My Picks are so bad. They are horrible this week. I know some people check this site just for the picks. But damn, I feel like I let some of you guys down. I was also requested to expound on some of my reasoning for the outcomes of the fights. I’ll do what I can
Jon Jones def. Dominick Reyes
Controversy. I’ll start by saying this; I was very impressed with Reyes’ cardio. He sort of has a point about that whole “athlete” schtick that he’s pushing. He had enough in the tank at the end to fend off the take down and look decent. I thought he won that fight. I thought Reyes won 1 & 2 and Jones won 4 & 5. Round 3 was tight, and I personally think that Reyes edged it. The fight could’ve also been a draw with a rare 10-10 round for round 3. I really really need to watch the Thiago Santos fight again. Anyway, Jones had to answer the question if he’s still evolving. As of right now, I say “No”. I dont think he’s evolved since the Thiago Santos fight. I didn’t see any new tools in the toolbox, I didn’t see any sublime skill that he’s known for. I also didn’t like his interviews leading up to the fight – They just didn’t seem honest. What do I think Jon Jones should do? He should Go to Thailand and work on a clinch game – seriously. He needs to just keep evolving. Reyes deserves a rematch.
Valentina Shevchenko def. Kaitlyn Chookagian
Shevchenko looked like 10-1 favorite in this fight. A lot of people probably guessed that round, finish and method. I thought the ref. stepped in just a smidge too early, but Chookagian was getting her ass beat. Its sad that Maycee Barber is out for so long, because she could really get into the mix here. I dont know where Chookagian goes from here
Justin Tafa def Juan Adams
Adams just looked lumbering and slow. Glacial. Its a tough loss for him. Tafa didn’t do anything too technical or tricky – He was just face punching. I got the call wrong. – I went with the home town boy
Dan Ige def. Mirsad Bektic
Dan Ige is a problem. That striking game and that Judo game is $. Sure Bektic had some wrestling success, but Ige does damage, he just doesn’t hold his opponent down. I think he’s a top 10 fighter.
Derrick Lewis def. Ilir Latifi
The Judges got this one right. Lewis won the first and the third. Latifi has a chin. I got this call right. This was supposed to be a fight for Houstonians, turns out that it was a little drab…
Trevin Giles vs James Krause
I thought Krause won the 1st and the 3rd. I thought he won the fight. Giles gassed heavily. If this was Arroyo, I think Giles gets taken out.
Lauren Murphy vs Andrea Lee
Lee looks sluggish, her Muay Thai isnt what it used to be. She’s not technical as she was. She’s just been in a state of horrible decline IMO. She was fantastic in the LFA, but for whatever reason her technique has gone to shit. This was a close fight that couldve went either way. It also could’ve been a draw
Kalinn Williams vs Alex Morono
I’m sure Morono is disappointed and wants this one back. Williams is super strong and powerful and ran him over. Dems tha breaks
Mario Bautista vs Miles Johns
Baustista leveled up his game. I was sleeping on him. He looks bigger, more powerful, and he got that Mexican flare – love it
Journey Newson vs Domingo Pilarte
Pilarte is always reckless. Sometimes it cooks his food, and sometimes it burns his house down. This time it burnt his house down. Got this one wrong.
Andre Ewell vs Jonathan Martinez
I thought Ewell edged the first round, lost the second round, and edged it in the third. contoversial yes. The third was very close. I thought Martinez comprehensively won the second round
Youssef Zalal def. Austin Lingo
Rough night for Lingo, sometimes you have to change your style when a guy decides to run track on you. Lingo had his hands high, and Zalal wasn’t playing that game. He would run around the cage and then shoot in, on a single. If youre hands are high, its easy to grab that single. If you want to beat a guy like that youre gonna have to initiate the clinch and beat him up in the clinch, give him something to be scared of.
The referee’s were unbroken – Jeff Rexroad was pretty damn good
5/11 – I didn’t count the James Krause fight. Too late to call