As most of our loyal readers know (all three of you!), I get really excited before each UFC event, and this Saturday night’s Ultimate Fighter finale has me more excited than Sean Hannity at the Republican National Convention. I’m eager to see the fight between Nate Diaz and Manny Gamburyan, which will determine the winner of season five of the Ultimate Fighter and a six-figure UFC contract, but that pales in comparison to seeing BJ Penn enter the octagon for the first time since his loss to Matt Hughes at UFC 63, a matched he dominated until a fluke rib injury at the end of the second round.
In case you’re unfamiliar with BJ Penn, he holds victories over some of the sport’s biggest names. In 2004 he defeated long-time Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes by rear naked choke and was subsequently stripped of the title after fighting for another organization. Making his return to the UFC early last year, Penn was defeated by Georges St. Pierre in a controversial split decision (many still believe he won that fight). After St. Pierre was forced to pull out of his title shot against Hughes, Penn stepped up and fought Hughes for a second time. Penn dominated the first two rounds, but suffered a fluke rib injury at the end of the second. Hughes won the fight, but it became clear that Hughes poses no threat whatsoever to an uninjured BJ Penn.
BJ Penn vs. Jens Pulver
Saturday night Penn will square off against former lightweight champion and longtime rival Jens Pulver for the opportunity to fight for the lightweight title. Penn was defeated by Pulver via controversial split decision at UFC 35. Pulver, a world-renowned striker fighting out the Militech camp, lost his last fight to UFC newcomer Joe Lauzon and will be looking to put his career back on track.
When you really break this fight down, it becomes difficult to find a way for Pulver to win. Pulver usually likes to stand and trade shots with his opponent, but his last several fights have shown a weakness in his chin. Moreover, Penn has great striking ability and very heavy hands. Thus Pulver has little chance of knocking Penn out. Should the fight go to the ground, Pulver’s chances of winning quickly fade away. BJ’s grounds skills are second to none—and if he gets the top position, Jens will be fighting for his life.
My Prediction:
Although I gained a lot of respect for Jens Pulver during this installment of the Ultimate Fighter, he will be no match for BJ Penn.
Penn by whatever he wants, whenever he wants.
fighting pundit
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1 comment:
This was quite a show. I didn't realize the undercard was going to have so many of the fighters from the season squaring off against one another.
BJ dominated as everyone expected him to, and the Diaz / Manny matchup was a bit of a let down for me. I still can't get over how much of a prick Karo was with Diaz when he visited Manny during the show ... "doesn't he know who I am!?" Zip it Karo. I think he knows, he just doesn't care.
I thought the fight of the night was Gray Maynard vs. Rob Emerson. I think Gray's a great fighter and one of the more mature dudes on the show, but I don't care what he says ... he was OUT! Knocked himself out ... that's gotta be hard to do.
I was also glad to see Dana White wasn't just handing out contracts to everyone who put up a good fight like he has in the past. I don't think Manny is the best 155 pounder in that group (Gray and Diaz are probably one and two in no particular order), but Manny made it through the fights he was given and won the contract fair and square. I'm definitely looking forward to watching some more grown men beat the crap out of each other in Ultimate Fighter 6.
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