The Ultimate Fighting Championships presents UFC 101: Declaration tonight from the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Penn.
The main card features five strong fights with a pair of blockbuster matchups headlining the event.
Here are my picks and predictions for UFC 101, as well as the bantamweight championship fight taking place on Sunday for the WEC.
Lightweight Championship (155 pounds) – B.J. Penn (13-5-1) vs. Kenny Florian (12-3): B.J. Penn is considered the best in the world at 155 pounds and there is no arguing that. Florian is Penn’s top challenger for the belt, but Florian seems outmatched in every aspect of the fight. Penn is eager to erase his devastating loss to Georges St. Pierre last January and a dominant win over Florian would do just that. Penn has better stand up with his speed and quick jab and his ground game is better as he is a world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The one area that Florian may be better is in conditioning, where Penn has been suspect for years. Florian will make it a tough fight for Penn, but in the end I see Penn winning by choke in round three.
Light Heavyweight Fight (205 pounds) – Anderson Silva (24-4) vs. Forrest Griffin (18-5): Silva is the UFC middleweight champion and is moving up a weight class to fight Griffin, the former UFC light heavyweight champion. Silva has been dominant in the UFC, with a record of 9-0. His striking is accurate and powerful while his submission game is top notch. Griffin is the big underdog in this one, but that is a role he shines in. In wins over Quinton Jackson and Mauricio Rua, Griffin was the big underdog, but pulled out the victory. Griffin is a game fighter that can do damage with leg kicks and boxing. Griffin has been working on his wrestling for this fight in hopes to keep Silva on the ground. I think Griffin will give Silva a big test, but ultimately I see Silva landing a big shot to set up a TKO win in round two.
Welterweight Fight (170 pounds) – Amir Sadollah (1-0) vs. Johny Hendricks (5-0): Sadollah is making his UFC debut since winning the Ultimate Fighter Season 7. Injuries have forced him to pull out of two previous fights, leading to a 12-month layoff from the octagon. Sadollah prevailed in the Ultimate Fighter by being able to take a beating and pull of a submission in the process. He faces a tough wrestler in Hendricks, that has established himself in the WEC. Hendricks should be able to get Sadollah to the ground, and if he can control the fight on the ground, a decision win should be his. I don’t see Sadollah getting the submission, with the long layoff taking a toll on his conditioning.
Middleweight Fight (185 pounds) – Ricardo Almeida (10-3) vs. Kendall Grove (12-5): Almeida is a submission specialist that looked to be on his way to the top in the UFC until a decision loss came at the hands of Patrick Cote. Cote exposed Almeida’s weak standup game and set the blue print up for other fighters. Almeida is moving down to welterweight following this fight and his opponent, Grove should be able to keep the fight standings with his long length and reach advantage. Grove has not been submitted in the UFC, and I don’t see Almeida being able to score a KO. I will take Grove to win a decision in this one, pulling off a mild upset.
Lightweight Fight (155 pounds) – Kurt Pellegrino (13-4) vs. Josh Neer (25-7-1): This is a fight that could go anywhere. Both fighters are well rounded and scrappers. The key for either man to win will be able to score takedowns. I think Pellegrino should have more success on the ground and Neer more success on the feet. If Pellegrino can avoid a big punch, I think he can score the decision win over Neer.
WEC 42 Bantamweight Championship (135 pounds) – Miguel Torres (37-1) vs. Brian Bowles (7-0): Sunday’s WEC show features one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world in Miguel Torres. He defends his 135-pound championship against unbeaten Brian Bowles. Bowles has some power in his punches, but he has never faced someone of Torres’ ability. Torres can take the fight anywhere and have an edge. Torres will also set a torrid pace for Bowles, which will allow Torres to take out a weakened Bowles in the later rounds. I see Torres getting a TKO in round three to continue his 17-fight winning streak.
