UFC 91 picks + DESTINY tidbits

November 14, 2008

Before I get to the picks for the main card for UFC 91 this weekend, a couple of quick tidbits involving this weekend’s DESTINY event at Aloha Tower.

Kala Kolohe Hose is out of the main event against Kalib Starnes.  It’s a strong rumor that Dylan Clay will take Hose’s place, but nothing was signed Friday according to multiple people. Mark Oshiro is also not fighting, leaving a possible Starnes fight, Poai Suganuma vs. Yancey Medeiros and Kolo Koka vs. Eddie Rincon as the marquee attractions.

I’ve heard one side of the Hose story, and I don’t want this blog to turn into some of the main MMA forums in Hawaii that are going off about the situation regarding Hose dropping out. Neither Hose nor DESTINY were available for comment last night, so all I will say is that it’s another dark day for local MMA fight fans that won’t get to see such a promising fight like Starnes vs. Hose.

With that said, I still hope DESTINY gets a good turnout and puts on a good show. I’ll be in Seattle this weekend and won’t attend, but I figure the success this card has will go a long way in determining if DESTINY is a major player in the Hawaii MMA fight scene.

Now onto the picks for Saturday’s UFC 91: Lesnar vs. Couture event. We’re going to keep it short for space purposes.

OVERALL 9-6
LAST EVENT: 3-2 (UFC 90)

170: Dustin Hazelett (13-4) vs.  Tamdan McCrory (11-1)
185: Nate Quarry (16-2) vs. Damien Maia (9-0)
HW: Gabriel Gonzaga (9-3) vs. Josh Hendricks (18-4)

Good to see Gonzaga back. I like Gonzaga to overwhelm Hendricks by TKO in the early rounds, Maia to knockout Quarry at some point and Hazelett to submit McCrory. Don’t ask me why about any of those picks.

155: Kenny Florian (12-3) vs. Joe Stevenson (34-8)

If Florian wins this fight, he’s fighting BJ Penn for the lightweight title next, regardless if Penn beats GSP. No question in my mind about that. I have this big theory that the UFC is coming here ASAP after the July 1 regulation date, and I really believe Penn’s next fight regardless of the GSP outcome will be defending the 155-pound title at Aloha Stadium in August or September. We’ll see. I don’t have facts to back that up, but if the Waikiki Shell pep rally is as big as I think it may be next week, there’s no doubt Dana is bringing the UFC here as soon as he can. With that said, this will be a great fight of jiu-jitsu guys, but I’m taking Florian by TKO in the third round.

UFC heavyweight title fight:
Randy Couture (16-8) vs. Brock Lesnar (2-1)

1500-AM radio show host and KITV sports guy Rob DeMello put me on the spot yesterday morning on his radio show and made me choose a winner, to which I said Lesnar, but I have been regretting it ever since. In fact, I just watched Lesnar vs. Heath Herring again and it really has me thinking Randy wins this fight. But then again, Randy hasn’t been in the cage in a year. This is one of the toughest fights I have ever tried to pick. Believe the hype or go with the guy that always proves everyone wrong. I’m taking Lesnar by decision in a sloppy, wrestling, control but not much damage on the ground fight. But who knows. It’s a toss up.

Enjoy the weekend everyone. There will be a lot to talk about Tuesday when I get back.

Posted in Fights