Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson

There is no real reason to believe that James Thompson can change the past or his chin. Unless he's chewing on pine bark like Jack Dempsey was once rumored to do in order to strengthen his jaw, Thompson's huge weakness will likely be exploited.

Thompson does however have some wrestling ability in his background, and he has spent some time training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas with its veteran stable of fighters. It's likely his gameplan will involve trying to put Kimbo to the floor, but I firmly believe that Thompson won't be the guy to test Kimbo's ground guy. Kimbo has the added bonus of being very powerful to blow through submission attempts. I doubt we'll see Thompson get to that position.

Leland's Prediction: Kimbo Slice via TKO/KO, Round 1

Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith

This could very well be the most talked about fight of the evening. Two veteran strikers will go toe-to-toe in the cage, but I'm going to favor Lawler for a few reasons. Smith has had some problems on the ground, but he's been rather dominant in the standup game. The only problem for him in this fight is that Lawler has monster power to counter Smith's hands as well. He's also shown some patience in the standup game that really favors him in the later rounds.

An added bonus is that Lawler has great takedown defense and some solid wrestling ability if he gets into trouble. Look for Lawler to keep his distance, find his range, and explode. It's going to be very hard for Smith to avoid those huge arms on Lawler.

Leland's Prediction: Robbie Lawler via TKO/KO, Round 2

Joey Villasenor vs. Phil Baroni

For some odd reason, I think Phil may be taking this fight much more seriously than he did Kala Hose. Will his cardio have improved significantly is the real question, and Villasenor is a survivor in the cage. He has a solid chin, great cardio, and the ability to land some big punches. Baroni will likely come out with an onslaught of attacks, but Villasenor has the skills to outlast Baroni.

I can't exactly pick Baroni after his performance against Hose, but he could prove me wrong in saying that he's lost a step.

Leland's Prediction: Joey Villasenor via unanimous decision

Gina Carano vs. Kaitlin Young

A lot of writers are giving Kaitlin the nod here, and it can be justified when looking at her training regiment and striking. She'll likely be a cardio machine, but can she equal Carano's tenacity in the striking game. Sarah Schneider proved that Kaitlin's ground game needs a lot of work, but Carano probably won't be a force there.

Kaitlin has some strong striking, but Carano is known for being a powerful, yet accurate puncher.  She will also have some strong kicks, and hopefully some good wrestling ability on the ground. Kaitlin will be a great bet for those of you looking cash in, but I have to pick Gina Carano. While I know she's mentioned the layoff of training leading up to this bout, I still think her striking will be hard to deal with, but I'll be laying some cash on Kaitlin in case I'm wrong.

Leland's Prediction: Gina Carano via unanimous decision

Brett Rogers vs. Jon Murphy

This should be a good matchup. Murphy is explosive while Rogers possesses heavy hands as well. Murphy does has 2 losses on his record, one being to Houston Alexander, so he is susceptible to the onslaught, but Rogers likes to be patient. I'm more inclined to pick Rogers due to how tough it is to move him around to the floor, and the fact that his power is going to be a huge problem if he catches Murphy.

Leland's Prediction: Brett Rogers via KO/TKO, Round 1

Quick Picks
Justin Robbins vs. Wilson Reis: There's some hype surrounding Reis, and he has a slick grappling pedigree that could present problems for Robbins. Robbins is a nice solid opponent for Reis, but I think Reis has this one. Reis via submission, Round 2

Nick Serra vs. Matt Makowski: Serra has the grappling advantage, so look for him to get this to the floor quickly. Makowski is fairly green in the MMA game so far, but he's proven to be a tough opponent at 2-0. Serra via submission, Round 2

Andres Soares vs. Zach Makovsky: Soares finishes fights, and Makovsky can't seem to finish. Soares via submission, Round 1

Joe Sampieri vs. Mike Groves: Battle of the winless, pick'em. Sampieri via TKO, Round 2

Jim Bova vs. Chris Liguori: Chris has had some absolute wars with Jim Miller before, and I don't see how he won't be bringing that kind of heart to this fight. Bova will be a load though, and he's definitely an upcoming prospect. I'll pick the upset. Bova via TKO/KO, Round 1

James “Binky” Jones vs. Calvin Katter: Gotta go with Jones here. He may have a .500 record, but it's mostly losses to talent that's headed to the UFC or higher promotions. Katter is just starting out. Jones via submission, Round 1

Carlos Moreno vs. Carlton Haselrig: Moreno is weak on the ground, but Haselrig likely won't present any danger in that capacity. Moreno should get the knockout in this one. Moreno via KO/TKO, Round 1

Note: When Nick showed up to meet me last night at one of his academies, he was well prepared for any photo opportunities that have may presented themselves. Luckily, something told me to grab my camera before leaving the house. I've posted below some of the pictures I took of Nick, his Cage Fury Fighting Championship belt, his Mad Monkey mask, his light sabre, his sword (Sting), and his invisibility ring.

But don't let the monkey business and the Middle Earth jewelry fool you. Nick Serra is a supremely talented martial artist whose playful fantasy-world references belie a fierce competitive spirit and an unyielding devotion to his friends, his family, and his master, Renzo Gracie. Most important, what Nick Serra may not have in size and strength, he more than makes up for with, as he says, "balls and technique." Enjoy.

Kodiak MMA: First off, congratulations on your recent victory over Mike Varner to become the CFFC welterweight champ. Varner had been talking a lot of shit about NY/NJ people, particularly the fight fans. Did that give you a little extra juice heading into that fight?

Nick Serra: Well, this ugly creature had been challenging me for over a year, so I was very happy to achieve victory over such an ugly Orc from Mordor.

Kodiak MMA: I've always felt that throwing the bananas into the crowd as you make your way to the cage was a nice touch. Any concern that the whole idea of excited fight fans with bananas might backfire on you?

Nick Serra: Occasionally we have my fellow monkey brothers who throw the bananas back at me.

Kodiak MMA: Any idea when and against whom you’ll be making your first CFFC title defense?

Nick Serra: Just like my older brother Matt, I’ll fight whoever they put in front of me. Actually, I would like to fight Karo Parisyan because I always wanted to fight Count Dracula.

Kodiak MMA: Maybe NABC Welterweight Champion Tamdan McCrory in a unification bout?

Nick Serra: I’ll fight anyone they put against me.

Kodiak MMA: You weighed in against Mike Varner at 165. You came in at 162 for Benji Radach. Any thought of going down to 155?

Nick Serra: That would be the normal thing to do, not like these morons like Matt Hughes cutting whatever they cut – it’s ridiculous – and then ballooning up the next day and winning like that. I don’t know, maybe it’s a lack of balls they have. I’ve never fought anyone my own weight, always heavier, and my balls and my technique get me through.

Kodiak MMA: Let’s talk Kimbo Slice for a minute. He’s listed as being 31 years old. How old is he really?

Nick Serra: I don’t know. He looks older. I’ve got good genetics from my Roman ancestors, so I lucked out. Him -- I don’t know hold old he is. I don’t think anyone knows.

Kodiak MMA: You and your brother are both currently hold championship belts. The Emelianenkos, the Ruas, the Shamrocks – they don’t share that distinction. What has the recent success of you both done for your already popular Brazilian jiu-jitsu academies?

Nick Serra: The madness spreads, and I like that because that means that there are more loyal soldiers dressed up in monkey masks throwing bananas at me when I go fight.

Kodiak MMA: Anyone at the academy we should be keeping an eye out for?

Nick Serra: Everyone knows Pete “Drago” Sell, Luke “The Silent Assassin” Cummo. I named him "The Silent Assassin" because he’s very silent and he assassinates everyone he fights. He’s kind of a weirdo, but he’d my kind of weirdo.

Kodiak MMA: Luke Cummo and I discussed at some length his unique diet, Lifefood. Has he managed to turn you on to any of it?

Nick Serra: No! He was going to make me some pasta at one point, but then he kind of drank some weird stuff, so I said “Luke, you don’t have to make that for me.”

Kodiak MMA: What kind of weird stuff was he drinking?

Nick Serra: Uh…I think it was, uh…

Kodiak MMA: Got it. Have you been working at all with Luke and Pete “Drago” Sell for their upcoming UFC fights on September 19?

Nick Serra: Almost every day, and their skills are going up every day, their jiu-jitsu. They’re both going to be doing some crazy stuff.

Kodiak MMA: Your brother Matt was married back in May. Which, if any, MMA fighters were in attendance for the champ’s big day? I only ask because I thought of crashing but then thought of the ass-kicking I might get, and ultimately decided to stay put on my couch.

Nick Serra: Din Thomas apologized on the air for not making it, but there were a lot of tough guys there – Luke, Drago, James Gabert, our top black belt Tom Muller.

Kodiak MMA: Did you make a speech?

Nick Serra: I did. I tried to leave Mordor and the Shire out of it, but I did mention when Charlie found the golden ticket, and I did mention It’s a Wonderful Life.

Kodiak MMA: Other than Matt, which mixed martial artists do you most enjoy watching?

Nick Serra: Myself and Renzo.

Kodiak MMA: That's it?

Nick Serra: That's it.

Kodiak MMA: We’ve come to that part of the program in which I mention someone or something, and you tell me whatever comes to mind. Honesty is encouraged. Ready?

Matt Hughes: Dick

Renzo Gracie: Master

Orcs (the enemy foot soldiers): The battle for Mordor is never complete and I wind up fighting a lot of ugly orcs these days, so you always have to be ready to use your Mad Monkey superpowers.

Dana White: He’s nice to me; he’s nice to all of us.

Ray Longo: Ray is one of our mentors, and he’s nuts like the rest of us.

Rodney Dangerfield gave his best performance in _______: That’s a tough one. I love Back to School, and I love Easy Money. I love all of his movies. I’m one of his biggest fans, but I’m going to have to go with Easy Money.

Kodiak MMA: It’s a Friday night on beautiful Long Island. What does the mad Monkey have planned for later on?

Nick Serra: I’m going to roll around a little bit, do some Mad Monkey mounts on the mat, and then I’m going to see the movie Superbad. That looks like a nice movie to bring my fellow freaks to.

(I went with Nick and a few of the guys from the Serra academy to see Superbad. Very funny, very quotable.)

Kodiak MMA: Nick, I appreciate your time, and I look forward to seeing you back in the cage some time soon. Before we tap out, is there anything you’d like fans to check out?

Nick Serra: Check out our web site, and you’ll see more stuff about my brother and me, our fighters, my master Renzo Gracie, and the best stand-up/cardio coach, Ray Longo. Mad Monkey over and out!

This interview was conducted by Matt Kaplan from Kodiak MMA and is a contribution to MMA-analyst.com.