Well, Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas is right around the corner, and it’s that time of the year where everyone is a lot fatter than they were at the beginning of the year, yet still hungry for some ridiculous Black Friday savings. Your kids are constantly reminding you what they want for Christmas, those pesky Mariah Carey Christmas songs blaring on every radio station, and it’s impossible to walk into the local Kroger without some bell ringing hippie asking me for my change. Yeah, you can call me a “Grinch” I guess. Although I do love a warm turtle neck paired with a ravishing Christmas sweater, I’m not the merriest person I know; but even a “Grinch” like myself needs to buy Christmas presents.
With this being the last chance to become rich before Baby Jesus’ birthday, I’m going all out on these picks for UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler II, and betting heavy on the underdogs. Sure, statistically these people are not supposed to win, but when was the last time anyone got in the octagon and kicked someone’s ass with math? Never. That isn’t going to start now.
-250 Tony Ferguson (16-3) v. +210 Abel Trujillo (12-5) 155lbs:
Ferguson is favored in this fight, and he should be. He is on a 3 fight win streak, and is coming off of a victory over Danny Castillo at UFC 177. Ferguson seems to always be improving in between fights, but that won’t matter in this one. Trujillo is a scary dude, strong, fast, and aggressive, not to mention the guy’s nickname is “Killa”. Trujillo is coming off of a 2nd round TKO over Jamie Varner who stepped in on short notice, and I think Ferguson will have the same fate. Trujillo wins this one by second round TKO.
-325 Todd Duffee (8-2) v. +265 Anthony Hamilton (13-3) Heavy:
It’s crazy to think that Duffee made his UFC debut back in 2009 when he KO’d Tim Hague in 7 seconds. There was a lot of hype around him at the time, but after suffering his first loss, he was cut from the UFC. Word is, the guy was making a stink about needing money for surgery. So they did the logical thing and cut him. After a few fights in other organizations, he made his way back to the UFC and defeated Phil De Fries at UFC 155. Shortly after the fight, he was diagnosed with Parsonage Turner Syndrome and was told he would be out for some time. Even though it’s been two years since his last fight, this is actually a speedy recovery for Duffee. Hamilton is coming off of a TKO win in his last fight, but I think Duffee has all the momentum coming into this fight. He finishes this one in typical Todd Duffee fashion, with a first round KO.
-330 Travis Browne (16-2) v. +270 Brendan Schaub (10-4) Heavy:
After criticizing Schaub in the past and not liking that look on his face since his days on The Ultimate Fighter, I have actually become a fan of him recently. His last fight with Arlovski was a real hoot and he should have won it. WRONG! Sorry, I can’t even pretend I don’t hate that guy. The coolest thing he ever did was date Rousey, and Browne is going to bend this guy over a barrel and show him the 50 states. Schaub will try too take Browne down but it won’t work. Browne will smack him around for a full round before he puts Schaub to sleep in the second.
-250 Anthony Pettis (17-2) v. +210 Gilbert Melendez (22-3) 155lbs:
The first title fight of the night will not be a disappointment, unless you are really hoping that Pettis wins. The guy is a great fighter but is always hurt, I’m still not 100% he won’t get hurt on the elevator ride down to weigh-ins. If he can make these next couple of days without ripping or tearing something, the fans will see a fast paced, action packed, barn burner, that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Not as crazy as the Melendez vs. Sanchez fight, but close. Melendez will get rocked and drug through hell, but he’s a tough guy and he will grind it out. Melendez takes the belt by way of decision.
-220 Johny Hendricks (16-2) v. +180 Robbie Lawler (24-10) 170lbs:
Their last fight was close and this one will be the same. After their last fight, Hendricks had surgery on an old shoulder injury, and Robbie went on and defeated Jake Ellenberger and Matt Brown. He truly earned his way back to this title shot. Lawler has been around for a long time now, but is better now than he has ever been. He knows he has to finish the fight to get the win; it is hard to decision win someone like Hendricks. He will be looking for the finish the whole fight, and no matter what second of what round it is, Lawler has that KO power; the same can be said for Hendricks too. This fight will end in the third round with Lawler down two rounds, then Hendricks gets caught and goes to sleep.
While you guys are all wrapping presents with care and drinking eggnog by the fire, I’ll be in Vegas lighting fires and stealing change from the homeless with Angela Magana. In all seriousness, all of us here at MikeTheTruth.com would like to wish all of you out there a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. “Merry Christmas. Kiss my ass. Kiss his ass. Happy Hanukkah.” -Clark Griswold
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