Monday, January 13, 2014

WSOF 8 Predictions

                                           

WSOF 8 Predictions
January 8, 2014
By Ryan Porzl



Jorge Patino vs. Luis Palomino
Nickname:                                           Macaco      |       Baboon
Height:                                                   5'8           |          5'6
Age:                                                        40           |          33
MMA Record (WSOF):      35-14-1, 1NC (0-0) |      21-9 (0-0)
Arm Length:                                      Unknown     |         70 in.
Team:                                     Macaco Gold Team |  MMA Masters
Weight Class:                                       Lightweight (155 pounds)

Notes: Patino and Palomino's WSOF debuts.

Preview: Patino is coming off a win over Wagner Campos by TKO at FMC 1 (December 7, 2013). Palomino is coming off a loss to Efrain Escudero by unanimous decision at CFA 12 (October 12, 2013).

Predictions: Patino. Both fighters have their share of knockout and submission wins. However, Patino is a southpaw which may throw Palomino off. Patino is also a black belt in both brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo. Patino has nearly won an even amount of fight by knockout and submission while Palomino has won most of his fights by knockout. Because of this, Patino will probably be comfortable and be able to hold his own no matter where the fight goes. Palomino will clearly want this fight standing up while Patino can hold his own standing and will be the better ground fighter.

Cody Bollinger vs. Tyson Nam
Nickname:                                          Bam Bam         |        None
Height:                                                   5'10              |          5'7
Age:                                                         22               |          30
MMA Record (WSOF):                     14-2 (0-0)       |     12-5 (0-1)
Arm Length:                                         Unknown       |      Unknown
Team:                                Joe Stevenson's Cobra Kai |     Sports Lab
Weight Class:                                     Bantamweight (135 pounds)

Notes: Bollinger's WSOF debut

Preview: Bollinger is coming off a win over Kenny Johnson by submission at Gladiator Challenge: Battleground (March 24, 2013). Nam is coming off a loss to Marlon Moraes by KO at WSOF 2 (March 23, 2013).

Predictions: Nam. It's hard to explain why. Both guys are heavy hitters and both have suffered knockout losses. Until his recent loss to Moraes, Nam hadn't been knocked out in years while Bollinger was knocked out a year and a half ago. Meanwhile, Bollinger is probably not the prospect that Marlon Moraes is. Bollinger is well-rounded and won many fights by submission but Nam has never been submitted in his career.

Jessica Aguilar vs. Alida Gray
Nickname:                                                Jag             |         None
Height:                                                      5'4             |           5'4
Age:                                                           31             |            36
MMA Record (WSOF):                       16-4 (0-0)     |       4-0 (0-0)
Arm Length:                                           Unknown     |       Unknown
Team:                                         American Top Team |       Unknown
Weight Class:                                      Strawweight (115 pounds)

Notes: For the WSOF Women's Strawweight Championship. Aguilar and Gray's WSOF debuts.

Preview: Aguilar is riding a seven fight win streak. Her recent win was over Megumi Fujii by technical majority decision at Vale Tudo Japan 3rd (October 5, 2013). Gray is undefeated with four wins. Her recent win was over Katie Kilmansky-Casimir by TKO at SCS 20 (November 23, 2013).

Predictions: Aguilar. Simply put, Aguilar is one of the best women's fighters in the world right now while Gray has only fought four professional fights. Gray's won most of her fights by knockout but Aguilar has never been knocked out in twenty fights. While Aguilar hasn't won a fight by submission in nearly four years, she's still a great grappler and has won two FILA gold medals. Gray is undefeated with four fights. Usually an undefeated up and comer can make many mistakes including recklessness and not preserving energy.

Anthony Johnson vs. Mike Kyle
Nickname:                                              Rumble          |        MAK
Height:                                                       6'2              |         6'3
Age:                                                            29              |          33
MMA Record (WSOF):                       15-4 (2-0)       |  20-10-1, 2NC (0-1)
Arm Length:                                             78 in.           |     Unknown
Team:                                                    Blackzilians      |  American Kickboxing Academy
Weight Class:                                        Light Heavyweight (205 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Johnson is riding a five fight win streak. His recent win was over Andrei Arlovski by unanimous decision at WSOF 2 (March 23, 2013). Kyle is coming off a loss to Andrei Arlovski by unanimous decision at WSOF 5 (September 14, 2013).

Predictions: Johnson. Since moving up to light heavyweight, Johnson has been coming into his own. Johnson has all the tools as he has knockout power, a good chin, and good wrestling. Johnson has only been TKOed once but that was due to him not being able to continue due to an accidental eyepoke. Johnson has lost most of his fights by submission but Kyle is not a submission fighter. Kyle has lost more times by knockout so if this fight stays standing then there's a good chance Johnson will knock Kyle out.

Justin Gaethje vs. Richard Patishnock
Nickname:                                       None           |              None
Height:                                              5'11            |               5'9
Age:                                                    25             |                26
MMA Record (WSOF):              10-0 (3-0)       |           6-1 (2-0)
Arm Length:                                    70.5 in.         |           Unknown
Team:                               Grudge Training Center |   Team Chamber MMA
Weight Class:                                    Lightweight (155 pounds)

Notes: For the WSOF Lightweight Championship. Patishnock is replacing Gesias Cavalcante and Lewis Gonzalez.

Preview: Gaethje is undefeated with ten wins. His recent win was over Dan Lauzon by TKO at WSOF 6 (October 26, 2013). Patishnock is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Gregor Gracie by unanimous decision at WSOF 5 (September 14, 2013).


Predictions: Gaethje. Gaethje has proven to be quite the prospect. He's a very handed fighter and has won eight times by knockout. He's a very good wrestler with a good wrestling background so he can hold his own on the ground. He's also shown to have a very good chin and good submission defense since he hasn't lost yet. Gaethje's only real weakness is the occasional undefeated rookie recklessness but he'll probably be more disciplined since it nearly cost him in the Brian Cobb fight. Patishnock hasn't looked the most impressive. Despite beating two Gracies, Patishnock was losing to Igor until he got injured. It should also be pointed out that his only loss to date was by knockout. Finally, Patishnock has had only 2½ to prepare for Gaethje. Sure he was already scheduled to fight on this card but it was a prelim fight. He's taken a big step up.

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