UFC 127 Fight Card: The Perfect Game Plan for Jon Fitch To Defeat B.J. Penn

Jon Fitch is no UFC rookie. Almost cast for the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter, Fitch has been in the organization since 2005. His Octagon career started like none other, as he rolled off an incredible eight fight win streak to explode onto the scene.

His first defeat under the UFC banner was against champion, and future Hall of Famer, Georges St. Pierre. Since then, Fitch has defeated a who’s who of the 170-pound weight class—but can he defeat another future Hall of Famer in B.J. Penn? 

He can if he follows this advice and the game plan we have put together for him.

Strengths and weaknesses are what game-planning is all about. B.J. Penn is known for his amazing ground game and improved striking. Penn’s takedown defense and MMA intelligence are top-notch—to beat him, you almost have to be perfect.

Jon Fitch’s game consists of a blanketing wrestling style in which he can smother his opponents until the final bell. Penn knows this and will try a boxing discipline, consisting of jabs and uppercuts to keep Fitch off balance.

In training, Fitch should have worked on slipping the jab into a takedown. Penn often extends on the jab—if the punch is slipped, there is a slight opening for a takedown. By using the slip as a setup for the shot, Fitch will be able to change levels and take him down. 

This should be the plan for Round 1, wearing down the often criticized cardio of Penn, and winning him the round.

Penn will understand that he can’t be smothered in this fight. If Fitch takes him down, he will start to get aggressive on his feet. Once this happens, he will push forward and get away from the jab. He will want to finish the fight and get Jon in trouble, but he won’t be able to do so since he has now been coaxed into Fitch’s game plan.

The over-extension and aggression will open angles that Fitch can take advantage of to win this fight.

All things being equal, this game plan is extremely hard to put into play. It includes slipping punches and often times may put Fitch in harm’s way.

Fitch needs to grind this one out. He needs to continue using his blanket style and make Penn tired by making him work to get off of his back. Once tired and a step slower, Penn will be easier to take down and easier to defeat.