UFC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE ON LINE IN MAIN
Philadelphia, PA– B.J. Penn (13-5, 5 KOs, 5 SUBs) vs. Kenny Florian (11-3, 3 KOs, 7 SUBs) After making an attempt to capture another title at welterweight (170 lbs) B.J. Penn returns to where he should be as a lightweight (155). This time he will be defending a title and not challenging for one. His opponent, Kenny Florian is certainly a worthy adversary and deserves this title shot, but I don’t see him taking the title. Penn is simply too good at lightweight and unless he is damaged goods after the beat down at the hands of Georges St. Pierre, he should win this fight. Florian has incredible Jiu-Jitsu, Penn has better, Florian has great striking, Penn has better. B.J. Penn takes this one and once again begins to dominate the lightweight division. Prediction: Penn by TKO.
ANDERSON SILVA MOVES UP TO 205 LBS.
Anderson Silva (24-4, 14 KOs, 4 SUBs) vs. Forrest Griffin (16-5, 3 KOs, 7 SUBs) After Silva looked rather boring in his last two fights at middleweight (185), he will step back up to light heavyweight (205) to take on a man who will force him to fight. I think this could be a fun match to watch but I think Griffin’s aggression will play right into Silva’s hands (and knees). Griffin will end up walking right into Silva’s shots and, as game as Forrest is; he will eventually hit the deck and get knocked out. Prediction: Silva by KO.
Amir Sadollah (1-0, 1 SUB) vs. Johnny Hendricks (5-0, 3 KOs, 1 SUB) Amir has been plagued by injuries after winning the Ultimate Fighter Season 7. He will return against the UFC debutant Johny Hendricks. Mr. Hendricks is no push over and will be a very tough task for Sadollah, especially if he falls victim to injury. Hendricks has an opportunity here to mark down a W in his UFC debut, but if he comes in too aggressive, he may fall right into Amir’s submissions. This is a tough one to call! Prediction: I will go with Sadollah by Submission.
Kendall Grove (10-5, 2 KOs, 6 SUBs) vs. Ricardo Almeida (10-3, 4 SUBs) This is an interesting fight due to the fact the Grove can be very inconsistent. Almeida is well skilled and has taken on some of the best in the game. If Grove comes in at his best, he will make it a long night for Almeida, but if he doesn’t it could be an easy night for Almeida. Regardless, I think Almeida experience against the top notch guys will carry him to victory. Prediction: Almeida by UD.
Kurt Pellegrino (13-4, 2 KOs, 9 SUBs) vs. Josh Neer (25-7-1, 10 KOs, 11 SUBs) I am calling for fight of the night in this one. You won’t want to miss this card opener. Both these guys bring it and have solid, impressive skills. Neer has some serious pop in his punches, but Pellegrino has never been knocked out. However, both men have been submitted before and both guys bring in great submissions. However, I don’t see a submission game as much as I do a slugfest. I see one or both these guys getting riled up and starting to bang. This should be a good fight. Prediction: Neer by close, if not split decision.
Shane Nelson (12-3, 2 KOs, 3 SUBs) vs. Aaron Riley (27-11-1, 5 KOs, 13 SUBs) Prediction: Nelson by TKO.
Tamdan McCrory (11-2, 6 KOs, 4 SUBs) vs. John Howard (11-4, 2 KOs, 6 SUBs) Prediction: McCrory by Submission.
Thales Leites (14-2, 2 KOs, 9 SUBs) vs. Alessio Sakara (13-7, 8 KOs, 2 SUBs) Prediction: Leites by Submission.
PRELIMINARY MATCHES
Matt Riddle (2-0) vs. Dan Cramer (1-0)
Prediction: Riddle by UD.
George Sotiropoulos (9-2, 1 KO, 5 SUBs) vs. George Roop (9-4, 1 KO, 4 SUBs)
Prediction: Sotiropoulos by Submission.
Jesse Lennox (10-1, 5 KOs, 5 SUBs) vs. Danillo Villefort (9-2, 3 KOs, 5 SUBs)
Prediction: Lennox by TKO.
Matthew R. Grizzle