The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale

[Brian Shannon]

Tonight at 9 the UFC's latest cast of The Ultimate Fighter will square off to battle it out for their shot at being in the UFC. This season has been the UK vs US with Michael Bisping leading the Brits and Dan Henderson leading the US team. Along the way we have seen some decent fights and at the same time seen a one dude get 4 teeth knocked out only to come back and make the semi-finals. Has been some good action and some so-so action. But tonight's show has the makings of a really good one with Guida and Sanchez battling it out in the Main Event.

In the past the TUF series has produced some great fighters: Diego Sanchez, Forresst Griffin, Rashad Evans, Keith Jardine, Kenny Florian, Chris Leben and even the coach of the UK team Michael Bisping. This year I am not sure how many of the fighters will go on to be known as well as this guys but one is my favorite fights for the title tonight, Damarques Johnson. Johnson is a welterweight and is fighting UK's James Wilks. Both fighters fight a similar in their build and fighting style. Long arms and good ground game. In the Lightweight Final pits to team member from the UK. Ross Person and Andre Winner. Andre is bigger but Ross is tough as nails which makes me think this will be a war.

Here is the card with my predictions:

Jason Dent vs. Cameron Dollar - BBJ guy vs Wrestler and neither one like each other. Both have improved through out the show and I am surprised they didn't put them on the main card. I am going with my favorite - Cameron Dollar in the 2nd round.

Frank Lester vs. Nick Osipczak - Lester lost 4 teeth and gained tons of respect ont he show. Nick is good but I am going with Lester in the 2nd.

Mike Ciesnolevicz vs. Tomasz Drwal - Mike came in 2 pounds overweight for the bout and has to give up 20% of his winnings to Drwal who will walk away with a decent pay day after he delievers the 1st round TKO.

Brad Blackburn vs. Edgar Garcia - Edgar Garcia is making his UFC debut and since he has only been out of round 1 once in his career I suspect he won't tonight either. 1st round TKO.

Melvin Guillard vs. Gleison Tibau - This is the very first fight of the evening. Melvin has fallen out of favor iwth the UFC boys it seems by being put at the beginning of the show. Will he come out and show us what he has or will Tibau? I am guessing Melvin wins after 3 rounds.

The Main Card:

Kevin Burns vs. Chris Lytle - Burns is famous for poking Anthony Johnson in the eye and getting the win. He then fought Anthony again and lost by a head kick. Chris has some memorable fights but when he battles a big name guy he fails to get the win. Both guys will be fighting to stay in the UFC I believe. Going with Lytle in the 2nd round.

Nate Diaz vs. Joe Stevenson - Diaz is the UFC's bad boy, the one you love to hate. Yet he is good on the ground and has decent punching power. Joe is a little bull but in the last couple of fights he hasn't changed his style at all and people have picked him apart. Joe really needs the win but I just don't see it if he comes in with the same style. Going with Nate by rear naked choke int he 2nd.

DaMarques Johnson vs. James Wilks ("TUF" welterweight finale) - Going with Johnson in this one. Simlar styles like I said but DeMarques, as we saw on the show, can take a beating and not go down. I don't think James has it in his hands but his knees are deadly. He stays away from those and Johnson wins in the 2nd.

Ross Pearson vs. Andre Winner ("TUF" lightweight finale) - Ross is tough and could take this one to the distant but Andre will win this one. Might even be int eh 1st round.

Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez - Oh man this one is one that I have wanted to see for a while, especially once Diego dropped in weight class. Both guys are tough and battle through out. Clay never stops...period. Diego said recently that he is the #2 contender right now which is sure to be motivation for Clay. I am going with my favorite fighter in this one realizing that Sanchez has good power. Clay Guida wins it in what will turn out to be the fight of the night in the 3rd round.

Enjoy the fights...recap tomorrow.