Main Card

Yoshihiro Akiyama vs Alan Belcher
What a fight to start off the night, there has been a lot of buzz around this fight with Akiyama making his UFC debut on such a big event. Akiyama was a stand out overseas and has some big wins over top opponents. Belcher on the other hand is a hype killer but has been somewhat inconsistent during his UFC run. In his last outing he faced highly touted Canadian fighter Denis Kang and ended the fight with a great guillotine after losing most of the fight. Both guys like to stand up and trade but Akiyama has amazing judo to go with his stand up skills which should nullify the clinch work of Belcher. With an impressive win from either guy could put them close to the top of the division and one fight away from a possible title shot. My prediction is: Akiyama by Unanimous Decision Rd 3

John Fitch vs Paulo Thiago
This is a grudge match for Fitch and should be rather close if looking at it on paper but I am not. Fitch posses great wrestling with decent stand up and Thiago posses great jiu-jitsu with decent stand up that he showed in the Koscheck fight. In my personal opinion Paulo Thiago is going to get wrecked in this fight, when he fought Fitch’s teammate Josh Koscheck, Koscheck forgot that he was a wrestler and used primarily his stand up skills which got him knocked the hell out. Fitch won’t make the same mistake he will use his stand up to set up his takedowns and grind out a victory. I see no way that Thiago should get a win here unless he catches Fitch with another bomb. My prediction John Fitch TKO Victory RD 2

Dan Henderson vs Michael Bisping
This is fight that I think is going to be an extremely one sided affair. Henderson and Bisping spent the last couple months opposite each other on the reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter. Bisping took that opportunity to use his trash talk to try and get a rise out of Henderson but was never successful. What he did do was make a lot of people want to see Henderson beat him around the cage for fifteen minutes. Bisping of late has shown that he could possibly be a force at MW but I don’t think its going to come against a seasoned vet like Henderson. Henderson will be able to dictate the pace of this fight with his explosive power on his feet and his superb wrestling ability. Henderson is always at his best when he can mix up his strikes and takedowns and put some good ground and pound on his opponents. I don’t see Bisping being able to handle the power of Henderson’s hands and will try to get this fight to the floor where Dan will also reign supreme. My prediction: Henderson TKO RD 1

GSP vs Thiago Alves
This is going to be the toughest test to date for welter weight champ GSP. Thiago has amazing stand up skills and as of late has shown he has great takedown defense as well. Coming off two devastating stoppages in his last two fights he is looking to add GSP to his collection of top ten welter weight he has picked off. GSP is one of those fighters that only comes around once in a great while. He is constantly evolving as a fighter and since teaming up with Greg Jackson has shown the ability to find the weaknesses in his opponents that can be exploited. GSP utterly dismantled his rival BJ Penn in his last outing by using BJ’s strengths against him. This fight is one that I am most excited for because it could easily have the most fireworks out of all the fights on the main card. If Alves can keep this fight on the feet he could easily walk home the new welter weight champion of the world but don’t think GSP isn’t going down without a fight. Takedowns will be the key to this fight for both guys. If GSP can take Alves down early and often this will be his fight but if Alves can keep it standing it could possibly be a short night for GSP. My prediction: GSP TKO RD 4

Main Event
Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir
This is going to be an epic showdown of two true heavy weights. Mir could complete his return to the top of the HW division of he can get past Lesnar and Lesnar can solidify the fact that he is a top level MMA fighter and avenge a previous defeat from his record. The questions is can Mir get another submission on the relatively inexperienced Lesnar or will he use his newly tuned stand up skills? On the other hand will Lesnar risk getting caught in another submission by taking this fight to the mat or will he try to unload his punching power standing up. These questions will be answered Saturday night. In my opinion Lesnar’s overall size and athletic ability are going to be too much for Mir to handle. Lesnar will eventually catch Mir with one of those huge right hands and Brock will not let him get up once he has Mir in trouble. My prediction: Lesnar TKO Rd 2

• Ghostbusters (AMC, 8 EST)
• Lethal Weapon (Spike, 9 EST)
• One of our all-time favorites, The Rock (TNT, 9 EST)
• Friday Night Fights (ESPN2, 10 EST)

The baseball with the probable starters after the jump.

Courtesy ESPN.com

Go out!  Don’t watch baseball all night!

Points of Interest is the daily link dump for your morning or afternoon commute in and out of Souvenir City.  We’ll be throwing together some other stops from out there in blogdome and the interwebs to peak your interest.  Some of them will actually be what some might consider educational.  Most of them, are going to everything but that.

It is upon us!  UFC 100, the Super Bowl of MMA is tomorrow and we are jacked for it.  We’ll be at the bar tomorrow night with some friends to watch it so it’s going to be rather quiet around here for you.  We’re waiting on a preview from glove but he’ll have it for you later today.  Ring girl Arianny Celeste for your enjoyment.

Woman on toilet accidently shot in leg.  Relations to Plaxico?……..So, Barry not so much pro-choice anymore.  According to his talks with the Pope.  Lip service?……..This is awful.  Family who adopted 12 kids, most with special needs, found slain in their home.  What the hell is wrong with people?……..HuffPo a partisan defender of the Obama White House? You decide……..Those crazy Germans.  German badgers that is.  Drunk in the street.

• Kelly Pavlik is probably going to get his ass handed to him in this fight.  (Paneech)
• Intern Andy Hutchins did this with the NBA a few weeks ago over at TBL, but this is what it would look like if rappers were sports legends.  All sports included.  (Fansided)
• Normally we don’t link mainstream stuff but this is really good.  Jayson Stark’s mid-season awards.  (ESPN)
• Sparty agrees with us on Yahoo and ESPN.  We need something to disagree about.  Too bad Iowa doesn’t play MSU this year.  (Sparty and Friends)

• NBA odds for team and the title next year.  Your stimulus package, NBA style.  (Sharapova’s Thigh)
• Top 10 real douchebags from Queens. John McEnroe!?  What?!  (InGameNow)
• Asian’s doing Christopher Walken impressions.  (Zoner Sports)
• Top 11 Things that only happened once in MLB history.  (11Points)

Wade Boggs goes off on steroid users.  Good for him.

1.) Los Angeles Dodgers (54-31): They’ve got Manny back.  They didn’t struggle without him.  The Giants are playing out of their minds and the Dodgers are still 7 games clear of them.  These guys are making the playoffs obviously, but mark it down.  They are not going to the World Series.  Peak too soon in baseball and you don’t finish strong.

2.) New York Yankees (51-34): Bring it on Red Sox fans.  You’re 5-5 in your last 10, and the Yankees are 8-2.  We told you not to sell on these guys at the start of the season and we’re being validated.  In that stadium, this offense is going to excel like no other offense in the league.  The bullpen issues are starting to clear up with Phil Hughes and Coke.  “And the New York Yankees are going to the World Series!” (circa 2003.  Suck it Red Sox)

3.) Boston Red Sox (51-34): The plethora of starters will keep them in it and we’re just glad the Yankees won’t have to play them in a 5 game series in October.  Bats are cooling off.  Jason Bay and Youkilis are cooling off.  Pedroia and Ortiz are heating up though.  We’d rather have the first two hot.

4.) San Francisco Giants (47-38): Every time we do this list, they go up.  If they’re higher next week, we don’t know what we’ll do.  Top four teams from 2 divisions?  Weird.  But the pitching on this team cannot be denied.

5.) Texas Rangers (47-37): They just finished a dominating series against the Angels.  Hamilton is back.  If he returns to last years form, there’s no stopping the Rangers.  And now they’re in on the Roy Halladay sweepsteaks.  We’ll take back our Yankee comments if the Rangers get Halladay.

6.) Tampa Bay Rays (47-39): Rays are chugging along but they don’t have what it takes this year to beat the reloaded and refocused Yanks and Sawks.  The young pitching hasn’t been nearly as good as last year.  Neither has the infield defense. Zobrist can hit, but doesn’t have Aki’s glove.

7.) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (46-37): The only reason they’re below the Rays is they can’t beat the team leading their division.  You’ve gotta win inter-division games.  2-7 against the Rangers is awful.

8.) Colorado Rockies (46-39): That hot streak has cooled as they’re only 6-4 in the last ten.  But this team is still dangerous.  Just wait until Marquis hits that second half collapse.  Aaron Cook is going to have to carry a lot more weight.

9.) Chicago White Sox (44-41): A lot of you are saying, “What the hell?”  Just us explain.  The Sox have been extremely hot as of late.  The weather is heating up in Chicago, they’re playing a soft schedule right now and they’ve closed the gap in the AL Central to 2.5 games.  We want the Twins to win this division.  The Sox are our pick to land Halladay and if they do, they’ll run away with the Central.

10.) St. Louis Cardinals (47-40): They have Albert Pujols.  Redundant, right?  Joel Piniero has been impressive though.  Big series this weekend against the Cubs.

11.) Detroit Tigers (46-38): Still leading the AL Central but get ready for a fall.  They beat up a weak schedule the last two weeks and now are starting to hit the meat of it.  Mags is in a platoon role.  The chemistry on this team just isn’t there.  Verlander is the only starter that scares us too.

12.) Philadelphia Phillies (45-38): Phillies are showing us something.  Yet another team that if they add Halladay, expect to see them rise in our rankings.  But their pitching is awful.  Hamels is overrated and hurt.  Moyer is old.  J.A. Happ is the best option and he’s a rookie.  2nd best offense in the NL though.

13.) Florida Marlins (45-42): 7-3 in their last ten and only 2 games back of the Phillies.  Nolasco needs to come back but Josh Johnson is nasty.  Another great offense that lacks the pitching to really get us excited.

14.) Seattle Mariners (44-41): Russell Branyan has been a nice surprise, hasn’t he?  Ichiro is being Ichiro.  King Felix has grown into his court.  These guys are one season away from being true contenders in the AL West but they’ll stick around until late August, early September.

15.) Minnesota Twins (43-43): If not for that Yankees sweep, the Twins were really starting to rise up.  The pitching has been so inconsistent and Kevin Slowey is on the DL.  We’ll stand by our pick to win the AL Central but the pitching woes need to be put under the rug.  Offensively, this is no longer a small ball team.  They can crush with the best.

16.) Milwaukee Brewers (44-41): Ryan Braun trashed his GM.  The GM fired back.  A young team is going through some growing pains and having trouble holding composure.  In a division that is up for grabs, now is not the time to implode.  Need to go into the second half with momentum.

17.) Chicago Cubs (44-41): Man, we were so excited a few days ago when we won 3 out of 4 against Milwaukee.  Then, we went back to our anemic ways on offense and couldn’t score against the Braves.  Atlanta can pitch.  So, were not too discouraged.  But with Dempster and Soto on the DL right as Ramirez comes back, the Cubs will have to tread water for a little while longer.

18.) Toronto Blue Jays (43-44): For mere record reasons only.  This team has fallen apart.  2-8 in their last 10.  The bullpen is a mess.  They might trade their best player.  Probably a good idea since the division is out of reach.

19.) Atlanta Braves (41-44): The Braves have the pitching to win a lot of ball games.  But without Chipper Jones and Brian McCann, this offense leaves you looking at a list of names going, “WHO?”  Nate McLouth has helped in the leadoff spot but they just don’t have the run production to get going right now.

20.) Houston Astros (42-43): Where did these guys come from?  Expected to see them a lot farther down the list.  Oh that’s right.  They just played the Nationals.  As you were.

21.) Cincinnatti Reds (41-43): Pitching woes are starting for a young staff.  Cueto got blown up in a Philadelphia.  They have one of the worst run differentials in baseball.  Going nowhere.  Fast.

22.) New York Mets (40-44): Wow.  22nd out of 30 teams.  In New York?  David Wright even declared, “We suck right now.”  We agree David.  Until you get healthy, you’ll continue to suck.  And you need starters 2-5.

23.) Baltimore Orioles (38-47): We’re still high on the Orioles as they are building a good, young team.  The Erik Bedard trade makes the A.J. Pierzynski trade that the Twins made with the Giants look like a steal.  They got so many good pieces for a pitcher that is always hurt.  2 years away, but when they get there, they’ll be dangerous.

24.) Kansas City Royals (37-48): They’ve got Greinke.  Good stuff.  The rest is crap.  And they’re hurt.  Everywhere.  Next.

25.) Piitsburgh Pirates (38-47): Let the firesale continue.  LaRoche.  Other LaRoche.  Matt Capps.  Buyers?

26.) Arizona Diamondbacks (36-50): To trade Haren or not?  We say no.

27.) Oakland Athletics (35-48): Holliday trade is taking way too long.  Value is wayyyyy down.

28.) San Diego Padres (35-50): Too bad Peavy isn’t healthy.  You could get a lot for him.  If the jackass would waive his no-trade clause.

29.) Cleveland Indians (34-52): Is there a more disappointing team in baseball?  We don’t think so.  These guys were expected to do something.  They traded DeRosa and got essentially nothing for him.   Trade Wood.  Trade Cliff Lee and get some parts.  Trade V-Mart.  Pull a Marlins.  It’s time to blow it up.

30.) Washington Nationals (25-59): We have nothing to say.  YOU SUCK.  SO DO YOUR FANS.  Prerequisite:  Need to have fans for them to suck.  Eff this city.

Cardinals 5 – Brewers 1:

Yankees 6 – Twins 4: Man, they Twins just cannot beat the Yankees.  14-41 since 2002 against the bombers.  Tex broke a homerless streak at 91 ABs.  The Yankees are just too damn talented not to win in the East.  We have concerns about when the weather gets cold but Phil Hughes is starting to help that bullpen.  Phil Coke is also a saving grace.  One of the Jerks from MLJ describes their performances as thus.

Phillies 9 – Reds 6: Jayson Werth a.k.a. WWE’s Edge homered for the 4th straight game and the Phillies made a little headway in the NL East.  That division is terrible.  If the Phillies don’t get pitching and the Mets don’t get healthy, the winner of that division will have less than 88 games.  Roy Halladay, not happening.  Just sign Pedro already.

Infield Singles

Indians 10 – White Sox 8: Tribe avoids sweep, but almost blows 9-2 lead.

Mariners 3 – Rangers 1: King Felix with his 9th win and the Rangers seem to only be able to beat the Halos.

Rays 3 – Blue Jays 2: Halladay’s value plummets with a loss!

Dodgers 11 – Mets 2: Mets will need to hold teams to less than 3 runs to win a game ever again.

ESPN was the first to report on a deal yesterday and it’s likely because they’ve been killed by Yahoo all year.  We heard about Shaq, Hedo, Artest and Ariza from Yahoo before we heard from ESPN.  So, ESPN jumped the shark a little bit on this one and said the trade was in the works yesterday.

Yahoo, countered.

Please, either news source, don’t tell us about this deal until it is a.) complete and b.) involving Luol Deng.  Trading Kirk Hinrich and Tyrus Thomas just doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense.  Yes, Kirk is a salary dump.  But, Tyrus?  He’s still on a rookie contract.

Thomas was starting to show flashes of brilliance last year.  He developed a jump shot.  He was blocking shots and not fouling shooters.  We see that the Bulls are trying to sell high, but has he really reached his ceiling?  The kid is only turning 23 next month.  Carlos Boozer turns 28 in November.

This trade is great for both Utah and Portland.  Portland gets a point guard that they sorely need to help Brandon Roy and play defense.  Utah gets a young, developing talent that Jerry Sloan can turn into a superstar.  The Bulls get a guy they have to pay $12M this year and aren’t even sure they can retain next year.

We want to see Wade (even more than LeBron) in Chicago next summer too.  But that’s far from a lock.  Very far.

Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago (ESPN)

But, what does this say about them and their rumored desire to acquire Roy Halladay?

Personally, we think that it’s either the White Sox or Halladay isn’t going anywhere.  But, Pedro would be a solid signing for a Phillies team that is pretty much 2 starters from being a real threat in the NL.  They’ve got probably the 2nd best offensive unit in the National League in terms of talent.  They can score runs unlike the Cubs.

J.A. Happ just isn’t going to be enough to get it done for the Fightin’s.  In our humble opinion, Cole Hamels is hurt and overrated.  He had one great post-season and pitched a ton of innings last year.  He was bound to decline this season.  After that, can you even name the other Phillies starters?

• Joe Blanton (bad trade)
• Jamie Moyer (fossil, but effective at times)
• Rodrigo Lopez (yeah, we don’t know either)
• Antonio Bastardo (just a cool name)

Sign Pedro.  He’ll probably bring his little friend which will help the clubhouse too.

Pedro Martinez Rumors (MLBTR)

Points of Interest is the daily link dump for your morning or afternoon commute in and out of Souvenir City.  We’ll be throwing together some other stops from out there in blogdome and the interwebs to peak your interest.  Some of them will actually be what some might consider educational.  Most of them, are going to everything but that.

Apologies… AGAIN.  Little power outage in the Chicago Area this morning so our internet hasn’t been up.  It’s Friday!  And it’s summer!  We hope that many of your employers are giving you summer hours.  Which means by the time we get this up, many of you will be about an hour from getting out of work.  Hey, that’s a good thing.  We’re waiting on our Big XII writers today and hope to have that preview for you.  And UFC 100!  Katy Perry for your viewing enjoyment.

For those of you married folk out there, be careful when complaining about the wife’s cooking.  She might attack you……..This is why you don’t do running of the bulls.  You might get gored to death……..Cops arrested some guys dressed as Superman and Batman in Times Square……..disecting the $17 trillion divorce we’ve got on the horizon with China……..McNair story only gets stranger.  He taped suicide prevention ads the week before his girfriend went totally bat-shit crazy.

• Rich Eisen is horny.  Randy baby!  YEAH!  (Awful Announcing)
• Pick the biggest upset at UFC 100! Vote!  CRM demands it!  (Blood, Booze and Bruises)
• This has got to be the strangest BCS story.  Violation of anti-trust laws? Lawyer, please. (Fanhouse)
• Top 10 ways to improve sports that will never, ever happen. But there’s always hope.  (Five Tool Tool)
• Race in our neck of the woods this weekend.  We know you like to see NASCAR crashes.  (All Left Turns)
• You simply must caption this photo.  We did.  (Foot Court Lunch)
• A timeline of Lenny Dykstra’s stupidty. Yeah, no one saw bankruptcy coming for this guy.  (The Sports Hernia)
• UFL is totally cool with your endzone celebrations and intentional grounding.  (With Leather)
• Further proof that LeBron James is NOT MJ.  Or even Kobe for that matter.  (Zoner Sports)
• The Goodell and Jim Mora climb to the top of a mountain in skit form.  (KSK)

And, some guy wearing a bra at Citi Field to support Manny Ramirez that a reader e-mailed to us.

Points of Interest is the daily link dump for your morning or afternoon commute in and out of Souvenir City.  We’ll be throwing together some other stops from out there in blogdome and the interwebs to peak your interest.  Some of them will actually be what some might consider educational.  Most of them, are going to everything but that.

Apologies for the lateness of the afternoon links today.  We were reading a really long, but informative article on another site.  And had a conversation.  Regardless, today was a short day because we’re running at half speed after not getting a ton of sleep last night due to the 5 a.m. airport drive today.  Tomorrow, we PROMISE to get you the MLB Power Rankings, Big XII Preview and some NFL info.  We’re looking at fantasy football, let us know if you’re interested in it.  Erin Andrews, just because we feel bad for her taking guff on all this ball stuff.  Hopefully, she’s watching…

We only know one married guy in Florida that read our site?  JPQ, did you destroy this hotel room?……..The Big O with a big check out of some chick’s backside.  He’s still got it!……..Senator paid $96 to keep family quiet of his mistress.  That’s the price of silence?……..Franken rising, Palin falling.  Somehow, we’re not surprised……..Yes!  The unemployed need more help!  Champion this cause!……..

• This is funny.  Really funny.  Santonio Holmes and his real estate company do a commercial (PSMP)
• Is this headline racist? You decide.  But we agree with the principle of the post.  (Pacman Jonesin’)
• Celebrating Tim Wakefield’s All-Star berth.  Oldest first time all-star ever.  (Josh Q. Public)
• We looked at the MWC earlier and S&F looked at it as well.  They have a history with those folks.  (Sparty and Friends)

• Does anyone remember David Robinson’s video game for the Genesis?  We don’t.  (Low Posts)
• Joe Flacco attempts to be a caddy.  Lots of silence, but just wait for it… wait for it… (Major League Jerk)
• Mirko Cro Kop is staying with the UFC.  Surprising to a lot of people after his fall off the Earth.  (Blood Booze and Bruises)
• The College Football announcing crews for this fall on tWWL.  Can’t wait for football… (Awful Announcing)