UFC 145: Jones vs Evans Preview

UFC 145

After almost two long months, UFC returns to pay-per view this Saturday the 21st. I can't remember the last time the UFC went so long between shows (the Fuel show last weekend doesn't really count). The show is main-evented by one of the biggest grudge matches in the sport, a fight between Jon "Bones" Jones and "Suga" Rashad Evans for the Light Heavyweight Title. The story is well known at this point, but in case you don't know I'm going to give you a brief history lesson.

The 32-year old Evans and 24-year old Jones were both friends while training out of Greg Jackson's camp, when an injury forced Evans out of a scheduled title fight against Shogun Rua in March of 2011. The UFC gave the opportunity to his training buddy Jonny Bones, who went on to defeat Rua in the third round. The story from here is a he said/she said, but the gist of it is that Jon Jones said that he wouldn't have a problem defending his belt against Evans, despite there being an unwritten rule in Jackson's camp that teammates won't fight each other. Evans felt betrayed by his former friend and coach, and severed his relationship with Jackson MMA.

The two men were scheduled to fight both at UFC 133 in August, but Jones was injured; then again i December at UFC 140, but this time it was Evans that pulled out with a thumb injury. Now neither men have any excuses, and we'll find out on Saturday who the better man truly is. 

On paper, Jones is younger, stronger, and taller, and honestly should win the fight. He has looked unstoppable in the UFC, going 9-1, with his only loss a controversial disqualification against Matt Hamill. His fighting style is comparable to a young Anderson Silva, with a wide array of jaw-dropping strikes. Evans has compiled a 12-1-1 record in the UFC, with 7 wins coming via decision. Evans has the edge in experience and wrestling, and will have to take Jones down at will if he hopes to win the fight.  Prediction: Evans by split decision 

Rest of the Card:

The rest of this card is pretty weak, with a couple upper-mid card guys fighting some younger lesser known guys.

Rory MacDonald TKO over Che Mills

Brendan Schaub KO over Ben Rothwell

Miguel Torres Decision over Michael McDonald

Mark Homick Submission over Eddie Yagin

Mark Bocek Submission over John Alessio

Yankees

The Yanks haven't looked impressive in the young season so far, with the loan bright spot coming out of the bullpen. Offensively, once again, they fail to come through with any consistency with runners in scoring position, instead opting to go with the long ball. A-Rod and Teixeira continue to show their age, while Captain Jeter is playing like he's 27 again. Am I the only one that groans everytime Chris Stewart gets out while we have Francisco Cervelli in the Minors?

Meanwhile the starting pitching has left a lot to be desired. Hiroki "Hooker Spit"Kuroda has had two horrible starts, and is looking like another guy from the NL that can't pitch well in the AL. Freddy Garcia's magic carpet lost it's steam and has crashed down to earth, and is making Yankee fans miss AJ Burnett. I'm counting down the days until the calvary comes with Andy Pettitte and Michael Pineda to save the day.

A good series against the struggling Red Sox this weekend will certainly help heal some wounds, but I am concerned for the team's future. 

NBA

The Knicks look like they are locked into the 7 seed and a probable date with 2 and a Half Men and the rest of the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. If Carmelo can keep up his MVP-calibre play when A'mare Stoudemire returns, they have a chance to pull off the upset. They can't turn the ball over the way they have against the Heat, because is Miami is just too good in the fast break.

RIP New Jersey Nets 1977-2012.... On Monday the Nets will play their last game in New Jersey, before moving to Brooklyn. While the team has had more losing seasons than the Washington Generals, it feels weird to think that the Garden State won't have an NBA team to call their own. Who would of thought that just ten years ago, when they were going to their first of back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. 

Jets

The NFL announced the 2012 schedule, and here is my way too early prediction for the Jets.


9/9 -- Sunday -- Buffalo, 1 p.m., CBS 
9/16 -- Sunday -- at Pittsburgh, 4:15 p.m., CBS 
9/23 -- Sunday -- at Miami, 1 p.m., CBS 
9/30 -- Sunday -- San Francisco, 1 p.m., FOX 


At the very least, we should split their first four games, and possibly go 3-1. We should win both divisional match-ups against the Bills and Phins. I could see our offense struggling in Pittsbrugh week 2, with the team still getting used to new coordinator Tony Sparano. The 49ers could have a disappointing 2012 season, after shocking the world in 2011.


10/8 -- Monday -- Houston, 8:30 p.m., ESPN 
10/14 -- Sunday -- Indianapolis, 1 p.m., CBS 
10/21 -- Sunday -- at New England, 4:15 p.m., CBS 
10/28 -- Sunday -- Miami, 1 p.m., CBS 
11/4 -- Bye 


I like having a bye week right in the middle in of the season. Knowing the Jets too well, I wouldn't be shocked if we go 1-3 here, losing to Houston, and the Pats, and a lookahead game against Indy sandwiched in between as a possible upset loss. 


11/11 -- Sunday -- at Seattle, 4:05 p.m., CBS 
11/18 -- Sunday -- at St. Louis, 1 p.m., CBS 
11/22 -- Thursday -- New England, 8:20 p.m., NBC 
12/2 -- Sunday -- Arizona, 1 p.m.*, FOX* 


The team should be able build up steam here, going 4-0 in this stretch, with 3 winnable games. A marquee matchup against the Pats on Turkey Day at home, where we usually play them well, could be a highlight of our season. 


12/9 -- Sunday -- at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.*, CBS* 
12/17 -- Monday -- at Tennessee, 8:30 p.m., ESPN 
12/23 -- Sunday -- San Diego, 8:20 p.m.*, NBC* 
12/30 -- Sunday -- at Buffalo, 1 p.m.*, CBS*


The Jets finish up an easy second half schedule, with the only true test coming against the Chargers week 16. 


I can see the Jets going 10-6, playing a pretty fair schedule. We get lucky playing some easier games on the road (Seahawks, Rams, Jaguars, Titans) while playing tougher teams at home (49ers, Texans, Chargers). That should be good enough to make the Wild Card in a competitive AFC. 

Here Comes The Pain

Wrestlemania 28 is now in the rearview mirror, and after a very good pay-per view followed by a shocking ending to Raw, can we be seeing the beginning of the next big boom period of pro wrestling?

Wrestlemania 28

Mania started off shocking fashion with Daniel Bryan losing his World Championship to Sheamus in 18 seconds after a Brogue kick. I'm not really sure how to feel about this. On one hand, WWE wants it's fan base to feel like anything can truly happen, despite it being scripted. UFC has main events that end inside of a minute and it hasn't hurt them. On the other hand, this was one of the four most-hyped matches of the event. While it didn't sell as many pay-per views as Rock-Cena or Taker-HHH, there are some Bryan Danielson fans who may have bought Wrestlemania just to see him. In the long run, it may have helped Daniel Bryan because of the live audience's negative reaction to the finish at Wrestlemania, and rallying for him the following night on  Raw.

The rest of the undercard was average, which is what most people expected. Kane beat Orton with a top-rope chokeslam in an uninspired match, that was probably the worst on the show. Big Show and Cody Rhodes had a fun match, with Show getting his Wrestlemania moment by knocking out Cody. The divas tag match was alright, with Maria Menunos rolling up Beth Phoenix for the win. Finally, Team Laurinitis beat Team Teddy after Eve distracted Zack Ryder, which led to the Miz hitting his finish for the win.

The top three matches on the card were all very good to great, and in the long run, that is what Wrestlemania is remembered for. Triple H and Undertaker's Hell in a Cell match told a great story, that was made even better by having the incomparable Jim Ross calling the match. Hunter was getting the heat during most of the first half of the match, hitting the Undertaker repeatedly with a chair and sledgehammer. Shawn Michaels teased stopping the match, but was put into a triangle choke by the Deadman. In a really good spot, HBK hit Sweet Chin Music and Triple H hit a pedigree, that led to a believable near-fall. Once Undertaker took over the match, a defiant Triple H gave him a crotch chop that led to a tombstone piledriver that finally put Hunter down. After the match, all three guys shared a hug at the top of the ramp, and ended essentially a four-year storyline. If this truly is Undertaker and Triple H's last match they went out with a masterpiece, Shawn Michaels added an extra element with his facial expressions to all the carnage that was going on inside the cell.

If HHH-Taker told the best story, then CM Punk and Chris Jericho had the best in-ring match of Wrestlemania 28. Both guys had a hard time getting the crowd into their match, until the mid-way point when they started trading near falls. Jericho had Punk in the Walls of Jericho, but Punk kept reversing it. Eventually Punk locked on the Anaconda Vice and got Jericho to tap. Despite the match being really good, it was in a tough spot between Hell in a Cell and Rock-Cena. I wonder if it would have been received better if it was the first match and WWE put Sheamus and Bryan here.

Finally, in one of the hottest crowds in recent history, Rock and Cena had a good match that sent the Miami fans happy. The match went about 30 minutes, and you could tell that The Rock was exhausted by the end. The pro-Rock crowd led to a great atmosphere, which made up for some clunkiness in the ring. The finish saw Cena going for a Peoples Elbow, but Rock jumped up and hit him with the Rock Bottom for the victory. After the match Cena sat on the ramp looking sad that he got a little too cocky and it wound up costing him the self-proclaimed biggest match in his career. I think WWE made the right decision by having Rocky go over in this match. Cena's fans will still love him, and some of the older crowd that complains about Super-Cena finally got to see him lose clean to someone, and might give him some sympathy.

Raw

The two main stories after Raw, were The Rock's opening show promo, and the return of a former World Champion. Rock started the show by thanking the Miami fans and giving John Cena props for giving him all he could take at Wrestlemania. He said that he had a vision that he would be WWE Champion again. This sets up an interesting storyline, and hints that Rocky will try to make sporadic appearances throughout the year despite his busy schedule.

Raw ended with the return of former UFC and WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. He interrupted John Cena's promo, came out to a big pop, and delivered and F-5 to Cena. Reports are that Brock signed a one-year contract for 20 dates throughout the course of the year.  People may question his motives, but Brock made a ton of money in the UFC, and lives a simple lifestyle, so he doesn't really need the money. 

This sets up what should be the start of a successful year for the WWE. Between Brock Lesnar and The Rock making intermittent appearances, perhaps bringing back some fans that stopped watching the product, it is essential that WWE starts to push some new talent. Brock's return stifles some of the usual Wrestlemania hangover, when certain part-time superstars take some time off. I for one am aready counting the days until Wrestlemania 29 at Jet-life Stadium. 

The Show MLB 2012 Preview

After previewing the Yankees 2012 season a few weeks ago, here is my brief preview of all 30 teams for this season. With a new playoff format debuting, where two wild card teams will play in a one-game playoff for a chance to make it into the Divisional Series, there is more incentive to win your division than ever. 

AL EAST

This division will be a three-team race again, with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays all battling. The Yankees starters pitchers have struggled in Spring Training, but luckily they have an ace in the hole with Pettitte coming back in May. The Sawx are back with pretty much the same team that had the wild card locked up until choking in September. They have one of the best lineups in baseball, but can have problems with their starting pitching, and lost their closer Jonathan Papelbon. I really like the hiring of manager Bobby Valentine, and the rivalry with the Yankees should be red hot. The Rays are on the opposite side of the spectrum with great starting pitching, but a lineup that leaves something to be desired. Also, with a smaller payroll than their rivals, the fact that they're in the race is a nod to their front office personnel. The Blue Jays have some raw young starting pitchers and a very good lineup. Unfortunately, they play in the toughest division in baseball, and are unlikely to compete for a playoff spot. Finally, the Orioles will be bringing up the rear, with what could be one of the worst teams in the AL.

AL CENTRAL

This is the Tigers division to lose plain and simple. With the acquisition of Prince Fielder to join a stacked lineup, plus a great rotation that includes the best starter in baseball, Justin Verlander, the Tigers are World Series contenders. The Royals have a lot of young talent all over the field, but need a few more years before they can contend. The Indians have some guys with a lot of potential, like Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo, and Ubaldo Jimenez. They should play above .500 ball this season. The Twins had a terrible 2011, where everything that could go wrong did. If the new M&M Boys, Mauer and Morneau, can stay healthy they could be decent, but if they are injured again, this season could be disastrous.  The White Sox are in rebuilding mode under new manager Robin Ventura. The loss of Mark Buhrle leave their pitching staff without a true number one guy. 

AL WEST

The Angels made a splash this offseason, landing Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson. It's crazy to think that Wilson could be the fourth starter on what could be the best rotation in baseball. Pujols will provide enough pop to make the lineup dangerous. The back-to-back AL Champion Rangers are hoping that Yu Darvish could fill the void that C.J. Wilson left. You just have to wonder if there is hangover effect after coming so close to winning World Series last year, only to watch it slip from their grasp. The Mariners and A's split their first two regular season games in Japan this week. That is the last time either of these teams will be relevant this season. Billy Beane's moneyball isn't working anymore in this top-loaded divsion. The addition of Jesus Montero won't be enough for Seattle to put up better offensive number. I wouldn't be suprised if King Felix is traded by the deadline. 

NL EAST

 The Phillies come back as favorites to win the division for the 6th straight season. They have a stacked lineup and rotation, and finally have a consistent closer with the acquisition of Jonathan Papelbon. Age may start to become a negative factor for them though. The Marlins brought in a new manager, Ozzie Guillen, star shortstop, Jose Reyes, and a very good starting pitcher, Mark Buehrle, along with a brand new stadium. On top of all that, they're getting ace pitcher Josh Johnson back. They can be dangerous this year. The Nationals have the most young potential of any team in the league. Between Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg, the Nats could have the best pitcher and hitter in the game within 5 years. The Braves struggled toward the end of the season, leaving the door open for the Cardinals to make the playoffs. If Jason Heyward could have a bounce back year, they could be decent, but won't compete for a playoff spot this year. The Mets are in complete rebuilding mode, after the Wilpons were left broke following the Bernie Madoff scandal. Losing their spark plug, Jose Reyes, and possibly departing with David Wright before the trade deadline, I would be surprised if they win more than 75 games this year. 

NL CENTRAL

This is the Reds' time to prove themselves. They struggled a little last year, but the division got a lot easier with the departure of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. Their young stars, like Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto, have to take a bigger more consistent role in the offense. The Cardinals got hot at the right time last season, and used that momentum to propel them to become World Series Champions. Adding Carlos Beltran to make up for losing Pujols, might be enough for them to take a Wild Card spot. The Brewers are going to take a step back this year following the loss of Prince Fielder. Ryan Braun's failed drug test controversy is going to make him an easy target for hecklers on the road. The Pirates had a nice run last season, leaving fans in the 'Burgh some hope for this season. The heart of their lineup, Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, and Garrett Jones, boasts some of the best young talent in the game. The Cubs are going to have to wait another season for their first World Series in 100-plus seasons. They are going into rebuilding mode now. The Astros are the worst team in the majors. They can't score and give up a lot of runs, they could be a lock for 100 losses.

NL WEST

The Giants had a disappointing 2011 after winning the World Series in 2010. With possibly the best 1-2 punch in baseball with Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, and hopefully a healthy Buster Posey, they will be back to the playoffs. The Diamondbacks surprised everyone last season by winning the division.  With good young talent on both sides of the ball, including Ian Kennedy and Justin Upton, they will be good but won't sneak up on teams this year. The Dodgers were recently sold to a new ownership group that includes Magic Johnson. They have both a Cy Young and MVP candidate in Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp, but don't have enough pieces around them. The Rockies could hit the ball with the best of them, but I don't believe their starting pitching is good enough. The Padres are hoping to get back to being contenders to win the division after acquiring Carlos Quentin and Edinson Volquez this offseason.

Predictions

AL 

East: Yankees

Central: Tigers

West: Angels

Wild Card: Red Sox, Rangers

ALCS:  Angels over Yankees

NL

East: Phillies

Central: Reds

West: Giants

Wild Card: Marlins, Cardinals

NLCS: Marlins over Phillies

World Series: Angels over Marlins