Video of the Day - Sowiński v Jewtuszko

Here is Artur Sowiński fighting Maciej Irokez Jewtuszko at KSW 17 which took place on 11/26/11 in Lodz, Poland.

The fight was Jewtuszko's first since his UFC debut ended in a decision loss to Carl Warburton.

Video of the Day - Malikov v. Emelianenko

Here is Aleksander Emelianenko fighting Magomed Malikov in M-1 Challenge 28 which took place on 11/12/11.

TUF 14 Finale Preview

After whittling down the cast of 32 fighters, the TUF 14 Finale has been set which will be headlined by the coach on coach match-up of Michael Bisping versus Jason "Mayhem" Miller. The featherweight final pits Diego Brandao against Dennis Bermudez, while the bantamweight final pits John Dodson against TJ Dillashaw.

145 - Featherweight -

(Bisping) Diego "Ceara" Brandao (13-7)- Tough 6 year fight veteran currently of Team Jackson MMA and riding a 3 fight win streak, he has compiled 8 KO's and 3 submissions in his career. Originally from Brazil, Diego's big wins have come over Fabiano Silva (16-4), UFC veteran Brian Foster (15-5) and James King (15-10).

Brandao used a left hook and flying forearm on Jesse Newell (6-1) in his first fight, then KO'd Steven Siler (18-9) in his second TUF bout. To earn a trip to the finals, Diego rattled Brian Caraway and kept up punishing the Team Alpha Male fighter before the stoppage win.

(Mayhem) Dennis "The Menace" Bermudez (7-2)- Began career 7-0, before being subbed in his last two fights. His biggest career win came over UFC veteran Shannon Gugerty. Bermudez dropped a round before coming to life in the second, defeating the hyped Jimmie Rivera (8-1).

In his second TUF fight, Bermudez won via TKO on a roughed-up Stephan Bass (10-0). In his fight to make the finals, Bermudez took some punishment standing before tapping out Hamid "Akira" Corassani (9-3).

135 - Bantamweight

(Mayhem) John "The Magician" Dodson (11-5)- Team Jackson trained fighter who normally fights at 125, only losses due to decision. Last fights were victories over John Moraga (7-1) and Jessie Riggleman (10-2). Record also listed at 14-5. Dodson beat Brandon Merkt (11-0) after a body punch in the opening round. He next took a lopsided decision over John Albert (6-1) in the second round. To earn his trip to the finals, Dodson brutally KO'd Johnny Bedford.

(Bisping) T.J. Dillashaw (4-0)- Based out of Team Alpha Male, Dillashaw was a collegiate wrestler at Cal State Fullerton. Was victorious over then undefeated Taylor McCorriston (5-1) in his last bout via TKO. Dillashaw won his opening round TUF fight against Matt Jaggers (20-7) via TKO, and next defeated Roland Delorme (6-1) via RNC. To make it to the finals, Dillashaw won a unanimous decision against Dustin Pague (10-4).

(Dillashaw wrestling at Cal State)

Here is the full fight line-up which kicks off at 8/7 central this Saturday on Spike TV live from The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The official fight time of the prelims probably will be around 6/5 central.

SPIKE TV CARD

Michael Bisping v. Jason "Mayhem" Miller
Dennis Bermudez v. Diego Brandao - FW FINALE
John Dodson v. T.J. Dillashaw - BW FINALE
Yves Edwards v. Tony Ferguson
Johnny Bedford v. Louis Gaudinot

FACEBOOK CARD

Marcus Brimage v. Stephan Bass
John Albert v. Dustin Pague
Roland Delorme v. Josh Ferguson
Josh Clopton v. Steven Siler
Bryan Caraway v. Dustin Neace

Video of the Day - Frazier v. Foster

Here is boxing legend "Smokin'" Joe Frazier boxing Bob Foster (56-8) for the WBA and WBC heavyweight boxing titles on 11/18/70 at the Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Unfortunately, Smokin' Joe lost his battle with liver cancer at age 67. Frazier holds wins over Muhammad Ali (56-5), Buster Mathis (30-4), Eddie Machen (50-11), Dave Zyglewicz (32-4), Joe Bugner (69-13) and Jerry Quarry (53-9).

Video of the Day - Arlovski v. Fulton

Here is the final 30 seconds of Andrei Arlovski's fight with Travis Fulton at Pro Elite - "Big Guns" which took place on 11/5/11. There is absolutely no need to watch the first 2 and a half rounds of this fight.

Arlovski has now won his past two fights after losing four straight. He has been extremely tenative and cautious over the past two fights, but he has not gotten KO'd. I'd expect him to fight again in Pro Elite a few months from now.

Anderson Silva versus Neo

Here is Anderson Silva in a fan made video trying to put him in the Matrix.

Mark Munoz Talks Chris Leben

Here is Mark Munoz talking about his upcoming fight with Chris Leben. The video was taken by friend of MMA Blaster, Marcos Villegas of Fight Hub TV.

Munoz explains that his stand-up has improved and he is comfortable standing, but he is ready to take the fight wherever it goes. Munoz knows not to stand right infront of Leben, as many fighters get lured into doing.

I expect Munoz to work his hands to set-up takedowns. Munoz' ground and pound is some of the best in the business, and I think he will be able to utilize it.

Mailbag - Who Wins Between Velasquez and Dos Santos

DesMoinesMMA asks: Who do you think will win between Cain Velasquez (-180) and Junior Dos Santos(+150)? Who would you bet on for this card?

I really think the Junior Dos Santos versus Cain Velasquez title fight is a flip of the coin type of fight. The longer the fight stays standing, the more I like Junior Dos Santos. With UFC debuting on Fox, odds are the fighters feel the pressure to deliver an exciting fight.

Junior Dos Santos stand-up is crisp, powerful and dynamic. Velasquez prefers a boxing type attack and often goes into brawl mode. Velasquez does possess the edge in the wrestling department as an NCAA All-American. It would be good strategy to attempt to get Dos Santos to the mat. However, he will have to take some serious punishment on his way there.

Expect Dos Santos to control the center of the cage, avoiding the fence where takedowns come easier. In the end, I think it will be close, but the guy connecting more standing will win. I'd lean towards Junior Dos Santos, but won't be putting money on the fight.

Looking at the undercard is where you will find the mismatches.

Mike Pierce (-350) vs. Paul Bradley (+265)
Aaron Rosa (-135) vs. Matt Lucas (+105)
Mackens Semerzier (-135) vs. Robert Peralta (+105)
Cole Escovedo (-300) vs. Alex Caceres (+230)
Ricardo Lamas (-130) vs. Cub Swanson (EVEN)
DaMarques Johnson (-280) vs. Clay Harvison (+220)
Norifumi Yamamoto (-370) vs. Darren Uyenoyama (+280)
Ben Henderson (-280) vs. Clay Guida (+220)
Dustin Poirier (-280) vs. Pablo Garza (+220)

Cole Escovedo (-300) is a virtual lock against Alex "Bruce Leroy" Caceres. Escovedo has better technical skills standing, and is levels ahead on the ground. Escovedo has beaten quality B-level fighters before, while Caceres has not. As long as he avoids a flashy kick or two, I expect Escovedo to get a first round submission victory.

My upset play would be Robert Peralta (+105) against Mackens Semerzier. Peralta has serious power in his stand-up game with 11 TKO's on his resume, while Semerzier is often tenative standing. Peralta is riding an 8 fight winning streak, which includes his UFC debut against Mike Lullo and Strikeforce debut against Hiroyuki Takaya. Meanwhile, Semerzier is 1-3 in his last four fights, with his only win against Alex Caceres.

Another good play is Matt Lucas at (+105), as Aaron Rosa weighed in at 260 just 5 months ago for his heavyweight loss against Joey Beltran. Rosa needs to cut 44 pounds to make the cut to 206, with the one pound allowance. Lucas, an All-American wrestler out of Northern Colorado, has solid wrestling skills and ground and pound attack. With Rosa drained, takedowns should get easy for Lucas as time goes on. Rosa seemed a little slow at 260.

I also like Kid Yamamoto and Dustin Poirer.

*To have your MMA question answered, send an email to mmablaster@gmail.com.

Video of the Day - Omigawa v. Escovedo

Here is Michihiro Omigawa fighting UFC veteran Cole Escovedo at Dream 16 which took place on 9/25/10 in Nippon Gaishi Hall, Japan.

Omigawa is looking for his first UFC victory this weekend against newcomer Jason Young.