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Welcome to my preview and predictions for WEC 30. August was a rough month for me in the predictions column, so hopefully we can get back on track in September. This is also round one of Hooligans Vs. Coins and I couldnt be happier about it. My coin is standard issue U.S. quarter, the year will not be revealed because it is sensitive about its age.

Bantamweight Bout:
Ian McCall: 57, 135, 5-1-0 Vs.
Coty Ox Wheeler: 57, 135, 6-0-0

This is a tough fight to call as both men are about the same in experience and both making their WEC debut. Wheeler may be better on the feet but McCall should be better on the ground. It will come down to who can keep the fight where they like it. Im going to predict a Wheeler victory.
Winner: Coty Wheeler
Coin picks: Coty Wheeler

Welterweight Bout:
Joe Benoit: 24, 59, 170, 6-0-0 Vs.
Disciple Blas Avena: 23, 60, 170, 5-1-0

Poor Benoit, hes got a name which is now a blackmark in the world of combat sports. However, he is a good ground fighter and I dont know if he would try the crossface but if he did it might be over. Avena defeated Tiki Ghosn at WEC 29 but hey, everyone beats Tiki Ghosn.
Im going to take Benoit because he should take Avena down and pound him in to submission. Theres just too many offensive jokes so Ill be moving on to the next match.
Winner: Joe Benoit
Coin Picks: Blas Avena

Lightweight Bout:
Kenneth The Black Ninja Alexander: 59, 155, 5-2-0 Vs.
Donald Cowboy Cerrone: 155, 7-0-0

Donald Cerrone is one of the stars on the Tapout show which airs on Versus. Alexander is a late replacement for Sergio Gomez who was also on the Tapout show. Cerrone is a kickboxer but has one all of his MMA fights by submission, in other words the man got skills! I can only route for one Alexander this weekend and it will be Houston not Keneth. Sure, the logic is flimsy but Ive got to fill this out somehow.
Winner: Donald Cerrone
Coin Picks: Kenneth Alexander

Middleweight Bout:
Bryan Baker: 63, 185, 4-0-0 Vs.
Jesse Kid Hercules Forbes: 22, 62, 185, 5-2-0

Jesse Forbes is a veteran of the Ultimate Fighter 3. Thats about the most interesting thing I can think to say about this fight. My coin predicted Bryan Baker and to be honest I dont feel like arguing the thing.
Winner: Bryan Baker
Coin Picks: Bryan Baker

Lightweight Bout:
Scott Alaskan Hammer McAfee: 58, 155, 6-0-0 Vs.
Marcus Wrecking Ball Hicks: 31, 56, 155, 6-0-0

McAfee is making his WEC debut here, Hicks is a WEC veteran. A Lightweight battle so expect some action, Im going to go with Hicks because I didnt argue the coin on the last fight. Sure, again Im being brief and not analyzing the fight but Im tired so sue me.
Winner: Marcus Hicks
Coin Picks: Scott McAfee

Welterweight Bout:
Jungle Boy Marcelo Brito: 57, 170, 6-1-0
Vs.
The Natural John Alessio: 28, 510, 170, 25-11-0

Brito is a Brazilian Striker, just like Anderson Silva, although probably not quite that good. Alessio is more of a ground fighter. If it stays standing it could be tough for Alessio, if it goes to the ground, Brito is in trouble. I predict that it goes to the ground, Brito is in trouble and takes a second round submission loss.
Winner: John Alessio
Coin Picks: John Alessio

Bantamweight Bout:
Miguel Torres: 26, 59, 135, 18-1-0 Vs.
Jeff Bedard: 37, 56, 135, 10-0-0

This bout could determine the challenger for the Yahya Vs. Beebe winner. Bedard is an up-and-coming fighter, which I guess is obvious because otherwise he wouldnt be here. However, he is unique because hes up-and-coming at the age of 37. I dont know much about Torres but Im disappointed that Jeff Bedard isnt the 64 he was once listed as on his WEC profile page. Im going to predict Bedard to control the fight and win a decision.
Winner: Jeff Bedard
Coin Picks: Jeff Bedard

Light Heavyweight Bout:
Jeremiah Billington: 29, 58, 205, 10-1-0 Vs.
All American Brian Stann: 26, 61, 205, 4-0-0

Stann is a Marine who has served in Opporation Iraqi Freedom. It is because of his service that he is one of the WECs most publicized fighters. After serving time overseas, fighting MMA should seem like a day at the beach. Hes a tough guy and hes also smart for training with Randy Couture, who I think you may have heard of.
Billington is making his WEC debut and has an experience edge over Stann in this fight. These guys both like to finish fights in round 1 and both are more than capable of the KO. So I dont think youll see this hit the ground although it would be interesting to see what Stann is capable of on the canvas. I just cant pick against a guy like Stann in this situation. Ill predict a first round KO.
Winner: Brian Stann
Coin Picks: Brian Stann

Bantamweight Championship Bout:
Rani Yahya: 22, 56, 135, 12-2-0 Vs.
Chase Beebe: 22, 57, 135, 11-1-0

Yahya made his WEC debut at WEC 28 in a featherweight bout against Mark Hominick. Hes dropping to Bantamweight to take on Chase Beebe for the title. Yahya is a strong jiu-jitsu practitioner who is great with submissions, just ask Hominick. Beebe took the Bantamweight title from Eddie Wineland by Unanimous decision back in march and is making his first title defense. He fancies himself a wrestler and so expect this fight to go to the ground.
The experience edge doesnt exist in this fight as both guys are at about the same level. Ive seen them both fight and have been impressed by Yahyas Jiu-jitsu and by Beebes ability to get out of sticky situations.
In the end, I believe that Yahya is just a little better all around and will take this by 3rd round submission. Beebe may have the edge on the feet but as a wrestler might not look to exercise it.
Winner: Rani Yahya
Coin Picks: Chase Beebe

Lightweight Championship Bout:
Rich Cleet Crunkilton: 27, 57, 155, 13-1-0 Vs.
Razor Rob McCullough: 30, 58, 155, 14-3-0

This is one of those strikers Vs. Wrestlers matchups that the kids are all the rage about. Crunkilton seemslike a nice down-to-earth guy, the kind of guy youd find it easy to route for in a fight. If he can take McCullough down then hell have the advantage but if it remains standing he could be fustigated pretty quick.
McCullough is a man after my heart though and Im going to predict him to be the victor. The reason for this is that he gives awesome quotes in his WEC profile.

Quote:

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Thoughts on opponent, Richard Crunkilton? I hope he has medical and life insurance.

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Quote:

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Did you go to college and if so what degree did
you earn? School of Hard Knocks and I got a PhD in Bad Ass.

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I now have a strong urge to interview this man. Anyway, Im going to predict McCullough by second round KO.
Winner: Razor Rob McCullough
Coin Picks: Richard Crunkilton

Ill have live coverage of this show starting at 8 PM CT. To see the picks of everyone else on the staff, and any readers who dare to step up, click here