UFC 117 WKR Community Picks (that means you too)

Everyone say hi to Kaleb aka kyfm621. Nick asked him to make some picks and he was nice enough to oblige. Jump on in and share your picks. Also make sure to check out DM's pick'em pool. DO IT!

Middleweight Championship: Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen

David St. Martin- Much like a teaser trailer for a Transformers movie, I find myself getting more into this fight. I know it will probably be awful, but I just can't help myself. They've sucked me in. I think Silva takes this pretty handily, I just hope it's at least a battle. Silva via TKO, Round 3

Nick Becker- As strong as Chael's "MMA wrestling" is (Mark Munoz take note), he'll have to eat some shots on way in if he wants to take Silva down. Sonnen's biggest problem is that "The Spider's" too rangy and will pepper him with enough hard shots to make Chael hesitant about closing the distance. I see the end coming with Silva landing a perfectly-timed knee to the head of the shooting Sonnen, before pouncing and finishing him on the ground. One caveat: Sonnen has practically made a career out of defeating opponents no one thinks he'll beat, so I wouldn't be surprised if he somehow managed to win a decision. Just covering my bases, you know? That said, Silva by TKO, Round 2

BL- I really feel sorry for Chael Sonnen. He's going to get destroyed. Remember the episode of South Park where Cartman had to fight Wendy and he talked all that shit, but was secretly praying for it to be cancelled? That's what this fight is like to me. I almost never say I guarantee a win, but I guarantee Silva wins here. It's not a matter of if; it's a matter of when. Ideally, Silva comes out and acts just like he did against Maia, pissing off Dana White and the fans for a couple of rounds, before coming out in the 3rd and finishing Chael. At the end of the South Park episode, Cartman's big mouth got his ass whipped. In this fight, Chael has written a big check on insufficient funds and Anderson's come to collect. Silva via TKO, Round 1

Subo- Sonnen's trash talk has me smelling upset, but the woman I went to Blackhawk with to play poker on Wednesday had me smelling pussy, and that didn't happen, either. Is it possible? Sure. Sonnen's wrestling looks all the more dominant after the performance Okami put on against Munoz - Okami is probably the second best wrestler in that division, and Chael took him to school. I'm simply not going to pick against a guy that's 11-0 in the UFC until he loses one. Anderson Silva by 46-45 decision (loses a point every round 2-5 due to inactivity and wins anyway).

Kaleb- I think it's safe to say at some point, Silva will be on his back in this fight. There, he won't be dancing, won't be feinting, none of that. I'll go as far to say, Sonnen might even be better served to take him against the cage and stall, because if this hits the mat, Silva will be engaging with his Nogueira black belt, which is in fact, NOT like a toy in a happy meal. Sonnen's biggest weakness plays into one of Silva's strengths, and Chael's going to be taking this to the floor. It's put up or shut up for Sonnen, and even when he loses, we know he's not gonna shut up. Silva by Submission, Round 2

Welterweight bout: Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves

David St. Martin- I gotta go with Fitch here. Alves is always dangerous, but he's freaking me out with all of his issues. Long layoff, fighting a top three welterweight, with trouble with cutting the weight, and brain surgery. Good lord. Fitch via decision

Nick Becker- Alves has improved much more than Fitch since the last time they met. Fitch is the better wrestler. Alves is coming off a long layoff. Yadda yadda yadda. The bottom line is that Jon Fitch is long overdue for a finish. Too bad it'll be him on the receiving end. Alves via KO (of the Night), Round 1

BL- Jon Fitch fights like, well, he fights like that sort of geeky chick in high school that liked you and asked you out and you said no. Then next week she asks you out again and you said no again. Week after week of rejection, you finally gave in and went out with her. That is Jon Fitch's fighting style. Alves, on the other hand, is the curvy hot chick whose style you totally dig. However, she has a problem with weight. Ok, this analogy has fallen apart. Thiago is, IMO, a better fighter than Fitch. Pay no attention to the fight from 4 years ago. Alves, DEC

Subo - First, go find the deodorant code that gives you access to the horrible, terrible, no good, very bad UFC Vault for a couple of months. Then, go through the arduous process (I believe there are three riddles) of finding the first Fitch/Alves fight. Watch it. You've just traveled into the future! I see absolutely no reason that Fitch doesn't Fitch his way to another Fitchcision (although I'd be more than happy to watch GSP/Fitch II, and if Kos wins, well won't THAT be a fun shitstorm). Fitch via you already know

Kaleb- Fitch was able to do his thing against Alves the first time they fought, but this time around, I'm thinking it's not gonna happen. If Kos had trouble getting Alves down, whats Fitch gonna do? I actually think it'll be a very similar fight, except, how about a finish for Alves? Alves by KO, Round 2

Lightweight bout: Clay Guida vs. Rafael dos Anjos

David St. Martin- I really like this fight. I got a chance to see RDA fight in person in January and was very impressed with his win over Kyle Bradley. His arm bar over Terry Etim is what really got him some attention. All that said, I can't pick against Clay Guida here. I could be wrong, and Guida has been submitted six times in his career, but I think he takes this one. Guida via decision

Nick Becker- It's somewhat surprising to me that so many people are giving dos Anjos a chance in this fight. Guida may have suffered some tough losses recently but those were to guys who were ranked top five in their division. Rafael dos Anjos may threaten with a submission here or a submission there, but ultimately Clay "The Energizer Bunny" Guida will take this in his usual manner. Guida via Unanimous Decision in the Fight of the Night

BL- Clay Guida will win by decision. You pretty much can type that every fight he's in. Clay Guida, DEC

Subo - Love Clay Guida. Love, love, love him. Still think he won the Sanchez fight. This is just a terrible match up for him, unless of course he uses his wrestling in reverse (he won't) and keep it standing (he won't). Spending 15 minutes in Rafael's wheel house is bad for your healh. Dos Anjos by something pretty

Kaleb- If anything is certain on this card, it's that Clay Guida will not finish two fights in a row. If you saw Dos Anjos vs. Tyson Griffin you've already watched this fight. Guida by Decision

Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida

David St. Martin- Sadly, I think we are witnessing the last, fateful days of Mr. Matt Hughes. While I'd be content to watch him ride off into the sunset, the UFC isn't quite done squeezing the rag. Almeida looked pretty damn good against Matt Brown, and should be able to use his size to overpower Hughes. Add in whatever incentive he gets from the imaginary war between Hughes and the Gracies, and you've got ten or so people who care about this fight. Almeida via TKO, Round 2

Nick Becker- The Greatest Welterweight of All Time has put together a nice two-fight winning streak and with a victory here, looks to have earned another title shot. Hahaha, I keed, I keed. Ok seriously, yikes, this fight has the potential to be so boring that it might have Raiders fans in attendance wishing that they were watching a loop of JaMarcus Russell's highlight-reel (all five minutes of it) instead. Everyone knows that Hughes' time is done, although I suspect he still has enough to squeak by Almeida. Hughes via Split Decision in the Snoozer of the Night

BL- Matt Hughes looks like Barney Rubble. Almeida just looks weird. Matt is a world-class wrestler. Almeida is a world class BJJ player. Matt Hughes is old. If Matt can get Ricardo to the ground, can he control him and defend the submission attempts? Ultimately, I think not. I think he gets swept and subbed. Almeida, SUB, r2 (by the way, I hate predicting submissions. Actually I hate predictions all together unless there's money involved)

Subo - Another fight that I'm tempted to go the other way on but can't bring myself to do. Matt Serra, despite all the hate, is a legitimate 170 contender, and Hughes did finish (albeit belatedly, nature had already done the job) Renzo Gracie in Abu Dhabi. It's just that Almeida is so damn good off of his back and has a size that Matt could have trouble with. Picking against Almeida here would probably be like betting against one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fighting a guy that beat Splinter. Na ganna dah it. Almeida by sub (armbar), round two.

Kaleb- Matt Hughes has a had a good, long career in the sport, and hasn't taken a ton of punishment (poor Chuck), that being said, he's not going to be a champ, or headline anymore PPV's. Almeida is likely the last real challenge of Hughes career, and I think "Big Dog" might prove to be just a little too much for the former champ. Almeida by Decision.

Heavyweight bout: Roy Nelson vs. Junior dos Santos

David St. Martin- I generally pick my fighters by mullet length. That puts Roy in my good graces. I like JDS, but I'm not sold on his boxing (really). The way he drops his lead hand and opens combos to the body, leaving himself open, scares me. He even made a point to say he was going to attack the belly! JDS is 6'4, four inches taller then Nelson. If he keeps level changing and goes after the body, he's going to give Roy the shot he needs. I don't know why, probably because I'm a moron, but I'm picking Nelson. Nelson via submission round 2

Nick Becker- Standing and trading with JDS would be incredibly foolish on Nelson's part, and while he doesn't quite strike me as totally retarded, antagonizing Dana White during TUF 10 wasn't exactly a stroke of genius. Junior dos Santos by TKO, Round 2

BL- I want Roy Nelson to win. I even put money on him. I want to see this fat guy go against Brock Lesnar. It'll be like a Bowflex before and after picture. I want to see "marketing genius" put an effort into selling Roy Nelson. I like the guy. I also hate bandwagoners. And JDS has a lot of people on his bandwagon lately. Considering we haven't seen him beat a top ten fighter in 2 years, I don't know if the hype is warranted. And just because Werdum beat Fedor and JDS beat Werdum, doesn't mean that win is any more valuable than what it was then. That said. JDS, TKO r2

Subo - See, this is what sucks about really well matched, competitive cards - it's hard to bet the damn things. Yes, Cigano is being hailed as the Jon Jones (the love child of Allah and Jesus and forged by Thor's hammer, if you haven't heard) of the heavyweight division. Yes, he's undefeated in the Octagon, finished Cro Cop, KO'ed The Man That Slayed The Last Emperor and made Gonzaga look silly. But Roy Nelson might be the best top control guy in the division. I ask you, how you gonna get the MOON offa you? My previous fat self will not allow me to pick the chiseled guy in this fight. Upset of the night. Nelson via Steakhouse XT

Kaleb- The fight I'm looking forward to most. Fans are sleeping on Roy here, and they're using that gut of his as a pillow. Dos Santos is scary as hell, and the only way I can see someone beating him without taking too many chances, is by getting him down, and keeping him there. That all being said, I think Roy is the perfect test for JDS, and he's not going to get that KO he'll be looking for. Nelson by Decision

Welterweight bout: Dustin Hazelett vs. Rick Story

David St. Martin- McLovin really needs a win here to stay employed. Hazelett via submission

Nick Becker- Damn, I can't wait to see what kind of sick ass submission McLovin' will pull out of his bag of tricks. Hazelett via Submission (of the Night), Round 1

BL- Rick Story's name sounds like a Marvel Superhero's secret identity. He's going to need his powers of non-submission against McLovin. There goes another stupid nickname. McLovin. Hazelett, DEC,

Subo - Rick "The Neverending" Story might be the most hyped fighter I've ever encountered on these here Interwebs without actually seeing him fight. McLovin' is my guy, so here's hoping for a quick fancy sub. Hazelett by Dustinplata

Kaleb- It's going to be good for Hazelett to get in the cage and put that loss to Paul Daley behind him. Story is a decent prospect, but the biggest name he's beaten is Jake Ellenberger, and that was before Jake was a name at all. I expect Hazelett to show off his skills on the mat once again, and get back on track with this fight. Hazelett by Submission, Round 2

Light Heavyweight bout: Phil Davis vs. Rodney Wallace

David St. Martin- Phil Davis is -800 Bodog. Who am I to argue? Davis via remarkably favorable odds

BL- Wonderfuuuuuuuuuuul, they call him Mr. Wonderfuuuul. That is my favorite nickname in MMA as I am a big Paul Orndorff fan. Phil's "athleticism" and wrestling pedigree will prove to be too much for...for...who is this guy? Rodney Wallace. Yes. Him. Davis, SUB, R1

Subo - MMA math time: Sho Nuff (Wallace) lost to Brian Stann at 205. Mr Wonderful (Davis) dominated Stann so thoroughly that he left the division. Davis is going to fuck Wallace's world. Davis by full penetration

Kaleb- Decision losses to both Brian Stann and Jared Hamman, paired with a nick name like "Sho Nuff the Master" makes picking against Rodney Wallace all the easier. Davis by TKO, Round 3

Nick Becker- Despite coming in on short notice, I like Mr. Wonderful to put on an absolute wrestling clinic. This one won't even be close. Davis via Unanimous Decision

Light Heavyweight bout: Tim Boetsch vs. Todd Brown

David St. Martin- Boetsch returns from a 3-0 run in the minors to fight a guy making his debut. Boetsch via TKO round 1

Nick Becker- I'd love it if the old Tim Boetsch who spiked David Heath showed up for this fight. That guy was cool. Boetsch via Barbarian Slam KO, Round 1

BL- Bulldog Brown? I swore there was an old wrestler named "Bulldog" Brown. I wonder if they are related. Remember when Tim Boestch threw David Heath on his head like a ragdoll? Yea, me too. That was great. I hope we get a repeat performance. Boestch, TKO, r2

Subo - I'm sad that Thiago Silva's back is so fucked up. The silver lining? The Barbarian isn't going to get fucking destroyed in his comeback fight. I love Boetsch and will never forgive Jason Brilz for decisioning him out of the UFC and fucking up my parlay that night (the Nog fight helped, though). Tim by hip toss into the cage

Kaleb- I really, really want to see Boetsch ragdoll a fighter like he did David Heath. I've got my fingers crossed for this fight to be aired on the PPV, because if it is, that means there's a decent chance my wish came true. Boetsch by TKO, Round 2

Welterweight bout: Johny Hendricks vs. Charlie Brenneman

David St. Martin- Hendricks is moving up in the world. Hendricks via beard round 2

Nick Becker- Destroying Amir Sadollah in half a minute forever made me a fan of Johny "There’s only one N in my first name" Hendricks. Hendricks via Unanimous Decision

BL- "The Spaniard"? Does he think he's the Gladiator now? MMA is wrought with terrible nicknames. Johny (he of one "n" fame) will forever be in my good graces for beating Amir Sadollah in mrere secords. Not that I have anything against Amir. The Spaniard's Armada get's sunk by Hendricks. See what I did there? Hendricks, DEC

Subo - I'm going with the notion that Hendricks absorbed some of Amir Sadollah's UFC love when he pasted him, and Silva isn't matching him up against a potential world-beater here. Hendricks via TKO

Kaleb- Two fighters with similar styles, in the same stage of their careers. I'm not convinced either will breakthrough to the next level, but now would be a good time for one of them to make a statement. It's a bit of a tossup for me, but I'll roll with the "Spaniard" to give Hendricks his first career loss. Brenneman by Decision

Heavyweight bout: Stefan Struve vs. Christian Morecraft

David St. Martin- I'll take Struve over anyone making their UFC debut. Struve via decision

Nick Becker- This should be a good bounce-back fight for Struve. And not in a "Wow, did you see the way his head just bounced off the top of the cage?" way. Struve via Submission, Round 2

BL- Stefan Struve is tall and young. The other guy is "undefeated". Most guys off the indies who are "undefeated" are really "untested". Struve will beat the guy. Struve, TKO, r1

Subo - This fight better make the PPV. It's like one of those goofy NBA fights between skinny power forwards, only these guys are real fighters. I love Struve, but I'll be intrigued by whomever wins (while simultaneously hoping the loser isn't cut). Struve via Struveangle

Kaleb- I've still got faith in Struve to end up being a big force at heavyweight as he ages and grows as a fighter, but if he can't make a win happen here, he'll have to do that outside of the UFC for a time. Good news is, I think Struve is learning his lessons, and going to take this fight to his strength, and get a submission. Struve by Submission, Round 1

Welterweight bout: Ben Saunders vs. Dennis Hallman

David St. Martin- Saunders via submission round 3

Nick Becker- I thought that the reason Dennis Hallman was brought back was so he could be revenge fodder for Matt Hughes. This match-up is a total waste of a good storyline as a second straight loss will probably send "Superman" flying out of the UFC. Saunders via TKO, Round 2

BL- Ben Saunders will beat Dennis Hallman. Hallman should've signed up to face Matt Hughes again. As a matter of fact, I think those two will face off after this PPV. Hughes wants his win back. Saunders is bananas in the clinch despite having a retarded nickname. "Killa B"? C'mon son. Saunders, TKO, r1`

Subo - Forget the Fitch fight and the Swick aberration - Saunders is legit. Dennis "I've Never Beaten Anyone Of Note Other Than Matt Hughes Twice" Hallman does not have the guard game to contain the gigantic Killa Bee, and I still have nightmares about what his knees did to Brandon Wolff. Superman's getting his cape stepped on. Saunders via KO, round 1

Kaleb- If John Howard could do it, "Killa Bee" can do it better. Saunders by KO, Round 3