This weekend is a historic one for MMA fans, as the UFC makes its long awaited return to Japan. UFC 144 is set to go down this Saturday evening (Feb.25) at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The main event is a lightweight title fight between champion Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson, with the co-main event pitting Japanese fan favorite Quinton “Rampage” Jackson up against Ryan Bader. The folks at MMASucka.com have put their heads together to come up with some staff picks, so if you agree or disagree with us let us know.
Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson
Jeremy Brand – This fight is such a tough one to call, but all along my gut has told me to take Ben Henderson. I counted Frankie out in his last battle against Gray Maynard and look at what happened there. He is like a Diaz brother, you can never count them out. Even though I say that, my pick is Ben Henderson by Unanimous Decision.
JP Lasaleta – Edgar is beginning to remind me a lot like Randy Couture. They both fight in a higher weight class that they barely make, but defy the odds by dominating the divisions best. They keep winning even though they shouldn’t. I stopped betting against Randy so i’ll do the same with Frankie. I’ll take Frankie by decision as it’s almost impossible to finish Bendo.
Nelson Yeo – This back and forth battle will to the championship rounds, leading to the a razor thin or split decision victory to Ben Henderson. Ben will then thank Jesus Christ for the victory, rather than his coaches and training partners that put in their blood sweat and tears that were put into the 11 week traning camp. He will then flash the Illuminati hand triangle to the camera with will contradict his whole belief in Christianity.
Suckas taking Edgar: 1
Suckas taking Henderson: 2
Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader
Jeremy Brand – I find it funny how they are marketing this fight as Bader being a bad ass, how many people remember him losing to Tito? This is a tough fight for both men, with “Rampage” having the unofficial hometown advantage (which could get in his head a little) and Bader facing a top 5 LHW. Who comes out on top? I have to give the edge to Rampage, by finishing him off in the 2nd by TKO.
JP Lasaleta – Aside from Bader’s right hand, Rampage has nothing to worry about when it comes to the striking aspect of this match. Rampage will be able to stop his takedowns too. I got Rampage throwing bungalows for the KO round 2.
Nelson Yeo – With the anticipation of a Rampage slam that will be shown over and over in the UFC countdown show, the Rampage slam yet again will not happen and the fight will just be a repeat of Rampage vs Hamill. Rampage via UD
Suckas taking Rampage: 3
Suckas taking Bader: 0
Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo
Jeremy Brand – Mark Hunt surprised a lot of people when he won his last two UFC fights, while Cheick Kongo has been very impressive as well looking like a zombie and coming back from the dead. I think Hunt has bit off a little more than he can chew and Kongo will push his way to the unanimous decision victory. The win will push him up the ladder in the division.
JP Lasaleta – PRIDE FC FOREVER! Mark hunt by KO.
Nelson Yeo – Kongo will break down Hunt with low blows, Kongo will reign superior due to a TKO late in the 2nd round
Suckas taking Kongo: 2
Suckas taking Hunt: 1
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Jeremy Brand – Another hometown favorite in “Sexyama”. What will happen to Jake Shields when he takes down Japan’s hero and pounds the shit out of him? Who knows, but we will find out following this fight. My pick Jake Shields by 2nd round submission
JP Lasaleta – Shields is coming in with something to prove as he was KO’d quickly by Jake Ellenberger in his last fight. Couple that with Akiyama being in the twilight of his career, Jake should take the win. Jake shields by decision
Nelson Yeo – Due to weight cutting issues, Akiyama will gas after the first and Sheilds will secure a RNC in the 2nd. Akiyama will then be cut from the UFC, Akiyama will retire from fighting as well and persue a career as a Judge in Japans version of X-factor/American Idol.
Suckas taking Shields: 3
Suckas taking Akiyama: 0
Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Jeremy Brand – Many people still rank Yushin Okami very high, and I am one of them. The man who trains with Chael Sonnen should be able to work his way to the ground against Boetsch and more than likely grind his way to a decision victory.
JP Lasaleta – Both of these guys are exceptionally strong at 185lbs, and they have similar skill sets making this a tough choice. I’ll take Okami for the win, by decision because of the home court advantage.
Nelson Yeo – Yusin “THUNDER” Okami will not bring down the thunder down under but rather lay and pray to a UD
Suckas taking Okami: 3
Suckas taking Boetsch: 0
Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Jeremy Brand – With a big win over Tyson Griffin at UFC 137 in October, Palaszewski looks to continue on his winning ways against Japan’s Hatsu Hioki. Hioki is on an impressive 5 fight win streak, but I see this train being halted by Bart. My pick is Palaszewski by 3rd round TKO
JP Lasaleta – I have a pretty good feeling that majority of this fight will end up on the ground, because thats where Hioki tends to bring it. I’ll take Hioki by submission round 2.
Nelson Yeo – Hatsu Hioki by UD due to Pride FC scoring criteria
Suckas taking Palaszewski: 1
Suckas taking Hioki: 2
Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Jeremy Brand – How this fight starts off the PPV I don’t know? But what better way than a possible title eliminator match between two of the lightweights best. Pettis a former WEC lightweight champion who was on the road to taking on the UFC champ had those dreams stopped when Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard went on their battles. He hopes to get back in contention with a victory over Joe Lauzon. While Lauzon wants no part of that, he has a big win over Melvin Guillard and looks to become the possible number one contender with a big win over Pettis. My pick is Joe Lauzon by unanimous decision
JP Lasaleta – I love both these guys, so do I have to pick one.
Nelson Yeo – Lauzon by hell hook due to Pettis failing at a kart-wheel kick attempt in the 3rd round
Suckas taking Pettis: 0
Suckas taking Lauzon: 2
Takanori Gomi vs. Eiji Mitsuoka
Jeremy Brand – Gomi by 1st round TKO
JP Lasaleta – Gomi round 1 KO
Nelson Yeo – Gomi by 1st round TKO
Suckas taking Gomi: 3
Suckas taking Mitsuoka: 0
Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto vs. Vaughan Lee
Jeremy Brand – Kid Yamamoto by UD
JP Lasaleta – Kid Yamamoto by 1st round KO
Nelson Yeo – Kid Yamamoto by 2nd round TKO
Suckas taking Yamamoto: 3
Suckas taking Lee: 0
Riki Fukuda vs. Steve Cantwell
Jeremy Brand – Cantwell by 2nd round TKO
JP Lasaleta – Fukuda decision
Nelson Yeo – Cantwell by 2nd round TKO
Suckas taking Fukuda: 1
Suckas taking Cantwell: 2
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Chris Cariaso
Jeremy Brand – Mizugaki by 1st round TKO
JP Lasaleta – Mizugaki decision
Nelson Yeo – Mizugaki Decision
Suckas taking Mizugaki: 3
Suckas taking Cariaso: 0
Tiequan Zhang vs. Issei Tamura
Jeremy Brand – Zhang by 3rd round TKO
JP Lasaleta – Zhang by submission, round 2
Nelson Yeo – Tamura Decision
Suckas taking Zhang: 2
Suckas taking Tamura: 1
