Back again to provide you with more insight, Mike, Justin and Rich share their thought on the upcoming show. We’ve added something new to our predictions. Now we’re having our experts predict who they think will win our fight awards (Fight of the Night, Sub. of the Night and KO of the Night).
Do you agree with them or do you think they are crazy? Either way, let ‘em know! When you’re done reading all the pics, feel free to leave your own picks and comments below and let our experts and Houston know who you think is going to win and why.
Meet the experts
Mike Calimbas (mopthemats.com) – (41-34) Mike Calimbas is an MMA Writer, devotee, and fan that has been a part of the Mixed Martial Arts community for over fifteen years. He has served as a ring official & timekeeper for amateur MMA in numerous local events in Texas with the USACA/Lonestar Beatdown. Mike has also written and provided analysis on the topic of MMA & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for various online publications, including FightLine, Ploomy, and MoptheMats.com. Mike has been training BJJ, etc. on-and-off for the past six years. Off the mats, he spends most of his time with his family, including his baby son, Nicholas and girlfriend, Megan. For more on Mike, check him out on http://twitter.com/mikecalimbas.
Justin Trapp (fighterportraits.com) – (44-31) Justin Trapp is a photographer, designer and one of the premier marketing minds in the MMA industry. He manages the branding and marketing for mma companies, fighters and gyms. He has been a loyal fan of the sport since its inception and works to educate the biased. To see some of his work visit his website, fighterportraits.com.
Richard Burmaster (thecagedoor.net) – (41-27) Richard Burmaster is co-founder of (and a writer for) thecagedoor.net. He has been active in the MMA scene for close to 8 years and has trained in MMA for the last 5 years. His job keeps him on the go across the United States, and thus has afforded him the opportunity to train in many of the top gyms across the nation. From Army combatives to the Militech Fighting Systems, he has been able to try out many of the martial arts from coast to coast. When Richard is not working on his full time job, training in MMA or working with thecagedoor.net, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son.
THE PREDICTIONS
AWARD PREDICTIONS
| Mike | Justin | Richard | |
 |
Garcia vs Martinez |
West vs Lloyd | Garcia vs Martinez |
 |
Guilherme Moreira |
None | Levi West |
 |
Collin Wright |
Collin Wright | Collin Wright |
FIGHT PREDICTIONS
 |
Collin Wright | Name | David Armas |  |
| Nickname | ||||
| #3 | TCD rank | NR | ||
| 135 | Weight | 135 | ||
| 2-0-0 | Record | 1-0-0 | ||
| Paradigm | Gym | Silverback MMA | ||
| Mike, Justin, Rich | Picks |
Mike: This fight will be a battle of two up-and-coming and undefeated amateurs in David Armas (1-0) and Colin Wright (2-0). I do not know too much about David Armas other than the fact that he is one of SBA’s highly up and coming amateurs. As far as Wright, he has displayed a very active guard, looking to submit off his back in his previous fights. It is also important to note that out of their combined opponents, Wright has the most impressive win, over the now 3-1 Victor Russell. For that reason and from what I’ve seen first-hand, I’m going to have to go with Colin Wright notching his third amateur win via submission. Prediction: Wright via Submission
Justin: Colin comes from the ever growing stable of fighters from Paradigm. David hails from a passionate Silverback camp. Despite Armas having really good standup, I think Collins ground game might be too much for him at this point. I’m taking Colin in this scrap. Prediction: Wright via Submissioin
Rich: Armas showed good stand and above average submission defense in his last fight. Colin has shown his style of grappling transitions perfectly to the cage having won both of his fights by a combined total of less than a minute. This fight is a classic revenge fight with both fighters having defeated the others teammates in previous outings. Look for Armas to try and keep this fight standing while Colin while look to take the fight to the ground with the first opportunity he gets. Prediction: Wright by Submission
|
Levi West | Name | Charles Lloyd | |
| Nickname | ||||
| NR | TCD rank | NR | ||
| 185 | Weight | 185 | ||
| 2-0-0 | Record | 0-0-0 | ||
| Team Tooke | Gym | Gracie Barra The Woodlands | ||
| Mike, Justin, Rich | Picks |
Mike: The brash Levi West has shown impressive skills and fast hands as of late, notching a Muay Thai win over a very experienced Nethaneel Mongonia at a recent College Station event. Despite recently taking nine-stitches around his right eye due to a recent sparring session mishap against training partner Ike Villanueva, West is excited to show a complete arsenal in this bout in additional to his hands. His opponent, Charles Lloyd is a BJJ blue belt out of Gracie Barra making his MMA debut. I am sure both fighters will come into this fight well-prepared and looking to impose their respective strengths. Based on what I know (and don’t know), I will have to go with Levi West via TKO. Prediction: West via TKO
Justin: If charles had more experience I would probably go with him. Physically I think he presents some problems for guys. However Levi has great boxing experience so I am going with him based on experience. If he can keep Charles at bay I think he will win. Different story if Charles gets him down. Prediction: West via Unanimous Decision
Rich: Llyod has good hands and is very comfortable on the ground. Levi may have some of the best hands in Houston and the former gold glove winner will surely look to use his biggest weapons early and often. Llyod will look to clinch and take this fight to the ground where he will have his best chance of victory. Prediction: West via KO
|
Guilherme Moreira | Name | Sean Holden | |
| Nickname | ||||
| #3 | TCD rank | NR | ||
| 170 | Weight | 170 | ||
| 2-0-0 | Record | 5-2-0 | ||
| Team Tooke | Gym | |||
| Mike, Justin, Rich | Picks |
Mike: I’ve been hearing Guilherme Moreira’s name pop up multiple times recently as a prospect to watch. I hear he’s got impressive striking and is working hard to take his game to the next level at Team Tooke with Andrew Craig, Jace Pitre, and crew. This fight is a testimony to that desire as he will be taking on Sean Holden, a seasoned amateur fighter holding a 5-2 record out of Central Texas. I believe Moreira to be the betting underdog on paper going into this bout but I’ll go with what I’ve been hearing and say he (Gui Moreira) wins via KO. Prediction: Moreira vis KO
Justin: To be honest I don’t know much about Sean Holden so I have to go with what I know. Moreira is a very good all around fighter, so I’m going with him. Prediction: Moreira via TKO
Rich: Holden likes to clinch and take fighters down where he uses good GNP to end the fight. Gil is one of the most well rounded fighters in his division and always brings an exciting fight. I think Gil’s reach will be the deciding factor in this fight. Look for Gil to stay on the outside and when able use his long limbs to secure the clinch. Prediction: Moreira by decision
Quick Picks
| Fight | Mike | Justin | Rich |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Brown vs Ryan Rivera | Rivera | Brown | Rivera |
| Hendry Gomez vs James Gonzales | Gomez | Gomez | Gonzales |
| Martin Garcia vs Alex Martinez | Martinez | Garcia | Martinez |
| Justin Castillo vs Zack Scalf | Castillo | Castillo | Castillo |
| Mario Martinez vs Kenny Isaac | Isaac | Isaac | Martinez |
| Charley Witbeck vs Brian Reyes | Witbeck | Witbeck | Witbeck |
| Chas Liberty vs Steele West | Liberty | Liberty | Liberty |
| John Wible vs Austin Franks | Franks | Franks | Franks |
| Andrew Musquiz vs Hossan Walker | Walker | Walker | Walker |
I agree about the colin wright winning the fight 100%!!! Ive fought the guy and trained with him after and he is def a beast. The only thing i think might be wrong is how the fight will end… He did sub me so it seems weird coming from me but his work on the feet is way way way under rated. I am actually pretty happy that we didnt stand and bang! haha Get em colin!!!!!
good luck to my brothers from team tooke G and levi. both these the boys have heart n good chin. do work brothers. hurricane ike
MY PREDICTIONS:
Wright vs Armas – If Wright can’t get the fight to the ground, he could be in for a long night Armas’ striking is very good, but I dont’ see Colin making the same mistakes his teammate did by shooting in with his hands and head down. Wright via Sub.
West vs Lloyd – West has heavy HEAVY hands and is probably one of the better amateur strikers in Houston. Lloyd trains with some heavy handed dudes so I think he’ll be ready. Look for him to take this to the ground, were West is untested. This is one of those fights were, if it stays standing West wins, if it goes to the ground, Lloyd wins. I see it going to the ground. Lloyd via Sub.
Moreira vs Holden – G is a hot prospect, but Holden is legit. He’s a relative unkown in Houston, but he’s on a 2 fight win streak where he beat two guys who’s combined records are 13-4. I think G will be a title holder one day. but I’m going with Holden in this one via submission.
Garcia vs Martinez – Garcia def. has the edge in training camp, but Martinez is battle tested and scrappy. Garcia will be better after facing a tough Joe Trevino and will also be out to avenge his previous loss. Never the less, I see this one going the way the first meeting did. Martinez via split dec. PS – Martinez will win walk out of the night…and proably the year! You won’t want to miss this!
Musquiz vs Walker – This should be a good one. Musquiz lost a controversial decision in his last fight, while Walker has had a long lay off. Walker has had a few more wars (including a tough title fight loss to Craig Gardner) so he has experience on his side, but if his cardio isn’t there (and it looked suspect at the last 4oz Family fun Day), look out! Walker’s chin is rock solid, so Musquiz is either going to have to submit him or out score him. Musquiz is another kid on the rise in Houston MMA, but I think Walker wins via Dec.
Other winners:
Rivera
Gonzales
Castillo
M. Martinez
Witbeck
West
Franks
HAHAHAHAHA i LOVE how everyone under estimates my ground game. lmfao yall better ask about me!
Barry I am confused. In your detailed description you pick West to lose. Then when you Professor and Mary Ann’d the rest of the fights you pick West to win.
LMAO, WTF is “Professor and MaryAnn’d” the rest mean?
Oh I see know. Duh.
i got g and witbeck
oh and my predictions are…
RIVERA- man i dont know you but your name sounds cooler than brown so ill pick you.
GONZALES- dont know you either but im picking you haha
MARTINEZ- baby baby boom-shock-a-locka…i think your going to put the guy in a triangle and start humping his face, (totally kidding), but foreal
CASTILLO- mr justin castillo, my teammate, my brother, just dont beat up homeboy too bad lol i take that back, go knock him out lol
WITBECK- wittybecker iv never seen you fight bro but iv heard about you so im picking you, make me proud! jk jk
STEELE west- man im choosing you cause we have the same last name, and the WEST are tuff sob’s!
FRANKS- austin “ballpark” franks…haha jk bro, i choose you to win cause your my friend and crazy as hell, i predict you will knock him out….goodluck bud
MUSQUIZ- musquiz musquiz musquiz….keep your hands up and chin down brotha and go straight down the middle and i believe you will win by tko or unanimous decision! warrrrrr time baby!
WRIGHT- mr colin wright..iv only seen you fight once and you looked great and your submissions are great, so i believe you will win by submission or decision!
ME-lol i win by ppl dropping out? yayyy i feel like a real badass
MOREIRA- G is going to break this poor kids will, (trust me) G’s all around game is getting so well rounded i believe he can compete with pro’s….. so i predict my brother is gonna knock sean out maybe end of 1st round or early 2nd! of course no disrespect to sean*
In the theme song to Gilligan’s Island they say “……..Gilligan. The Skipper too. The Millionaire and his Wife. The Movie Star. And the rest.”….or alternate “……Professor and Mary Ann” everyone gets title screen and mention in theme song except P& MA. When the do get mention they share a title screen and rushed lyrics like an after thought. You gave details on some fights and Professor and Mary Ann’d the rest. Lol
no disrepect to West but you are an unproven white belt and lloyd is a proven and strong on the ground
Winner : Garcia by opponent not showing up, lol! Jk
hey mr unknown your an unproven idiot, and im not a white belt jackass…do your math
@ martin garcia , this shit happens bro we will make it happen sooner or later dnt worry we will get fight of the night on some show! lol
@levi west lol good shit
Baby boom you would of been defeated any way.You have more time to talk on here than train or attend one of your own fight weigh inns.Shout out To Martin Garcia for being a professional and a good fighter.
i dont have ebony eyes so that is not be posting, lol. in a seriousness, i cant control anyones actions, all i can do is train my ass off and show up for a fight. by the way, eating that hamburger and drinking beer right after the cut was a terrible idea, i think i actually lost more weight by how sick i got. i was looking forward to this fight but i dont have any hard feelings toward anyone
i aint tripping everyone got they opinions. but they knew i wasn’t showing up, i injured my wrist cutting weight. so why they made you show up without telling you is not my fault. but like i said we can make it happen. im out till jan, cuz they wrist but were ever you want to do it im down. yall have fun talking shit on here!!!!