One Of The Best Undercards In A While

by Wookalarman on Apr 15, 2009 9:47 AM EDT

There have been several great posts about the upcoming UFC 97. The Silva/Leites & Liddell/Rua fights have been picked apart with a fine tooth comb so I think I will stay away from them. I would like to focus more on the undercard. First off, WOW! I think this will be a very exciting night of undercard fights. Here's a look at a few of my choice fights.

Let's start with the debut of "Professor X". Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-9-0) is a skilled Muay Thai and Kickboxing fighter from France who looks to make a splash against the very experienced BJJ black belt Denis Kang (31-11-1). I don't know a lot about either of these fighters but I am stoked for this one. I still have to go with Kang via 2nd round submission.

The Ed Herman (16-6-0) David Loiseau (18-8-0) fight could turn into fight of the night if both men show up @ 100%. I really like both in this fight but I guess I will have to go with Loiseau via late 2nd round TKO.

Sam Stout (14-5-1) may not have the best UFC record with 2 wins and 4 losses but when he meets Matt Wiman (10-4-0) this could also turn into a fight of the night if they both decide to stand and trade. I am going to go with Wiman via Unanimous Decision.

If Jason MacDonald (22-11-0) can take Nate Quarry (16-3-0) down and keep him there for a little bit to tire him I think MacDonald can pull out a decision maybe even a late submission. But I think that Quarry will keep it standing and pick apart MacDonald for the win. Quarry via 1st round TKO.

The Eliot Marshall (6-2-0) and Vinicius Magalhaes (3-3-1) match could turn into a BJJ sink it first match. Both are very good on the ground and looking to impress in their 2nd bout for the UFC. I think Magalhaes may be a little more well rounded though. I have Magalhaes via 1st round submission.

So, any other thoughts on this great undercard?

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Comments

Professor X knocks out Denis Kang in the 1st or 2nd round.
Louiseau wins by majority decision
Wiman wins by unanimous decision
Quarry knocks out McDonald in the 2nd round
Marshall knocks out Magahales in the 1st round.

I have a feeling there won’t be a whole lot of fights going to the judges on this event…. should be a good one.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 15, 2009 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

We were kinda-sorta close on our picks.

by Wookalarman on Apr 15, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, for the most part

They all could go either way… but I definitely don’t see Vinny beating Eliot Marshall unless Vinny has done a complete overhaul on his stand up gain and has learned to deal with being hit.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 15, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

i'm with ya on this

Marshall may not be as accomplished as Vinny in BJJ, but I think Marshall’s standup is better and he is an aggressive opponent. I really liked Marshall on the show and hope he pulls this one off convincingly.

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by funnytiger on Apr 15, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Man,

I want to pick Kang, but I just can’t anymore.

The Crow vs Herman could be a great fight. I remember thinking Louiseau was going to be the next big thing with his devastating elbows. Hope he can get it back on track.

Wiman/Stout also has a ton pf potentail, but I kind of like Wiman as well.

Quarry by KO or McDonald by sub??? Not sure what to pick, but yet another potentially great fight.

Vinny is a freakin’ scary individual, but I think Eliot keeps it on the feet and finishes him.

This will be the first UFC I have missed in years and it sucks since my man Eliot is fighting, but hey, I’m going to Rio for 2 weeks!

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Apr 15, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I wanted to pick Kang, too

This guy was one of my heroes back in the day…. but he is just not the same fighter anymore.

I bought some old DVD’s from King of the Cage and I got a chance to see some old Nate Quarry fights, its just scary sometimes the knockout power that Quarry has.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 15, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I can’t believe these picks. Poukam isn’t very good… at all. I don’t understand how anyone can pick him over Kang in the slightest sense. His standup, while formidable, is typically British brawling. Not as technical as you’d like him to be. Kang could probably beat him on the floor.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Apr 15, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I think we all probably agree with you, but at this point, just find it difficult to pick Kang. I definitely want him to win and get back on track, but we will have to see.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Apr 15, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m with BJJDenver…. I want to pick Kang but he just isn’t all there lately, I’d be more than happy to be proven wrong and I’d be the first to admit I was wrong if Kang does dismantle Poukam. I’ve only seen a few clips of Poukam so I’m not an expert at all to what he can really do. Its just my opinion, I don’t really have any preconceived notions about Poukam. All I know is that Alan Belcher is a striker type fighter and not known for his ground game…. we all know what happened.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 15, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I feel the same way

I love Kang – he was an awesome fighter….but since he got KOed by Akiyama he hasn’t been the same. In fact – it’s probably since his fiancee died in the car crash that he hasn’t been the same…..

he’s so prone to making dumbass mistakes. He has all the skills but recently he just gets caught….it’s like he’s not focusing properly or something.

by rainmaker6 on Apr 15, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

She died in a car crash? I heard she committed suicide. My info shit?

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Apr 15, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Do you have a link to the fiancee death? When did it happen?

by Wookalarman on Apr 15, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

His fiancee, Shelby Walker, OD’ed on sleeping pills a few years ago. IIRC it was like a month or two before the final round of the second Bushido MW GP (where Kang fought Gono and Misaki).

by ilostmydog on Apr 15, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually it might have been pain medication she OD’ed on. Not sure which one. Google ‘Shelby Walker’ and you’ll probably find out.

by ilostmydog on Apr 15, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Im pretty stoked for Stout/Wiman, but thats just cus Wimans one of my favorite fighters

from the forest itself comes the handle for the axe

by troy145 on Apr 15, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, Wiman impresses me.

by Wookalarman on Apr 15, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Wiman is good...

as long as he isn’t facing a Miller Brother.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 15, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

:-)

by Wookalarman on Apr 15, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Marshall is definitely more well rounded than Vinny and yes I am bias.

Eliot has decent stand up and great bjj and can take a punch.

Vinny has excellent bjj, especially considering his size, good kicks and doesn’t like to be hit.

I see this fight being won with strikes. Eliot TKO rd 2.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Apr 15, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t think Vinny will have a problem putting Marshall on his back. I’m gonna have to stick with Vinny.

by Wookalarman on Apr 15, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Like I said, Eliot is my guy, but I wouldn’t fault anyone for picking Vinny against about anyone. You look at him and he is a physical freak. I mean one scary damn dude. He moves like a little guy in his BJJ and is very slick. i just think that Eliot isn’t going to get caught in a bad position and his striking will make the difference.

I will add one more thing. These two genuinely don’t care for each other and I think that could definitely add to the fight. Should be fun!

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Apr 15, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions