Allow me to start with an apology…Mitch had these to me in time…..I dropped the ball.
Mitch’s The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale Picks
Justin Lawrence vs John Cofer
Both contenders of The Ultimate Fighter Season Team Cruz vs Team Faber. They both fell short of their oppurtunities in the house but they are both promising fighters. I think this goes in Justin’s favor because Cofer has poor striking unlike Justin, but the key to success for Lawrence is to stop the takedown and pick apart Cofer from the outside. I don’t think Lawrence will stop the takedown but I think he can get up from it and with it on the feet, Justin will pick him apart to earn a TKO victory.
Max Hollaway vs Pat Schilling
This fight is going to be good! Both fighters are promising prospects, and I see it going in Hollaway’s favor. He pushes the pace and Pat won’t be able to use his agressive style if he’s getting backed up with different sorts of attacks. Max will be able to push him back with strikes and and footwork to earn a TKO victory but he must not let Pat take control of the center, Max will win this fight via TKO, and he will begin to rise up the featherweight rankings.
Charles Olivera vs Jonathan Brookins
This fight will be good, Brookins is The Ultimate fighter from the season GSP VS KOSCHECK. He is a very fast and athletic wrestler but his strength is to takedown his opponents and taking down Olivera isn’t fun because he will calf-crasher you or break your arm. He is renewed at 145 and he has a lot of momentum behind him coming into this fight. Brookins will take control quickly but he will fall short when he is looking for ground and pound while being unpatient and Olivera will grab a hold of a limb and he will secure it with a submission victory in the first round.
Al Iaquinta vs Michael Chiesa
Both teammates of Team Faber coming into this finale with the same task at hand and that is to become the Ultimate Fighter. Chiesa had a difficult season with his father passing but he kept it together by beating the favors to win the competition , #1 seed Justin Lawrence and top pick James Vick of Team Cruz. Iaquinta is really true cage warrior he had hard battles with Myles Jury, teammate Andy Ogle, and to get into the finale Vinc Pichel. His kickboxing has really improved and so has his footwork which is the key to victory for him against Chiesa. Chiesa is a strong wrestler with a great ground game but his striking is his flaw. Lawrence and Vick could’ve won their fights if they didn’t go to the ground with Chiesa. I see Al Iaquinta the crisper striker with accurate stand up to earn hard fought Unanimious Decision 29-28.
Jake Ellenberger vs Martin Kampmann
This fight is a barn burner! Both fighters coming off tough wins with Jake defeating Diego Sanchez via Decision 29-28 and Martin submitting Thiago Alves in a coming from behind victory in the third round. If Ellenberger can stay conservitive with his stamina, he can pick apart Kampmann and dictate where this fight goes but if he can’t, Martin will pick him apart with in and out fast movement along with quick strikes. I think Jake takes this via TKO in the third round with him pushing the pace against Kampmann which is Martin’s flaw. Jake will continue to pepper him with strong but accurate strikes and he will put Kampmann on his back and he will ferociously ground and pound Kampmann while staying very aware of the tricky submissions of Kampmann. Jake Ellenberger will be victorious at the end via TKO round 3 or 4 to step up in line for a title shot.
OK….so our young friend Mitch went 2-3 on these picks. Will he stand back up, and deliver again with his UFC On FOX 3 picks? I bet he does! Check back soon to see!