Affliction 3 in Joyzee!?

Author: Warren “The Fresh Prince” Piece

Rumor has it that Affliction numero tres MAY go down in A.C. in July or August ’09. That would be pretty f’n sweet for us Tri-Staters.

If you’ve haven’t seen this already over at MMARatings.net, here are my predictions for the title and Main Card of Affliction 3:

Affliction “Validation”

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett
Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. Tito Ortiz (or Nogueira if Tito’s not ready)
Andre Arlovski vs. Paul Buentello
Vitor Belfort vs. ? (Affliction needs to pickup another 185 lb. Fighter)
Dan Lauzon vs. Chris Horodecki

Note: These predictions are based on Affliction’s current stable of fighters.

Affliction 2 in a Nutsack: One of the Best PPVs of All Time

Author: Royale W. Cheese

Photo: Jon Kopaloff at Getty Images

Click on “The Last Emperor’s” latest victim below for the full story (do it, do it!).

The Ultimate Bummer

Author: Warren Piece

The advocate for NY-based/born fighters that we are, let me offer a reasonable explanation as to why Brooklyn’s Phillipe Nover came up short last night against Efrain Escudero at the TUF 8 Finale: Way too much pressure. Dana White has compared the RN to GSP, Big Nog has compared him to Anderson Silva, he was a heavy, heavy favorite on all the betting sites (most had Nover at -400) and was the only guy last night to receive a grand entrance. That’s a lot to live up to and perhaps it got to him. Not to take anything away from Escudero, who basically dominated Nover with his wrestling, taking Phillipe down at will through 3 rounds.

Brooklyn, stand up! All hail King Nover!

Author: Warren Piece

Update 12-16-08: In hindsight, I may have jumped the gun a little here (but in all fairness to myself, I believe Dana, Nog and many others did as well).

The possible saviour and future of New York MMA (I said it), Phillipe Nover, has just advanced to the TUF 8 Finale via Super-Kimora.

And check out the crazy praise this dude is receiving:

After comparing Nover to a young GSP after his last fight, Dana Dane goes on to say tonight that, “This kid is one of the most talented kids I’ve seen on the Ultimate Fighter, ever. I’m very excited about the possibilities for Phillipe Nover.”

Furthermore, Big Nog says, “Anderson Silva, he is the same way as him. He goes for bang.”

And while I’m here, I thought I’d make my Finale predictions (although they both seem like serious no-brainers):

Nover over Efrain via “bang”

Vinny over Bader via submission (duh)