'UFC 74: Respect' Picks

by Oh No Romo

UFC 74. will be taking place tomorrow night in Las Vegas, as UFC Heavyweight Champion, Randy "The Natural" Couture, is set to defend his title against Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga. Both fighters are coming off of upset victories.

Couture, 44, made his comeback at UFC 68, when he upset 6'8" Miletich Product, Tim Sylvia, in five rounds to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Couture, a UFC Hall of Famer, has certainly proved himself in the Octagon, throughout his 10+ year career. He has a Mixed Martial Arts record of 15-8.

Gonzaga, meanwhile has been the hottest Heavyweight fighter in MMA, since he defeated one of the top Heavyweights in Mirko Cro Cop, at UFC 70. The kick to the head was Gonzaga's biggest win to date. If he wins tomorrow night, that will definitely make it a huge win for "Napao."

This is a tough fight to pick. Gonzaga, 28 is a much younger fighter than Couture. He's excellent on the ground and just as he showed against Cro Cop, he can surprise you with a knockout.

But never count out "The Natural" Couture. Just when you think he's down and out, he comes back and surprises everybody, like he did with Sylvia and many other fighters before him.

I'm picking Couture, to win a very close one.

The next fight is Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck.

St. Pierre is coming off a Welterweight title loss to Matt Serra, while Koscheck is coming off a convincing victory against Diego Sanchez.

St. Pierre is one of the best fighters in the UFC and is a very well-rounded fighter, but he certainly didn't bring it to the Octagon against Serra.

Koscheck is very motivated and eager to get past St. Pierre. Even though he's improving on his stand-up, he has an excellent wrestling background to help him out. This fight will be a war. If both fighters in excellent condition, everybody in Vegas and watching at home will be treated to a show.

I've always been a huge St. Pierre fan, but this time around, I am picking Koscheck to win.

Finally, I am picking Joe Stevenson to defeat Kurt Pellegrino.

UFC 74: Respect will take place in Las Vegas, tomorrow night, August 25, on PPV. Check your cable or satellite provider for more information.