UFC 84: Ill Will Preview

It's not always that the UFC can accurately name a pay-per-view, but I think that have done a great job here. There are times when fighters will hype up a fight by pretending to hate each other...but there is no pretending going on here.

BJ Penn Vs. Sean Sherk

Sean Sherk was the UFC Lightweight champ, and was even regarded as one of the pound for pound best MMA fighters until a failed drug test led to him being striped of his title.

While Sean has been denying the validity of the test to anyone that will listen, BJ Penn won't let anyone forget about it. But, this fight will not be fought in the papers or with words, but in the octagon.

Sean Sherk is dominant as a ground and pound specialist. In fact, I don't think that there is anyone better in the lightweight division. But BJ Penn can do so much more. He has superior striking, and is a monster from his back.

Prediction: BJ Penn - Round 3 via TKO

 

Wanderlei Silva Vs. Keith Jardine

Once the most feared fighters in MMA, Wanderlei Silva is coming off perhaps the most exciting three-round fight of his career in his loss to Chuck Liddell. Could that be enough to keep him mentally in the game since that counted as his 3rd straight loss?

Considering that the caliber of fighters also included Cro Cop and Dan Henderson, I can't believe that it would do anything but enforce the fact that he cannot, and simply will not lose to a guy like Keith Jardine.

Here is a guy that got lucky against Forrest Griffin and Chuck Liddell, and lost to Houston Alexander (who has since been exposed), and Stephan Bonner.

However, I did not like what I saw in Silva. I saw a fighter who is showing the effects of both age, and the brutal battles he has been in. I see a fighter of declining skills, and someone ready to be removed as one of the top fighters in the light heavyweight division.

I think Greg Jackson and the rest of his camp will have Jardine ripped, and ready to go. I am not sure that the UFC would be that upset with a loss, despite cutting fighters.

They have reportedly wanted to set up a match up between Wanderlei and Anderson Silva, and a fourth consecutive loss at light heavyweight could allow the UFC to put enough pressure on Wanderlei in order to get that done.

Prediction: Jardine by KO in Round 3

 

Wilson Gouveia Vs. Goran Reljic

Both Gouveia and Reljic have strong ground games, but both seem to understand that the UFC wants to see an exciting fight, and that means standing up.

You look at Gouveia, and he proved he had the ability to punch with his KO against Jason Lambert. Reljic on the other hand may be undefeated, and may have a KO, but they have been against much lesser talent.

Prediction: Gouveia by KO in Round 1

 

Tito Ortiz Vs. Lyoto Machida

Dana White has already gone on record as wanting Tito Ortiz to get his ass kicked in what will most likely be his last fight for the UFC. I think it's too bad how much the UFC seems to disrespect their veteran fighters, like Ortiz, Couture, and Sylvia.

What they are basically doing is eroding any loyalty young fighters will have towards the organization, and making it just a business, and therefore just about money.

What I did like to see is Lyoto wanting no part of the trash-talking between Tito and Dana, and just focusing on what he needs to do in order to get passed Ortiz and into a championship match.

A title fight would have to be next in the cards for Machida, who, like it or not, would still be doing Dana White's dirty work.

Breaking it down, Tito has shown a suspect chin, no BJJ, and limited striking power. His only true strength is his ground and pound. Lyoto is all about Karate, but has strong BJJ skills to back himself up if he is taking down.

The problem is, we have never seen Machida tested on the ground, so we truly have no idea just what he is capable of against an opponent of Ortiz's caliber.

I am truly on the fence here. I have never been a Machida fan, and will have to reluctantly take Tito Ortiz and his limited and declining skills over Lyoto Machida.

Prediction: Tito Ortiz by TKO in Round 2

 

Thiago Silva Vs. Antonio Mendes

The only time this fight goes to the ground is when someone is put there by a punch or a kick. Neither of these guys are going to bother with a ground game, and I look for this fight to end early.

Antonio will try and make a name for himself by beating Thiago Silva. The problem for Thiago is that he needed a quality fighter in order to break into the top ten. He is not getting one here, so this victory won't do much to improve his standing.

Prediction: Thiago Silva via KO in Round 1