On September 10th, the Japanese MMA organization known as PRIDE FC will hold their PPV entitled Final Conflict Absolute in Saitama, Japan. Two matches stand out, as they are the semi-final bouts for PRIDE's latest open weight tournament.

They are:

"The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic

"Minotauro" Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Josh "The Babyface Assassin" Barnett


Here are the current odds:

Silva +115
Filipovic -145

Nogueira -165
Barnett +135

__________________
"You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs

Here are the updated odds:

Silva +135
Filipovic -165


Barnett +150
Nogueira -180

__________________
"You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs

Here are my thought and picks on the upcoming main event matches for PRIDE's Final Conflict Absolute.

Mirko Filipovic vs. Wanderlei Silva

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
-Stands 6'2" and weighs 231 lbs.
-Has a MMA record of 19-4-2 (13 wins by KO and 4 by submission)
-Former anti-terrorist commando of the Croatian police force
-Fighting style is Kickboxing, although ground game has improved
-To reach the semi-finals of the tournament, he defeated Ikuhisa Minowa by KO and Hidehiko Yoshida by Submission
-Before joining PRIDE, he had an impressive kickboxing career in Japan's K-1 organization
-Fought Wanderlei Silva to a Draw in 2002
-Known for his lethal Left High Kick

"The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva
-Stands 5'11" and weighs 215
-Has a MMA record of 31-5-1 (21 wins by KO and 4 by submission)
-From 1999 to 2004, won 20 straight fights in PRIDE
-Current PRIDE Middleweight Champion
-Is supposed to fight the UFC's Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell in November
-Fighting style is a mix of Muay Thai Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
-To reach the semi-finals of the tournament, Silva received a first round bye (for being a champion) and then beat Kazuyuki Fujita by TKO
-Fought Mirko Filipovic to a draw in 2002
-Known for his lethal knees in the clinch

Prediction
The last time these two men fought, both were very respectful of the other's knockout power. While they traded, neither one landed a big shot. Silva was less aggressive than usual, mainly because he was cautious about the size difference between he and "Cro Cop". While Mirko has knocked out many men with his trademark Left High Kick, it is more effective against taller men, and Silva's relatively smaller size makes it more difficult to land.
Ultimately, I think this is a classic example of two great fighters from different weight classes stepping into the ring. While Cro-Cop is only 15 pounds heavier, he is physically much larger, and this will give him an advantage.
At -165, I think Mirko Filipovic is the safer bet, and I'm predicting a Decision win by Cro-Cop. While Silva is a great fighter; they do have weight classes for a reason (for an example, see Silva's loss to the much larger Mark Hunt).


Josh Barnett vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

"The Babyface Assassin" Josh Barnett
-Stands 6'3" and weighs 250 lbs.
-Has a MMA record of 21-3 (5 by KO and 13 by Submission)
-Fighting style is Catch Wrestling
-Reached the semi-finals by defeating Aleksander Emelianenko by submission and Mark Hunt by submission

"Minotauro" Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
-Stands 6'3" and weighs 231 lbs.
-Has a MMA record of 28-3-1 (with 5 by KO and 14 by submission)
-Fighting style is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
-His only losses in PRIDE have come at the hands of Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko (both by decision)
-Considered by many to be the 2nd best Heavyweight in the world (behind Emelianenko)
-Reached the semi-finals by defeating Zuluzinino by submission and Fabricio Werdum by decision.

Prediction
Personally, I believe this fight is money in the bank for "Minotauro." While Barnett may be a skilled wrestler and submission expert, Nogueira is just that much better. If it weren't for Fedor, he would have been the reigning Heavyweight Champ for quite some time.
Expect this one to go to the mat early and often. Nogueira will bide his time and look for an opening. He'll either catch Barnett and submit him, or outwork him and pick up the decision. I'm betting on a decision win.
At -165, Nogueira is a very safe bet. Nobody besides Fedor has come close to stopping him, and Barnett is no Fedor.

__________________
"You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs

Well, here are the results:

Mirko Filipovic defeats Wanderlei Silva by KO (with a high kick)

Josh Barnett defeats Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via a Split Decision.




My 2006 Winnings: $545

__________________
"You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs