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By Matt Pelkey, MMATorch Columnist While UFC 91 was a success across the board, it was a "tale of two contests" here at the Torch. In what's becoming a them around here, both of our champions successfully defended their belts yet again. There were strong efforts up and down the prediction portion, but the same can't be said about the betting. Here's the breakdowns.
Prediction Contest:
Gavin "The Juggernaut" Byrne lived up to his moniker in defending his prediction title, going 8-1 and out performing the entire field let alone his challenger, even if he wasn't as successful in his attempt to win the Betting Title. Micky Wan put up his usual valiant effort, going 7-2 on the night, but it wasn't enough to unseat our defending champion. Can anyone stop the former Mauler?
In the pool to determine a #1 contender it was a dogfight til the end, actually coming down to a five-way tie in which Jerry Cattelane came out on top by way of tie-breakers. He'll get his second crack at Byrne in a couple months at UFC 92. Let's take a look at the full results:
Jerry Cattelane: 7-2 (7)
Brian Murphy: 7-2 (5)
Brian Fuller: 7-2 (5)
Matt Pelkey: 7-2 (5)
Chris Gawn: 7-2 (4)
Rich Boles: 6-3
Scott Hart: 6-3
Frank Hyden: 6-3
Kubi: 5-4
Jamie Penick: 5-4
Shawn Ennis: 4-5
Nut: 3-6
Betting Contest:
The Betting Contest was a different story. Poor performances across the board. Only two competitors were even able to turn a profit, and they were modest profits at best. Rich Boles was able to defend his title despite only hitting on a small $200 bet on Demian Maia that netted him $390.48 on the night. Luckily for Boles, #1 contender Gavin Byrne had already left it all in the ring fending off Micky Wan's challenge for his prediction belt. Byrne whiffed on all four of his bets, losing all $1000.
As I said, only two men turned a profit on the night, and it was two men in the pool battling for the next title shot. The results may shock you:
Chris Gawn: $500 on Lesnar for $884.62
$200 on Maia for $390.48
Total Payout: $1275.10
Brian Murphy: $500 on Maia for $976.19
$100 on Lesnar for $176.92
Total Payout: $1153.11
Brian Fuller: $400 on Maia for $780.95
$100 on Lesnar for $176.92
Total Payout: $957.87
Jamie Penick: $500 on Lesnar for $884.62
Total Payout: $884.62
Matt Pelkey: $300 on Bocek for $630
Total Payout: $630
Jerry Cattelane: $500 on Lesnar for $530.76
Total Payout: $530.76
Micky Wan: $200 on Maia for $390.48
Total Payout: $390.48
Scott Hart: $100 on Maia for $195.24
$100 on Lesnar for $176.92
Total Payout: $372.16
Nut: $100 on Hazelett for $128.99
Total Payout: $128.99
Kubi: $0
Like I said, not a banner day for us betters. The good news is longtime Contests doormat Chris Gawn had finally broken through the glass and earned himself a title shot, and against nemesis Rich Boles, no less. Should be a couple more barn-burners here at the Torch at UFC 92. See you then!
Comments, questions, and concerns can be sent to matt6buckeye@hotmail.com. A special thanks to all you loyal readers who have stuck with us through all the down times. I don't think we'll be having those anymore. Just a hunch.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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