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UFC Lightweight Division Fight
Rafaello “Tractor†Oliveira (9-2-0) vs. John “Quick Guns†Gunderson (22-6-0)
Rafaello Oliveira made his UFC debut at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort in September 2009, losing to Nik Lentz by unanimous decision. Rafaello Oliveira is a veteran of the Xtreme Fighting Championships promotion, where he defeated Robert Thompson and John Mahlow. Rafaello Oliveira also made a lone appearance in the Elite XC promotion, where he suffered a defeat to Lyle Beerbohm. Rafaello Oliveira is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with six victories coming by knockout and submission. John Gunderson will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is a longtime veteran of the Desert Brawl promotion. While in Desert Brawl, John Gunderson has defeated Al Libey, Chris Young, Rob Hisamoto, Dave Rivas, Shawn Bias, Danny Payne, Mike Joy, Bryan Caraway and Dan Russom, while suffering a lone defeat to Donny Raines. This fight against Rafaello Oliveira will mark the seventh fight of 2009 for John Gunderson and his second fight in two months. John Gunderson will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with fifteen victories coming by submission.
My Prediction: John Gunderson
UFC Welterweight Division Fight
Mike “Quicksand†Pyle (19-6-1) vs. Jake Ellenberger (21-5-0)
Mike Pyle has had an interesting run in the UFC, defeating Chris Wilson at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 19 and suffering a defeat to Brock Larson at UFC 98. Mike Pyle had a good run in the Elite XC promotion, defeating Ross Ebanez and Aaron Wetherspoon, while suffering a lone defeat to Jake Shields. Prior to entering the UFC in mid-2009, Mike Pyle had fought such UFC veterans as Quinton Jackson, Jon Fitch, Shonie Carter, Rory Markham and Brian Caraway. Mike Pyle will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with sixteen victories coming by submission. Jake Ellenberger made his UFC debut at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 19, losing to Carlos Condit by split decision. Jake Ellenberger started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a twelve fight undefeated streak that lasted over a year. Jake Ellenberger also competed in the M-1 Challenge promotion, defeating Farouk Lakebir and Doo Won Seo. Jake Ellenberger also made a single appearance in the first season of the Bellator Fighting Championships, defeating Marcelo Alfaya. Jake Ellenberger will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with thirteen victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Mike Pyle
UFC Middleweight Division Fight
Mark “The Phillipine Wrecking Machine†Munoz (6-1-0) vs. Ryan Jensen (14-5-0)
Mark Munoz has had an interesting run in the UFC, defeating Nick Catone at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira and suffering a defeat to Matt Hamill at UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine. Mark Munoz went undefeated in World Extreme Cagefighting competition, defeating Chuck Grigsby and Ricardo Barros. The loss at UFC 96 to Matt Hamill snapped a five fight undefeated streak for Mark Munoz, which had lasted over a year. Mark Munoz will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with three victories coming by knockout. Ryan Jensen has had a poor run in the UFC, defeating Steve Steinbeiss and suffering defeats to Thales Leitas, Demian Maia and Wilson Gouveia. Prior to entering the UFC in late 2007, Ryan Jensen had fought UFC veterans Brock Larson and Rob Kimmons. Ryan Jensen had also competed in the Strikeforce promotion, losing to Joey Villasenor via knockout. This fight against Mark Munoz will mark the first time in over two years that Ryan Jensen has competed in multiple MMA fights in a single year. Ryan Jensen will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with nine victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Mark Munoz
(Note: I will be providing live coverage of UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva right here on PWInsiderXtra on Saturday January 2nd at 9pm EST.)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
