June 23 - Nate Diaz vs. Manny Gambaryan
For The Ultimate Fighter Season 5, Nate Diaz was my #1 pick for the finals, Joe Lauzon was my #2 pick, Gray Maynard was my #3 pick and I was conflicted between Matt Wiman and Gabe Rudiger for my #4 pick. I guess that would have made Manny Gambaryan my #6 pick. I knew Manny was a tough guy, after seeing his fight with Sherk and hearing it from his cousin and MMA star Karo Parisyan's mouth, but I also thought he would be too small and either out-boxed or overpowered by the quarterfinals or semifinals.
Looks like Dana White isn't the only guy who owes Manny some more respect. He really blew me away, and I'm definitely a Gambaryan fan now.
Manny ends up overpowering and eliminating two of my top-picks to face Nate Diaz in the finals. He decisevely beat Joe, who I was certain would be in the finals barring injuries or a freak KO. Jens described him best as a ball of iron that keeps coming at you.
So, now we're being treated to the inspirational sequel to Karo Parisyan vs. Nick Diaz on the Ultimate Fighter Finale. Nate Diaz vs. Karo Parisyan will be interesting. A month ago, I would have given Nate the win, without hesitation. Now, after seeing just how much stronger Manny has gotten, I honestly can't call it with any certainty. Either one has the tools to end it with a KO, cut or decision. Nate's submission advantage on the ground gives him one more tool to win, so on paper I still favor Nate. Either way, though, it's got the potential to be a war.
Beyond the finale, Nate and Manny definitely will be constant threats to whoever is wearing the belt in an already heavily-stacked Lightweight division.
Although Joe lost in the semifinals, I think he'll be a real force in the UFC 155 division, especially if he starts training full-time (yeah, he's still a part-timer, and does computer I.T. 20 hours a week). If his record doesn't speak for itself - The Prodigy B.J. Penn, Tony DeSouza and Rudy Valentino all praising him settles it. It'll also be interesting if his younger brother Dan can follow him into the title picture, as he grows.
Gabe lost to cake, and despite coming across as a douchebag on TV, I think a lot of it was him reacting badly to all the cameras and being locked in the house. Gabe's kind of an odd character, but he's also a good guy with real MMA skills. Hopeuflly Dana White has a change of heart, and brings him back to compete.
Gray Maynard's a very good wrestler who is constantly expanding his striking game. That's the recepie for a good fighter. As long as he gets the right coaching with the right team, and continues to train, he's definitely contender material.
Matt Wiman is quickly becoming a very strong and very well-rounded fighter. Just like Gray, if he has the right team behind him, he's going to be a dangerous contender who can end a fight standing up, on top, on his back or has the cardio to grind his way a full 5 rounds.
The breakout of the season was Corey Hill. WTF planet is he from? He's the most inexperienced guy on ANY of the seasons EVER (even less experienced than Weems, Joslin or Thacker), yet his fight with Nate was great. He was actually in charge of the match most of the time until th einevitable happened. He made a rookie mistake that every beginner makes a million times, giving Nate the opportunity to slap on the triangle. Hell, even guys with 20 fights get caught in the triangle, especially against a BJJ whiz like Diaz. As amazed as I was at Corey Hill's raw potential, hearing the same from MMA legends Jens Pulver and Jeremy Horn is the exclamation point. Corey Hill could be a real contender in a year or two, and his size guarantees he'll be interesting at the very least.
Penn vs. Pulver? I can't call it... Or, rather, I don't wanna call it. I'm a huge fan of both of 'em. I'm gonna avoid trying to analyze the possibilities, because there are just too many ways it can end. I just want to sit back, and watch it unfold. Whoever wins, I'll still be a fan of both of their careers.