2009 7 Aug

Our Predictions For UFC 101

UFC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE BOUT

B.J. PENN VS. KENNY FLORIAN

Which B.J. Penn will show up for the fight. Is he still so focused on his loss to Georges St. Pierre that he’ll overlook Kenny Florian?

kenny_florian_belt As much as Penn has made a point of trying to convince his detractors that his work ethic is solid and he’s ready for this fight, I don’t buy it.

Florian is tough and motivated. He hasn’t lost in three years. That puts a chip on your shoulder and a spring in your walk. If you believe, anything is possible, and Florian believes.

A focused B.J. Penn would be tough for anyone to beat at lightweight, but you’re not going to see a focused Penn stepping into the cage this weekend.

OUR TAKE: Kenny Florian by TKO Strikes

ANDERSON SILVA VS. FORREST GRIFFIN

Silva is pure class, but this is a fan’s medium, and the fans just don’t understand Silva.

The UFC has to change that.

Silva dismantled a very tough and experienced Rich Franklin to the degree that he was forced to leave the middleweight division entirely. He crushed everyone in the rest of the division and made the last light heavyweight he fought, James Irvin, pay dearly.

Then came a step back against Patrick Cote and another against Thales Leites. Both of those fighters were overmatched and the UFC decided they needed to make better use of their most exciting fighter.

Griffin will come out and trade, and it’s guaranteed to be an exciting fight.

Silva will measure that aggression and clean Griffin’s clock in short order.

OUR TAKE: Anderson Silva by KO, Round Two