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It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these…glad I’m doing it again. We get set for a really nice fight card on Saturday night in Memphis, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship presents UFC 107. A great main event headlines what should be an outstanding night of fights.
I’m jacked for 4 fights in particular. First, I’ve become a really big fan of Jon Fitch lately. His last 2 fights have showed me a lot, because you can tell he’s learned and improved since his UFC 87 loss to Georges St. Pierre. His wins over Paulo Thiago and Akihiro Gono have been impressive, and I like where he’s at right now. Fitch fights Mike Pierce at 170 pounds, and if he wins, it’ll improve his UFC record to 10-1. When I talked to him yesterday, you could tell how focused he was on this fight…but he also said that he wants another shot at GSP. I liked how he went through how that fight made him stronger, and how, in his words “he’d kick his ass back then”. If he keeps winning, they’re going to have to give him another top opponent.
The Kenny Florian-Clay Guida fight has the potential for all kinds of fireworks. Both guys are coming off losses and have something to prove. For Florian, he needs to prove that his unimpressive showing against BJ Penn was a blip on the radar. Guida is out to avenge what he thought was a poor decision when he dropped a split to Diego Sanchez. What we’ve come to expect from Guida is furious, high paced action. As he pushes that pace, I think Florian will be ready and able to withstand and fight right back. Ken-Flo finishes fights, and I think he takes a submission win over Guida…but it’ll be damn good up until that point.
There’s some bad blood brewing between Frank Mir and Chieck Kongo as they get set to tangle in the heavyweight division. Mir has made some comments about Kongo, and that means we could see some fireworks. And just like the last fight, both are coming off losses where they were over-matched. Mir got dominated by Brock Lesnar while Kongo was exposed while dropping a unanimous decision to Cain Velasquez. But to me, until Kongo shows me that he is not a one dimensional fighter, I think Mir wins this fight. Mir can stand, but it will most likely go to the ground eventually, where Mir will dominate…from top position or fighting off his back.
Finally…the main event. Just how explosive could this Diego Sanchez-BJ Penn bout be? I’m stoked, because I really don’t like either fighter…and there’s a possibility they will just go out and tear down the walls. Diego’s last fight was that thriller of a win over Guida, and that was filled with epic exchange after epic exchange. Diego’s been talking smack, saying that Penn is afraid…but BJ does not back down in fights, and he’ll be ready to meet Sanchez in the middle of The Octagon on Saturday night.
But I’m STILL not sold on Sanchez as a top flight guy. Clearly a win here and I’ll be forced to eat my words. BUT, he’s too erratic and too inconsistent to me…and that is not the formula to beat The Prodigy. I see this going 5 rounds, and I see Penn winning a unanimous decision.
Should be good, I haven’t been this jacked for a card since 100. Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Steinberg960.
Hey Pat – It’s been a while. It’s nothing but hockey on your blog lately but I enjoyed UFC 108 on Saturday so I thought I’d comment on that, if that’s alright.
I was extremely excited to see Dustin Hazelett fight, but this one ended in frustration for me. I guess he’ll only know why he decided to, not only, stand with Daley but stand right in front of him! He looked like a darn statue – so awkward. Absolutely no movement and you knew it was only a matter of time before Daley lined him up. Daley’s place in this division is quickly rising. I see a match up with Koscheck next – this should really let us know where his place will be.
Don’t know why the crowd was booing Evans. The first 2.5 rounds were a clinic on Evans’ game. He successfully used the clinch and his striking to set up numerous takedowns. Silva finally landed that nice combo, but why did he just stop?!?! I was literally SCREAMING at the TV – I can only assume it was because Evans’ takedowns had him hesitant, but at that point, Silva had nothing to lose.
I was jacked for the Yvel v. Dos Santos fight. Man, Junior’s for real. What do you see next for him. Possibly the winner between Nogueira v. Velasquez?
Stout v. Lauzon was great. I know Lauzon’s one of your faves. He had a great 1st round, but looked extremely gassed after that. I saw lazy takedown attempts and dropped hands. He obviously had some ring rust after his long lay off. Good to see J-Lau back though.
- Ty