UFC Fight for the Troops 2CageCraze.com is rolling out the first installment of the “North-South Position,” a running competition between CageCraze.com staff writers, Brian Hemminger and Chad Cunningham. Brian hails from Toledo, Ohio, and Chad is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. The upcoming “Fight for the Troops 2″ will be the battleground for “The North-South Position,” and Brian and Chad will square off against each other to see who can predict the winners of the main card. The comments section at the bottom of the page will be open, so feel free to set these guys straight if you disagree.

Matt Wiman vs Cole Miller

(Brian) In a battle of former TUF season 5 competitors, I’m going with Miller here.  Both Wiman and Miller are coming off finishes of Ultimate Fighter winners in Ross Pearson and Mac Danzig respectively.  Both fighters have shown potential since the show, but I feel Miller’s star is on the rise a little more.  He’s had trouble in the past against guys with heavy hands but I feel he’ll be able to wade through Wiman’s punches and work his jiu jitsu or improved striking.  Cole Miller via decision

(Chad) I will have to agree with my CageCraze.com counterpart on this one, I think Cole Miller will win the fight. I will say that I am a little more confident in Miller’s submission game. I think that Miller will outlast Wiman and end it with a submission in the third round.

Pat Barry vs Joey Beltran

(Chad) Both of these guys are coming off of losses so there is a lot on the line in terms of their growth in the UFC. Barry put on a great striking display against Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic in the first round at UFC 115 but ultimately succumbed to a choke in the third round. Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran lost to CageCraze.com friend, Matt Mitrione, at UFC 119 in Indianapolis. Barry’s ground game leaves a lot to be desired at this point but he is a very technical striker for a heavyweight and will have the advantage on the feet against Beltran. I think that Barry takes the fight via KO/TKO in the first round. I think he has learned his lesson from the “Cro Cop” fight and will catch Beltran and then finish him to get back in the win column.

(Brian) Two verbs describe this fight to a T, “stand” and “bang.”  Of their 17 wins, these men have a combined 1 submission and 1 decision victory between them and 15 knockouts.  Barry and Beltran love to throw leather and if it stays standing (and I think it will), Barry will pick Beltran apart with his technical kickboxing.  If Beltran wants to win he needs to use his striking to set up a takedown and either control Barry or work towards a submission.  Beltran, though, will probably be seduced by the “Fight of the Night” bonus and these men will trade strikes until one goes down.  Beltran is tough as nails so I think Barry will take 2 1/2 rounds to finally put him down.  Barry by TKO round 3

George Roop vs Mark Hominick

(Brian) Mark Hominick was told he has a title shot with Jose Aldo on the line with this fight.  Roop had a knockout of the year nominee against Chan Sung Jung in his last fight, but Hominick’s technical striking (which actually earned him a rare decision over Leonard Garcia) and overall well roundedness should be more than enough to secure the win.  Mark Hominick via submission round 2.

(Chad) Indeed, Hominick was told that he gets Jose Aldo if he can defeat George Roop. I think that Hominick is the better fighter and on most nights he would win this fight. However, I think that Hominick looks past Roop and fights conservatively to ensure a shot at Aldo. Roop comes in with nothing to lose, and beats Hominick in the second round via submission.

Matt Mitrione vs Tim Hague

(Chad) Tim Hague is more experienced than Matt Mitrione, and after losing his last three fights in the UFC he spent time in Canada fighting his way back to the top-tier promotion. That being said, Mitrione is a natural athlete and he is undefeated since entering the UFC after being a competitor on TUF Season 10. Mitrione is a quick learner and I think that he can only move forward at this point. Mitrione will hit roadblocks as he progresses through the UFC ranks, but it will not be Tim Hague that stops him. Matt Mitrione wins this one via decision and as Matt would say, “Baleeee Dat!”

(Brian) Well said, Chad.  Mitrione revealed in our interview this week that he’d watched so much film of Hague that “he could tell what color socks his mom was wearing today.”  Matt’s natural athleticism combined with his quick learning curve for the sport of mixed martial arts should more than make up for his experience advantage.  Don’t count Hague out though, he defeated two tough heavyweights Zach Jensen and Travis Wiuff in a combined 4:01 to earn his third stint with the UFC.  He has a lot to prove.  I don’t think Mitrione underestimates him though and earns a knockout in the second round.

Evan Dunham vs Melvin Guillard

(Brian) Guillard has shown a remarkable improvement since teaming up with Greg Jackson’s camp, but Evan Dunham is the future.  Dunham got hosed in his last fight with Sean Sherk and he is out for vengeance.  He will work his submission magic against Guillard, who has had problems against top jiu jitsu guys in the past.  Barring any unusual gameplans like Guillard’s last fight with Jeremy Stephens, I’m going with Dunham via submission round 1.

(Chad) I had a feeling that Dunham would be the popular choice coming into this fight, considering the fact that most people scored in his favor against Sean Sherk. Guillard is highly skilled and continues to improve but he is prone to making mistakes in fights like this. I will have to go with Dunham in this one, but I think that Guillard holds out until the second round before getting caught by an Evan Dunham submission.