The long awaited finale to the UFC’s Sixth Ultimate Fighter Reality Series is upon us, as two fighters from Team (Matt) Hughes will duke it out for the six figure UFC contract in the co-main event while the headlining bout is reserved for 155 lbs contenders Roger ‘El Matador’ Huerta and Clay ‘The Carpenter’ Guida.
As for opposing Coach Matt Serra and his stable of cast mates, they will be competing in a variety of undercard bouts vs other Team Hughes members, as Serra hopes to increase his final margin of victories over his arch nemesis. The event is taking place at The Palms Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The televised portion of the card will air live beginning at 9pm ET tomorrow on Spike TV.
Main Card
Roger Huerta (155 lbs.) vs. Clay Guida (155 lbs.)
Is this the fight where many critics are proven right when they state that Roger Huerta’s MMA skills are exposed vs the rough and rugged, time tested, octagon proven Clay Guida? Or is this is the bout where Huerta silences his critics and takes a giant step up the UFC lightweight rankings by adding Guida to his growing list of Octagon victims?
My Prediction: Clay Guida by Unanimaous Decision after a three round war that places this bout on the candidate list for ‘2007 Fight of the Year’.
Mac Danzig (168.5) vs. Tommy Speer (170)
This is a case of experience vs heart as the well travelled Mac Danzig takes on the up and coming Tommy Speer, with the latter showcasing breathtaking heart in his bouts throughout the season series. While Danzig breezed through to the finals, Speer’s road to the finals was chalk full of blood, sweat and an iron clad determination that is only seen in championship fighters.
My Prediction: Mac Danzig wins (but with a typical season finale twist whereby the UFC awards both fighters a six figure contract each). Danzig goes down to the lightweight division after this bout while Speer goes on an impressive run in the welterweight division.
Jared Rollins (169) vs. Jon Koppenhaver (170)
This is basically Jared Rollins’ chance to prove his worth to the UFC brass after being hyped by Hughes as the best BJJ fighter on the team. For Koppenhaver, it looked so much like he was going to be one of the Team Serra fighters to make it to the final but like Rollins, his fight on the show left a lot to be desired.
My Prediction: Jared Rollins by Submission
Billy Miles (170) vs. George Sotiropoulos (169)
I did not see much in Billy Miles’ exposure during the various episodes this season but I did see a plethora of talent in George Sotiropoulos that leads me to believe, under the right tutelage, can make a serious dent in the welterweight division. Provided he is mentally strong going into this bout (and others in the future), Sotiropoulos has the ability and charisma to become a superstar in this sport.
My Prediction: George Sotiropoulos by submission.
Ben Saunders (169) vs. Dan Barrera (170)
It just seems to be that with all the talk of Dan Barrera focusing so much on being in prime physical condition and less on working (and executing) fight strategies, a recipe for disaster waits for him in the name of Ben Saunders.
I met Saunders a few years ago while working with the APEX Fight Championships and I can attest to what many saw on the reality show: Saunders really enjoys fighting and it shows. His love for MMA will be showcased once again by that sinister smile as he peers across the Octagon at the muscle bound Dan Barrera.
My Prediction: Ben Saunders by TKO
UNDERCARD:
Matt Arroyo (169) vs. John Kolosci (170)
With Matt Arroyo having to unfortunately pull out of his semi-final bout vs Mac Danzig, I look for him to make an example of John Kolosci to prove to himself, MMA fans and the UFC brass that he deserves to be in the big show.
My Prediction: Matt Arroyo by submission.
Troy Mandaloniz (170) vs. Richie Hightower (170)
Unbeknownst to many of the viewers who bought the underlying criticism of Richie Hightower’s appearance on the reality show, I kept my mental money in my pocket. For all the bad press he received, I saw a lot of heart, grit and slick ground and pound skills in Hightower’s game. Whereas for Mandaloniz, I was unpleasantly surprised at the skill level he displayed during training and in his bout on the show.
My Prediction: Richie Hightower by TKO.
Dorian Price (170) vs. Roman Mitichyan (170)
This is a tough fight to call, but I almost feel like taking a risk on this one. While Dorian Price appeared to be, hands down, the best muay thai striker on the show, his ground game was extremely suspect. Price is now a member of Team Gurgel, the same team as Rich Franklin, so I am wondering how much is ground game has improved since we last saw him fight in the Octagon.
As for Roman Mitichyan, we did not see anything other than a stubborn determination to prove that he belongs in the UFC. After being released during the first episode due to suffering a terrible elbow injury during the initial fighter showcase before the two coaches, I saw a desire and passion in his eyes, words and actions that the UFC’s reality series has been lacking in the huge majority of athletes they have casted onto the show. Mitichyan’s heart and mind are primal in nature and I almost feel like picking him, but he has not fought since August of 2006, while Price has been fairly active in that timeframe.
My Prediction: Dorian Price by KO.
Paul Georgieff (170) vs. Jonathan Goulet (170)
Experience is the key in this fight and Jonathan Goulet has abundance when you compare it to the young up and coming Georgief. Goulet may be too much for Georgieff at this point in Georeiff’s career and may simply steamroll the judo expert into a another loss in the Octagon.
My Prediction: Jonathan Goulet by TKO
