UFC 118 Penn Vs Edgar II Preview And Predictions

BJ Penn Vs Frankie Edgar

Preview: Coming of the controversial decision loss to Edgar, BJ Penn is determined to set the record straight. BJ looked dominant against contenders Kenny Florian and Deigo Sanchez and it seemed the after Edgar that a move up to Welterweight was on the cards. Frankie Edgar turned out to be the spanner in the works by defeating Penn with quick footwork and crisper striking.

Game plan wise, I can’t see Edgar straying from the last meeting between the two. Edgar has speed, cardio and a solid chin which allows him to perfectly dive in close and spring combinations before diving out of range. This also solves the problem of his small reach.

BJ Penn has always shown good boxing by keeping distance with the jab. With Frankie Edgar he seemed slow and sluggish, I still believe BJ has the power to put Edgar away but BJ’s best opportunity is to get this fight to the ground and use his world class grappling skills to sub Edgar.

What Will Happen: Come UFC 118, Frankie Edgar will retain the belt with the exact same formula he defeated Penn with the last time. Penn will win the first and second round but will noticeably tire chasing the champ, a fresher Edgar will pick the challenger apart and win the remaining three rounds to eek out a close decision.

Prediction: Frankie Edgar by decision.

Randy Couture Vs James Toney

Preview: No real analysis needed here, Couture wants to take Toney down while Toney was to keep the fight standing. As much as Dana said he is punishing Toney and throwing him into the deep end. Dana has giving Toney a winnable fight.

Unfortunately for Randy Couture, his chin has diminished to the point where he seems to be rocked by the faintest shot. This gives James Toney his avenue for a win and at least, adds some intrigue to the fight. James Toney may not have super boxing power as some believe but he definitely has the technique to knock Randy out. What is important for Toney is he has learned any new skills or is he in it for a pay day?

What Will Happen: Randy will close the distance, grab a hold of Toney and put him on his back. From there, Randy will eventually take his back and Rear Naked Choke for the win.

Prediction: Randy by submission in Round 1.

Damien Maia Vs Mario Miranda

Preview: Damien Maia looks to banish the demons of his last bout and looks to straighten a rocky road back to the top or at least prove to the fans he is still relevant in the middleweight division.

Mario Miranda on the other hand, has not found his place in the middleweight division with a 1-1 record. Miranda stylistically is a bad match up for Maia.

Damien Maia has to assume top control because he will not sub Miranda of his back who has enough submission savvy to deal with the offensive tools of Maia. Miranda has heavy hands and deals punishing ground and pound to his opponents. If Maia cannot get the takedown then it could be a long night for Maia.

What Will Happen: I predict a shocker here and a win for Miranda. The fight is largely going to be stand up with both fighters negating each others takedowns. Miranda is not a technique orientated striker but he certainly has the power to knock Maia’s head off. In the second round, Maia will eat a right hand and not recover giving Miranda the win and a significant step up the middleweight ladder.

Prediction: Miranda by KO/TKO in the Second Round 

Kenny Florian Vs Gray Maynard

Preview: This fight is definitely an important fight in the lightweight division. Whomever wins will be the number one contender and will fight the winner of Penn/ Edgar.

Kenny Florian is a dynamic fighter who has a large arsenal of offensive ways to win a fight. In Gray Maynard, he fights an intelligent, crisp boxer who has great takedowns and a good chin. Florian has in the past struggled against wrestlers like Shrek and Sanchez but it would be unfair to judge that Florian as the modern Florian has improved drastically.

Gray Maynard was one good performance from a title shot but a poor game plan and sluggish fight with Nate Diaz cost the Extreme Couture fighter a chance at the gold. Now he gets that chance once more and I feel he is motivated to make a statement of intent.

What Will Happen: Florian has struggled against wrestlers before and when put on his back, loses a lot of his offensive weapons. I expect Maynard to control the fight with smothering top control. Florian will use short sharp elbows from the bottom to form a cut on Maynard. It will be bloody and he will look the worse for wear but Maynard will be smiling when the judges give him the split decision.

Prediction: Maynard by Split Decision.

Nate Diaz Vs Marcus Davis

Preview: Marcus Davis and Nate Diaz promises to be a good solid stand up bout and could be fight of the night. Nate Diaz like his brother Nick peppers opponents with annoying jabs and created the term punches in bunches. Nate also has a solid chin and a good long reach which will provide invaluable against Davis who struggles against more rangy strikers.

Davis has hit a slump in form and age seems to be creeping up on the Irish Hand Grenade. He may have a TKO win in his last UFC appearance but Goulet has a soft chin and was tailor made for defeat against Davis.

What Will Happen: A tough match up stylistically for Davis is only compounded more by the fact that punishment seems to be catching up to the Irish hand grenade. Diaz will pepper Davis with shots throughout the first two rounds before using his superior grappling skills to finish the fight in the third with a guillotine when a desperate Davis shoots in for a takedown.

Prediction: Diaz by Submission in Round 3