PRIDE 32 Picks and Predictions

Prides newest event is having some serious troubles, with visas, contract disputes, and other last minute shuffling that has taken at least one very interesting match off the card.

Kazuhiro Nakamuro vs. Travis Galbraith
The fact that he's still under contract to the WFA has pulled Marvin the Beastman Eastman off of the real deal card, to be replaced on short notice by a KOTC standout who usually fights at 185, and has lost when he's fought top fighters at that weight. Nakamura often fights at heavyweight and is extremely versatile.

Great.

Nakamura is going to take him down and beat him up, either scoring a TKO or beating him until he gives up a submission. Nakamura by TKO.

Butterbean vs. Sean O'Haire
What was previously a fun match-up between Mark Hunt and an American no one cared about who would put on a good show has become a match between two Americans no one cares about. I can't believe I"m saying this, but look for Butterbean to gas Sean O'Haire out, and for him to give the big boy the same treatment he gave Bart Gunn back at wrestlmania. Butterbean by head removal KO round 1.

Phil Baroni vs Yosuke Nishijima
Baroni's pride is going to be biting his ass in this one, telling him to stand up and knockout the foreigner in front of the hometown crowd. Fortunately Mark Coleman will be in his corner, telling him to take Yosuke down to the ground where he's useless. Given the relative talent involved, we may see Baroni bust out a submission, but I expect brutal GNP. Baroni TKO Round 1.

Joey Villasenor vs. Robbie Lawler
This is one of three matches on the card that is actually competitive and has any importance for the division. Joey is a very strong finisher, mostly with striking, but his GnP will be weakened without elbows on the ground. Lawler's wrestling and physical power should allow him to control where this fight takes place, and I expect his striking ability will let him but the hurt on the more versatile Villasenor.
Robbie Lawler by KO round 2

Dan Henderson vs. Vitor Belfort
When people expect a fight to be a "mental battle" this is rarely what they're thinking of. However, this fight is going to come down to the minds of the fighters involved. I may have watched too many fights that happened in 2000 or before, but I believe Vitor can knockout Henderson, no matter how good his chin is, at any point. However, I expect Vitor to lose focus and just aimlessly watch himself get his ass kicked. On the other hand, Henderson may choose to pointlessly windmill his right arm the entire fight until he gets caught by Vitor.

That said, Henderson has his head screwed on tighter, so he should turn this into a grinding fight that crushes Vitor's will to fight with greco and clinchfighting. Henderson by decision.

Josh Barnett vs. Pawel Nastula
Barnett's performance in the OWGP oepened a lot of eyes not previously familiar with the big dork. Nastula is a gentleman, a true sportsman, and a tough competitor. He has a natural ability for GnP, and his judo skills will give most grapplers a hard time. If he had been more carefully groomed, he could be a top guy in either heavyweight or lightheavy, too bad he's being used as a "impressive win" for half the top guys in the division.

All of that aside, Barnett is going to control the location and pace of this fight, and should finish Nastula with some naughty pounding from back mount. Barnett by TKO round 2.

Mauricio Rua vs. Kevin Randleman
After Randleman's impressive win over Ninja, I"m sure Shogun will be happy to get some revenge. For his sake, I hope he's watched that tape and prepared for Randleman's speed and power. After the Coleman and Overeem fights, it's clear that Shogun has no chance of stopping Randleman's takedowns when he's still fresh, but with Shogun's extremely active guard, he's the more dangerous fighter in any position. Randleman has a real shot at winning this, by landing a huge bomb on the feet or after a takedown, but his generally poor finishing ability is going to give shogun a LOT of time to come up with a submission or land a headkick that drops the wrestler. Shogun by KO (headkick) round 1.

Fedor Emelianenko vs Mark Coleman
Coleman is a freak. That's the only way to describe the kind of threat he presents. He's not a well-rounded fighter, but nobody can out-wrestle him. Fedor's takedowns from the clinch are impressive, but Coleman is still going to throw him around like a rag doll. The biggest chance Coleman has in this fight is if (as I expect he may) he takes Fedor's back as Fedor tries to fight off a takedown. Coleman has the power and control to avoid the submission or reversal, if he keeps a cool head and doesn't gas.

But this is mark coleman we're talking about. Fedor by submission (armbar) round 2.

"Lock" Order
Nakamura by TKO round 1.
Baroni TKO Round 1.
Fedor by submission (armbar) round 2.
Butterbean by head removal KO round 1.
Henderson by decision.
Shogun by KO (headkick) round 1.
Robbie Lawler by KO round 2