WKR Staff Picks UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin

Champ Brock Lesnar vs. Interim Champ Shane Carwin

Nick Becker: Thus far in his brief fighting career, Lesnar hasn't taken many hard shots. A right hand from Couture and a hard knee from Frank Mir have nothing on the kind of power that Carwin will bring to the table. Of course, Lesnar would be foolish to stand and trade with Carwin as one clean shot from him could put down anyone, so I see Lesnar shooting for the takedown early and often. Brock should be able to muscle Carwin down but I don't see him being able to keep him there for extended bouts of time. I'm going to go with Carwin since he'll have ample opportunity to land that one big punch which will end the fight. Carwin by TKO Round 2

Zach Krantz: If Lesnar had not gotten sick prior to this fight my decision would be much clearer. He lost an intense amount of weight and I am far from convinced he has fully recovered or that he recovered in time to have a full training camp. Plus, he definitely got clipped against Couture who hits like this guy compared to Shane. All that being said, I still think Brock is the better wrestler which will decide this fight. Brock via second round finish (ground and pound).

Zak Woods: This is really a battle between good to great wrestler in Brock vs. medium to good wrestler in Shane. In the lightweight division that usually means a kickboxing affair but in the heavier weight classes it usually ends up being a grappling battle, or, as I prefer to call when the heavies grapple an elephant seal battle. If the fight develops in such a manner it favors Lesnar, even with the questions of his cardio due to his illness, but Carwin has similar questions. With all that being said it is important to remember that Randy Couture was able to land an overhand right against Brock. The punch stunned Lesnar and even cut him. If Shane can land a similar punch, and I believe he can with Brock rocking the southpaw stance, then he can win this fight early. Yep, I am going to go against my head and with my gut and pick Shane Carwin via TKO in Round 1.

Don't forget to check out the betting lines.

Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Chris Leben

Zach Krantz: Even if Leben had a full camp I still would not pick him. I credit him for taking the fight (even though this is win/win for him), but Akiyama has the ability to dictate location and he is a much better ground fighter. What scares me is Akiyama's multiple comments about being the face of Asian fighters, pleasing the fans, and his fight against Belcher. If he wants a brawl then Leben can easily take this. However, if he is smart we will see Akiyama take the fight to the mat and dominate.

Nick Becker: Combining Akiyama's year-long layoff with an apparent lack of motivation will equate to Leben pulling off the minor upset. Leben via Split Decision in the Fight of the Night.

Zak Woods: This will end up similar to the Akiyama-Becher fight. Leben will keep pushing forward and Yoshihiro will keep punching him in the face but somehow one judge will think Chris won the fight. Sexyama via unanimous decision.

Chris Lytle vs. Matt Brown

Zak Woods: At least the UFC knows to give us fireworks for the Fourth of July. Too bad Chris Lytle and his fellow fireman are going to show up an put out the backyard fire. Come on guys! What's a better way to celebrate the birth of our nation then by blowing a small part of it up.

Nick Becker: As the Almeida fight proved, Brown still has some major deficiencies on the ground. While Lytle loves to stand and bang, ultimately common sense will prevail. Lytle via Submission Round 2

Zach Krantz: The rematch we have all been clamoring for. Finally, the UFC is listening to the fans and Matt Brown can redeem himself. In all seriousness, this should be a very exciting fight. Lytle has the advantage on the mat, but I do not see it heading there. This will be the slug-fest of the night as Matt Brown gets the upset with a decision victory.

Stephan Bonnar vs. Krystof Soszynski

Zach Krantz: Rematch number two. Bonnar gets his chance to redeem himself after The Polish Sensation won through an accidental headbutt. Soszynski is no world beater, but he is a solid fighter and Bonnar lost to Mark Coleman. Soszynski validates the first victory with another victory on Saturday night.

Nick Becker: Last time we saw these guys fighting, Soszynski was beating the hell out of Bonnar before Stephan mounted a minor comeback in the later part of the fight. The trouble with Bonnar is that he's been a slow starter in his recent bouts and he has also has a tendency to get his ass kicked. "The American Psycho" is notoriously difficult to finish (outside of cuts), therefore I'll say Soszynski by Unanimous Decision

Zak Woods: Wasn't Bonnar winning the last fight before the bleeding hit the fan? Bonnar via unanimous decision.

George Sotiropoulos vs. Kurt Pellegrino

Nick Becker: I'm a big believer in Sotiropoulos although this should be a tough test for him. Sotiropoulos via Unanimous Decision

Zach Krantz: You may not realize it, but the winner instantly becomes a contender in the lightweight division. We will either see Pellegrino's 5th straight win or Sotiropoulos go 6-0 in the UFC. Despite the fact that the MMA transitive property disagrees with me, I cannot go against The Batman. Pellegrino has better jiu-jitsu than Stevenson so he would not be as helpless on the bottom. Another upset from me as Pellegrino gets the better of the wrestling and rides out a UD.

Zak Woods: Kurt Pellegrino gets Sotiropoulos his back and even his sotiropopants can't save him. Pellegrino via unanimous decision.

Brendan Schaub vs. Chris Tuchscherer

Zach Krantz: Um, yea. Schaub might seriously hurt "The Great White Tush."

Nick Becker: Watching Tuchscherer fight is no fun. In a bout that's guaranteed to nullify at least two of my Red Bull Vodkas, I'll go Schaub via Unanimous Decision

Zak Woods: Brendan Schaub bails on the Big-12 to join the Pac-10, wait this is a MMA fight, right?

Seth Petruzelli vs. Ricardo Romero

Nick Becker: The good news for Petruzelli is that he's back in the UFC. The bad news is that he's facing an absolute beast. The word on Romero is that he's a monster and is expected to make waves in the 205 division. Whether he wins or not, at the very least we know that Petruzelli's entrance will be entertaining. Romero via TKO Round 1

Zach Krantz: I just have no idea what to expect from Petruzelli. His last UFC fight was three years ago and his last three opponents are Ryan White (5-5), Chris Baten (5-6), and Kimbo Slice. Romero via submission.

Zak Woods: Seth Petruzelli wins the walkout battle and that's all that anyone will remember.

Goran Reljic vs. Kendall Grove

Zak Woods: Kendall Grove should be the favorite. The guy has all the physical tools to succeed at 185lbs. and has looked better in each fight. However, Grove's recent MO is to jump out to huge lead, look unstoppable then fall apart usually in the form of a TKO loss. Reljic via come from behind TKO Round 2.

Nick Becker: I'll be waiting for the inevitable Grove collapse -- it's so reliable you can practically set your watch by it. Reljic by TKO (of the Night) Round 2.

Zach Krantz: I think (really hope) Reljic bounces back here. He was gone a long time and cage rust is a legitimate reason for his last performance. Here is to hoping he returns to form. Reljic via KO.

Dave Branch vs. Gerald Harris

Nick Becker: Solid matchmaking by Joe Silva here as these two should put on a good show. In a fight that's tough to call, I'll give the edge to Harris based on his experience. Harris by Unanimous Decision

Zach Krantz: I'm guessing Harris uses his wrestling to keep the fight upright. If so we will see a Gerald Harris TKO.

Zak Woods: Gerald Harris wins by TKO in Round 3.

Daniel Roberts vs. Forrest Petz

Nick Becker: I like Roberts to bounce back from his last fight and showcase his slick jiu-jitsu against the inconsistent Petz. Roberts via Submission (of the Night) Round 1

Zach Krantz: Petz has shown some struggles on the mat. Not a good sign against a one dimensional fighter, who is obviously a grappler. Roberts via submission.

Zak Woods: Roberts via submission Round 2.

Jon Madsen vs. Karlos Vemola

Nick Becker: Defeating Justin Wren and Mostapha Al-turk doesn't exactly scream world-beater, but I'll still take Madsen over the guy who trains alongside James Thompson and Marius Zaromskis -- something's definitely not working over there. Madsen via Unanimous Decision.

Zach Krantz: Vemola might be a man beast and a physical freak while Madsen is THE most nonathletic looking heavyweight in the UFC, but Madsen is also a very skilled wrestler. Anyone that can stop his takedowns will dominate him, but I do not see Vemola doing that. Madsen via decision.

Zak Woods: I really can't pick two fighters from TUF 10. Vemola via flying Czech haymaker.

SBN coverage of UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin