After losing to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141, Brock Lesnar told Joe Rogan that he promised his wife and kids that if he lost to Overeem, he would retire. He said it was the last time you’d see him in the octagon.

As I said in the preview, I’m kind of surprised that this fight is happening. With all the injuries this year, the two biggest guys in the UFC made it through unscathed. It’s really a monster movie kind of fight. And, it’s also a your classic striker vs. wrestler match-up.

The undercard was all decisions. That tells me we’ll see all finishes on the main card.

1. Jimy Hettes vs. Nam Phan

Hettes owned the entire first half of the round. He took Phan down a couple times, locked in a guillotine, and was laying into him with the ground and pound. I thought it was going to be stopped. Phan was able to get back up, which tells me that Hettes might not be a hard hitter. Phan looked like he was going to start doing well in the standup, but Hettes hip tossed him. Hettes went for an arm bar, but Phan fought it, taking a beating in the process. Has to be a 10-8 round.

It was Hettes’ round yet again. Not quite 10-8 this round. He was using all kinds of throws to get Phan on his back and was going for submissions, but Phan was fighting them. If Hettes could punch a bit, this fight would be over.

Both guys are pretty tired. If Phan had a chance, it was when they were standing up and Hettes looked to be more tired. But soon thereafter, Hettes took him down again and was slamming him with punches and elbows from the top. He gave him another beating to easily win the fight.

Winner: Jimy Hettes by way of unanimous decision

The scores were 30-25, 30-25, 30-26.

2. Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
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What, Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem is going to actually happen? Neither was injured? Neither pulled out because of medical issues or NSAC issues? Well, after a year of big fights being cancelled, the monster movie fight of the year is going to happen. If this were a WWE match from the 80s, Gorilla Monsoon would’ve called it the irresistible force meeting the immovable object. The two biggest freak heavyweights in the UFC are ready to get it on.

The FGB crew along with friend of the site JP and Stevie J from Angrymarks, have predictions for the the top two fights of this show, which also include Nate Diaz facing off against the Cowboy Donald Cerrone.

Nate Diaz vs. Donald Cerrone

Duan: Cerrone by decision
Alan: Diaz by 3rd round submission
Stevie: Cerrone by decision
JP: Cerrone by decision
Cactus Jim: Cerrone by decision
GG: Cerrone by decision

Duan says:

Knowing the mindset of these two, I’m certain both will want to let fists fly and see who can out-tough the other. Cerrone may be the more versatile and complete striker of the two, but I have a feeling he will have problems adjusting to Diaz’s style – it may take a round to a round and a half to get his timing down. Both these guys are incredibly durable – this has distance fight written all over it – it will just be a matter of how long it takes for the coin to drop for Cerrone. I see them each taking one round cleanly with the middle session being the cause of some controversy. I will say The Cowboy just about sneaks it.

Alan says:

Oooooooh eeeeee!!!! Now this is a fight right here boy. Two crazy wild fighters who more importantly are also extremely talented and smart in the Octagon. There will be so much skill and technique on display here but it will still be an ultra-competitive back and forth fight. Neither guy fears the other’s stand-up, neither guy fears the other’s ground game and neither guy cares about the wrestling aspect because they don’t mind being on their back. This is one of the best fights Joe Silva has booked in a while and hats off to him for it. I think the winner would be more than deserving of a LW title shot against Edgar or Henderson and my Lord, who wouldn’t want to see Henderson/Cowboy one more time? What a feather in the cap that would be for WEC. Oh right so I have to make a prediction. That’s just mean. How can you pick between these two? Both looked sensational in their last fights, but the way Diaz handled Takanori Gomi just really woke me up to how good he is. I think he might just edge this however it could very well be a situation where it’s Cowboy who has Nate in trouble but gets reckless and the BJJ wizard catches him with a triangle or armbar.

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Manvel Gamburyan (146) vs. Diego Nunes (145)

Matthew Riddle (170) vs. Luis Ramos (171)

Jacob Volkmann (155) vs. Efrain Escudero (155)

Dong Hyun Kim (171) vs. Sean Pierson (171)

Anthony Njokuani (154) vs. Danny Castillo (156)

Ross Pearson (145) vs. Junior Assuncao (145)

Nam Phan (146) vs. Jimy Hettis (145)

Vladimir Matyushenko (205) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (203)

Jon Fitch (171) vs. Johny Hendricks (170)

Nate Diaz (156) vs. Donald Cerrone (156)

(Diaz came in at 157 and Cowboy said it was okay, but per Kevin Iole, Cerrone’s camp made Nate get down to 156.)

Brock Lesnar (266) vs. Alistiar Overeem (263)

It was yet another year in pro wrestling where the business was either linear or down. In the US, WWE continued to plod through with mind-boggling booking, but WrestleMania saved buyrates from being alarmingly down over the year. In TNA, they continued their usual business strategy of booking for TV ratings and not really giving a damn about their PPV numbers. ROH left HDNet and went into syndication, but the jury is still out on how they are doing.

Our pro wrestling awards will be WWE heavy because it’s the number one promotion in the US. But Alan keeps us honest with his independent and international choices. Alan, Duan, myself, Big D from Superfriends Universe, Ryan Pike from Tough Talk MMA give us their picks for the awards.

Most Outstanding Wrestler Of The Year

Alan – Daisuke Sekimoto and Akira Tozawa

I’m sitting on the fence and splitting this between two men who’ve had years that were utterly incredible. Daisuke Sekimoto basically played the NWA touring world champion role in the first half of the year as wXw champ defending the belt in three different continents. Invaded All Japan with Yuji Okabayashi and won the All Asia titles in one of several classics with Soya & Sanada. Had a MOTYC in his home promotion of Big Japan when Soya and Hama came to try to take back the belts. Won the Fire Festival in Zero 1 in a great final with the usually average Kohei Sato. Has had countless other ****+ singles and tag matches.

Akira Tozawa shares the spoils by having two amazing half years. The 1st half was all in the US where he became a hero in PWG with an absurd amount of MOTYCs, and was the best guy on the DGUSA shows too. Then in the second half of the year he made his return to Japan and instantly was in the main event picture. His title match with Mochi was incredible.

Duan – Dolph Ziggler

A huge breakout year for Ziggler – always gave it absolutely everything inside the ring regardless of his place on the card. There’s not a more consistent performer on the roster.

Ryan – CM Punk

Consistently delivered great promos and delivered great performances in the ring at the right times.

Big D – Daniel Bryan and CM Punk

Despite the storyline going from fascinating to lame WWE garbage, CM Punk managed to completely reinvigorate his career and for the first time became a super-over top babyface. Bryan had good matches up and down the card with guys of all shapes and sizes from Sin Cara to Mark Henry. He won Money in the Bank. He does tons of jobs and doesn’t even complain about it, then ends the year as World Champ. The cream rises to the top.

GG – Dolph Ziggler

He was my choice last year for who I expected big things from in 2011. And even throughout horrendous booking, I think he was the brightest star. For one, I looked forward most to his matches on every PPV and TV taping. Secondly, his selling has become Mr. Perfect-like, taking athletic bumps, and really selling the hell out of the beating he’s taking. Thirdly, I’m not sure there’s a better athlete in the company and if they don’t turn him loose in 2012, it will boggle my mind.

Pro Wrestling Show Of The Year
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