MMAVu

It’s only a few hours away, so I better get my predictions in while the predicting is good.

UFC 94 Main Event:
Georges St. Pierre (170) vs. B.J. Penn (168)
This is a tough one to call, given that both these guys are freaks of nature in their own way. BJ Penn can twist himself into a pretzel, has uncanny take down defense, and has bricks in his hands…not to mention world class ju-jitsu. St. Pierre is just an all around monster. Striking, wrestling, submission, grappling, you name it. The difference maker here is the cardio. It’s a five round title fight and although Penn has greatly improved his cardio, St. Pierre’s has always been great. St. Pierre by unanimous decision.

Lyoto Machida (206) vs. Thiago Silva (206)
It’s a battle of the undefeated 13-0 fighters. Silva likes to charge ahead and brawl, while Machida likes to evade and counter strike. I tend to think Machida will take this via decision. He has experience versus better quality opponents (Tito Ortiz, BJ Penn, Rich Franklin) and unless Silva runs in and rocks him with a perfect punch, I don’t see Silva getting past Machida’s defenses.

Karo Parisyan (170) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (171)
Parisyan’s “comeback” fight. Parisyan has been out of action for quite some time due to injuries and panic attacks so this bout will tell how far he’s come. The Karo of old would have dispatched Kim with ease. I still think Karo takes this, by decision.

Nathan Diaz (156) vs. Clay Guida (156)
I think the Diaz train stops here. He will simply get overwhelmed by the whirling dirvish, Clay Guida. Guida by decision.

Stephan Bonnar (206) vs. Jon Jones (206)
I know squat about Jones. Bonnar by 1st round kimura.

UFC 94 Preliminary Card Bouts:
Jon Fitch (171) vs. Akihiro Gono (171)
Curious card placement of the most recent welter weight top contender for sure. Karo has never had a title shot at 170, yet is on the main card. Fitch by 2nd round TKO.

Manny Gamburyan (155) vs. Thiago Tavares (155)
I’m pulling for Tavares to put Manny out of the UFC here. Let’s go 1st round TKO for Tavares.

Chris Wilson (170) vs. John Howard (171)
The deceptively tough Wilson by 1st round submission.

Jake O’Brien (205) vs. Christian Wellisch (206)
O’Brien by a three round smother attack.

Matt Arroyo (171) vs. Dan Cramer (171)
Arroyo takes this, 1st round sub.

…and the Main Event should be a classic.

Georges St. Pierre has been on an incredible tear since his shocking loss to Matt Serra. He has mowed down Josh Koscheck, Matt Hughes, Matt Serra and Jon Fitch in impressive fashion. His head appears screwed on right, and he’s eager to show his UFC 58 split-decision win over Penn was justified.

BJ Penn woke up on his 28th birthday and realized he was pissing his talents away by coasting by on his natural talent. He too has dedicated himself to maximizing his potential and has looked great in taking out Jens Pulver, Joe Stevenson and Sean Sherk.

This will be a close fight, but I have a feeling St. Pierre will take this one again, but this time leave no doubt.

Here’s the rest of the card. I wonder if it’s a coincidence that Jon Fitch, the guy who Main-Evented UFC 87, is on the under card, after the whole, “refusing to sign over video game rights to the UFC” fiasco? He’s a top fighter with an 8-1 record in the promotion, and Gono always puts on a show. As well, we’ll see if the raw aggression of Thiago Silva can catch the cerebral approach of Lyoto Machida. Methinks Silva has a long, long night ahead of him.

Georges St. Pierre vs. B.J. Penn
Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva
Stephan Bonnar vs. Jon Jones
Karo Parisyan vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Nathan Diaz vs. Clay Guida

Prelims:

Jon Fitch vs. Akihiro Gono
Manny Gamburyan vs. Thiago Tavares
John Howard vs. Chris Wilson
Jake O’Brien vs. Christian Wellisch
Matt Arroyo vs. Dan Cramer