UFC Fight Night 24 picks and preview

The UFC production team makes the cross-country trek for the second show in seven days as UFC Fight Night 24 hits Spike TV from the Pacific Northwest just a week after UFC 128 rocked New Jersey.
While the card has undergone a number of changes since the original lineup was announced, each shift has made the event better. I am going to give some quick thoughts on the match ups and my picks for the night. Here we go.


Waylon Lowe (10-3-0) vs. Nik Lentz (20-3-2)

Lentz is one of few fighters in the sport who actually fits his nickname to a tee; the dude looks like a “Carny,” which is probably where he got the name in the first place.
Waylon is a personal friend of mine tho, So I am bias here. Both are top-control wrestlers who don’t do much other than work for top control and stay in place once they’re there. But Waylon has some guns on him and that country boy hits HARD. I am hoping Lowe gets his first UFC knock out.

Sean McCorkle (10-1-0) vs. Christian Morecraft (6-1-0)

“Big Sexy” hasn’t been as prominent in the news since Stefan Struve handed him the first loss of his career back at UFC 124. He’s still offering up gold on Twitter and The UG pretty regularly, but the spotlight has faded and now he needs a win over Morecraft to keep his name in the news for more legitimate reasons.

Morecraft is the cousin of local ammy fighter Adam Prince. Morecraft lost to Struve last time out as well, though he acquitted himself quite well before catching the gigantic Dutchman’s fist with his face 21 seconds into the second round. The Massachusetts native dominated Struve in the opening frame, coming close to putting away the emerging heavyweight prospect with some heavy ground-and-pound. I don't really have a pick for this fight,But I can't wait to see it.

John Hathaway (14-1-0) vs. Kris McCray (5-2-0)

I don’t really agree with the thinking that you can learn more from a loss than you can a win, but I do believe that fading from the spotlight after his loss to Mike Pyle is a positive for Hathaway. Kinda a must win for both guys, But I'm going with Hathaway on this one.

Alex Caceres (4-2-0) vs. Mackens Semerzier (5-3-0)

With each passing fight, Semerzier’s upset win over Wagnney Fabiano is looking more and more like an aberration. He’s dropped three straight since catching the BJJ black belt in a triangle in his WEC debut, and is unquestionably looking at a must-win scenario as he officially welcomes “Bruce Leroy” to the UFC.

I’m really looking forward to this one because I’m always curious to see how kids like Caceres handle themselves inside the Octagon once the TUF cameras are done rolling. He earned himself a lot of prime time exposure with his “Bruce Leroy” stylings and acerbic way of interacting with is fellow cast mates, but now Caceres needs to show he’s more than just a persona. And even tho he is kind of a douche, I always find myself cheering for him. Leroy by sub in the 2nd.

Leonard Garcia (15-7-1) vs. Chan Sung Jung (10-3-0)

The first time these two met may have been one of the best fights I have ever seen.
Jung became an overnight sensation in North America with his truly zombie-like performance the first time around with Garcia, but followed it up by getting knocked out by a perfectly timed headkick from Roop. As cool as his nickname and walkout t-shirts may be, Jung is officially 1-3 in his last four fights, and has sworn to employ a more measured, less chaotic style moving forward. And even tho I think he should have won the first fight, I do not think he will this time around. I look for less fireworks this time and see Garcia getting the win.

Amir Sadollah (4-2-0) vs. DaMarques Johnson (8-3-0)

I really could care less about this fight. I always believed Johnson would end up being the best of the bunch coming out of the welterweight pack on TUF 9, and that seems to be the case.
Johnson gets the W here.

Dan Hardy (23-8-0, 1 NC) vs. Anthony Johnson (8-3-0)

Johnson is coming into this fight after a 16-month layoff that included knee surgery.
As always, the question of the hour with Johnson is his weight and conditioning; that’s what happens when you miss weight twice in a seven-fight span and walk around north of 220 pounds between fights. I’m no doctor, but cutting upwards of 23 percent of your body weight repeatedly can’t be easy and definitely isn’t good for you. Yet Johnson insists on fighting at the 170 pound limit. He has missed weight twice before. That along with the ring rust (That is a real thing) and the fact that he is fighting a very hungry Dan Hardy = a bad night for Johnson.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (19-4-0) vs. Phil Davis (8-0-0)

I met little Nog once. It was the day before his bout with Ryan Bader. I remember thinking how beat up he looked. His brother is a legend in the sport and I believe that is the only reason Lil Nog is in the UFC. I think Davis is one of the most under rated fighters in the 205 div. And I think this will be the night he becomes a star. Mark my words Davis is going places.

Well there you have it kids. Thanks for reading my shit and please give me some feedback. Enjoy the fights everybody!