MMA is the rage..."The Chode" tells you like it is... welcome to "The Chokeslam"

Ladies and Gentleman...meet "The Chode"

Welcome to the first ever edition of the soon to be famous MMA Column, "The Chokeslam" written by a die hard MMA fan, yours truly " THE CHODE".

The next big MMA event is UFC 83 with the main event being Serra v.s. St-Pierre which I don't think will live up to the hype... So let's talk under-card fights! First let me state my frustration with UFC taking our hard earned money and not airing 4 or 5 under-card fights which usually turn out to be the best fights of the evening.

Rich Clementi v.s. Sam Stout

An interesting fight between "TUF" alumni - Rich Clementi fighting Sam Stout. Rich to me looking like a dud on the show, but since getting a contract and having some fights, he has looked tough in the Octagon. Sam Stout is an experienced veteran and should pose a good test for Rich. I think this could be a good stand up war and one worth watching. Stout in my opinion should win a decision, but a knockout could come from either side. Look to maybe catch this one depending on it's excitement level at the opening of the show or as a last fight if the event goes by quick with fast knockouts and submissions.

Chode's Pick to Whip: Sam Stout - Decision

Ed Herman v.s Demian Maia

Next up is a fighter that I can not stand and wish I could get in there with myself, Ed " Short Fuse" Herman. Though a obviously talented fighter, there is something about this guy I think everyone who looks at him and hears him speak wants to Punch his teeth out. That being said, he's taking on an undefeated fighter and a unknown on Demian Maia. 7-0 in his career, this will for sure be a test for him. I see Herman only winning by a lame decision or Submission. But if Maia has anything in him and can back up that undefeated record, I think he can win here. Either this guy is being thrown to the wolves or he is the real deal and Dana White is using him to get Herman out of the UFC.

Chode's Pick to Whip: Demian Maia - Hopefully a Knockout..

Jason " the Athlete" Macdonald V.S Joe Doerkson

Should be one of the best fights of the night. Hopefully they show it. Joe is very experienced and MacDonald aside from the Whoopin he took from Rich Franklin has shown to be tough as nails. This one should make for a good mix of stand up and ground fighting. Neither being that good at BJJ I think this will go to a knockout.

Chode's Pick to Whip: Jason Macdonals- Knockout

Mac Danzig v.s. Mark Bocek

Real quick, Mac Danzig v.s. Mark Bocek. Danzig being the latest "TUF" winner, should put on a clinic here and win this one quickly. I don't care what Bocek brings to the table, Danzig has not shown one flaw in his game yet, except for perhaps a lack in pure knockout power. But his BJJ skills are awesome. If I had to pick on for sure bet of the night, this is it.

Chode's Pick to Whip: Mac Danzig - Submission.

Charles McCarthy v.s Micheal Bisping
I can't stand Bisping since he got "beaten" by Matt Hamill in England and got boo'd by his own countryman after "winning" a highly contested split decision and stood in the ring saying he thought he won the fight. He should have said I got beaten and took it like a man. Funny thing however, he has since dropped out of the light heavyweight division and into middleweight. Strange, Matt Hamill doesn't fight at that weight. I guess we can all wait for a rematch but on to his current challenge. McCarthy is a good "B" level fighter, with Bisping dropping weight and being much bigger, I feel this one is out of reach for him.

Hate to say it but...

Chode's Pick to Whip: Micheal Bisping - Knockout.

Nate Quarry v.s. Kalib Starnes

To former "TUF" contestants, both impressive but both never seem to really break to the upper tear of MMA fights, losing when they should win. This should be a good fight, lots of stand up, could be the fight of the night, but Quarry is too big and strong for Kalib, and the kicks and punches will add up. If Kalib does not get knocked out standing, he should get ground and pounded. But should be a good one.

Chode's Pick to whip: Nate " ROCK" Quarry -Knockout

Travis Lutter v.s Rich Franklin

With Franklin trying to get back on track after 2 huge and easy losses to current middleweight champ Anderson Silva, Franklin has a easy opponent in Lutter. With in my opinion the type of stand-up game that is made to get a fight to the ground, Lutter poses no knockout threat. But that being said, Lutter is great on the ground and should he get Franklin there, watch out. But I think Franklin's strength and take down defense is good enough that this will either be a knockout for him or a boring decision victory.

Chode's Pick to Whip: Rich " Ace " Franklin - decision

Matt " The Terra " Serra v.s. George " Rush " St. Pierre

Ahh the main event. Well I am one who does appreciate Matt Serra for his long career, personality and all that, but I do think he got lucky. This could be a good fight if Serra chooses to stand up with St. Pierre again, which I think he will have to do since St. Pierre has never lost a second fight to a guy he lost to first. Just ask "The Most Dominate" welterweight Champ of all time Matt Hughes. St.Pierre made him look like a rookie in both return bouts and I think the same will happen here. Look for St. Pierre to keep distance, using lots of leg kicks and jabs, and his take-down defense which is top-notch and should keep Serra's only real weapon, BJJ, at bay. I don't see a knockout coming, but rather a dominating performance from St. Pierre that is eye-catching. Don't look for St. Pierre to try lots of submission since that is Serra's game. Barring a lucky chin shot like last time, look for St. Pierre to dominate from the stand-up and either get a knockout or win a majority decision.

Chode's Pick to Whip: George " Rush" St. Pierre.

Now go bet those fights to and don't come cryin to me if you lose, It's just my opinion!

THE CHODE