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Who wins the Nelson-Mitrione main event and Ricci-Smith TUF 16 Finals bouts at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale, and how?
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
There was another season of TUF? No one told me, not even my DVR (Thank God). Nelson is going to decimate Mittrione. Matt stepped in and good for him for taking the fight, but he's going to sadly lose it. I'm also going to give the TUF final bout to Ricci, I expect to see a decision, and both fighters will probably wash out of the UFC by mid 2014. Hopefully the show will be cancelled by then too.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think Roy wins by submission over Mitrione. There's just too much experience for Mitrione to overcome. I think Roy can get the fight to the ground and then finish him off.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I hate this fight. It does not make sense on any level. I think there are so many more relevant and exciting fights available in the UFC. Having said that, I do not see any scenario in which Mitrione wins this fight. I think Nelson can win any way he wants to. I think he will decide to keep the fight on the feet and kick box with Mitrione. I see this fight ending by decision in favor of Nelson. The Ricci-Smith fight is interesting, but one that is Ricci’s to win. He is more complete fighter and should easily win this one. Ricci was the most complete fighter at the beginning of the season and he will walk away with the TUF 16 title.
JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
I fail to see how Mitrione wins this fight. He's not an overwhelming striker capable of keeping pressure and punishment on Nelson for three rounds, and he doesn't have a ton of experience in the grappling game, either. He's also been out of action for a year coming into this fight. Nelson may not be amongst the elite in the heavyweight division, but that's the level of fighter who has defeated him in the past. Mitrione's not there, and unless he shocks everyone tonight in Las Vegas, I think Nelson will have his hand raised. He's got the power to hurt Mitrione, and he's got the ground skills to grind him out if he can't get the stoppage. I think Nelson wins by decision.
As for Ricci-Smith, it's all about how well Ricci handles the takedowns. If he can avoid getting taken down, or get up quickly once he has been, then this is his fight to lose. Smith hasn't been in the sport all that long, and is not a very adept striker. His wrestling is great, but he's in trouble on the feet against someone like Ricci. Though he's got the size edge, I still think Ricci finds a home for his strikes and ends this one by TKO in the second.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
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