UFC 127 Penn vs Fitch

Welterweight bout: B.J. Penn vs Jon Fitch BJ’s hands are better. He has more power there. Fitch is a zombie and is the bigger fighter. Although BJ’s takedown defense is excellent, he has to make sure Fitch doesn’t get a hold of him otherwise he won’t be able to hop around on one leg against […]

Welterweight bout: B.J. Penn vs Jon Fitch

BJ’s hands are better. He has more power there. Fitch is a zombie and is the bigger fighter. Although BJ’s takedown defense is excellent, he has to make sure Fitch doesn’t get a hold of him otherwise he won’t be able to hop around on one leg against Fitch. Fitch will get BJ to the ground if he gets close. Penn also has a pretty bad going to the decision ratio where Fitch is that pristine grinder who takes and destroys everyone’s will for a full 15 minutes. However, BJ Penn is an underdog in this fight and despite Fitch’s greater wrestling and excellent jiu-jitsu game, Penn has better ground game, and much better stand up game.

Its worth it here to take Penn.

Middleweight bout: Michael Bisping vs Jorge Rivera

Bisping is that pinpoint striker without the power to deal Rivera stopping blow. Rivera however, hasn’t always displayed the conditioning that Bisping has, yet possesses real KO power. Against Bisping taking Rivera here at +250 is just a smart play. On the ground Bisping is more dangerous. I don’t think Bisping is going to finish him on the ground, but Bisping has a big advantage in the submission defense and escape department. If this fight stays on the feet without going to the ground.

The odds are squarely in Rivera’s favor.

Lightweight bout: George Sotiropoulos vs Dennis Siver

Despite Siver’s great spinning back kick and duck under overhand right left hook combo, Sotiropoulos should take this victory on the ground. George’s top game is pretty insane.

I’ve got George winning inside 2.

Welterweight bout: Chris Lytle vs Brian Ebersole

Ebersole is American fighting on the other side of the world for basically his whole career. He has wrestling experience and Muay Thai background. However, from what I’ve seen in video, I think Lytle will not have a problem. However, this should be an entertaining fight as both of these guys are very loose on their feet. This is a big step up for Ebersole who has fought on lesser promotions against much less talented fighters. He also stepping in on short notice.

I think Lytle wins this based on a number reasons, but like I said, should be a good fight to watch as both fighter’s styles make for entertaining match up.

Middleweight bout: Kyle Noke vs Chris Camozzi

These two ex-TUF guys I think are a pickem, but I’m leaning towards Noke in his backyard (sorta, NZ).

Preliminary card (Ion TV & ESPN UK & Rogers Sportsnet)

Lightweight bout: Ross Pearson vs Spencer Fisher

I’m excited for this fight. Ross Pearson is a tremendous lightweight and has shown incredible boxing ability overall. I’m taking the younger fighter in Pearson with this match, despite Fisher’s craftiness anywhere the fight goes.

Light Heavyweight bout: James Te-Huna vs Alexander Gustafsson

Pass

Middleweight bout: Nick Ring vs Riki Fukuda

Pass

Preliminary card (Facebook)

Light Heavyweight bout: Anthony Perosh vs Tom Blackledge

No pick

Featherweight bout: Zhang Tie Quan vs Jason Reinhardt

No pick

Preliminary card

Heavyweight bout: Mark Hunt vs Chris Tuchscherer
I’ve got Tuchscherer taking this fight to the ground and beating up Hunt on the ground. Hunt has no submission defense as well. Literally 0.

Lightweight bout: Maciej Jewtuszko vs Curt Warburton

Both rangey fighters. Warbuton fights chin up and Maciej is a very aggressive fighter both on the ground and on his feet. I think Warbuton gets caught with something from Maciej.

UFC 127 Main Event Breakdown: BJ Penn vs. Jon Fitch

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse ExclusiveThe 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….

Filed under: ,

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.


Jon Fitch ‘Was in Shock’ When Offered B.J. Penn Fight

Filed under: , , ,

SYDNEY — MMA Fighting spoke to Jon Fitch at the UFC 127 open workouts about his popular video blogs, the evolution of his fighting style, getting a second chance to fight for the title and fighting in Australia.

Filed under: , , ,

SYDNEY — MMA Fighting spoke to Jon Fitch at the UFC 127 open workouts about his popular video blogs, the evolution of his fighting style, getting a second chance to fight for the title and fighting in Australia.

BJ Penn: Training With Matt Hughes Gave Me More Confidence

Filed under: , , ,

SYDNEY — MMA Fighting spoke to BJ Penn prior to his UFC 127 fight against Jon Fitch about how his win over Matt Hughes rejuvenated his career, whether or not “the old BJ Penn” is back and how he expects the fight to play out.

Filed under: , , ,

SYDNEY — MMA Fighting spoke to BJ Penn prior to his UFC 127 fight against Jon Fitch about how his win over Matt Hughes rejuvenated his career, whether or not “the old BJ Penn” is back and how he expects the fight to play out.

BJ Penn Brings in Matt Hughes for UFC 127 Fight Preparations

Filed under: UFC, NewsB.J. Penn reunited with a former rival last week, not as foes but as training partners.

Penn, who competed against Matt Hughes in a trilogy of fights spanning 2004 to 2010, recently worked with Hughes in preparation for his upco…

Filed under: ,

B.J. Penn reunited with a former rival last week, not as foes but as training partners.

Penn, who competed against Matt Hughes in a trilogy of fights spanning 2004 to 2010, recently worked with Hughes in preparation for his upcoming UFC 127 fight against Jon Fitch on Feb. 27 in Australia.

“Me and Matt had great workouts,” Penn said Tuesday on a conference call. “Him pushing me up against the fence, him trying to take me down. I definitely think that was the best training partner I could have had for this fight.”

Dana White: BJ Penn vs. Jon Fitch Will Decide Next No. 1 Contender

Filed under: UFC, NewsUFC president Dana White confirmed Tuesday that the main event fight between B.J. Penn and Jon Fitch on Feb. 27 will determine the next No. 1 contender for the UFC welterweight championship.

“Let’s face it, the reality is B.J. Pe…

Filed under: ,

UFC president Dana White confirmed Tuesday that the main event fight between B.J. Penn and Jon Fitch on Feb. 27 will determine the next No. 1 contender for the UFC welterweight championship.

“Let’s face it, the reality is B.J. Penn has held titles in both weight classes,” White said on the UFC 127 media call. “Fitch has fought for the title and has literally dominated that division for a long time, just didn’t win the title. Any one of these guys that wins this fight is in the mix — the No. 1 guy.”