BlogKick: Fight for the Troops 2 Predictions
Evan Dunham vs Melvin Guillard
Dunham was initially slated to face Kenny Florian on this card but “Kenflo” was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury. Dunham will be eager to get back in the win column after a controversial split decision loss to Sean Sherk at UFC 119. Guillard on the other hand will be confident entering the fight on a three fight win streak. I think we will see Dunham take this fight to the ground and use his superior grappling skills to wear his opponent down and submit The Young Assassin late in the fight. Evan Dunham via 3rd round submission.
Matt Mitrione vs Tim Hague
Matt “Meathead” Mitrione has gone 3 and 0 so far in the UFC, debuting with KO of Marcus Jones in The Ultimate Fighter Finale and most recently cruising to a unanimous decision victory over Joey Beltran. His opponent, Tim Hague, was released from the UFC after a controversial decision loss to Chris Tuchscherer at UFC 109 only to talk his way back into the organization after two knockout victories in Aggression MMA events. Hague has a significant size advantage in this fight but Mitrione should be able to utilise his athleticism and outstrike the Canadian to earn a points victory. Matt Mitrione via unanimous decision.
Mark Hominick vs George Roop
Another fight which promises action is the featherweight bout between Mark Hominick and the always game George Roop. Hominick is on a four fight win streak at the moment with six wins in his last seven fights, the only loss coming at the hands of Josh Grispi. Roop on the other hand has a string of mixed results dating back over the last three years. His last fight, however, resulted in the most high profile win of his career when he knocked out “The Korean Zombie” Chan Jung Sung in devastating fashion with a headkick in the second round at WEC 51. It will be interesting to see if Roop’s determination will be enough to overcome the superior technical skills of the Xtreme Couture product. Something tells me, however, that Hominck will be able to outstrike his opponent and earn a decision or stoppage in round 2 or 3. Hominick via 2nd round TKO.
Pat Barry vs Joey Beltran
Next to face off, Pat Barry and Joey Beltran. Both fighters are coming off losses with Barry having two in his last three fights so everything is on the line here with both guys potentially fighting to stay in the UFC. With such high stakes we may actually see Barry try to finish his opponent this time out instead of merely trying to idolize him into submission. Look for Barry to demonstrate the killer instinct that he lacked against Crocop and knock his opponent out in the first round.
Cole Miller vs Matt Wiman
Also on the card is the lightweight fight between Cole Miller and Matt Wiman. Miller is coming into this fight off the back of two straight “Submission of the Night” victories, the most recent coming against the heavily favoured Englishman, Ross Pearson. Matt Wiman has also won his last two fights in the UFC and is no stranger to award bonuses with his previous three fights resulting in three straight “Fight of the Night” honours. Don’t rule out the possibility of another Fight of the Night here. This is a tough fight to call and I don’t see either fighter finishing it. Cole Miller via decision.
