UFC 84 is one of the most important events in the history of the UFC. This event will set a course of events for many of the fighters involved as well as many fighters that are looking upon the event. There are three fights that are extremely important on this card.
Keith Jardine v Wanderlei Silva
This fight is a telling tale of the future of the light heavyweight division in the UFC. Jardine vs Silva is a match that intrigues a lot of people for the sheer fact that they both can punch, and both fighters plan very well for opponents. Keith always has a good plan of attack for more high profile and skilled opponents and, barring a small fluke against Alexander, he would be much more respected in the UFC. Silva is ready for this fight. He loves the American crowd and he loves to entertain. There will be no wet blanket match between these two vicious fighters.
What it mean if Jardine Wins: If Jardine wins, his name should be added to a list of potential title contenders. In no way does this guarantee a shot, but he should be able to add his name to the list. Now if Jardine knocks Silva out, uneducated fans may lose respect for Silva the same way they did Mirko Cro Crop. Expect to see Silva drop weight to face Anderson Silva if he loses.
What it means if Silva Wins: Silva will headline another Pay-Per-View if he wins. He would probably face another high profile name in order to clear the way for a title shot. Silva would be at least another win away from a title shot but his name would certainly be mentioned if Forrest Griffin wins the light heavyweight title , setting up a highly entertaining brawl.
Lyoto Machida v Tito Ortiz
The winner of this match may be in line to fight the winner of Jardine vs Silva for a potential title shot. Machida is the hired assassin of Dana White to try and stop Ortiz. White picked very well. Machida showed that he is not afraid of hype or big names in his last fight
Machida has an unblemished record with wins over B.J. Penn, Rich Franklin, and Stephan Bonnar. Tito needs to make a statement that he is in MMA to fight and not be a media whore. Tito would love nothing more than to stop White’s dog.
What it means if Tito wins: Ortiz will be headed for a big payday. Now lets be honest, for all the trouble he causes, Tito brings viewers. He is likely to shop his services to Elite XC as well as Affliction in hopes of sticking it to the UFC and White. Tito could also use this for more leverage in a negotiation with Lorenzo Fertitta, because there is no way he would negotiate with Dana White.
What it means if Machida wins: A title shot. Dana will push this guy down the throats of the fans and will more than likely give him the first crack at Rampage or Forrest. Tito will not have great leverage in negotiations with other companies and will likely tuck his tail and run from the UFC.
B.J. Penn v Sean Sherk
This is a match that a ton of guys have been waiting to see. I think this is the best match-up that the UFC has put together in a long time. Penn adds the verbal venom that makes this match so much more watchable. Sherk is out there to prove that he is one of the best, and that means winning the lightweight title. Sherk’s steroid suspension looms so it will be important to see how he tests after the fight and how he looks physically.
What it means if Penn wins: The lightweight division will go on about its business. He would likely face the winner of Roger Huerta and Kenny Florian later this year. Penn would most likely crack about how Sherk can’t win without the juice. Sherk would likely be headed for a rematch with Florian if he fell to Huerta, or maybe even a match-up against Huerta.
What it means if Sherk wins: The division is turned on its head. Sherk would be the title holder and Penn would deserve a rematch. Sherk would look toward the winner of Huerta and Florian. Penn could intrigue everyone and move up to face GSP for a big name match-up, but that seems unlikely. A Sherk win would greatly cloud the division as far as who deserves a shot and who fights who to determine the contenders.
Predictions:
Tito Ortiz defeats Lyoto Machida by ground and pound.
Wanderlei Silva defeats Keith Jardine by split decision.
Shawn Sherk defeats BJ Penn by split decision.
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