UFC Fighter Phil Harris challenges Kingdom MMA in a picks challenge
by Jack Broadey @J3cK_b
Welcome to another Kingdom MMA fighter vs writer challenge.
For this challenge we challenge some of the big names from the world of MMA to give us their picks and fight outcomes for specific MMA events. Then they will be challenged by one of our writers, who will make their own predictions. Previously we have challenged Luke Barnatt twice and Jim Alers. Last time out at UFC 161 Jim Alers was the first fighter to beat one of our Kingdom MMA writers.
For this event I will be challenging Phil Harris, who is set to fight at UFC 163 will be predicting the fight outcomes from UFC 162 which is headlined by Chris Weidman challenging Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight championship.
Before we go in to the details of the competition we caught up with Phil Harris this week and spoke about his fight at UFC 163.
You are fighting at UFC 163 in Brazil and we all know the Brazilian crowd back their fighters more than any other fight fan in the world, how have you been preparing yourself mentally to enter the 'lions den'?
The Brazilian fans are well known for backing their fighters but once the cage door closes its me vs him so no matter who the crowd are cheering for this wont change my focus to win.
You are fighting John Lineker, who is considered a top 10 flyweight in the world. Do you think a win over Lineker cements your place in the top 10 rankings?
Beating John Lineker will definitely put me in the top 10, he's one of the best 125lb fighters in the world.
How has your training camp been for the fight, have you been working on improving any part of your game going into the bout?
Training has been great for this fight camp, just about all of my camp is done at gym01 in Portsmouth we have great coaches and a gym full of small guys so its ideal for me.
I believe you have also been out in Thailand training at Tiger Muay Thai ahead of this fight, is that something you do during most fight camps, or is your striking game something you have specifically worked on for this fight?
I went to Tiger Muay Thai before I knew about the fight, just to improve on my all round game but specifically my striking.
What areas do you feel you have an advantage over John Lineker?
John is obviously a good striker but I'm happy to trade with him but I think my advantage will be against the cage in the clinch and on the ground.
Are you hoping to fight again this year after UFC 163, would the Manchester event be a card you'd like to fight on?
I've not thought about fighting again this year, I want to get this fight done then make plans. It would be good to spend some time with the family after this fight.
Thank you for answering our questions Phil, now its time to start the competition.
The Scoring
If you predict the correct winner of the fight you will get one point and if you predict the correct method of victory you will get an extra point. However, if the fight ends in a stoppage and you predict the round as well the method you could earn a third bonus point. If the fight goes the distance you can only earn a maximum of two points.
The predictions:
Main Event: Anderson Silva vs Chris Weidman
Harris: Anyone who bets against Anderson is insane.Prediction: Silva by TKO Round 2
Jack: I'm torn on this one. Anderson can't go on forever and he will eventually lose to a top wrestler. I just don't know if that top wrestler will be Weidman. He certainly will take Silva down but can he rinse and repeat for 5 rounds? That's the big question for me. I'm just insane enough to believe he can do it.
Prediction: Weidman by Decision
Frankie Edgar vs Charles Oliveira
Harris: Frankie will comfortably win every round.Prediction: Edgar by Decision
Jack: This is an awesome fight. Oliveira is no joke but he's no Frankie Edgar. I expect Edgar to stamp his authority on this one and get the finish.
Prediction: Edgar by TKO Round 3
Tim Kennedy vs Roger Gracie
Harris: I am not sure about this fight but I'm going for Gracie.Prediction: Gracie by Submission Round 1
Jack: I like Gracie as well here. Could look very similar to Maia-Fitch but I also see Gracie eventually locking onto some sort of choke.
Prediction: Gracie by Submission Round 2
Mark Munoz vs Tim Boetsch
Harris: Tim Boetsch will take this fight. Prediction: Boetsch by Decision
Jack: Difficult one to read. Munoz has been inactive for so long but Boetsch isn't all that great either. I think Munoz if he's anywhere near what he used to be should be able to take this down and use his G&P to win this.
Prediction: Munoz by TKO Round 2
Cub Swanson vs Dennis Siver
Harris: Cub will take this, he will out wrestle Siver.Prediction: Swanson by Decision
Jack: I Like Siver in the upset here. Siver has looked great since dropping down to Featherweight. I think he's the better technical striker and should be able to keep it up long enough to win a decision.
Prediction: Siver by Decision
So that's our predictions for the fights, we will be live tweeting on Saturday night as always and we will keep you all informed as to how the challenge is going with latest scores throughout the main card.
Thanks again to Phil for providing us with his picks for this weekends fights and it just leaves me to say.... May the best man win!!
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