There is a huge buzz around the world of mixed martial arts now. UFC 100 was a historic event that saw one of the fastest rising stars, Brock Lesnar, put on a great performance. The sport is still growing and the sky is the limit.
UFC 101 is going to be another excellent fight card and it comes to you from a solid fight city, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
I actually might be more excited for this slate of fights than I was for UFC 100, and that's saying a lot.
The main event is a title fight in the 155 pound division. Current champion, and mma icon, BJ Penn steps in with rising star Kenny Florian. In my opinion, these are easily the two best guys in the division.
BJ Penn is coming off a loss at 170 pounds against Georges St. Pierre. He was beat up pretty good and there was a lot of controversy surrounding that fight that is now known as "Greasegate." When mentally prepared, BJ Penn is one of the most talented fighters that the sport has ever seen. Over the years it has been talked about that Penn doesn't always train at a top level. His skill level is top of the line, easily a top ten pound for pound guy. Excellent standup and a slick ground game highlight his game. He is going to have his hands full with the younger inexperienced Florian.
Kenny Florian is the most improved fighter in mixed martial arts. He has always been a very solid fighter but now he is a legit threat to BJ Penn's title. His standup game has improved immensely. He happens to possess the sharpest elbows in the game and if he cuts BJ, he might be holding that strap come Saturday night.
I'm not shy about picking fighters I like to pull off upsets. I am a huge Kenny Florian fan, the approach he takes is awesome to watch and he has earned everything he has gotten. There aren't too many people that think Florian has a chance to win. I like Kenny to be wearing the title when all is said and done tonight.
Anderson Silva takes on Forrest Griffin in another must see fight. Silva, the king at 185 pounds moves up again to 205 to take on the former champ at that weight in Griffin.
Two of the most popular fighters in the sport collide in what has the making of an all out war. Silva is the best striker in the world and possibly the best ever. If he comes out aggressively, it could be an early night for Forrest. We haven't seen that from Silva however in his last few fights.
Forrest Griffin is one of the reasons the sport of mixed martial arts is as big as it is. His fight with Stephan Bonner on The Ultimate Fighter Finale a few years back was just voted the number one fight in UFC history and rightfully so.
Griffin is a very nice, well rounded fighter that continues to improve. His heart is second to none and gotten him where he is today. He brings everything he has every time out and will never quit unless he is knocked out cold.
I see this fight going one of two ways, Silva in a dominating performance that ends with Forrest bloody and battered, or a three or four round slugfest. If the Silva of old returns, Griffin might be in for a world of pain.
My choice for fight of the night is Josh Neer versus Kurt Pellgrino. These are two more fighters that are never in boring fights. Heavy hands and great chins on both fighters has this as a pick ‘em battle. Do not move away from your TV when this fight starts.
Full fight card:
Champ B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian (for UFC lightweight title)
Champ Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin (non-title fight)
Johny Hendricks vs. Amir Sadollah
Ricardo Almeida vs. Kendall Grove
Josh Neer vs. Kurt Pellgrino
Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley
John Howard vs. Tamdan McCrory
Thales Leites vs. Alessio Sakara
Dan Cramer vs. Matthew Riddle
George Roop vs. George Sotiropoulos
Jesse Lennox vs. Danillo Villefort
When I first saw how loaded UFC 100 was, I had a feeling that UFC 101 would suffer. I was wrong, very wrong. This event is going to be awesome, mark my words. I wouldn't miss it. Tune in and thank me later.
