Arnie Ball leaves legendary mark

I don’t really take the time to write much anymore just to write. But this strikes me as one of those things that I really need to put fingers to keyboard about.

Tomorrow night, April 4, I will sit in Hilliard Gates Sports Center for about the 200^th time in my life and I will watch Arnie Ball coach for the final time. Ever.

It is, deep down, mind boggling on about every level. Ball is, more than anyone ever has been to me, the single biggest representation of IPFW. Not volleyball, not coaching, not athletics; Arnie Ball is IPFW.

I was an eighteen-year-old freshman the first time that I ever saw a men’s volleyball contest. It seemed like an odd idea to me when I stepped foot into the Gates Center to cover a match. I don’t remember who they were playing or even if they won that day in early 2003, but I was enthralled. The way that Jeff Ptak and Matt Zbyszewski hit the ball with such velocity was a thing of beauty. I was sold on having the men’s volleyball beat.

Then I wrote a column for the IPFW student newspaper, The Communicator, that didn’t exactly make Coach Ball happy. So I covered men’s volleyball for a full season basically without any quotes from him, instead drawing on the likes of Zbyszewski, Serdar Sikca and Mike Daiga for my stories. But this isn’t about my relationship with Coach Ball, which was healed pretty quickly. Instead, it is about the legacy that he leaves behind.

Ball, simply put, has left a mark on every person he comes into any significant contact with. He taught me a lot of things as a young student writer that I wasn’t getting anywhere else. He wasn’t a journalism guy and couldn’t teach me how to write a lede or about AP style. But he also was the easiest and toughest interview I have ever had and because of that, perhaps my all-time favorite.

If one of my questions was too vague or too dumb, Arnie would answer. And his answer would be vague or unusable. See, for Arnie, if I couldn’t ask him good enough questions, why should he spoon feed me an answer? I don’t know if that was ever his intention or not, but it is how it worked on me. In his own way, sitting on the other end of the phone or of his office, Arnie coached me to become a better interviewer and challenged me to do a better job covering his team and his program.

It propelled me into some of my best stories I ever wrote for The Communicator during the 2006 season, watching the Mastodons break records, including for most consecutive wins and a trip to the Final Four in State College, Pennsylvania. The trip to State College to watch IPFW unsuccessfully challenge UCLA will always be one of my favorites when it comes to covering a sport. I watched the team grow and I grew as a reporter because of Ball’s willingness to keep me in the loop and interest in sitting down with me or being just a phone call away whenever I needed some last second thought.

What also made my time covering men’s volleyball at IPFW easier were the players. From all of the guys previously mentioned to CJ Macias, Brock Ullrich and Elon Fyfield, the players in the system have been nothing short of amazing to interview or simply to talk to. And that isn’t thanks to his coaching as much as it is to his recruiting. The reason that IPFW has been so successful on the volleyball court is because Ball, at least in my time watching the team, has recruited good kids who work hard to be the best but also don’t take life, or the sport, too seriously.

By the time I covered my last IPFW volleyball game in the spring of 2009, sitting down with Arnie in his office weekly on a Monday afternoon for 30-45 minutes became the regular. We would interview and we would just talk. In that time, much more mature than I was when I first met him at eighteen, Coach Ball became a good acquaintance. Back at The Communicator after a couple of years away from school, I really looked forward to nothing more than he and I’s conversations.

Tomorrow night will be surreal knowing it is the last time that I will see him coaching in that gym, on a court that will now be named for him.

In the world of men’s volleyball nationwide, Arnie Ball is a legend, widely respected by his peers. In my 15 and change years of journalism, there has been no story or interview subject that has left as big of an overall impression on me as Coach Ball. His candidness, his swagger, his ability to get the absolute best out of everyone he comes in contact with — they are all legendary.

And after tomorrow night, Arnie Ball Court, surely will never be the same again.

UFC 185 Predictions

Prediction watch
UFC 184: 4-1
2015 Overall: 33-29
2015 Title fights: 1-1

Now on to the next card!

The undercard
Jared Rosholt versus Josh Copeland
An interesting affair for a division that desperately needs some new names and matchups. This one depends on where the fight happens as Copeland is far better on the ground. But I think he tries to stand and bang and if that happens, Rosholt will knock his lights out. Rosholt by TKO

Daron Cruickshank versus Beneil Dariush
Another pretty even undercard fight. I don't know much about Dariush but I know that Cruickshank is heavy handed and doesn't care. He's too smart to get caught in this matchup. Cruickshank by TKO

Elias Theodorou versus Roger Navarez
Theodorou is an intriguing prospect who I want to see against a higher level of competition but as he is young and undefeated, I think the UFC will take some time in bringing him along. He's just too much of an athlete for Navarez here and while I don't think a finish is in order, Theodorou is going to outclass him. Theodorou by decision

Ross Pearson versus Sam Stout
Stout hasn't strung together back to back wins since 2010/2011, but he also hasn't had consecutive losses since 2008 which is what he is looking to avoid here. He throws heavy and takes punches and this fight could be a war. Pearson is 3-2-1 in his last six fights, but the no-contest with Guillard and the loss to Diego Sanchez should be wins. This could go either way and someone will get clipped, but in 2015, I just see Pearson as the better fighter. Pearson by TKO

The main card
Chris Cariaso versus Henry Cejudo
Cariaso should have never been in a title fight and Cejudo will prove why. This is the biggest no brainer on the card to me. Cejudo by decision

Roy Nelson versus Alistair Overeem
See Pearson v. Stout. Heavy hands, big throwing bombs. Who has the weaker chin? Clearly the Reem. Nelson by KO

Johny Hendricks versus Matt Brown
This will be an interesting fight because of how Hendricks is post-weight cut. He looked and seemingly felt horrid when he lost the title to Robbie Lawler and making 170 consistently is taking its toll. Brown has only fought one guy Hendricks' caliber in the past and needs to step his game up here. Upset pick: Brown by TKO

Women's Straw Weight Title
Carla Esparza (C) versus Joanna Jedrzejczyk
I have become a fan of Jedrzejczyk. Her demeanor, her fighting style, her confidence are all championship level. This will be a brawl and possibly the best fight of the night. Esparza is dangerous anywhere, but clearly excels on the ground as seen in her win over Rose Namajunas. Can Jedrzejczyk use her reach (2 inches) and height (5 inches) advantages to keep the champion away and turn this into a boxing match? Jedrzejczyk by decision

Lightweight Title
Anthony Pettis (C) versus Rafael dos Anjos
I will respect dos Anjos enough to say that he will present some challenges that will push Pettis past the opening round. And Pettis can be beat and beat in this division. But this isn't the guy, not now. Pettis by TKO

UFC 184 Predictions

Prediction watch
UFC Fight Night Mir vs. Bigfoot: 2-4
2015 Overall: 29-28
2015 Title fights: 0-1

Now on to the next card!

Tony Ferguson vs. Gleison Tibau
This fight breeds little interest because both fighters are kind of bland in their approach. Ferguson wons The Ultimate Fighter 13 in 2011 and in four years is 7-1 in the UFC. Yet, few care about him. That has to say something right? Tibau is a game opponent for almost everyone in the division because he will slug with guys. He just can't finish upper echelon fighters. Is Ferguson that? Hard to say at this point and only time will tell. This fight should be a slug fest or at least I hope so. Problem is, I can't see either guy putting the other one away. Ferguson by Decision

Alan Jouban vs. Richard Walsh
A fight that is hard to care about. Both are 1-1 in the octagon. Jouban however does have the better punching power and his UFC win, over Seth Baczynski, is the better of the two. Jouban by Decision

Jake Ellenberger vs. Josh Koscheck
This fight was more interesting when Neil Magny was in place, but Ellenberger can bring excitement too on occasion. Four years ago, this could have been a contender fight and now these two guys are trying to keep their UFC careers alive. My how the tables turns. The difference is that I believe Ellenberger still has some fight in him and Koscheck should be retired, if not now then after Saturday night. Time for Ellenberger to put one of the last two original Ultimate Fighter competitors to bed. Ellenberger by TKO

Raquel Pennington vs. Holly Holm
Hype only gets you so far and this is one where I could be so wrong, but I don't think Holm has anything long term for a fighter of Pennington's ability. None of Holm's seven fights have ended in the first round, yet she has finished six of them. Her boxing and power is not in question, but she hasn't faced someone on Pennington's level, a true blue mixed martial artist. For Pennington, she can't get into a brawl like she did in her win over Ashlee Evans-Smith or she will get knocked out. She has to smart fight and know she has more bigger fight experience than Holm. Pennington by Decision

Ronda Rousey (C) vs. Cat Zingano
I truly believe that Cat Zingano is the best female fighter in the UFC* and can beat any other woman the UFC throws her way*. Please note the asterisks. Those asterisks stand for "other than Ronda Rousey." Let's not beat around the bush, Rousey is as good of a female MMA as there is and there are also a lot of guys that she would beat. Zingano is on an entirely different level than the rest of the girls in the division and she proved that when she originally earned this shot by dismantling Miesha Tate before she got hurt. Unfortunately, there is one level about Zingano's and that is where Rousey lives. Rousey by Submission

UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Bigfoot Predictions

Prediction watch
UFC Fight Night Henderson vs. Thatch:4-2
2015 Overall: 27-24
2015 Title fights: 0-1

Now onto the next event! Due to, mostly, a lack of interest, I will only be predicting the main card fights.

The Main Card
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sean Strickland
Santiago was stellar on his season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil before being pulled from the finale with an injury. While it kept him from a TUF title, he has shown that even the best on that show were probably just mediocre. His last outing was stellar and he looks like a physical beasts, but a decision loss to Ryan LaFlare in his debut was a sad sight. Stickland's win over Luke Barnatt, even controversial was a better win that Santiago's lone UFC win. Plus, nobody has ever beat Strickland with only four fights ever going to decision. As much as Santiago looks stronger physically, I think Strickland keeps finishing. Strickland by TKO

Iuri Alcantara vs. Frankie Saenz
This should be a no brainer. Alcantara has been fighting in the octagon for much longer and has faced some really good competition. His last loss came to Urijah Faber and he was moderately competitive in a fight he had no chance of winning. He rallied off three wins in 2014 against some decent mid-level fighters in the division. Alcantara by Submission

Rustam Khabilov vs. Adriano Martins
Khabilov was exposed as probably not a top-tier 155-pound fighter in his loss to Benson Henderson, but that doesn't mean he isn't a higher tier guy than Martins. Martins' best win is over Daron Cruickshank and he was decimated by Donald Cerrone. Meanwhile, Khabilov is still very, very good and has only lost twice ever. He beat up on Jorge Masvidal in a Fight of the Night and once suplexed Vinc Pichel to sleep. Easy win here. Khabilov by TKO

Cezar Ferreira vs. Sam Alvey
Nobody knows where either of these two guys fit into the middleweight division. Cezar can be a beast, but looked bad in a loss to CB Dollaway and just ok in a win over Andrew Craig. Still he sits at 4-1 in the UFC and a win here could get him a top 15 opponent. Alvey was brought back to the UFC after being part of the embarrassing TUF: Nelson vs. Carwin season. He looked great against Dylan Andrews, but was that a fluke? Ferreira by TKO

Edson Barboza vs. Michael Johnson
In my opinion, the best fight on the card. Barboza can be vicious (just Google his head kick demolition of Terry Etim in 2012) and has withstood every UFC test but two (losses to Jamie Varner and Cerrone). His biggest problem is lack of consistency. He mutilated Evan Dunham last July but then ho-hummed through a decision win against Bobby Green in November. If he slacks here, Michael Johnson could put him on the wrong end of another highlight reel knockout. Johnson seems to have found his stride after a back and forth start in his UFC career, but has not fought in a year due to some domestic issues. But before that break, he pounded former title contender Melvin Guillard in a decision win, knocked out the iron-chined Gleison Tibau and went to an absolute amazing war with Joe Lauzon, picking up the decision. This is a big test for Johnson (ranked 12th) against the sixth ranked Barboza. A win for Barboza could get him close to a title shot, but a win for Johnson would finally get him inside the top 10 and a chance to angle for a big fight next. Johnson by TKO

Frank Mir vs. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva
Let us all go to a magical land where we care about this bout in 2015. I like Frank Mir, I really do. But he shouldn't have a job and Silva. Other than upsets (see "Punchers chance") over Alistair Overeem and Travis Browne, he has not won since February 2011 when he used that same lucky heavy hand to stop Fedor Emeliankenko, which was kind of a right of passage in Fedor's career in 2011. Silva's last actual impressive fight that was a win was 2010 against Mike Kyle. It has almost been as long for Mir who snapped Big Nog's arm in 2011 before being destroyed in succession by Junior Dos Santos, Daniel Cormier, Josh Barnett and kind-of Alistair Overeem. This is likely a loser-leaves-town fight where both guys could be singing their career swan songs. They should be anyway. Mir by Submission

UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch Predictions

Prediction watch
UFC 183: 7-4
2015 Overall: 23-22
2015 Title fights: 0-1

Now onto the next event! Due to, mostly, a lack of interest, I will only be predicting the main card fights.

Main Card
Ray Borg vs. Chris Kelades
Borg is one of those guys who you really hope gets his act together. He is 1-1 in the octagon and looked great in his last outing after looking terrible in his first. Outside of that loss inside the UFC, he has never lost. He has the potential to be a contender at 125 pounds, in a division that dramatically needs a new contender. Kelades is not on Borg's level and really looks like he is being fed to Borg here so that the UFC can start trying to build him in the flyweight division. Borg by TKO

Michael Prazeres vs. Kevin Lee
Both guys hold one loss in their careers and both guys beat Jesse Ronson inside the octagon. What else do we know. Not really much. Lee was exposed in the cage with Al Iaquinta, but managed to make it to a decision, which not many people have done against the Serra-Longo fighter. It is an intriguing fight in the fact that they are both on the same low level in a stacked 155-pound division. No chance this fight gets finished. Lee by decision

Dan Kelly vs. Patrick Walsh
Kelly comes in undefeated (not counting an exhibition loss on The Ultimate Fighter: Nations) but Walsh is a legit striker, who is very dangerous on the ground as well. That said, Kelly is better on the ground and will likely look to take the fight there. Walsh by decision

Neil Magny vs. Kiichi Kunimoto
Magny stormed through 2014 with a record 5 wins in the year and will be rewarded with a guy who hasn't lost since 2012. I don't pretend to know much about Kunimoto, but I do know that Magny is cerebral, one of the many reasons he has survived in the UFC after a terrible season of The Ultimate Fighter: Carwin vs. Nelson, where neither the winner or the runner up is still employed by the UFC. Magny keeps rolling here for his sixth straight and should get a top 15 fighter next. Magny by decision

Max Holloway vs. Cole Miller
I am still not on any Holloway hype train that there may be. He has not beat anyone of any real depth and he has lost against tougher, veteran and game opponents like Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor and Dennis Bermudez. I for one, also question his decision win over Leonard Garcia. Miller is slick and even though he doesn't have the stand up game that Holloway has, he is so much longer with a five inch reach advantage. Miller by submission

Benson Henderson vs. Brandon Thatch
Let's dispense with all the pleasantries. Brandon Thatch is not on Benson Henderson's level. Not at 170. Not at 155. Not if they fought at 205. Thatch hasn't lost since 2008 in Strikeforce, while Henderson lost a couple of weeks ago. But exactly who has Thatch beat? An aged Paulo Thiago? Justin Edwards? Thatch got the short end of the stick here and the UFC is going to kill off another rising fighter in a weight class because they had nothing better to back up this event with. Bendo was brought in to save some face value but it will kill Thatch's value, what little he has. Henderson by TKO

UFC 183 Predictions

Prediction watch
UFC Fight Night Gustafsson vs. Johnson: 3-8
 2015 Overall: 16-18
 2015 Title fights: 0-1

Now onto the next event!

The undercard
Thiago Santos vs. Andy Enz
This fight should be an absolute brawl. Or could be incredibly boring as neither fighter will want to engage with the opposing heavy striker. Enz has a great chin and he will probably need it against a technical guy like Santos. The question here comes in Enz' grappling skill, which he actually does have some of. However, to grapple Santos, he has to get close to Santos and that could be an issue. Enz will be hard to stop on his feet because of that chin, so this one could be one of the best scraps on the entire card. Santos by Decision

Ildemar Alcantara vs. Richardson Morreira
This could be a plodding affair. Alcantara has looked terrible as of late, but has a ton more experience coming into this fight. Alcantara by Decision

Diego Brandao vs. Jimy Hettes
A welcomed bout of slugging, where unlike the opener, there is no potential that the two won't engage. They both looked like can't miss prospects not too long ago, but now are kind of swimming in no man's land. I'm not entirely convinced that Brandao can last for three rounds yet, his cardio has always been questionable. However, he has more tools than Hettes no matter where the fight goes. Hettes though, is much faster and could avoid those Brandao bombs to try and take him deep into the fight and test that cardio. Brandao by TKO

Rafael Natal vs. Tom Watson
I don't see this fight as close as a lot of people do. In fact, for some reason I just see Natal getting blitzed for a round before succumbing in the second. If Watson is ever going to make any movement in the 185 pound division, the time has to be now. Watson by TKO

John Lineker vs. Ian McCall
In the shallow UFC flyweight division, this fight could determine the next championship challenger. Lineker seems to have been building to that for some time, but missing weight in three of his seven fights in the company have derailed him. He has also never fought anyone as good as Ian McCall, who unlike Lineker, would never get choked out by Louis Gaudinot. McCall is basically stalled in the division as possibly the best 125-pounder not named Demetrious Johnson. But he wants another chance at the champ, who he fought to a draw with in their first battle. McCall by Decision

Ed Herman vs. Derek Brunson
Brunson has never impressed me and I think any hype he has is unwarranted. Herman is a long time division gate keeper with no real consistency. Toss up here, but I'm going to say the scrappy Herman finds a way to stave off Brunson's wrestling. Herman by Decision

Miesha Tate vs. Sara McMann
This is another like Lineker/McCall that is a tough call. Tate has long proven to be the best in the division not named Ronda Rousey and McMann's only loss ever is to Rousey. McMann's strength is clearly in her wrestling, but Tate is probably what you'd call underrated on the ground. I think this is a war wherever it takes place but someone has to escape with a finish to have any credence to stay in the title fight talk and Tate's game is more diverse. Tate by Submission

Main Card
Thiago Alves vs. Jordan Mein
Alves is not the 'Pitbull' of old or this would be an easy call. He doesn't have the power, the speed or the tenacity that he used to. Mein however is coming off a crazy TKO of Mike Pyle that opened a lot of eyes. This is the fight I am most torn on even though the night is loaded with close battles. Alves by Decision

Thales Leites vs. Tim Boetsch
Boetsch is another guy I have never been sold on. But that said, he is a tough, old school, grind em' out guy and that has worked a lot in his UFC career in multiple weight classes. Leites however is in career revival mode and he does not want to see that sputter out with a loss to Tim here. It has been almost 6 years since he challenged for the UFC Middleweight title and has ran through seven straight opponents. Boetsch may be a better choice 85% of the time, but with Leites tear, he knows he can't let up now. Leites by Submission

Joe Lauzon vs. Al Iaquinta
Slugfest. Performance of the Night bonus. It's all going to happen. The question is, is Joe Lauzon smart enough to know when to leave the striking game and work submissions on Al, who is known to get caught? Iaquinta's ground game is solid, but it is not Joe Lauzon good and that should be the difference maker in this fight. However, if Joe is smart enough to avoid the bloody, bloody punching war is still to be seen. Going on a little limb. Iaquinta by KO

Tyron Woodley vs. Kelvin Gastelum
I don't know what it is about Gastelum, but I just don't see this kid losing for a while. Woodley is a huge test, the biggest outside of Uriah Hall that Gastelum has had to come by, but the kid has completed all tests with flying colors. So why doubt against him. Because Tyron Woodley is a killer, that is why. I expect Woodley to come at Gastelum with everything he has and test the kid's chin. But I also think that leads to him getting caught and Gastelum trying to go to work on the ground. I already love this fight. Gastelum by Submission

Anderson Siva vs. Nick Diaz
Look. This isn't a super fight. Bless everyone's heart, but is this really a fight? I'm not convinced Diaz will even be on weight, this might be a fight at 190 or 195 pounds. I just don't see it. I want to. The promos are good. 'Don't be scared homie' and all. But c'mon. No, seriously, c'mon. Silva by TKO

UFC on FOX: Gustafsson vs. Johnson Predictions

Prediction watch
UFC Fight Night McGregor vs. Siver: 8-4
2015 Overall: 13-10
2015 Title fights: 0-1

Now onto the next event!

The undercard

Neil Seery vs. Chris Beal

Seery clearly has a more diverse game, but Beal showed in his last fight just how nasty he can be with his striking. His flying knee KO win in his last fight is something that will have a lot of people talking about Beal this weekend. How can he handle some spotlight, even if he is just in a Fight Pass prelim. A decisive win for Beal could catapult him up the rankings and I think he is still riding the momentum. Beal by TKO

Viktor Pesta vs. Konstantin Erokhin

I dunno. That is honest. Erokhin is making his UFC debut and is heavy handed, winning all but one career fight by knockout. He is the kind of guy that could really make an impression in the division, but Pesta is no slacker himself. Both guys are 9-1 and have decent futures in the UFC but I think that Erokhin is just too powerful. Erokhin by TKO

Mirsad Bektic vs. Paul Redmond

Remond is the underdog here for a season and that reason is Bektic's perfect record. This will be a hard fight to predict even though Bektic has the edge. Redmond by Decision

Mairbeck Taisumov vs. Anthony Christodoulou

Another tossup where I am going to take consistency on two guys that I really don't know. Taisumov by Decision

Andy Ogle vs. Makwan Amirkhani

Ogle has the shakier record, but when you see that four of his five career losses are in the UFC and include questionable decisions to Akira Corassani and Cole Miller, it isn't that bad. Amirkhani is making his UFC debut and hasn't fought anyone of note. Ogle is 1-4 in the UFC coming off his season of The Ultimate Fighter, but has looked impressive in all of those save for a submission loss to Charles Oliveira. Ogle's back is against the wall and that should make him dangerous against the newcomer. Ogle by Decision

Kenny Robertson vs. Sultan Aliev

Both of these guys are pretty similar with one exception. Look for Robertson to take this one too the ground, where he is much more proficient. A slugfest could favor either, but if Robertson can get this to the ground, he has a decent chance to finish the fight or at least ride it out safely. Robertson by Submission

Nico Musoke vs. Albert Tumenov

Tumenov is the favorite but there is just something I have liked about Musoke's game. He is slick and even though he is not a finisher, he did tapout veteran Alessio Sakara in his debut, a submission of the night. Musoke by Decision

Main card
Sam Sicilia vs. Akira Corassani
This is a tough fight for Sicilia and I am not sure it was smart to take. Corassani is unpredictable and fights very up or very down. My guess is that with the Swedish crowd behind him, he will be up. I don't think I am going out on a limb when I say that I expect a war here even though that is Corassani's game. I can see this fight going either way very easily and I don't know that I am at all confident in my pick. Corassani by TKO

Ryan Bader vs. Phil Davis
I worry that this will become an Arizona State vs. Penn State wrestle fest. Davis has championship potential but never shows it when needed. His win over Glover Teixeira was a clinic, but unimpressive. Bader needs this win to stay relevant, which is crazy since he was once one win from a title fight more than likely. Bader's win streak is nice but it has come against mediocre opponents and he hasn't finished anyone for two years. It has been longer since Davis has. This could be a great match but it could also be a snore fest. Either way, this fight is a toss up. Bader by Decision

Dan Henderson vs. Gegard Mousasi
I don't think Henderson has another title run in him, but I do think that in 2015 and every year prior, that Hendo is by far the better fighter here. I think he believes he has another run in him, so expect some bombs. Henderson by TKO

Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Johnson
This is probably the most dangerous matchup that Gustafsson could have chosen for himself if he wants to fight Jon Jones this year. Rumble Johnson may not always be the best but he always has the punchers chance in a big way. This could be interesting but a worry as I don't see Rumble having a shot to take down Jones in a title fight. This will be a war, probably a little bloody, but Gustafsson showed against Jones that he can give it out as well as he can take it and the kid can take a punch. Shockingly, I don't see Rumble's power being able to take out the Swede easy and expect Gustafsson to throw caution to the win to get his rematch. Gustafsson by TKO (for fun, I'm saying 4th round)

UFC Fight Night: McGregor v. Siver Predictions

Prediction Watch
UFC 182: 5-6
2015 Overall: 5-6
2015 Title Matches: 0-1

Now on to the next event!

The undercard
Matt Van Buren vs. Sean O'Connell
Van Buren really is one of those Luke Cummo-esque silent assassins from The Ultimate Fighter. This is a really tight matchup that is fairly evenly matched overall. In the end, I think that reach will be the advantage in a fight that will like stay standing. Van Buren by decision

Tateki Matsuda vs. Joby Sanchez
Sanchez has finished every fight he has won, with a 6-1 record but I think this really is a tossup fight. Matsuda by decision

Charles Rosa vs. Sean Soriano
Soriano has some great experience but Rosa is a finisher with a high submission rate. Rosa is very slick anywhere this fight takes place, even off his back. Rosa by submission

Johnny Case vs. Frankie Perez
Perez is making his UFC debut and Case has a growing fan base of those in the industry in the know. The kid has 23 fights at 25 years old and his experience on all levels. His guillotine in his UFC debut was a thing of beauty and I think he has a future, though probably not at his current weight. Case by TKO

Patrick Holohan vs. Shane Howell
Howell is a strong underdog and I don't care about anything in this fight but the crowd. I am still not sold on Holohan as a prospect with longevity, but this night...in Boston...he rules this one. Holohan by TKO

Zhang Lipeng vs. Chris Wade
Where does this fight go? My guess is that Lipeng does not have the ability to keep it off the ground and he gets in trouble often. Not that I think Wade is a finisher. Wade by decision

John Howard vs. Lorenz Larkin
Can I please get a slugfest? Popular opinion here is that this goes to a decision but I think that is because too many prognosticators won't commit. This one could, should and hopefully will get nasty and violent. However, Howard has me doubting that because of his high-five fest with Uriah Hall that could have been awesome. My guess is he won't let that happen twice and Larkin will also have to throw bombs. Someone is going night-night. Howard by KO

Cathal Pendred vs. Sean Spencer
The UFC so badly wants Pendred to be a power at 170 that can match McGregor's draw. He isn't and he won't be. But they gave him a quite favorable matchup here. Pendred, like all the Irish, will feed off the Boston crowd. He desperately needs an impressive performance and probably a finish here to keep fans interested in the hype. Pendred by decision 

Main card
Norman Parke vs. Gleison Tibau
This is a huge opportunity for Parke and also to show that the entire TUF: The Smashes season was not a waste. He's coming in as the underdog because Tibau has loads and loads of experience in 49 pro fights and still has massively heavy hands. This one too could be a grind them out type of war and could see both men in loads of trouble. While I don't doubt Tibau's strength, I have always been a fan of Parke's versatility. Parke by decision 

Uriah Hall vs. Ron Stallings
Who is Ron Stallings? Does it matter. Hall knows that he has to stop caring about people again. If he can do that mentally, then he is a head smashing machine with cringe inducing power. Hall by KO

Benson Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone
As much as I looked forward to the Alvarez fight, this one should be great too. UFC card #2 for 2015 and Cerrone fight #2 of 2015. He is on the way up, Henderson is on the way down. Bendo needs to win this fight to stay relevant at the top of this division or if he does actually move up to Welterweight. Unfortunately for Cerrone, a win here still probably leaves him a win away from a title shot because of the log jam at 155. I think Bendo gets desperate and Bendo desperate is Bendo reckless. Plus, I made a crucial mistake in not picking 'Cowboy" a couple of weeks ago against Myles Jury. Cerrone by TKO

Conor McGregor vs. Dennis Siver
We know what this. Dennis Siver isn't supposed to win. He can't win, can he? He has been in the UFC since 2007 when McGregor was 19 and had not had a pro fight. In that time, Siver has only lost to six guys and a collection that includes Cub Swanson, Donald Cerrone, Ross Pearson, Melvin Guillard and Gray Maynard isn't so bad. But those names also show that Siver wilts under the pressure. McGregor hasn't lost since 2010 and regardless of who is better here, he would ride the hype, the momentum and the Boston crowd into the night. Lucky for him, he is just better at this stage of his career. Siver is a hulking fighter at any weight, especially 145, but he doesn't have the speed, stamina or youth to keep up with McGregor. Expect Siver to land something, to remind McGregor he is in a fight and not a side show. But that strike won't be significant enough, not even by a little bit. McGregor is just too good for Dennis Siver with a Jose Aldo title shot looming. McGregor by TKO

UFC 182 Predictions

Once upon a time, I tried to predict each UFC event. I wasn't that good at keeping up and actually doing it, so here I am again years later with the goal of keeping up and predicting every event in 2015, starting this weekend's 2015 showcase event: UFC 182: Jones/Cormier.

The undercard
Alexis Dufrense vs. Marion Reneau
I know little about these two, but I know that Dufrense is diverse in her game and can catch you from all angles. Dufrense by TKO

Omari Akhmedov vs. Mats Nilsson
Stumped here. Nilsson by Decision

Evan Dunham vs. Rodrigo Damm
I really want Dunham to win, he was so close to the top of the 155-pound division once, but that seems so long ago now. Damm is a dangerous, dangerous opponent and although Dunham has slipped, this would still be a good name for Damm's resume. For Dunham, a loss likely means a trip to Bellator. Damm by TKO

Shawn Jordan vs. Jared Cannonier
Jordan has some of the heaviest hands in the division and is in a bad mood. Jordan by KO

Marcus Brimage vs. Cody Garbrandt
This one could be a show stealer (minus the main event). Garbrandt is making his UFC debut and is a vicious finisher at 5-0, all by stoppage. Brimage is a grinder who can also throw bombs. He had four straight wins before losing an acceptable loss to Conor McGregor and a sketchy one to Russell Doane. He is already back in the win column and really wants to move up the bantamweight rankings. This one ends early, ends violently. But you have to at least guess experience in one like this. Brimage by TKO

Danny Castillo vs. Paul Felder
Like Brimage/Garbrandt, this fight is free on FS1 and probably one you don't want to miss since it is free. Felder is undefeated and has finished 2/3 of his fights. Castillo can be dangerous, but is the lesser of all of the Alpha Male guys and sometimes just doesn't bring his 'A' game. That could get dangerous. Felder by TKO

Main card
Hector Lombard vs. Josh Burkman
There is a reason Burkman has not been in the UFC for a while and this will showcase it. He is a top notch guy on lower levels but he just can't withstand something that Lombard will bring at him. Lombard by KO

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Louis Gaudinot
UFC is pushing flyweights down our throat here on the main card to make us care about someone who may someday challenge unsuccessfully for Demetrious Johnson's title. Neither will. And I still won't care. Horiguchi by Decision

Brad Tavares vs. Nate Marquardt
Tavares needs this win to do avoid something that 'Nate the Great,' has already done: become irrelevant. Tavares will never be a top contender but staying ranked has to be a goal here to get more and more high profile match ups. Marquardt is more past his prime than Tank Abbott. Tavares by Decision

Donald Cerrone vs. Myles Jury
Jury has been on a tear, but this is by far his biggest match up. Cerrone's 2014 was stellar and a win here could get him Anthony Pettis sometime in 2015, even though he is about third in line right now. If you read my last blog, you will know I think both of these guys end up with title shots this year, but I don't think Cerrone is taking Jury seriously enough heading into this one. In Cerrone's eyes, Jury isn't undefeated, but I think he's about to find out just how long ago that close decision exhibition loss to Al Iaquinta really was. Jury by TKO

UFC Light Heavyweight Title
Jon Jones (C) vs. Daniel Cormier
If you aren't excited for this, you don't have a pulse. I think this is a very even meeting in that they both do very different things very well. The difference maker here to me is that while both will fight with emotion and anger at different times and maybe the same times, I believe Cormier will be able to harness it more and Jones will get caught being too cocky and too angry. His cockiness almost got the best of him against Vitor Belfort and I think Jones has never been cockier than he will be tomorrow night. Someone is going to get caught slipping either way. Cormier by submission

Who will end 2015 as UFC champions?

With all of the big fights on the horizon this year, the championship situations (pending health) could get very interesting. So here are my, probably bold predictions about who ends 2015 holding UFC gold.

HEAVYWEIGHT - Cain Velasquez

This is one of the easier ones to predict. Cain will clash with Fabricio Werdum soon to get rid of that fake, pops up to often, interim belt. Werdum is a solid heavyweight but I don't think he can compete with the champ. Honestly, give Mark Hunt more time to train and I think he takes Werdum in that interim bout. I think the massive weight loss hurt Hunt more than Werdum could have. I only see Cain fighting twice in 2015 and those will be wins over Werdum and one more decisive victory over Junior Dos Santos, which could be JDS' final shot at gold. It also clears the way for new challengers for Velasquez in 2016, which will include Stipe Miocic, Mark Hunt, Andrei Arlovski and.....see below.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT - Alexander Gustafsson

Four. That is how many times the UFC Light Heavyweight title will be defended in 2015. The first comes tomorrow where I think Daniel Cormier will outclass Jon Jones and take the title from him. After that, Bones will clearly get an immediate rematch and as much as I do not like him, he clearly will deserve one and I think he takes the title back in that rematch, which leaves a clear cut need for a trilogy bout, but not so fast. Gustafsson will take out Anthony Johnson and while Cormier/Jones II pushes him back out of a shot, he will take on and defeat Rashad Evans and Dana White won't be able to ignore the Swede anymore. Gustafsson will get Jones and beat him by decision to take the title. This will send Jones to the heavyweight division for a clash with Cain Velasquez in 2016. Cormier will opt to heal up for the rest of 2015 while Gustafsson beats Ryan Bader for this final defense of the year.

MIDDLEWEIGHT - Anderson Silva

This contradicts my hope for the Silva/Diaz fight this month as I really want Diaz to win and I may even pick him to win before that weekend. But for arguments sake, I really have to go with Silva winning that fight because of his size and experience at 185 pounds. After the win over Diaz, it is silly to make any fight other than Weidman/Silva III after Chris soundly puts away Vitor Belfort. There are plenty of other challengers in the division, but none that stand out. That said, I think Silva KO's Weidman in a rematch, even if it is by fluky strike. Weidman has also been too lucky to avoid the injury bug, so I think after a loss to Silva he will find himself on the shelf for the rest of 2015, having to wait out a title rematch until 2016. Silva will defend the belt one more time to close the year by flattening Jacare Souza. Weidman will be next in line for 2016, followed by Luke Rockhold.

WELTERWEIGHT - Kelvin Gastelum

This was the hardest choice to make in this entire field with a pretty even array of fighters in the division. And so, I am going to go big here. Robbie Lawler will decisively end his feud with Johny Hendricks by knocking him out in the trilogy finale. Shortly after that, the attention of the division will switch to the news that Georges St. Pierre will be making his return to the UFC, but Dana White, still unhappy with GSP, will make him fight someone else first and in turn, Lawler will then successfully defend the title against GSP mate Rory MacDonald. GSP's will want to time his return out right and a warm up fight against Matt Brown won't happen until October, which will keep the longtime division kingpin from a shot at the belt in 2015 even after he defeats Brown. In the meantime, 2015 will see a still unlikely contender feast on Tyron Woodley and Hector Lombard and the year will end is the most unlikely fashion as Kelvin Gastelum will secure an out-of-nowhere rear naked choke that force Robbie Lawler to tap out in the second round and relinquish his title around the holidays.

LIGHTWEIGHT - Anthony Pettis

No lightweight in the world is going to touch Anthony Pettis and I will go even farther and say he will stay healthy in 2015 and go on to defend his title five times to really put him on top of the conversation as the best 155 pounder the UFC has ever seen. I think Rafael Dos Anjos will get the first shot and will get TKO'd in the second round because his defense is just not loose enough to handle the unorthodox striking of Showtime. Next up will be Khabib Nurmagomedov and it will be Showtime's toughest challenge all year. The fight will go five rounds and Showtime will win 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 after Khabib abandons his takedown plans when Pettis throws on a couple of tight, but barely escapable submissions. Defense three will be against the undefeated Myles Jury who will be coming off a win over Benson Henderson. Pettis stops Jury in this one. The fourth defense will be the returning TJ Grant and and the rust will be apparent for Grant. The fifth defense could be a toss up. For ratings sake, I am saying it is a rematch with Donald Cerrone that will end the same as the first one, But my heart wants this fifth defense to be against Michael Johnson, who could shoot up the 155-rankings this year with some big wins. It all sets up 2016's super fight for Pettis against Jose Aldo.

FEATHERWEIGHT - Frankie Edgar

Why Frankie? Because Jose Aldo leaves the division after one more fight. It is clear what is next for Aldo: Conor McGregor, who will demolish Denis Siver to get a title shot, but will get caught with something spinning in the fifth round of an absolute war with Aldo. McGregor will break his jaw in the loss and sit out almost all, if not all of 2015 to recover, but don't worry he will have UFC gold eventually. In the mean time, the UFC needs a new featherweight champion after Aldo declare the division cleared out and heads to the lightweight division (though an injury will scrap him from a December meeting with Pettis, hence setting up Cerrone for the title shot). The UFC turns to Frankie Edgar/Chad Mendes to crown a new champ and Edgar comes across the victor on the close scorecards. He'll defend the belt one more time to close out 2015 by TKO'ing Ricardo Lamas and setting up a showdown with the returning McGregor in 2016.

BANTAMWEIGHT - TJ Dillashaw

Get used to the look of a little kid on Christmas. Because that is exactly what TJ looks like as he grins at his UFC title belt. But trust me, he's not nice little innocent kid and Dillashaw is going to get vicious this year. He will start the year by finishing an overzealous Renan Barao in the second or third round, then go on to defeat Raphael Assuncao pretty clearly in their long awaited (to Raphael anyway) rematch. With Dominick Cruz still on the shelf for a while longer, John Dodson will make the jump up to 135 for a rematch of their Ultimate Fighter finals fight, but this time Dillashaw is quicker to the draw and gets the TKO in the fifth round. The win will be a great benchmark for Dillashaw's year as a top tier pound for pound fighter and again set up a battle with Alpha Male hater Cruz for 2016. And about Urijah Faber? The Alpha Male leader will leave the 135 pound division and head back up to featherweight to avoid having to fight Dillashaw.

FLYWEIGHT - Demetrious Johnson
A year of rematches awaits Mighty Mouse, who has already cleared out this division. First up will be John Dodson, who has given Johnson his best fight so far at 125 but this one ends the same: a lot of great moments for Dodson, but not enough as Johnson retains by non-controversial decision. He will follow it up by pushing back Ian McCall and Joseph Benavidez in back to back fights that don't make the challengers look like they have anything at all for the 125 pound kingpin. Those fights will finish out the year for Johnson, who will head back up to 135 sometime in 2016 after clearing out the division for a second time with one or two more early defenses in 2016. So there will eventually be a second ever UFC Flyweight champion, I just don't see it happening this year.

WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT - Ronda Rousey
Because honestly, who is going to beat her? Dana White sees the draw in the Cyborg fight and I think eventually money talks and Rousey, who isn't the crazy hot head that Santos and Ortiz are, will move up and either have a catchweight fight or the UFC will add a Featherweight Women's Title just so Rousey/Cyborg can happen and then there can be a second ever UFC Bantamweight Women's Champ. But like with the men's 125-pound title, 2015 isn't that year. Instead, Rousey will take out Cat Zingano in the second round via armbar after isolating Cat's punching power. Rousey will then TKO Bethe Correia, who really doesn't deserve a title shot to begin with. Even though she will want a break to film a movie, I can see the UFC talking Rousey into one more defense for the year and if that happens, it will be a big money fight with Holly Holm.

WOMEN'S STRAW WEIGHT - Rose Namajunas

This title will see three champions in 2015 as the first champion, Carla Esparza will lose the title in her first ever defense to Jonna Jedrzejczyk, who will then go on to successfully defend against Tecia Torres in a wild affair. Esparza will win the belt back, but turn around to lose it to Namajunas almost exactly one year to the date of their first meeting. I expect Namajunas to tackle Jessica Penne and Tecia Torres on her road to another shot and her confidence and striking game will be at all time high so she can take advantage of her second shot at UFC gold. This is an interesting division and I can see the title bouncing around a lot, ala the Light Heavyweight title before Jon Jones first won it from Shogun Rua.

WHAT IT ALL MEANS FOR 2016:
Cain Velasquez vs. Jon Jones
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Daniel Cormier
Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman IV
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Georges St. Pierre
Anthony Pettis vs. Jose Also
Frankie Edgar vs. Conor McGregor
TJ Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz
Rondo Rousey vs. Cyborg Santos
Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Calderwood