· MMASpot “UFC 109: Relentless” Staff Predictions
Saturday night's "UFC 109: Relentless" will be the promotion's third event in 2010, taking place in Las Vegas Nevada at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The MMASpot staff has sat down to discuss our thoughts on this exciting event full of veterans of the sport.
In the main event of the evening, Randy "The Natural" Couture faces Mark "The Hammer" Coleman at 205 pounds. Couture (17-10) made his successful return to the light heavyweight division against Brandon Vera at UFC 105 and hopes to continue his streak in the division. Coleman (16-9) snapped a two-fight losing streak besting Stephan Bonnar in July 2009. A win against Couture would make a strong statement and propel Coleman up the 205 pound ladder.
In a contest to determine the next challenger to Anderson Silva's middleweight belt, Nate "The Great" Marquardt will battle Chael Sonnen. Marquardt (29-8-2) has gone 4-1 since falling to Anderson Silva in July of 2007, the one loss being a controversial split decision loss to Thales Leites after earning two point deductions for fouls during the fight. Sonnen, the final 185 pound champion of the WEC before the division was folded into the UFC, is looking to continue a two-fight win streak and catapult himself into a title shot.
Dangerous grappler Paulo Thiago meets UFC veteran Mike Swick in the 170 pound division. Thiago (12-1) recently defeated Jason Volkmann after falling to his first and only loss against Jon Fitch. Swick, who has been with the UFC since season one of "The Ultimate Fighter" in 2005, is returning from a loss against welterweight challenger Dan Hardy at UFC 105.
Jiu-jitsu phenom Demian Maia (11-1) takes on IFL veteran Dan Miller (11-2, 1NC) in a middleweight contest. Maia, who lost his first bout against Nate Marquardt at UFC 102, is looking to return to his winning ways and get back on the path towards a shot at Anderson Silva's belt. Miller had a ten-fight winning streak snapped by Chael Sonnen at UFC 93. A win against Maia would leave Miller's UFC record at 4-1 and well-positioned to rise in the division.
In the night's opening fight, veteran fighters Matt "The Terror" Serra and Frank "Twinkle Toes" Trigg will finally meet following excessive mud-slinging from both fighters. Serra (9-6) has not won a fight since defeating Georges St. Pierre to win the welterweight title at "UFC 69: Shootout" in April 2007. A loss to Trigg would be his third straight and could send him out of the 170 pound division, if not the organization all together. Trigg (19-7) is also coming off a loss, falling to Josh Koscheck at UFC 103. While the 37-year-old combatant may be fighting to keep his spot in the world's premiere mixed martial arts organization, he has openly stated that a win will move him significantly closer toward the title shot he feels he deserves.
Main Card
205 - Randy "The Natural" Couture vs. Mark "The Hammer" Coleman
Clinton Wilson: While some people are disappointed with this main event, I am excited for it. Coleman has been taking his training serious, but in the end, Couture is the much more well rounded fighter and should be able to get the TKO.
H. Spencer: "I am actually quite excited to see this fight as I have always wanted to see these two great wrestlers and MMA legends square off. However I think Couture will be able to pull out a victory."
Joe Gullo: "Randy's the master game planner, Coleman has had the same gameplan since his UFC debut. Couture 100 percent."
J.A. Yount: Randy Couture
Jesse Denis: Randy Couture
185 - Nate "The Great" Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen
Clinton Wilson: "Sonnen has the better wrestling coming into this fight but everything else leans to Marquardt; he will submit Sonnen before the fight is over."
Jesse Denis: "Sonnen’s striking looked to be improving in his win over Okami, but Marquardt’s striking is on another level than his, Marquardt also has very good defensive wrestling, and his submission skills far surpass Sonnen’s. Marquardt should take this easily via TKO in the second."
J.A. Yount: Nate Marquardt
H. Spencer: Nate Marquardt
Joe Gullo: Nate Marquardt
170 - Mike "Quick" Swick vs. Paulo Thiago
J.A. Yount: "For most people the jury is still out on Thiago. I happen to think the guy is the real deal. I'm going to go with Paulo Thiago by submission."
H. Spencer: "Typical striker vs grappler fight, I think training at AKA with some top wrestlers will really help Swick defend the takedown and win the fight on the feet. Swick."
Clinton Wilson: Paulo Thiago
Jesse Denis: Mike Swick
Joe Gullo: Mike Swick
185 - Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller
J.A. Yount: "No one doubts Maia's ability on the ground. However, no one doubts Miller's toughness. Miller will survive long enough to earn a TKO win."
Joe Gullo: "Maia's only loss is a TKO; Miller hasn't TKO'd or KO'd anyone since June 2006. Maia."
Clinton Wilson: Demian Maia
Jesse Denis: Demian Maia
H. Spencer: Demian Maia
170 - Matt "The Terror" Serra vs. Frank "Twinkle Toes" Trigg
Jesse Denis: "I’m expecting a war of attrition, it’s hard for me to pick either in this fight, but Trigg hasn’t looked as good at 170 as he did at 185. Trigg has tended to shy away from his wrestling and just strike. He got hit with some bombs from Koscheck that are exactly what I expect to see Serra throwing for the duration of the bout. I think Serra takes a decision."
H. Spencer: "Probably the fight that most people aren't overly looking forward to, however this has potentiality to be exciting. In the UFC Trigg's weakness has been his BJJ defense, unfortunately for him that is Serra's strength. I think Serra wins this."
J.A. Yount: Matt Serra
Clinton Wilson: Frank Trigg
Joe Gullo: Matt Serra
Preliminary Card (Spike TV)
155 - Mac Danzig vs. Justin Buchholz
J.A. Yount: Danzig has had a rough go of it lately. He's got another tough fight here. The time off did him good though. Danzig by choke.
Joe Gullo: "Tough fight to call since both are guilty of not living up to their potential. I don't think we got to see the best Buchholz in his last fight due to the cut; I think he's on an upswing and will give Danzig his fourth straight loss."
Clinton Wilson: Mac Danzig
Jesse Denis: Mac Danzig
H. Spencer: Mac Danzig
155 - Melvin "The Young Assassin" Guillard vs. Ronnys Torres
Jesse Denis: "Guillard has shown improvement in the takedown defense area, and I think it should help him win this fight. With his heavy hands, I’m thinking first round TKO."
H. Spencer: "Guillard has notoriously heavy hands and though his obvious weakness is the ground game, there is a good possibility he will catch Torres before it hits the mat. Guillard."
J.A. Yount: Melvin Guillard
Clinton Wilson: Ronnys Torres
Joe Gullo: Ronnys Torres
Preliminary Card
155 - Phillipe "The Filipino Assassin" Nover vs. Rob "The Saint" Emerson
J.A. Yount: Rob Emerson
Clinton Wilson: Phillipe Nover
Jesse Denis: Phillipe Nover
H. Spencer: Phillipe Nover
Joe Gullo: Phillipe Nover
205 - Brian "All American" Stann vs. Phil "Mr. Wonderful" Davis
J.A. Yount: Phil Davis
Clinton Wilson: Brian Stann
Jesse Denis: Brian Stann
H. Spencer: Phil Davis
Joe Gullo: Brian Stann
265 - Tim "The Thrashing Machine" Hague vs. Chris "The Crowbar" Tuchscherer
J.A. Yount: Tim Hague
Clinton Wilson: Tim Hague
Jesse Denis: Tim Hague
H. Spencer: Tim Hague
Joe Gullo: Chris Tuchscherer
265 - Rolles Gracie vs. Joey "The Mexicutioner" Beltran
J.A. Yount: Rolles Gracie
Clinton Wilson: Rolles Gracie
Jesse Denis: Rolles Gracie
H. Spencer: Rolles Gracie
Joe Gullo: Joey Beltran
