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When I first started making picks for CPL, I looked everywhere for a good resource to give me a head start. I started off decently enough, but I certainly wasn’t good at it. Through trial and error, though, I have refined my method of picking using some key strategies. Now, I don’t claim to be an expert by any means and I certainly have room for improvement, but hopefully being a former CPL champ and defending the belt gives me enough street cred to be taken seriously. I think it would be beneficial for everyone to get some discussion going about effective ways to make picks in general. So without further ado, here are seven strategies I employ when attempting to ascend the ranks of FLD’s CPL:

Tomorrow night, live from Newark, New Jersey, UFC 128 will finally arrive with possibly the a main event that has the potential to be an all-time great. Instead of employing the standard Forecast, FLD writers Brad Taschuk and Miles Hackett have collaborated on a head-to-head breakdown of the night’s card. Check out their picks and voice your grievances in our discussion thread!

Following months of quiet rumour and speculation, Royce Gracie’s manager has confirmed that he is in negotiations for the fighter’s return to the UFC. Mike Kogan, speaking with MMA Junkie, revealed the plans for the original UFC tournament winner to return to the organisation where he made his name, when the UFC return to Gracie’s native Brazil some time later this year.

We were all treated to a tactical yet enjoyable fight last Saturday, as BJ Penn and Jon Fitch fought to an entertaining draw in the UFC 127 main event. As with all high profile draws the decision has prompted a significant amount of debate within the MMA community, leaving the FLD Judges to dust off their notebooks and lay down their reasoning here, in the fourth instalment of our FightLockdown Verdict. Scoring the fight this time we have guest contributor Joe Allen, alongside regulars Miles Hackett and Jack Barrington. Read over their scorecards and decide for yourself which writer’s verdict you agree with most, after the break!

As we prepare to watch Mirko Cro Cop face Brendan Schaub at UFC 128, an all too familiar mood of unease begins to rinse over us. This feeling we will soon be awash with goes hand-in-hand with Cro Cop fights these days, as the descent of the once most feared striker in MMA to the now timid journeyman he has become continues. His age and his injuries have taken their toll on him as they do any fighter, but the sheer suddenness of his decline must be blamed partly on Cro Cop himself. Ironic as it may be, given the promotion where Mirko made his name, one cause for Cro Cop’s decline as a modern day MMA fighter has been the man’s pride.

Saturday night saw the first round of what should be the most exciting thing going on in the Heavyweight division this year, Strikeforce's Heavyweight Grand Prix. As often happens in tournament formats, one of the favorites has already been eliminated. "The Last Emperor", Fedor Emelianenko suffered a (T)KO loss via doctor stoppage in-between rounds at the hands of Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.

Tomorrow night, live on Showtime, Strikeforce kicks-off its Heavyweight Grand Prix in style with the return of Fedor Emelianenko since his first career loss. Breaking down the first bracket of the tournament are FLD writers David Anthony, Jack Barrington, and Brad Taschuk, read their thoughts after the break!

In June of 2010 we saw something happen for the first time; we saw Fedor Emelianenko lose a mixed martial arts fight legitimately. Practically unbeaten over a ten year long career – the single blemish being a loss to Tsuyoshi Kohsaka due to a cut caused by an illegal elbow, widely deemed a no-contest in all but name – Fedor had reigned over the heavyweight division for an unparalleled seven years. After winning the PRIDE Heavyweight title at PRIDE 25, where he battered the consensus top ranked heavyweight, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, for twenty five hard minutes, Fedor went on to defend his status as the sport’s best heavyweight against a string of contenders including several former UFC champions.

Tonight, the UFC brings us a stacked evening of fights headlined by a Brazilian beef between reigning MW kingpin Anderson Silva and challenger Vitor Belfort. Breaking down this tantalizing card for you are Joshua Taylor, David Anthony, and Miles Hackett, read their forecasts after the break!

Tomorrow night on Showtime, Strikeforce brings a card of fights that contains two intriguingly matched title contests. Breaking down the evening’s proceedings are Jamie Hughes, Jack Barrington, and Miles Hackett. Find out their thoughts, after the break!