This special double event edition of “Sean Sheehan Vs” sees Sean taking on Keith Fitzpatrick of TalkingBrawls in a battle of UFC Fight Night Auckland and UFC Fight Night San Antonio fight picks.
Every UFC event Sean and his opponent will break down the reasoning behind their main card picks and will give quick picks for the undercard.
We start with the main event of Fight Night Auckland Te Huna vs Marquardt
James Te Huna (Betting odds: 2/5) vs. Nate Marquardt (Betting odds: 15/8)
With a combined record of 0-5 in their most recent quintet of fights, James Te Huna and Nate Marquardt are both in dire need of a win here. Both men are also in the first outing after a change of division to battle at middleweight here. Marquardt moves up from welterweight while Te Huna moves down from light heavyweight; an adjustment which should suit both men – if not initially, then definitely in the long run. They share a liking for a stand up battle with Marquardt the happier of the two if it hits the deck. I fancy this one to stay standing, though, and think Te Huna will have the better of it. If he can test the American’a chin he may find the weakness which has been regularly evident over the years.
Sean’s Pick – Te Huna via TKO/KO
This is one of those bittersweet main event matches where a loss will probably mean curtains for your UFC career. Local man Te Huna is coming off back-to-back losses to Glover Teixeira and Mauricio Rua but he doesn’t look in nearly as bad a shape as Nate Marquardt looks, who’s coming into this off three losses in a row with his last two by first round knockout.
It’s not been the best of returns to the UFC for Nate “The (not so) Great” and I fear it will only get worse on Saturday night when James Te Huna gets the win and sends Marquardt back to Scott Coker, only now at Bellator.
Keith’s Pick – James Te Huna via 2nd round TKO.
Soa Palelei (Betting odds: 11/10) vs. Jared Rosholt (Betting odds: 8/11)
This is a real battle of huge heavyweights who like to scrap it out on the floor. Often, when both men want the fight in the same area it never goes there leading to a less than attractive affair. Here it could definitely become a kickboxing match between two wrestlers but lets hope for everyone’s sake that doesn’t happen. All going well, this one should boil down to who can get the takedown. Rosholt is a grinding wrestler who is happy to lay on his opponent for fifteen minutes. Soa is the opposite. The Hulk is a master of getting the fight to the floor, mounting his opponent and finishing it with ground and pound. For Rosholt to win he probably needs multiple takedowns. For Palelei to win he only needs one.
Sean’s pick – Palelei via TKO/KO
In Jared Rosholt we have a guy who’ll never be the UFC champion and in Soa Palelei you have a guy who probably won’t be but that’s fine. Rosholt has been quite underwhelming in his two decision wins in the UFC, while Paleilei has been outstanding in his three knockout victories.
Soa “Hulk” Palelei should have too much for Rosholt and I expect him to get this fight to the ground within two minutes, winning another fight, and his twelfth in a row, by dominant ground and pound. Rosholt is just too ordinary unfortunately and I expect some Hulk Smash.
Keith’s Pick – Soa Palelei via 1st round TKO.
Cub Swanson (Betting odds: 2/5) vs. Jeremy Stephens (Betting odds: 15/8)
When news broke that Cub Swanson was to face Jeremy Stephens the general feeling was that this is a dangerous fight to take. A potential banana skin with a title right in his sights against an opponent climbing the rankings. Huge risk for little reward considering he looks a lock to fight the winner of Aldo/Mendes already. Stephens is a heavy-hitting featherweight with an ever improving takedown defence who can end the fight at any moment. Swanson, as he has admitted himself, isn’t as powerful but should have the speed advantage as well as a more well rounded ground game. I expect this one to play out on the feet and for them to exchange heavy leather early on. If Swanson survives the early onslaught I think he has the engine to outlast Stephens who has been known to fade late in fights.
Sean’s pick – Swanson via TKO/KO
This should be a fantastic fight. “Lil Heathen” versus the man with the best tattoos since Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara in a fight that should determine one of the next up for the UFC featherweight title.
Cubby Bear’s ‘unorthodox’ striking style has given opponents fits in the past and I think this, with his reach should prove enough to cause Stephens problems. Stephens has got serious speed and knockout power but I think it’s Cub’s time now and he’ll stop Stephens inside the five rounds.
Keith’s Pick –Cub Swanson via 4th round TKO.
Kelvin Gastelum (Betting odds: 3/10) vs. Nicholas Musoke (Betting odds: 12/5)
This is a bit of a mismatch on my card. Musoke is an honest pro who has shown great heart since he joined the UFC as well as an ability to improve steadily with each fight. He’s not on the level of Gastelum though. The UFC see the TUF champion as a future top rated fighter and are progressing him slowly through the ranks. In truth, Gastelum is the better fighter in every aspect and should finish Musoke.
Sean’s pick – Gastelum via TKO/KO
I’m going continue my streak of optimism here and go for another knockout finish. I guess I’m just spoiled from all these awesome World Cup matches. I’m expecting all other sports to deliver in terms of spectacularity (wait, that’s not a word..).
Anyway, I think Kelvin Gastelum takes this fight. Though Musoke only has two losses on his record, one of which is by Cathal Pendred incidentally, I don’t think he’s at the level of a young Kelvin Gastelum who is getting better, or at least learning more with every fight. I think Gastelum can connect with Musoke on the inside with big shots and knock him out inside the distance. Musoke tends to expose his chin and can be a tad lazy in that department.
Keith’s Pick – Kelvin Gastelum via 3rd round KO.
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Sheehan’s undercard quick picks:
Hatsu Hioki vs. Charles Oliveira (winner via submission)
Robert Whittaker (winner via TKO/KO) vs. Mike Rhodes
Jake Matthews vs. Dashon Johnson (winner via TKO/KO)
Richie Vaculik vs. Roldan Sangcha-an (winner via decision)
Chris Indich (winner via decision) vs. Vik Grujic
Neil Magny vs. Rodrigo Goiana de Lima (winner via decision)
Dan Hooker vs. Ian Entwistle (winner via submission)
Gian Villante (winner via TKO/KO) vs. Sean O’Connell
Cezar Ferreira (winner via TKO/KO) vs. Andrew Craig
Ricardo Lamas (winner via decision) vs. Hacran Dias
Clint Hester (winner via TKO/KO) vs. Antonio Braga Neto
Joe Ellenberger (winner via TKO/KO) vs. James Moontasri
Colton Smith (winner via decision) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
Johnny Bedford (winner via decision) vs. Cody Gibson
Marcelo Guimarães vs. Andy Enz (winner via decision)
Ray Borg (winner via decision) vs. Shane Howell
Oleksiy Oliynyk (winner via submission) vs. Anthony Hamilton
Keith’s undercard quick picks:
Hatsu Hioki vs. Charles Oliveira – Oliveira by 2nd round submission
Robert Whittaker vs. Mike Rhodes – Whittaker by unanimous decision
Jake Matthews vs. Dashon Johnson – Jake Matthews by 1st round submission
Richie Vaculik vs. Roldan Sangcha-an – Sangcha-an by UD
Chris Indich vs. Vik Grujic – Indich by UD
Neil Magny vs. Rodrigo Goiana de Lima – Neil Magny by UD
Dan Hooker vs. Ian Entwistle – Ian Entwistle by 2nd round sub
Gian Villante vs. Sean O’Connell – Villante by 1st rd KO
Cezar Ferreira vs. Andrew Craig – Ferreira by UD
Ricardo Lamas vs. Hacran Dias – Lamas by 2nd rd sub
Clint Hester vs. Antonio Braga Neto – Hester by UD
Joe Ellenberger vs. James Moontasri – Ellenberger by UD
Colton Smith vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira – Smith by 2nd rd KO
Johnny Bedford vs. Cody Gibson – Gibson by UD
Marcelo Guimarães vs. Andy Enz – Guimaraes by 1st rd sub
Ray Borg vs. Shane Howell – Borg by UD
Oleksiy Oliynyk vs. Anthony Hamilton – Olinyk by 3rd rd doctor’s stoppage
Rules: Every correct pick made is equal to 1 point. If the competition ends in a draw then method of victory will be used to decide a winner
And for the Sean Sheehan bet of the week…
My bet for this week is a double of Ricardo Lamas and Soa Palelei which works out at just over 2/1. It’s also worth keeping an eye on Soa to win in round one as the fight approaches.
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