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Jan 19, 2009 - 4:35:07 PM By Matt Pelkey, MMATorch Columnist Another UFC pay-per-view is in the books, so that means its time to see how our own champs did on Saturday. It was kinda the opposite of UFC 92 as far as the contests go as the prediction performances were very solid, and the betting...not so much. In fact, including the champion and challenger, only three people even turned profits. Who were they? Well keep reading and find out! Also, a couple of announcements: First, as a reward, from now on a champion who successfully defends his belt can write a guest preview column for the next pay-per-view to be posted on the site. Second, in addition to naming the champion and new #1 contender after each contest, I'll also be naming a "Performer" and "Goat" of the night. There's no extra reward for earning one of these monikers; I just felt like highlighting the best and worst of each contest. So let's get to the results, shall we?
PREDICTION CONTEST:
MMATorch.com news blog aficionado Alex Williams put up a strong fight going 7-3, but as always, Champion Gavin "The Juggernaut" Byrne was one step ahead going 8-2. Can anyone defeat Byrne? I'm starting to wonder. In addition to defending his belt, expect a preview column for UFC 94 from Byrne full of his Aussie brand of trash talking and equal amounts of prediction brilliance.
In the pool, several entries managed to go 7-3 or 8-2, but none could compare to relative newcomer Tower (I think he's an alternate Gladiator or something) who went a perfect 10-0. If I'm not mistaken (and if you think I'm doing any research you're crazy) this is our first perfect performance in quite some time. Will Tower be able to handle the pressure applied by The Juggernaut? Only time will tell. The rest of the results:
The Pool:
Tower 10-0
Overkill 8-2
Rich Boles 8-2
Frank Hyden 7-3
Matt Pelkey 7-3
Nut 6-4
Brandon Lawrence 6-4
Brian Fuller 6-4
Kubi 6-4
Mark Patterson 6-4
Scott Hart 5-5
Chris Gawn 4-6
BETTING CONTEST:
This is where it got ugly. First of all, #1 contender Antonio Bruzzese no-showed a title shot for the second time, opening the door for Brian Fuller. Champion Chris Gawn only managed $200 bet on Alan Belcher with a payout of $640, but it was enough to best Fuller whose only success was a $100 bet on Eric Schafer, good for a mere $180. So, still MMATorch Betting Champion...CHRIS GAWN! As a defending champ, Gawn also has the right to a guest preview column for UFC 94. I'm pretty sure that's one of your nine lives though Chris. Best bring your A-game next time. I know your challenger will.
Not one to be held down long, former champ Rich Boles barely beat out new prediction #1 contender Tower to earn another shot at rival Gawn. Results below.
The Pool:
Boles- $200 on Schafer for $360
$200 on Siver for $325
$200 on Davis for $337.93
$200 on Belcher for $680
Total Payout: $1702.93
Tower- $500 on Schafer for $900
$400 on Davis for $675.86
Total Payout: $1575.86
Patterson- $200 on Schafer for $360
$200 on Belcher for $680
Total Payout: $1040
Overkill- $500 on Palhares for $642.86
Total Payout: $642.86
Byrne- $300 on Henderson for $540
Total Payout: $540
Pelkey- $300 on Schafer for $540
Total Payout: $540
Williams- $400 on Palhares for $514.29
Total Payout: $514.29
Nut- $100 on Davis for $168.97
$100 on Rua for $125
$100 on Schafer for $180
Total Payout: $473.97
Kubi- $0
Hart- $0
Like I said, not our finest hour. So let's do better in two weeks, k? And now for the Performer and Goat of the night.
PERFORMER OF THE NIGHT:
Tower. 10-0 and a second place finish in the betting pool. The perfect record helped him beat out Rich Boles who went 8-2 and earned the #1 contender spot in the betting contest. Congrats to Tower.
GOAT OF THE NIGHT:
Scott Hart. The Fountain of Youth didn't have the luck of the Irish on his side. He earned this dubious distinction by going 5-5 and throwing a big goose egg on the board for betting. Honorable mention goes to Kubi, who also lost all $1000 dollars, but managed a +.500 night in predictions by going 6-4.
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