While the TUF Finale is still fresh in our minds, UFC is hitting audiences with another PPV event with the Lightweight Belt on the line.  BJ Penn defends his strap against former Welterweight contender and original winner of TUF Diego Sanchez.  Also on the card is the return of the Headhunter Paul Buentello, a very intruiging heavyweight fight as well as two lightweight matches to determine contender status for the lightweight title.  Without further adieu…LET’S GET IT ON!!

Paul Buentello vs. Stefan Struve

The classic clash of styles, striker versus grappler.  For any UFC noob, Buentello goes all the way back to the 50′s (UFC that is) where he was knocking people out before being stopped by Andrei Arlovski.  Struve has been on a tear lately since losing his debut to Junior Dos Santos, notching submission wins over his opponents and earning Submission of the Night honors.  My gut and heart goes to the veteran Buentello, who has faced bigger competition and possesses that one punch KO power that every fighter desires.  Struve will try and take this fight to the ground where he will work his submisison game, but as evident from his fight with Dos Santos, Struve’s chin is suspect.  All Buentello needs is to connect once and Struve will crumble from there.

Prediction: Buentello by TKO

John Fitch vs. Mike Pierce

In what was supposed to be a rematch between John Fitch and Thiago Alves, things went bad and Alves pulled out due to an injury during training.  Enter Mike Pierce who’ll be making his sophomore appearance after dismantling Brock Larson.  I haven’t seen Pierce fight and it may be unfair to make a decision without bias, but anyone that’s seen Fitch fight would know to put their money on him.  If you need evidence, watch his fight with GSP and you will know Fitch, despite losing, has a ton of heart and skill and was just not ready for GSP at the time.  Any fighter that can hold his own against the Welterweight Champ deserves recognition.  Easy pick for me.

Prediction: Fitch by Unanimous Decision

Clay Guida vs. Kenny Florian

When you hear the name Clay Guida, you automatically think of hair.  Rightfully so because Guida has made his name out of his precious locks.  But the real standout in my opinion, is Guida’s relentless pace and never-say-die attitude.  Hit the guy all you want and you can expect him to smile and hit you back with everything he’s got.  On the other side is a completely different animal in KenFlo.  Considering himself a student of martial arts, KenFlo is a methodical fighter who picks his shots and attacks when the time is right.  Although I usually go with the more disciplined fighter, I don’t think KenFlo has faced someone as relentless as Guida (although Roger Huerta can argue that point).  This is an important fight for both but moreso for Guida who has lost in the UFC more than Florian and is approaching the gatekeeper moniker.  If Guida can get past Florian in impressive fashion, he can line himself up with the increasing numbers of contenders for Penn’s belt. 

Prediction: Guida by Unanimous Decision

Cheick Kongo vs. Frank Mir

With the reigning Heavyweight Champ hurt and still recovering from a career-threatening illness, the UFC HW division is in limbo as an interim champion needs to be decided.  On one end, the former champ and only man to defeat the current champ, Frank Mir makes his move to claim the belt he once coveted.   Staring at him is the equally dangerous Cheick Kongo who was on his way to a title shot before being schooled by Cain Velasquez.  Striker versus grappler again, when will it ever end?  Although Kongo is way better than Mir in the striking department, Mir does have heavy hands and is crafty in taking the fight to the ground.  Despite showing improvements in his wrestling game, Kongo is still suspect on the ground and hasn’t faced a high level jiu jitsu guy like Mir. 

Prediction: Mir by Submission

BJ Penn vs. Diego Sanchez

If there was any doubt about Diego Sanchez being a UFC Champion one day, we can all rest and be relieved that finally Sanchez is fighting for the belt after four years in the promotion.  Unfortunately for him, he’s facing LW demigod BJ Penn who’s last loss at lightweight was 8 years ago.  That doesn’t mean Sanchez should be overlooked though as he does have the tools to beat Penn.  How?  GSP set the blueprint and that’s too tire Penn out on his feet and beat him up on the ground.  Sounds easy if you have strong wrestling which Sanchez does not.  But even if Sanchez possessed such abilities, it’s taking BJ down that’s the difficult part.  And even if you manage to take BJ down, you have to worry about his jiu jitsu which is second to none in the LW division.  I expect a competitive fight, but BJ retains his strap and pockets a bonus Fight of the Night award. 

Prediction: Penn by Submission

RESULTS:

B.J. Penn def. Diego Sanchez via TKO (cut) – Round 5, 2:37
Frank Mir def. Cheick Kongo via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:12
Jon Fitch def. Mike Pierce via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kenny Florian def. Clay Guida via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:19
Stefan Struve def. Paul Buentello via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)

Alan Belcher def. Wilson Gouveia via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:03
Matt Wiman def. Shane Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Johny Hendricks def. Ricardo Funch via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
Rousimar Palhares def. Lucio Linhares via submission (heel hook) – Round 2, 3:21
DaMarques Johnson def. Edgar Garcia via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 4:03
T.J. Grant def. Kevin Burns via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:57