Benjamin Tomes's Blog: Recalcitrance: An Unapologetic Free Thinking Forum, page 5

Knew for awhile this day would come, but am proud beyond words...

Knew for awhile this day would come, but am proud beyond words to be the father of an airman. Dropped him off at the hotel prior to ugly crying all the way home. He’s off to #lacklandafb in San Antonio in the morning. (at Cold Spring Park)
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Been a wild week, having done some podcasting for an online...

Been a wild week, having done some podcasting for an online network this week, with details to come on future ones. That said, here are my pics. First time this year I watched film on everyone on the card, minus the vagabond guy fighting Menefield, who is seemingly fighying a mystery man without video. I took one big upset in Argueta. Earlier start time today, don’t miss it! (at Cold Spring Park)
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…has former champ Holly Holm losing as one of 5 upsets I took at...

…has former champ Holly Holm losing as one of 5 upsets I took at #UFCFN206. She’s still a dangerous fighter, but think her inactivity makes her tough to bank on. I like the experience of Anders, and think Vince Morales has enough to pull the upset. I suspect #Syndicate #MMA teammate Davey Grant’s prior win over his opponent will be helpful in pulling the upset. Not a lot of household names on the card, but some younger talent and interested stylistic matchups should make for a compelling card. I stand at 122-73 for 2022. (at Broadkill Beach, Delaware)
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What a fun group at @btsbaltimore! So exciting to see a #NCAA...

What a fun group at @btsbaltimore! So exciting to see a #NCAA D1 #HBCU coming back nearby at @morganstatewrestling, too. Big things happening in #Baltimore’s wrestling scene. (at Baltimore, Maryland)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdt80DfOqBO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A few weeks ago, the @UFC had a pretty odd card that they...

A few weeks ago, the @UFC had a pretty odd card that they somewhat understandably did not promote at all. They’ve kind of let another one lay low in terms of publicity, but #UFCVegas54 should be a really competitive #mma card. With very few distinct favorites, there should be a lot of action in this one.

That said, it’s fighting, and you never know. Last week showed that literally anything can happen, and you just never know what you’ll get. I like upsets in the Blachowicz, Nascimento, Araujo, Patrick and Hill. At least two of these include some level of partisan bias on my part, for different reasons. Hill doesn’t sport a great #UFC record, but I think she’s been victimized in 4 losses, all fairly recent, with bad judge’s decisions. This is a tough fight for her, and I struggle to fathom being a judge’s casualty once again.

On the flip side, Jake Hadley is a favorite, but am already not a fan. When you find ways to make the staff at the UFC PI dislike you, and miss weight on #ContenderSeries, it’s tough to pull for or pick you. As it stands, I’m 115-69 for the 2022.
Not sure if I’ll catch it or not, as I’ll be ushering in the MMA debut of @isaiahmma_ at #PureFC in #Milwaukee tonight. (at Cold Spring Park)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdi8pHvOFfQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

After what seems like a small eternity, we’re back to a loaded...

After what seems like a small eternity, we’re back to a loaded #UFC #PPV, with a title fight and a half to thrill fans, with a couple of longtime fan favorites nearing the end of the line to boot. I think Olivera lacks the takedown game to get to use his stellar #BJJ, and will succumb to Gaethjke’s pressure. I think he and #ThugRose put on a Wittman clinic tonight, as I think she runs away from Esparza this time. She’s much more well rounded and has one of the best mental approaches in the sport.

I suspect that these could be last fights for any of the three big veterans on the #MainCard. Dana White has already said #Cowboy is gone if he loses, but I don’t think Lauzon is on steady footing either with a win. I have Lauzon winning but hope I’m wrong. Rua announced he intends to fight one more time after this, then retire. He may get his wish, but time will tell.

I felt the main card was much easier to pick on this one than the undercard. There are a lot of low-key prospects on the prelims, which should be worth watching. As for my picks thus far, I rebounded from the debacle and now sit at 110-60 for 2022. (at Cold Spring Park)
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…has long felt everyone should leave their #hometown after...

…has long felt everyone should leave their #hometown after #highschool, even if just for a bit. As I get older, that seems to be gaining in importance. If you’ve got talents and skills to take you somewhere, let it. Way too many young people getting caught up in the drama and dysfunction of their surroundings. #Milwaukee might be the current epicenter of this principle.

Rest in Peace, Azarion. You were one of the most talented kids I’ve ever had, and will not be quickly forgotten. I’m at a rare loss for words right now. After almost 25 years of working in #urbaneducation, have lost more young men in the last 5 than the previous 20 combined. #MilwaukeeMarshall / #CarmenNorthwest #Wrestling kids…or any others on the edge…you matter too much to get caught up in a world of violence. (at Fort Pierce, Florida)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdDwO3kOvO5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

…brain cells, liver, ear drums…be gone. (at...

…brain cells, liver, ear drums…be gone. (at Thesocialorlando)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc_tLTbu2nW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

After a pretty clean run, I went a dismal 2-10 on last week’s...

After a pretty clean run, I went a dismal 2-10 on last week’s Frankenstein card. Hoping I do better with #UFCVegas53. The #MainEvent is a great one. I think Font is the better overall guy, but I call Vera in this one. I think he’s a better competitor in big fights.

The Meerscheart/Jotko fight is compelling. Jotko hasn’t been subbed since 2014, which makes it a challenge for Gerald, who comes in on a 3 fight sub streak. Something has to give. I think Jotko wins this, but hope to be wrong.

Interesting notes on this #MMA card; Romanov is allegedly the largest betting favorite ever in the UFC….Font missed weight by 2.5 lbs and opted not the try a 2nd time…the first fight’s contestants are a combined 18-1…other standout records are Dawson at 17-1, Romanov at 15-0, Lacerda at 11-2, Lainesse at 8-0, Levy at 6-1…I took upsets wifh Vera, Connelly, Lainesse and Young…despite last week’s debacle, I stand at 103-56. (at Cold Spring Park)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc-tLB1uuTY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#UFCVegas52 is easily one of the strangest cards ever offered by...

#UFCVegas52 is easily one of the strangest cards ever offered by the @UFC. Everything about it is odd….even the dropped fights, including one involving a #PED issue on the day of the weigh ins, are odd. So too is the inexplicable lack of promotion, which I’ve never seen this low before. All told, this card looks like the Island of Misfit Fights. The #UFC didn’t even put out a card picture by the time I posted this. Cards like run the risk of saturation for #MMA. That said, there’s still 12 fights, and a handful of them come with some future implications.

The biggest question on #ufcvegas52picks lie in crossroads for a few fighters. Clay Guida is on the last fight on his contract and has defied the odds both figuratively and literally against competition that would give the impression it was set up to make or break him. He’s responded. The UFC has a recent trend of releasing vets, but Guida is still a draw and this will be an interesting fight if for no other reason other than it possibly being the end of a great run. I like Clay in this fight.

While I don’t think she faces a release with a loss, I think Barber is at a fork in her road as well. She’s seen her hype train derailed, and needs this win. I don’t think she gets it here. This is one of the few upsets I went with. I don’t see this house of Romonov falling in this one, and question Sherman taking this fight on short notice. I like Vannata, who has some of the best MMA movement and footwork in the sport.

The undercard features some odd fights, including blogger Mike Jackson, who was signed to be an opponent for CM Punk. I think Wright and Grant come away with upsets, but this card is a struggle for me. I’ll miss it either way, as I’ll be in Onalaska cornering the pro debut for former #Milwaukee boxer Jay Wright on the main card of the @threeriversthrowdown. Can’t say I’m crushed by having to miss this one. I stand at 101-46 for 2022. (at Cold Spring Park)
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