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Keep Punching ~ Carlos Arias goes toe-to-toe with all the heavyweights in MMA and boxing for the O.C. Register

Archive for the 'Fight of the week' Category

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FIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Pacquiao vs. Cotto, Couture vs. Vera

November 13th, 2009, 3:07 pm by CARLOS ARIAS

pacquiao_cotto_medMANNY PACQUIAO VS. MIGUEL COTTO

When: Saturday, 6 p.m.

Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas

TV: HBO PPV

Outlook: Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) goes in search of world title in a fifth weight class when he challenges Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) for his WBO welterweight championship.

Prediction: This fight pits Pacquiao's speed against Cotto's strength. Cotto has dealt with speedy fighters before when he faced Sugar Shane Mosley and Zab Judah. Cotto also possesses one of the best left hooks to the body, which will help slow down Pacquiao. Cotto will use his excellent counterpunching to outpoint Pacquiao and win a hard-fought decision.

couture_vera_weighin_medUFC 105: COUTURE VS. VERA

When: Saturday

Where: M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England

TV: Spike TV, 8 p.m. (tape delayed)

Outlook: Five-time UFC champion Randy Couture (16-10) moves back down to 205 pounds after back-to-back losses at heavyweight to Brock Lesnar and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to take on Brandon Vera (11-3).

Prediction: Couture, 46, keeps himself in peak condition and he continues to be able to compete wit the elite fighters of this era despite his age. Vera, 32, has a solid wrestling background, excellent Muay Thai skills and very good submissions. I believe Couture, who is one of the best game planners in MMA, will be able to control Vera in the clinch, get takedowns and pile up points with his ground-and-pound en route to a decision victory.

Record in 2009 picks: 28-14

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Posted in: Boxing • Fight of the week • HBO PPV • MMA • Top Rank • UFC | Post a Comment »

FIGHT OF THE WEEK: Klitschko vs. Arreola

September 25th, 2009, 11:40 pm by CARLOS ARIAS

arreola_klitschko_weighinVitali Klitschko vs. Chris Arreola

When: Saturday, 4 p.m.

Where: Staples Center

TV: HBO, 6 p.m.

Outlook: Riverside's Arreola (27-0, 24 KOs) will try to become the first fighter of Mexican descent to win a heavyweight championship in boxing when he challenges Klitschko (37-2, 36 KOs) for the WBC title.

Prediction: Klitschko, a 6-7, 250-pounder, has the experience, an awkward style and a crushing right, but he has to deal with the relentless pressure, body punches, and power of Arreola, a 6-4, 250-pounder. Both fighters are capable of ending this fight with one punch, but I'm going with Arreola in this one.

Record in 2009 picks: 25-10

Posted in: Boxing • Fight of the week • HBO Boxing | Post a Comment »

FIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Mayweather vs. Marquez, UFC 103

September 19th, 2009, 11:44 am by CARLOS ARIAS

mayweathermarquezweighin_hoganphotos-2FIGHTS OF THE WEEK

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez

When: Saturday 6 p.m.

Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas

TV: HBO PPV ($54.95)

Prediction: Even after nearly two years away from the ring, Mayweather's speed and defense will be too much for Marquez. Mayweather wins by decision.

franklin_belfort_weighRich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Tex.

TV: Pay-per-view ($44.95)

Prediction: Belfort has been on a roll of late with and his explosive power will be the difference in this one. Belfort by kayo.

Record in 2009 picks: 23-10

Posted in: Boxing • Fight of the week • Golden Boy Promotions • HBO PPV • MMA • UFC | Post a Comment »

FIGHT OF THE WEEK: Diaz vs. Malignaggi

August 20th, 2009, 7:15 pm by CARLOS ARIAS

diazmalignaggifinalpc_hoganphotos-2Juan Diaz vs. Paulie Malignaggi

When: Saturday

Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Tex.

TV: HBO, 9:45 p.m.

Outlook: Former unified lightweight champion Juan Diaz (34-2, 17 KOs) moves up to 140 pounds to take on former IBF super-lightweight champion Paulie Malignaggi (26-2, 5 KOs).

Prediction: Both of these guys like to a throw a high volume of punches which should make fr an action fight. Malignaggi's weakness is his lack of power. Diaz is a ferocious body puncher that will help him wear down Malignaggi and win a decision.

Record in 2009 picks: 20-10

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Posted in: Boxing • Fight of the week • Golden Boy Promotions • HBO BAD | 2 Comments »

FIGHT OF THE WEEK: Carano vs. Cyborg

August 15th, 2009, 8:49 am by CARLOS ARIAS

cris_cyborg_santos_medGina Carano vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos

When: Saturday

Where: HP Pavilion, San Jose

TV: Showtime, 10:30 p.m. (tape delayed)

Outlook: Carano (7-0) and Santos (7-1) square off for the Strikeforce female 145-pound championship in the most highly-anticipated women's fight in MMA history.

Prediction: These are two skilled Muay Thai specialists, but the difference is going to be Santos' vicious punching power. Look for Carano to give it all she has and make it a fight until Santos overwhelms her for the TKO finish.

Record in 2009 picks: 19-10

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Posted in: Fight of the week • MMA • Strikeforce | Post a Comment »

FIGHT OF THE WEEK: Penn vs. Florian

August 6th, 2009, 1:32 pm by CARLOS ARIAS

penn_florianB.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Wachovia Center, Pennsylvania, Pa.

TV: Pay-per-view ($44.95)

Outlook: Penn (13-5-1) makes the second defense of his UFC 155-pound title against Florian (13-3) in the main event of UFC 101.

Prediction: Florian is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with excellent Muay Thai skills, but Penn is one of the best BJJ practitioners of his generation. He also has excellent standup and unbelievable flexibility. Cardio has been Penn's downfall in the past, but when he is in shape he has looked unstoppable at 155 pounds. Florian will give Penn all he can handle, but Penn is in shape and he will retain his title.

Record in 2009 picks: 18-10

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Posted in: Fight of the week • MMA • UFC | Post a Comment »

FIGHT OF THE WEEK: Lesnar vs. Mir

July 10th, 2009, 4:21 pm by CARLOS ARIAS

UFC 100 Mixed Martial Arts

Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Mandalay Bay Events Center

TV: Pay-per-view ($44.95)

Outlook: Lesnar (3-1) will try to avenge his lone loss when he takes on Mir (12-3) in a rematch for the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 100

Prediction: Lesnar was overwhelming Mir with punches and had him on his back taking some serious punishment before getting caught in a kneebar. Lesnar remains an MMA neophyte and Mir is one of the most accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu artists in MMA. Lesnar has worked a lot on his submission defense and I believe he will use his unstoppable takedowns and ground-and-pound to grind out a victory.

Record in 2009 picks: 16-9

Posted in: Fight of the week • MMA • UFC | 2 Comments »

FIGHT OF THE WEEK: Brown vs. Faber II

June 5th, 2009, 5:04 pm by CARLOS ARIAS

Mike Brown vs. Urijah Faber II

When: Sunday, 6 p.m.

Where: Arco Arena, Sacramento

TV: Versus

Outlook: Brown (21-4) makes the second defense of his WEC 145-pound title against Faber (22-2) in this rematch at WEC 41. Brown scored a first-round TKO over Faber at WEC 36 to capture the title.

Prediction: Brown is extremely strong and powerful at 145 pounds, but Faber is one of the most creative fighters I've seen. I believe Faber will make the changes and adjustments necessary to win the rematch.

Record in 2009 picks: 15-5

Posted in: Fight of the week • MMA • WEC | Post a Comment »

FIGHT OF THE WEEK: Angulo vs. Cintron

May 29th, 2009, 5:47 pm by CARLOS ARIAS

Alfredo Angulo vs. Kermit Cintron

When: Saturday, 9:45 p.m.

Where: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

TV: HBO

Outlook: Angulo (15-0, 12 KOs) takes a big step up in the level of competition when he takes on Cintron (30-2-1, 27 KOs), a former IBF welterweight champion.

Prediction: These two fighters are big-time bangers with the capability of ending the fight with one punch at any moment. Cintron has the edge in experience, but his suspect chin will be the difference. Angulo is a rising star at welterweight and he will prove it with a victory over Cintron.

Record in 2009 picks: 15-4

Posted in: Boxing • Fight of the week • HBO BAD | Post a Comment »

FIGHT OF THE WEEK: Evans vs. Machida

May 21st, 2009, 10:17 am by CARLOS ARIAS

machida_evansRASHAD EVANS VS. LYOTO MACHIDA

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

TV: Pay-per-view ($44.95)

Outlook: Evans (18-0-1) makes the first defense of his UFC light-heavyweight title against Machida (14-0) in the main event at UFC 98

Prediction: Evans is a great wrestler who has developed into a dangerous striker and Machida is a black belt in Shotokan Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I believe Evans will be able to get takedowns and do the kind of damage to Machida on the ground that none of his previous opponents have been able to do. Evans will win by late stoppage or decision.

Record in 2009 picks: 15-3

Posted in: Fight of the week • MMA • UFC | 13 Comments »

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