. Dammit! Head over heart on this one - Vera by Unanimous Decision.

Honestly, I still stand by this, even after watching the fight and hearing the decision. I was thinking split for somebody, and can understand where Couture gets the win... but I also can see how Brandon Vera is more than a little upset with that decision.


I don't particularly like Mike Swick, though I have no real reason as to why. He's just not a fighter I have a lot of interest in. Maybe it's because the game plan is 100% the same each time and he normally executes it pretty well against a guy he should execute pretty well against. Seriously, this guy is stumping for a title shot based on his resume of wins over Gideon Ray, David Loiseau, Josh Burkman and Jonathan "Dinka Donka Dinka Donka Your Phone is Ringing" Goulet? But then again, Dan Hardy could beat you at a game of Pacman and he'd tell you that's enough for him to get a title shot. Both beat Marcus Davis, both have good hands and both are talking some trash. Close call, but gimme the guy with the mohawk in an upset. Hardy by TKO Round 1.

Certainly didn't end as quickly as I expected, but Hardy looked good the whole time, out quicking Mike "Quick" Swick. That being said, enjoy the ass whoopin' from GSP.


Honestly, I have a Michael Bisping voodoo doll that I've been doing bad things to all week, that's how much I want him to lose this fight. He's just too mouthy and lippy for a guy whose greatest accomplishment is beating Chris goddamn Leben. He may not be scared of any aspect of Denis Kang's game, but he said the same thing about Dan Henderson before Hendo slapped the taste out of his mouth at UFC 100. Even if he wasn't fighting a Canadian, I would be picking against Bisping. The fact that he's fighting a guy born on the same tiny island as my grandmother who has a world of talents? Icing... Denis Kang via Submission Round 2.

FML! When Kang floored him in the first round I was on cloud nine. Less than five minutes later, I was in hell, listening to Joe Rogan say THAT was the fight of Michael Bisping's career. If that's the case, his career really sucks balls because he got effin' tagged in the first round! Regardless, I was wrong and if Bisping continues to improve his jiu jitsu (the defense looked good) and show that killer instinct from Round 2, he'll be in line to get dropped to a top tier middleweight again in about a year or so.


Did you know Matt Brown got his nickname by surviving a heroin overdose? Wikipedia may not be the most trusted site in the world (understated for comedic purposes) but it's sure full of potentially interesting information that may or may not have any validity! As for the fight, it could honestly go either way in my eyes and I probably won't know who I think is going to win until about three minutes before the fight, so for right now, I'll arbitrarily take Wilks via Submission Round 2.

This is why I was so non-committal about things... Brown looked solid and that flying knee was awesome. I can't fault Wilks for never fully recovering from it, though the third round kimura attempt was nice. Strong showing for "The Immortal," good showing for Wilks... nothing bad came from this.


Look - Ross Pearson could come out and become a superstar at 155 and I would owe him a massive apology. That being said, nothing he did on TUF 9 overly impressed me and Aaron Riley is tough as they come. You're sure as shit not going to knock him out and if you think anything Ross Pearson can bring to the table hasn't already been thrown at Riley over his 40 pro fights and training with Team Jackson, you're mistaken. This is a bad homecoming present from Joe Silva and the UFC for Ross Pearson. Riley by Unanimous Decision.

Dear Ross,

Really sorry I gave you no chance against Aaron Riley. Thanks for proving me to be an idiot. You looked super and have completely changed my opinion of you in one fight. That's how good you looked.

Technically sound, great clinch and that jumping knee was massive. I'm now officially on your bandwagon...

Once again, sorry about the lack of faith...

All the best,

Finally it is time for our fearless leader, Zak Woods,

Yesterday, I was watching Fox Fight Game and I was told by the new editor of the UFC Magazine that this would be a great and interesting fight. I am sorry to have to disagree with that lunacy but when was the last time Brendon Vera was in a good fight? It was 2006, three years ago!

Does the Couture fight count as a good fight?

Since then Vera has looked out of place every time he steps into the cage. I know this next comment might get me labeled as a heretic but Couture looked old when he fought Nogueira. Yes, it was entertaining but the fight was in old people slow motion. Vera vs. Couture will be a dirty boxing clinch-fest with Couture being the aggressor, which will earn him the split decision victory.

I think I was almost 100% right with that prediction. That is worthy of a Keanu Reevs, "Whoa!"

I am nowhere near as excited for this fight as Nick is. In my mind it will closer to the trench warfare of WWI then some super high-tech, bad ass WWIII (I have been playing a lot of Modern Warfare II, give me a break).

You are addicted Zak! Check into a fucking rehab clinic.

I think Swick will want to secure a win and as a result will take the fight to the ground and grind out a decision. Swick via Unanimous Decision.

Yeah, about that whole "British fighter's can't wrestle" concept. It might not be true...

Right now on WKR there is very little faith in James Wilks. Readers are picking against the TUF 9 winner by more than two to one. Would the UFC really sacrifice both of their U.K. TUF winners right off the bat? I don't think so. Wilks via Submission Round 1.

Never doubt the readers.

Do I believe in Ross Pearson? If you listened to Cage Cast then you know I have as much faith in Pearson's abilities as I have in Michael Bay's directorial skills. Aaron Riley is a scrappy journeyman fighter who won't shit the bed in the middle of the fight, like Andre Winner did. Aaron Riley by Unanimous Decision.

My apology is in the mail.