Another UFC PPV airs tonight, and Im here to give you the rundown. The prelims are filled with no-namers, so Im bothering with breaking down those fights, but heres the main card:
Jens Pulver (21-6-1) vs. Joe Lauzon (13-3)
The UFCs former lightweight champion returns to the octagon. Hes fighting a solid up-and-comer in Joe Lauzon, but this fight is definitely being put out there as a tune-up fight for Pulver. I expect him to get the win, and I cant wait to see him thrown into the UFCs renewed lightweight mix.
Jason Lambert (22-5) vs. Rashad Evans (8-0)
Lambert is a man who has been on a tear. Hes on an 8 fight winning streak, including three wins in the UFC, but he has yet to had one of his fights televised. Tonight, he faces Rashad Pillowfists Evans, and I think he has the best chance for derailing Evans nap-inducing winning streak. Heres hoping. Lambert by TKO.
Mike Quick Swick (9-1) vs. David Loiseau (14-5)
Swick has been impressive. Since coming off of the first season of TUF, he is 4-0 in the UFC, and none of his fights have gotten past the first round. Hell, none of them have even gotten to the second HALF of the first round. This should be his greatest test yet, however. Loiseau was not impressive in his title bout against Franklin, and yet he is the only fighter in 20 fights to take Franklin to a decision. He remains an experience, dangerous opponent. This could be the fight of the night. It could be a standup battle, in which case I do not know who would come out the victor. Swick probably has a better overall ground game, but Loiseau has good defense, and his ground and pound elbows are second to none. No prediction here.
Gabe Ruediger (10-2) vs. Melvin Guillard (20-5-2)
Dont know anything about Ruediger, so Im going with Melvin The Racist Guillard by KO.
Main Event:
UFC Welterweight Championship Bout
Matt Hughes (39-4) vs. BJ Penn (10-3)
Well, if I cant have GSP facing Hughes, this rematch is the next best thing. Was Penns win a fluke? Has Hughes improved enough since their first meeting? Does Penn have the mental fortitude to win a fight after the first round?
Penns striking and jiu-jitsu are both better than Hughes. In the first fight, it was a punch that helped Penn get Matt down. But Matt actually tried to play an open guard with BJ, which while admirable, may have been a mistake.
I think that Matt will have a fire lit under him to avenge this loss, and I believe he will fight smarter than Penn. I see him grinding out a decision win, or a stoppage in the later rounds. But I wont be surprised if Penn takes it.
Jens Pulver (21-6-1) vs. Joe Lauzon (13-3)
The UFCs former lightweight champion returns to the octagon. Hes fighting a solid up-and-comer in Joe Lauzon, but this fight is definitely being put out there as a tune-up fight for Pulver. I expect him to get the win, and I cant wait to see him thrown into the UFCs renewed lightweight mix.
Jason Lambert (22-5) vs. Rashad Evans (8-0)
Lambert is a man who has been on a tear. Hes on an 8 fight winning streak, including three wins in the UFC, but he has yet to had one of his fights televised. Tonight, he faces Rashad Pillowfists Evans, and I think he has the best chance for derailing Evans nap-inducing winning streak. Heres hoping. Lambert by TKO.
Mike Quick Swick (9-1) vs. David Loiseau (14-5)
Swick has been impressive. Since coming off of the first season of TUF, he is 4-0 in the UFC, and none of his fights have gotten past the first round. Hell, none of them have even gotten to the second HALF of the first round. This should be his greatest test yet, however. Loiseau was not impressive in his title bout against Franklin, and yet he is the only fighter in 20 fights to take Franklin to a decision. He remains an experience, dangerous opponent. This could be the fight of the night. It could be a standup battle, in which case I do not know who would come out the victor. Swick probably has a better overall ground game, but Loiseau has good defense, and his ground and pound elbows are second to none. No prediction here.
Gabe Ruediger (10-2) vs. Melvin Guillard (20-5-2)
Dont know anything about Ruediger, so Im going with Melvin The Racist Guillard by KO.
Main Event:
UFC Welterweight Championship Bout
Matt Hughes (39-4) vs. BJ Penn (10-3)
Well, if I cant have GSP facing Hughes, this rematch is the next best thing. Was Penns win a fluke? Has Hughes improved enough since their first meeting? Does Penn have the mental fortitude to win a fight after the first round?
Penns striking and jiu-jitsu are both better than Hughes. In the first fight, it was a punch that helped Penn get Matt down. But Matt actually tried to play an open guard with BJ, which while admirable, may have been a mistake.
I think that Matt will have a fire lit under him to avenge this loss, and I believe he will fight smarter than Penn. I see him grinding out a decision win, or a stoppage in the later rounds. But I wont be surprised if Penn takes it.