Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive
The UFC 127 main event between BJ Penn and Jon Fitch could mark the beginning of the end of the UFC’s welterweight division as we know it. UFC president Dana White has already said the winner is probably the next No. 1 contender, and with champion Georges St. Pierre’s potential weight class move to face Anderson Silva in a superfight looming in the shadows, the top of the division could soon be rearranged.
Both Penn and Fitch are fighting for the chance to be king when the dust settles. Of course, they got here by very different methods. Penn seemed like he was in for a long run as UFC lightweight champ when he was derailed twice by Frankie Edgar. From there, a move to welterweight was the logical choice, and he announced his arrival by blasting Matt Hughes in a 21-second knockout last November.
Meanwhile, Fitch has rolled through his recent competition, winning five straight fights since his title loss to St. Pierre. But he still faces criticism from fans about his inability to finish. He’s been to a decision in eight straight fights. In matching them, the UFC hopes the pairing of the grinding technician against a game fighter with top takedown defense results in a more dynamic performance from Fitch or a legit claim as top contender for Penn en route to a title shot.