@trinidypicks: Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen

The beginning of the end is near.  Or is it? 

Chael Sonnen will attempt to be the first to unseat Jon Jones from his Light Heavyweight throne.  It may seem impossible but that's exactly the uncertainty one needs to push himself to victory.  The sweet taste of the UFC light heavyweight championship belt may be touching to Sonnen's lips at the end of the night on Saturday (27th) at UFC 159.

Jones who is technically unbeaten in his 18 fights (the one loss being illegal elbows to the face of Matt Hamil in a full mount position) has KO'd or submitted his last 8 opponents.  If you're a fan of Jones then you know just how talented this young man has become since entering the octagon in 2008. With only three men making it into the championship rounds with Jones, a game plan with a positive outcome for Sonnen looks bleak. 

So what exactly does Chael Sonnen need to do to crumble Bones?

  Let's look back at the tape. Being that Rashad Evans was the only man to have come close (in terms of making it to the last and final round) to beat Jones, let's use him.  Although, unable to score enough points for the decision there were parts of his fight worth reviewing.  In this match up, Evans kept his distance and was in defensive mode for all 5 rounds. Barely making an aggressive effort but rather getting into what seemed like a hand holding slash 'high fiving' battle.  Making it the distance with the champ is only worth something (if anything) if damage is done. Chael Sonnen isn't one to retreat.

 Sonnen, who is known for his mouth has shown aggression in the past.  Most may relate this aggression with the steroid debacle (vs. A. Silva) however looking past the Anderson Silva fight, it is clear that Chael Sonnen is one who pushes himself to the limit.  Setting his sights beyond what many believe is possible he has returned to Light Heavyweight to face another monster in Jon Jones.  

 It's clear that the fighters who have seen themselves opposite to Jones have tended to lay back in fear perhaps?.  If Sonnen stays true to the fighter that he is, this will not be a problem.  Personally I think that this will be a promising challenge for both Jones and Sonnen.  Jones will finally get an opponent who will keep moving forward and won't lay off and Sonnen will face one of the most athletic, diverse and talented fighters in UFC pool with a chance to prove himself worthy to be called a UFC champ.

Who will I be taking in this fight?

  Those who follow me already know that: 

1) I love to go with a huge underdog.   - The moneyline on Sonnen is currently at +725.  ( How can you not love the payout if Sonnen wins?!  Sure, Jones has the odds in his favour and more than likely we could see a dull fight of 'stay away and keep my belt' but all it takes is chance, and that's what I love about underdogs - they have got nothing to lose and all to gain.)

2) I haven't bet in favour of Jones since taking Ryan Bader.  - And I can't start now. ...

 

Watch through @trinidypicks: Uriah Hall vs. Kelvin Gastelum #UFConFX

Will Kelvin Gastelum (6-0) upset Uriah Hall (8-2) and become the youngest Ultimate Fighter winner?

Round 1:

They circle the cage - Kelvin Gastelum on the hunt backing Uriah Hall to the cage. Gastelum lands a few shots, getting Hall to the cage.  Gastelum doing some work in the clinch throwing knees to the boday and some shoulder shots to Halls face. Hall begins throwing kicks, Gastelum dodges.  Applying heavy pressure with his striking, rushing in on Hall eventually getting the takedown.  Doing some damage on the ground in half guard position, Gastelum making Hall work. Bringing Hall over to the cage.  They get back to their feet and now Uriah Hall darts in for the takedown in the last few seconds on the round.

: I give it to GASTELUM

Round 2 :

Starting off with both throwing out their share of kicks, Hall throws in a spinning back kick (barely landing) but still impressive. Hall has his hands down low and Gastelum lands a hard double leg takedown.  Gastelum is aggressive landing shots from the top.  Hall gets free and gets a reversal, both getting back to their feet and into some clinch work with Hall to the cage.  Hall trips Gastelum and holds Kelvin down, not working much eventually giving Gastelum a change to get away.  Back on their feet - Hall gets Gastelum's back lifts him up only to smash him down with a suplex.

: I give it to GASTELUM

Round 3 :

Gastelum comes in for the first attack, Hall responds with a low blow.  No minutes were wasted Gastellum shakes it off.  The circle the octagon, Hall has his hands low.  Gastellum comes in and takes Hall down,  Hall gets another reversal and smashes him a bit.  He lets up and once again their on their feet.  Gastelum looking for an opening to close the distance.  They circle around, Gastelum lands and overhand left and Hall replies with a head kick but it doesn't land.  Gastelum gets another double and when trying to secure position and ends up in full guard.  Both swinging out shots, ending this bout on the ground.

: I give it to GASTELUM

KELVIN GASTELUM DEF. URIAH HALL via SPLIT DEC.

"Kelvin Gastelum kept his composure and stuck to what was working for him - the takedowns.  Uriah Hall was outworked by the kid." - @trinidypicks

Watch through @trinidypicks: Cat Zigano vs. Miesha Tate : #UFConFX

Fighting for a shot at the title, Cat Zigano and Miesha Tate look to impress in this title contender matchup.

Round 1:

Tate immediately tries for the takedown.  Unable to hold Zigano down, they find themselves back on their feet. Zigano tries to attempt a standing guillotine but can't secure it.  Both women coming towards each other going toe-to-toe.  Their standup exchange of quick combos ending with Tate landing a takedown.Tate throwing elbows from the top position, laying her weight on top of Zigano.

: I give it to TATE

Round 2:

Zigano comes in with a flying knee attempt.  Tate dodges it and takes Zigano down once again, looking for the full mount.  Tate then tries to secure an arm bar but somehow Zigano doesn't tap.  Tate releases the attempt and takes Zigano down again getting into the side mount.  Zigano reverses and Tate finds herself on her back but still in good condition as she gets Zigano trapped into a heel hook attempt.  She doesn't finish.  Zigano manages to get herself out of this round applying some ground and pound pressure from the top.

: I give it to TATE

Round 3:

Zigano now looking loose.  She drives in for the takedown.  Working furiously from the top, not giving up on the pace.  Tate looking frustrated wanted to get up and into a better position.  Zigano not letting Tate go easy.  The pressure of Zigano is non stop!  Getting to their feet, Zigano throws her piercing knees and ends the fight with a vicious right elbow.

CAT ZIGANO DEF. MIESHA TATE via TKO

[ IT WAS LATER SAID THAT TATE FELT THE REF STOPPAGE WAS EARLY. ]

"Amazing fight.  Zigano showed creative submission defence and some smooth striking." - @trinidypicks.

Watch through @trinidypicks: Urijah Faber vs. Scott Jorgensen #UFConFX

Friends Uriah Faber and Scott Jorgensen bang it out in Las Vegas

The crowd goes nuts at the drop of Uriah's entrance - California Love.

Round 1:

Jorgensen lands first with a low kick.  Faber counters with a couple strikes.  Jorgensen with double underhooks but Uriah turns him around and presses him to the cage.  Jorgensen trips Uriah to his back.  Back on their feet, Jorgensen works for another takedown - instead Uriah lands it.  Working to take Jorgesen's back, Uriah loses position and the fight is back on its feet.  Faber landing a knee to the upper body, Jorgensen drops to try for a takedown.  Faber reacts and moves to take Jorgensen's back. Looking for a choke, Jorgensen defends against the attempt. Faber not letting up, he continues to attack from behind.

: I give it to FABER.

Round 2:

Not a moment into the fight when Faber lands a dirty low blow.  Jorgensen doesn't take much time before they're back at it. Faber staring Jorgensen down, standing square quickly releasing some crisp striking.  Jorgensen is not backing up, still coming forward but not getting any shots in. Faber's movement is quick and he lands another takedown.  In full guard and off his back, Jorgensen tries for a kimura as Faber bangs away at his ribs.  Scrambling free, its back to standup.  Landed a few more exchanges before the time is up.

: I give it to FABER

Round 3:

Jorgensen and Faber still coming out with a strong fast pace. Jorgensen really putting on the pressure. Faber looking to be more loose, closing the gap and landing a few combos. Faber mixing up his combos with takedown attempts. Jorgensen has his hands low allowing for Faber to land a nice right kick to the head.  Still Jorgensen pushes forward, finally tying Faber up to the cage.  Jorgensen with double underhooks, Unable to take him down or take his back, Faber breaks free and they reset to centre. Another chance for Jorgensen to take Faber's back, but release with a nice elbow to Fabers face.  An aggressive attack of strikes ends with Faber securing a double in the final moments of the round.   

: I give it to JORGENSEN 

Round 4:

Jorgensen comes out swinging.  Faber counters with some power shots to the body and left hooks that gets Jorgensen.  Jorgensen looks like he's losing steam but still has the energy to push ahead.  Faber stands across with his hands down and at one point winding up for a right.  He sees an opening and shoots in for the takedown.  Takes Jorgensen's back and locks in a rear naked choke. Seconds later Jorgensen taps out.

URIJAH FABER DEF. SCOTT JORGENSEN via SUB.

"It took Uriah Faber 4 rounds to submit Jorgensen, at this rate how soon will he get that UFC gold around his waist?? " -@trinidypicks