Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Joe “Daddy†Stevenson (29-10-0) vs. Nate Diaz (10-3-0)
Joe Stevenson is the winner of the UFC Ultimate Fighter 2 and once challenged current UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn for the title at UFC 80. Joe Stevenson has had a long run in the UFC thus far, defeating Luke Cummo, Yves Edwards, Dokojonosuke Mishima, Melvin Guillard, Kurt Pellegrino and Gleison Tibau, while suffering defeat to Josh Neer, BJ Penn, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez. Joe Stevenson will be entering the fight on a two fight losing streak, which is the first losing streak during his UFC run. Joe Stevenson will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with fourteen victories coming by submission. Nate Diaz was the winner of the UFC Ultimate Fighter 5, then started off his UFC career on a five fight winning streak. During that winning streak, Nate Diaz defeated Manny Gamburyan, Junior Assuncao, Alvin Robinson, Kurt Pellegrino and Josh Neer. Nate Diaz suffered his first loss in the UFC at UFC 94, losing to Clay Guida by split decision after three rounds of action. Nate Diaz will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with seven victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Nate Diaz
UFC Ultimate Fighter 9 Lightweight Finals
Ross “The Real Deal†Pearson (8-3-0) vs. Andre Winner (9-2-1)
Ross Pearson will be making his official UFC debut in this fight, but he is a longtime veteran of the Goshin Ryu promotion. While in the Goshin Ryu promotion, Ross Pearson defeated Will Burke, Gavin Bradley, Mark Spencer and Cedric Celerier, while suffering a lone loss to Kurt Warbuton. The year 2008 was easily the best year of Ross Pearson’s MMA career, winning five of six fights in that year. Ross Pearson will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with five victories coming by way of submission. Andre Winner will also be making his official UFC debut in this fight, plus is competing against Ross Pearson in the only UK vs. UK fight in the UFC Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale. Andre Winner is a veteran of the Cage Warriors Fighting Championships promotion, where he defeated Paul Cooper, Daniel Thomas and AJ Wenn, while suffering defeats to Greg Loughran and Bendy Casimir. Andre Winner hasn’t won a fight since November of 2007, when he defeated Mario Stapel at the FX3: England vs. Germany event. Andre Winner will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with three prior wins coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Ross Pearson
UFC Welterweight Division Fight
Chris “Lights Out†Lytle (26-17-5) vs. Kevin Burns (7-2-0)
Chris Lytle is a longtime veteran of MMA competition, having faced top fighters like Dave Menne, Shonie Carter, Nick Diaz, Aaron Riley, Robbie Lawler, Pete Spratt, Tiki Ghosn, Ronald Jhun, Karo Parisyan, Joe Riggs, Matt Serra, Matt Hughes, Thiago Alves, Josh Koscheck and Marcus Davis. Chris Lytle does have a connection to the Ultimate Fighter, as he was a finalist on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback. Chris Lytle will be entering the fight coming off a loss, which was to the aforementioned Marcus Davis at UFC 93. Chris Lytle will be looking to use his ground and pound to gain victory, with seventeen victories coming by submission. Kevin Burns has had an interesting run thus far in the UFC, defeating Roan Carneiro and Anthony Johnson, only suffering a loss to Anthony Johnson in their rematch. The loss to Anthony Johnson at the UFC Ultimate Fight 8 Finale ended a five fight winning streak that lasted over a year. Kevin Burns is also a veteran of the Victory Fighting Championships promotion, where he defeated Matt Delanoit and Bobby Voelker. Kevin Burns is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with all of his career victories coming by knockout and submission.
My Prediction: Chris Lytle
UFC Ultimate Fighter 9 Welterweight Finals
DaMarques Johnson (9-6-0) vs. James “Lightning†Wilks (5-2-0)
DeMarques Johnson will be making his official UFC debut in this fight, but he has fought top MMA fighters in Brock Larson and Ryan Williams. DeMarques Johnson has fought previously in the Ultimate Combat Experience promotion, where he defeated Tim Panter, Hank Weiss and William Layton, while suffering losses to Justin Wright and Court McGee. A loss to Ryan Williams at Extreme Challenge 103 snapped a five fight winning streak for DeMarques Johnson, which lasted over a year. DeMarques Johnson is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with eight victories coming by knockout and submission. James Wilks will be making his official UFC debut in this fight, but he holds a victory over Elite XC veteran Ray Lizama. Despite this fight being his UFC debut, James Wilks has competed in promotions like Gladiator Challenge and King Of The Cage. James Wilks will be entering the fight on a three fight winning streak, recently defeating Shawn Nagano, John Cole and Mike Robles. James Wilks is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with all of his victories coming by knockout and submission.
My Prediction: DeMarques Johnson
UFC Lightweight Division Fight
Diego “Nightmare†Sanchez (20-2-0) vs. Clay “The Carpenter†Guida (25-9-0)
Diego Sanchez was the winner of the very first season of the Ultimate Fighter and will be making his second appearance in the UFC Lightweight Division. Diego Sanchez started off his UFC run in impressive fashion by defeating Kenny Florian, Brian Gassaway, Nick Diaz, John Alessio, Karo Parisyan and Joe Riggs, before suffering two straight losses to Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck. Since the losses, Diego Sanchez has gone on a three fight winning streak with victories over David Bielkheden, Luigi Fioravanti and Joe Stevenson. Diego Sanchez will be looking to use his ground and pound skills to win the fight, with nine victories coming by submission. Clay Guida has had an interesting run thus far in UFC competition, defeating Justin James, Marcus Aurelio, Samy Schiavo, Mac Danzig and Nate Diaz, while suffering losses to Din Thomas, Tyson Griffin and Roger Huerta. Clay Guida has gone on an odd winning streak, having defeated two past Ultimate Fighter champions, defeating the aforementioned Mac Danzig and Nate Diaz. Clay Guida will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with twelve previous victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Diego Sanchez
(Note: I will be doing live coverage of the UFC Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale right here on PWInsiderXtra.com this Saturday June 20th at 9pm EST.)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
