A new month and a new UFC card. Taking place on Saturday, September 6th at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, UFC 88 lacks any title fights, but does include a few bouts that have title implications. Here is an overview of the card.
Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell vs. “Sugar” Rashad Evans
The return of the king. Or rather, former king. Chuck Liddell makes his first appearance in the Octagon since his ridiculously exciting bout versus Wanderlei Silva in 2007.
This fight was supposed to take place in June but Chuck injured his hamstring, and despite his insistence that he could fight (Chuck had never pulled himself from a card before) Dana White pulled the plug. A smart decision, considering Rashad is no pushover.
Evans is a TUF winner and currently undefeated in the UFC (one draw, versus Tito Ortiz). This is a classic wrestler vs. striker match-up, and while we definitely believe that Rashad is a prospect at 205, COED is taking Liddell in this one.
Chuck might be getting older, but he showed in his fight against Silva that he’s still hungry and can play an intelligent game. The one thing that hasn’t declined for Chuck is his sprawl. More so than his knockout power, The Iceman’s ability to stay on his feet is truly legendary. If Rashad wants to win, he’ll have to shoot and scoop. Unfortunately, Chuck won’t let this happen and will catch Rashad multiple times as he comes in for the take down.
COED Pick : Chuck Liddell by TKO.
Rich ‘Ace’ Franklin vs. Matt Hamill
Rich Franklin is stuck. He can beat pretty much everyone at middleweight. Except Anderson Silva, who smashed his face twice. Rich doesn’t want Silva again, but he also doesn’t want to gate keep for the rest of his career. Hence his move to 205lbs.
Franklin will test the waters at light heavyweight against TUF alum and talented wrestler Matt Hamill. Another striker/wrestler fight, I expect this to look similar to the Liddell fight. Hamill is talented but still green. He has showed a eagerness to strike (wildly) but his wrestling is the strong point. If he tries to strike with ‘Ace,’ he’ll be getting a ceiling view sooner rather then later. If he does manage to muscle Rich to the ground, his lack of submission acumen will allow Rich to scoot and sweep from the bottom.
COED Pick: Rich Franklin by KO.
Karo ‘The Heat’ Parisyan vs. Yoshiyuki ‘Zenko’ Yoshida
COED’s pick for fight of the night. Karo Parisyan, leader of the MMA Armenian mafia, is in a spot of trouble. He’s gone from exciting contender who earned his nickname by having an unrelenting style to a more plodding fighter whose last 3 wins have come from decision and most recently loss to Thiago Alves via TKO. He needs a win, one that doesn’t take three rounds of nothing.
Reports from Karo’s camp have said that he’s been battling an anxiety disorder that has had an impact on his training. Not good. Yoshida is a veteran from Japan who sports a diverse style and an impressive record. Strikes and submission skill will allow Yoshida to keep Karo guessing, and as soon as Karo finds himself in defensive posture, he starts to wither.
COED Pick: Yoshida by decision.
Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares
The card also includes Dan Henderson working his way back to another title shot against Anderson Silva. Henderson will fight Jujitsu wizard Rousimar Palhares. Dan looked good in his fight against Silva…until he got cracked one time in his noggin and went scrambling to the mat.
But that was Anderson Silva, and while Rousimar is an up and comer, a world beater he is not. Henderson has a devastating left hand, and should Rousimar try to test that power, he will be taking a nap. Both fighters will come out striking but it will quickly move to a clinch battle, where Henderson will dominate.
COED Pick: Henderson by TKO.
(Image via UFC.com)
