2017MMM We have the Sweet Sixteen

After some incredible and crazy matches last week and last night, we finally have whittled down the 68 competing mammals to 16 preeminent contestants. Previous matches, the environment, and spectators all paved the way for these 16 to make it to this place in history. And tonight they’ll turn into the 8 most dominating mammals of the 2017 tournament. The results of the 2nd batch of Round 2 featuring the Coulda Shoulda and the Two Animal One Mammal groups can be seen at Storify, but the bottom line are the Sweet Sixteen matchups…

The matchups are:

#1 Honey Badger – #4 Aardwolf

#2 Guanaco – #3 Saiga

#1 Spectacled Bear – #5 White-Headed Capuchin

#2 Clouded Leopard – #3 Maned Wolf

#8 Greek Sphinx – #5 Neanderthal Hunting Party

#2 Short Faced Bear – #3 Leopard Seal

#1 Bear Cat – #4 Spider Monkey

#3 Hog Badger – #7 Hog Deer

There have been some mighty surprises in the tournament…a #1 seed fell last night but not without causing significant damage to his opponent – I worry the Greek Sphinx may fall easily to the Neanderthal Hunting Party since it suffered nearly fatal injury from the Sabertooth Cat. That’s even though the Neanderthals lost one of their number to the Giraffe. Badgers sit at either end of the bracket and even though I haven’t been so good at predicting winners, I kinda think they’ll move on to the 8. As for excitement, I’m definitely thinking the Guanaco/Saiga battle may be the most boring, I’m not sure which herbivore will reign supreme, but the fight could hinge on the environment where the battle takes place. I think the Leopard/Wolf battle may be the most active, but if the Seal could face the Bear in the arctic, I think he may pull off the upset like he did with the Tiger last round.

Many of the contestants are not in top shape, but I do still see the Honey Badger as victorious. She hasn’t had to difficult of a time so far and while the Aardwolf will be a tough foe, I have no doubt the Badger will be moving on.

You can follow all the battles on Twitter with the hashtag #2017MMM or @2017MMMLetsgo and be sure to check out the official site at Mammals suck…Milk.