Here are the results from tonight:

1. Ed Herman beat Clifford Starks by 2nd round submission (rear naked choke).

2. Renan Barao beat Scott Jorgensen by unanimous decision (30-27 for all three judges).

3. Josh Koscheck beat Mike Pierce by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Supposedly, Koscheck was lucky to get away with a win here.

4. Fabricio Werdum beat Roy Nelson by unanimous decision (30-27 for all three judges).

5. Carlos Condit beat Nick Diaz by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46). The feedback has been split. Just from gauging on Twitter, it seemed like it was about 60%/40% for Condit, but the Diaz fans were pretty upset. Their theory was that Condit was moving backward and Diaz was the aggressor. After the fight, Diaz teased that he was quitting MMA.

Condit trains in the high altitude by tiring himself out and then when he’s tired, he starts striking and grappling so his body gets used to performing when tired.

Greg Jackson says Diaz is better off his back than when he’s on the top when it comes to jiu-jitsu. He also tells Condit to fight his fight rather than to worry about what Diaz does when they get on the ground.

Diaz missed three fights into Vegas before making his flight. Both guys hate the media and all the other responsibilities that comes with being in the main event.

Condit wears a suit to the Thursday press conference. Nick Diaz wears a hoody as does Dana White. Diaz hates the questions because he’s moody from his weight cut. Condit hates the questions too and thinks he’s being overlooked. Both guys whined their way to the end of the show.

Bottom Line: The show wasn’t very interesting and there wasn’t much too it. There was no GSP either curiously. They both sort of looked bad at the end considering they were in the main event in a big fight and came off a bit like whiners.

Originally, Nick Diaz was pulled from his fight at UFC 137 against GSP because he failed to show up for the media. Condit was put in Diaz’s place, but then GSP hurt himself. Diaz went on to face BJ Penn, beating him up for three rounds. Condit was scheduled to face GSP on this card, but Dana White flipped the script and said that GSP wanted Diaz and he’d get Diaz. Then St. Pierre was hurt again and Condit slid into the mix yet again. If I was Carlos Condit, I’d feel a bit disrespected over this entire thing.

The FGB crew along with Stevie J from Angrymarks, have predictions for this fight, as well as Big Country Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum.

Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum

Alan: Nelson by 1st round TKO
Duan: Werdum by decision
Stevie: Werdum by 2nd round submission
Big D: Nelson by 2nd round TKO
Cactus Jim: Werdum by decision
GG: Werdum by decision

Alan says:

Would love to see these guys go hold for hold on the ground but I think Roy will try to keep this standing where he has the power to finish the Brazilian. I think he does it early too.

Duan says:

I honestly feel Werdum is the most overlooked heavyweight in MMA. The guy snapped the most legendary win streak in the sport’s history and most people barely even took notice – come on! Outside of the big three of Velasquez, Dos Santos and Overeem, he’s probably the division’s next best. Since 08, he has lost only to the UFC heavyweight champion and the current number one contender. That’s not bad company to be keeping.

He will beat Nelson because he’s better. Better in the stand up, better on the ground, just plain and simply better. Big Country is game; he will hang in there, but he will do so with a punchers chance only. Werdum cruises to a 30-27 in a mostly striking battle.

Stevie says:

Werdum is that heavyweight who could be the top guy in the world if he puts it all together, but seems to shoot himself in the foot whenever he’s about to grab the brass ring. Big Country is exactly the kind of guy he needs to beat if he’s going to get a rematch with JDS, who drummed him out of UFC the last time around with an embarrassing first round KO – ironically the win that vaulted Dos Santos to where he is today as champion. I really like Roy Nelson as a person and a fighter, and I’d say people underestimate him a LOT, but I think they underestimate Werdum even more. However – if he can’t beat Big Country, I don’t think we can ever take Werdum seriously as a contender for UFC heavyweight champion ever again. A loss hurts Werdum more than Nelson.

Big D says:

I love Roy. I think Roy is underrated at times. I think when Roy is in shape (don’t laugh) and ready to rumble, he can leap over a lot of heavyweights in both striking and grappling. Werdum is a black hole of charisma who’s legacy will always be as the first guy to knock off Fedor, and that should be ALL he’s left with. Still, the guy’s got way above average ground game. This is a pick-em fight, but I think Roy will use that big right hand and make Werdum lunchmeat.

Cactus Jim says:

I’m not too stoked on this match. I think both guys have suspect cardio and that by the end of the first round this turns into two drunken bar fighters winging haymakers and praying something lands. Occasionally we may see a sloppy takedown attempt that will sometimes pay off only because of the others guys exhaustion. My prediction is that Werdum can land more punches and will use his kicks to outpoint Nelson on the scorecards. There’s potential for each guy to KO the other with an exaggerated bomb, but wouldn’t bet the house on it.

GG says:

All things being equal, Werdum’s jiu-jitsu is much better than anything Nelson can bring to the table. The key is going to be how he can utilize it to win the fight. Werdum’s strategy has been mind-boggling at times. He’s looked awful in fights before. When he can’t goad someone into coming to the ground with him, it seems that he has no back up plan. Nelson is game and he makes up for whatever he lacks in skill and conditioning with a never-say-quit attitude. I just think that if Werdum’s game-plan is at the very least a B-, he beats Big Country. I’m not sure what Big Country can do with him.

Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz

Alan: Condit by 2nd round TKO
Duan: Diaz by 3rd round TKO
Stevie: Diaz by 3rd round TKO
Big D: Diaz by 3rd round TKO
Cactus Jim: Diaz by 4th round TKO
GG: Diaz by 4th round TKO

Alan says:

How do you pick this fight? These guys are both so talented in all aspects of the game. Condit’s biggest weakness is wrestlers who can smother him. Diaz is not the guy to do that. I think this will stay on the feet and I think that it could go either way easily but I’m going to say that Carlos hits a punch on the button and swarms all over Diaz for the win.

Duan says:

I don’t believe there’s anybody in the 170 pound division that can stand with Diaz. He’s just become so good at using his length, judging range, drawing shots and picking counters. He will thud away with the jab-straight, but he can mix it up when he needs to – head and body, hooks and uppercuts. This guy has become a real handful.

I just don’t know what the gameplan can be for Condit here, and I’m not selling him short either. Trust me; I know how good Carlos Condit is. Diaz is just all wrong for him. I don’t think Carlos has the physicality to dictate where this fight takes place. He will be bashed up on the feet, and even if he could get it to the floor, I’m not sure he can do much with Diaz there either. Condit will come to fight; I just don’t think it’s a fight he can win

Stevie says:

Diaz is a better all around athlete, not to mention a more accurate striker and world class at jiu-jitsu. He’s also bat shit crazy, but that’s why people like him so much. I’ve always thought of Condit as a great fighter, going back to his WEC days, but the difference between “great” and “elite” is exactly why Nick Diaz will win this fight.

Big D says:

Diaz is going to pulverize Condit. I predict a series of rabid punches which will only get stronger until Condit falls. I don’t think it’ll be easy and I sort of think it may resemble Diaz’s legendary fight with Gomi, but Diaz will win, possibly by sub, but I’m predicting a TKO.

Cactus Jim says:

On paper this should be an amazing fight. Given the history of each of these fighters I would anticipate a hard fought war. I think Diaz’s striking is really going to be the key to his success. His style will likely stymie Condit. Condit’s best bet is to get the fight to the ground and work a submission, but although we don’t see him in that position very often, Diaz is no slouch on the ground. I have no doubt that Condit will be game and engage with Diaz, I just don’t believe he will be able to finish him before Diaz’s shots add up and suck the life out of Carlos. By the 4th round the cumulative damage will leave him slumped in a pile against the cage and we’ll get to hear an awkward post fight rant from Diaz which very well could include him calling GSP a f***** or some such unsavory term to try to build the feud.

GG says:

I’m not sure what else I can say. The guys have said it all. The only thing I can say differently is that I think it’s going to be a blood stoppage. Nick Diaz cuts easily and if he loses, this is how I see him losing. But he cuts everyone he fights too, and when you land more punches than just about anyone in the UFC, it’s going to take a toll on Condit. For three rounds, I think the fight could be up for grabs. But in the championship rounds, I expect Diaz to take it.

We’ll have play by play of the show tomorrow. Enjoy.

The Royal Rumble was not a good show and we’ll talk about why. We discuss all the matches and go through the entire Royal Rumble, all the way down the the head-scratching conclusion.

Then, we discuss the second UFC On Fox show, which was also not as good as we’d hoped from an entertainment perspective, but seems to have done its job from a ratings perspective. We’ll go over all three fights and discuss where those fights should lead to.

We then talk about the build up to Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit, and preview the rest of UFC 143, which is this weekend. Lastly, I give a 30 second review of Gina Carano’s Haywire.

Thanks for listening.

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Curt Menafee says this is the first of four UFC shows on Fox this year. Well, at least if the shows bring in solid ratings or no one is violently hurt.

Menafee, Randy Couture, and Jon Jones are on the panel for the pre-game stuff. Menafee says that if Evans wins, he gets Jones at UFC 145 in Atlanta.

1. Chris Weidman vs. Demian Maia

You have a good wrestler and a great jiu-jitsu guy. Of course the first round is nearly all on the feet. Earlier, Maia seemed to be getting the best of it, but later in the round, Weidman was much more comfortable. Maia is telegraphing his right hand and Weidman was able to avoid it mostly. But Maia did land some nice knees. Weidman was varied with his kicks and punches. Weidman also got a takedown late.

Weidman had an early takedown and he fell immediately into side control. Weidman was tired for most of it and Maia was able to outstrike him, but not in any significant way. Pretty boring round until Weidman was able to secure another takedown and was working for Maia’s back. I think that last takedown and attempt toward submission may have secured him the round.

Maia is also tired and the third round suffered because of sloppiness. Maia was so tired that he went for a takedown, Weidman sprawled and Maia face planted. This isn’t necessarily the kind of fight that’s going to keep an audience. With Weidman having to cut so much weight, it was ripe for the taking for Maia and he just looks absurdly tired. I’d give the fight to Weidman simply because he closed rounds better and fought a smarter tactical fight than Maia did.

Winner: Chris Weidman by way of split decision

The scores were 29-28 once for Maia and the same twice for Weidman.

Bisping called Sonnen the UFC’s court jester. Sonnen cut a Saturday Night’s Main Event-like promo and said that fighting Chael Sonnen is hazardous to your health.

2. Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen

Very active first round. Sonnen was all over Bisping early on and Bisping was on his heels. He took him down seconds into the fight, but wasn’t able to keep him down. Bisping looked flustered, but figured him out. Bisping’s striking was crisp while Sonnen’s was wild. Sonnen’s stand-up was so wild that it looked like he was going to conk Bisping in the head when he missed his left hand.

Sonnen looks all out of sorts on his feet. He hits hard but it’s not smooth, it’s jumpy, and every time he throws, it looks like he’s going to collide with Bisping’s head. But he did secure a takedown and was able to keep Bisping down for a bit. But he wasn’t able to land his signature ground and pound punches.

Sonnen opened up the round with a huge takedown. Bisping’s guard has been so good in this fight. He either keeps his right foot on Sonnen’s hips to push him off, or he’s been able to control his hips by locking his feet on his back. Sonnen got Bisping’s back, couldn’t get the rear naked, nearly got an arm triangle and immediately transitioned into the mount. Sonnen has found something extra in the tank this round. Bisping took him down at the very end. I think Sonnen’s going to win a very close decision. The key is the first round.

Winner: Chael Sonnen by way of unanimous decision

Bisping at first looked bothered at the decision, but he clapped for him. That first round could’ve been a draw round or it could’ve been for either guy. All three judges looked to have given it to Sonnen.

Sonnen cut another WWE-inspired promo. It wasn’t as good as his recent ones, but still pretty darn good.

3. Phil Davis vs. Rashad Evans

Davis looks a little nervous. Lots of feeling each other out. Davis threw a kick and Evans caught it and took him down. Evans got him in the little brother position and laid in some heavy punches, but Davis got his arms free and lasted the round.

Pretty boring round. Davis is hesitant to finish his kicks. Evans is fighting a safe fight, while Davis is fighting a scared fight. Evans caught his leg again and took him down near the end of the round.

Davis went for a takedown, but Evans stuffed it. Davis pushed for it, but Evans turned him over and ended up on top. They were tied up against the fence and Evans landed an uppercut that seemed to take the life out of Davis there for a bit. Davis finally got the takedown, which should at least give him some confidence. But Rashad is pitching a shutout.

Davis looks tired energy-wise, but also tired of getting hit. His kicks and punches are in slow motion. Evans is too methodical. He could take it to Davis if he wants to, but seems okay with winning a decision. He pressed on at the end a bit.

Evans caught Davis’ leg again and pounded Davis against the cage a few times before taking him down. Davis got up and kept slipping when throwing his shots, but he didn’t have anything on them anyway. Rashad will win an easy decision.

Winner: Rashad Evans by way of unanimous decision

Diaz says he started doing jiu-jitsu when he was about 15 or 16 and that’s when he met his MMA coach. He dropped out of school at the age of 16 to go into MMA full-time.

His Sambo coach said that he has his own drive and you don’t need to tell him to do things like run. Steve Heath, his MMA coach says that Diaz doesn’t have an off switch. He’s always training. He does marathon’s for fun.

Carlos Condit says that if he wasn’t a fighter, he’d be in the military and says that he’s a warrior. He loves shooting guns.

The Condits get together for family meals with 30 or 40 cousins. His dad says that when he gets closer to fight time, you see the happy Carlos less and less in favor of the determined Carlos.

The Diaz brothers are instructors at their gym. Imagine Nick and Nate instructing your kids in MMA. Nate says that Nick is his life coach. It seems like Nick can love his brother like he does because he can trust him.

Georges St. Pierre says he prays every night that Nick Diaz beats Carlos Condit so he can fight him when he’s healthy. GSP says that Diaz isn’t really crazy and that’s a fake crazy. GSP says he’s probably been in more street fights than Nick has.

Diaz says that in order to love fighting, he has to hate it. And he sort of makes sense in this weird circular way.

Bottom Line: They did a fantastic job of building up Nick Diaz vs. Georges St. Pierre and not such a great job building up Diaz vs. Carlos Condit. They’ve done an interesting angle with Diaz. Rather than show off his crazy side, they’re showing off a sensitive, uncertain side of him. He’s almost child-like. Condit comes off as way too regular kind of guy to be in a main event. The problem isn’t if he loses since Diaz is the star. It’s if he wins.

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.

Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen

Duan: Refuses to predict Sonnen fights on principle
Stevie: Sonnen by 2nd round TKO
JP: Sonnen by decision
GG: Sonnen by decision

Stevie says:

I’m not in the camp that thinks Michael Bisping has no chance – in fact I believe his takedown defense is probably underrated – but there’s no chance he’s on Sonnen’s level and Sonnen’s level is often called “Olympic” by those in the know. On a good day he might stuff a takedown or 2, but not 9 or 10, and much like Anderson Silva he’ll be taken down with ease. A lucky punch is his only hope.

JP says:

This fight has been robbed of its rightful place in trash talk history. Given a full 8-10 weeks of prep, these two could have provided some classic quotes and soundbites for fans to repeat infinitely online. Instead an injury to Mark Munoz created this fight and the two middleweights have been borderline respective of each other. As for the fight itself, the outcome seems very predictable: Bisping will have three rounds to try and triangle choke Sonnen or otherwise eat ground and pound for 15 minutes. Bisping doesn’t have the power to stop Sonnen so his only hope is to try and catch a submission while fighting off his back. He won’t. Sonnen wins and Sonnen-Silva II is lined up for this summer.

GG says:

I have a bad feeling about this for Michael Bisping’s sake. While I expect Bisping to be game all fight long, I have a feeling he’s going to be beat up for most of this fight. I don’t think Bisping can stop the takedowns and he’s going to be frustrated all night long. He’s a good enough fighter to find his way out of being stopped, but it’s not going to be fun doing so.

Phil Davis vs. Rashad Evans

Duan: Evans by decision
Stevie: Evans by decision
JP: Evans by decision
GG: Davis by decision

Duan says:

I expect Evans to be able to break even or at very least survive in the wrestling exchanges. On the feet, I think he can probably make Davis look pretty clumsy. Rashad has really become one of the better boxers in MMA – certainly in the higher weight divisions anyway. His movement, timing and footwork will give Davis nightmares. Knowing what’s on the line, I’m sure Rashad will fight a disciplined fight. I don’t see him going out looking for a finish. He will be content to outpoint and outclass Davis over the distance.

Stevie says:

Phil Davis is a good enough wrestler to give him fits, and possibly even to neutralize him from getting takedowns SOME of the time, but Rashad has shown deadly power in both his feet and hands when he chooses to let go and let it flow. Generally though I see the experience edge favoring Evans – both in terms of marquee fights and in terms of top level experience against opponents of Davis’ level or better.

JP says:

I am taking Evans in this fight for two reasons. First, I want him to win so we can see a conclusion to the Evans-Jones saga and hopefully see that fight headline the Atlanta UFC 145 event. Secondly, I believe Evans is the better fighter at this point in their careers. There is no doubt that Phil Davis is a pillar of the division in the future along with Jones, Gustafsson and Bader. But in his last match against Lil Nog he was frustrated by the inability to take the brazilian down and appeared uncomfortable while stuck in a striking battle. Evans has enough wrestling and speed to keep this standing and while ‘Suga’ isn’t as technical as Lil Nog, he is younger, quicker and an overall better athlete. I look for a clear cut win for Evans over the young Davis then the hype to begin for a match with Jones.

GG says:

I was all set to take Evans like everyone else. A couple things made me change my mind. A couple of years ago, it was Davis and Jon Jones who were supposed to be the future of the division. Jones became a star and Davis has yet to take the same ride. I think we’re forgetting that Davis is a legit freakish athlete and hasn’t even really grown into his body yet, much like Jones. I’m picking the upset because I think we’re going to see a star making performance. The second thing is that there’s this stench around this Evans/Jones fight and I fully expect something else to stop it from happening. That thing may very well be Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis.

We’ll have play by play of the main card tomorrow night.

We recorded the show very soon after my beloved San Francisco 49ers lost in the NFC Championship Game to the New York Giants so we talk about football for the first few minutes, but quickly thereafter, we segue into talking about the top three fights on the 2nd UFC on Fox show, which is this weekend. We talk about Sonnen vs. Bisping being a true number one contender’s fight, Weidman being thrusted into the spotlight, and the funny circumstances between Rashad Evans and Jon Jones.

We then discuss the 2012 edition of the Royal Rumble which is also this weekend. We talk about the few guys who actually have a chance to win the Rumble and wonder if there’s a secret guy out there who we’re missing. We talk Punk/Johnny Ace and how Dolph Ziggler is kind of just a third wheel in the angle as well as Daniel Bryan and how he’s doing as champion.

Lastly, we talk about the heavily rumored rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, going through most of the possible guys who Pacquiao could even fight.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

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