Another amazing Saturday night of UFC fights is coming our way with a real treat tonight, as the Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale is finally here. After sitting through and watching a lack luster outing by Team USA in the US vs UK Ultimate Fighter Season 9, I am left to hang on to one American fighter to walk away with a contract out of the four fighters fighting for a contract tonight at the TUF 9 Finale.
At the weigh ins today all of the fighters looked to be in excellent shape including the big 205 pounders, everyone made weight and the weigh in’s looked intense. Before I get into the Ultimate Fighter 9 Odds, Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale Fight Card and my TUF 9 Finale Predictions I think it’s important that all of you know how trully excited I am for this fight card tomorrow night. One thing about Strikeforce growing in popularity and the failing Affliction fight leaugue is that it seems the UFC is really starting to step up their fight cards in order to stay on top, even pulling off adding more last minute fights for UFC 100 in July.
With UFC 100 right around the corner it’s easy to overlook some of the excellent mixed martial arts events that are taking place before the historic UFC 100 fight card, and the TUF Finale is one of those events that can be overlooked or forgotten, but shouldn’t be. This fight card is packed with excellent fights leading right up to what I think could easily become the fight of the year, Clay Guida vs Diego Sanchez.
Joe Stevenson owns up on Nate Diaz and wins the decision. details
Ross Pearson wins a close decision over Andre Winner. details
Chris Lytle wins by Unanimous Decision over Kevin Burns. details
James wilks defeats DaMarquis Johnson by rear naked choke. details
TUF 9 Finale Fight Card
Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida
Joe Stevenson vs. Nate Diaz
DaMarques Johnson vs. James Wilks
Andre Winner vs. Ross Pearson
Chris Lytle vs. Kevin Burns
TUF 9 Finale Predictions
Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida
Ahhh this is the big one and should certainly be a treat, Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida are not known for boring fights by any means and both guys are known to go at it from bell to bell. Put your favorite panties on people, this is going to be a banger. I am going with my boy Guida on this one, as much as my respect for Sanchez has grown it isn’t enough to make me pick him over Guida. My prediction Clay Guida by decision.
Joe Stevenson vs. Nate Diaz
This will be one of the rare times that I pick who I feel will actually win the fight vs who I would personally like to see win the fight. I like Joe Stevenson, he’s a solid interview has a decent personality and the guy is constantly screaming about how much he loves his kids, Fathers Day is Sunday ya know. As strong as Joe Stevenson is and as much as I can’t stand Nate Diaz, I think Diaz’s reach will be too much for Stevenson. My prediction… I look for Diaz to beat Stevenson up from the outside, Diaz wins by TKO in the second round.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUKz9nsratM[/youtube]
DaMarques Johnson Video Interview
DaMarques Johnson vs. James Wilks – Ultimate Fighter 9 UK vs US Finalist
This is a no brainer, there is not a chance I am picking someone from the UK to beat Johnson who is the only fighter representing the US in the TUF 9 Finale. Johnson is heavily favored in this fight, my prediction is DaMarques Johnson by TKO in the second round.
Andre Winner vs. Ross Pearson – Ultimate Fighter 9 UK vs US Finalist
I honestly could care less who wins this fight or the contract, both fighters are from the UK which makes it just about immposible for me to pick a favorite. To play along and make my predictions I will be picking Ross Pearson to win this fight.
Chris Lytle vs. Kevin Burns
This is another fight that should prove way more entertaining than Ray Mercers 9 Second KO of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia, bwahahahahaaha. Sorry that always makes me laugh my ass off. My prediction is Chris “Lights Out” Lytle by career saving KO (I hope).
TUF 9 Finale Undercard Predictions
If we are fortunate enough to be treated to one of the fights on the Undercard for the Ultimate Fighter 9 season finale I would like to see Frankie Lester from the US take one more shot at making something happen with an MMA career. For those of you not familiar with Frankie Lester or those of you that got tired of the stomping that the US was receiving vs the UK, Frankie Lester is the unfortunate sole that had four of his teeth knocked out by a knee, he is also the concrete hearted US soldier that had a total of four fights in 34 days while being in the Ultimate Fighter house. Not all of those fights went in Frankie Lester’s favor, but if nothing else Lester showed some of the biggest heart displayed in an MMA ring.
Nick Osipczak vs. Frank Lester – Ultimate Fighter 9 competitors
Chances are Frankie Lester will lose this fight, he is fighting a very talented Osipczak. As I often do, I will be basing my prediction soley on who I would like to see win the fight.
Odds: Osipczak (-200) / Lester (+160)
Frankie Lester is the underdog in this fight and a bet worth making, my pick Frankie Lester.
TUF 9 Finale Odds
Odds are based on Sportsbook.com
Sanchez (-325) / Guida (+250)
Diaz (-155) / Stevenson (-125
Lytle (-260) / Burns (+200)
Johnson (-365) / Wilks (+285)
Winner (-185) / Pearson (+155)
If you are looking for a more serious perspective on the Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale Predictions check out MMA Punk or check out MMA Linkage to find more MMA sites. If your a Twitter user follow me on Twitter and follow @mmapunk on Twitter and tweet with us during the fights on Saturday night, tell us your opinion, argue with us or whatever either way we always have fun.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Yeah, It's really interesting, now UFC games are more familiar to me through your blog, I am waiting for the best time.
Ok stupid question. I haven't been watching the TUF this season. Who are the TUF finalists and are they going to be on TV?
Hi Mike, very good point all though I have it marked on the Johnson fight I failed to note the other TUF 9 Finale competitors that are fighting tonight on Spike TV. I will edit the post now and make those notes a little more clear so that anyone can at least follow along as opposed to people that just watched the Ultimate Fighter Season 9. Thank you for pointing that out.
I've been following TUF 9 this season, and i was glad there wasnt as much inhouse hijinks, would love to have had those two fight episodes every show, maybe they could take throught a few more fighters in future seasons. As far as tonights Finale goes ive had trouble picking!
Im going against you in the Guida Vs Sanchez fight, i think it will be a decision also but if i had any money i'd put it on Sanchez by decision.
Got the same on the Diaz Vs Stevenson fight, if Joe Daddy uses his wrestling more i can see it being tough for Diaz, but i still think Diaz takes it possibly in another decision.
I really cant call Burns or Lytle, both seem tough as hell, giving it to Burns just by variety of strikes and BJJ, and can see this possibly finishing in a submission by Burns.
For the TUF Finalists i see DaMarques finishing the fight, and Ross Pearson taking his bout on strength. Gonna be a great night of fights though, hope i can stay Awake!
Well John, We have made the same picks except for the main event. Old dirty Sanchez vs Clay Guida. I'm huge Guida fan but I really like what I'm seeing from Sanchez. I think he is in a great place mentally and everything else is following. Either way this fight should make the highlight reel for great fights of 2009.
Thanks that definitely helps an MMA novice like me.
Novice? Youve got over a year under your belt, your as pro as they come
I checked out your picks and left a comment for you. Be sure to check out James TUF 9 Predictions and leave a comment http://www.mmapunk.com/the-ultimate-fighter-tea...
Either way some great fights tonight, your predictions for tonight's TUF 9 Finale are probably based more on reality than my twisted “wish list” of who I would like to see win. Haha. Can't wait for tonights fights!
I thought Sanchez looked very tough in his fight. I'm a Guida fan, but he just couldn't hold his own against Diego.
@TCC I think Guida did well, he got jumped on to start the fight which was world class. He sustained a sever beating in that first round, however Sanchez spent a lot of energy and Guida man handled him in the second. Sanchez did do an excellent job of delivering strikes from the bottom to the top of Guida’s head with elbows, but regardless he spent the round on his back and loses that round. The third round was a solid back and forth, I also give this round to Guida because of a nice reversal, and based on the fact he stayed on top the majority of the round. 10-8 Sanchez, 10-9, 10-9 Guida = DRAW
I spin everything haha
I was right on some wrong on some! glad i didnt put any money on this one lol! Sanchez and Guida was awsome and Lytle did a solid job in a crazy fight!
@MMALink there’s no doubt I couldn’t be happier that I didn’t open up the wallet for any gambling action on this card, I hit the first three fights on point though. Fell apart after that.