UFC 137: 3 Reasons Penn vs. Diaz Could End Up Being a Huge Letdown

After one of the most stacked cards of the year lost its title fight between UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Condit, the co-main event matchup between B.J. Penn and Nick Diaz took its place at UFC 137.

In what many would call the better fight of the two, it has all the makings of being one of the best and competitive fights in recent memory. Diaz comes into the bout on a 10-fight win streak, while Penn hasn't fought since drawing with No. 2 welterweight Jon Fitch in February.

With the exciting contrast in styles, it could end up meeting and exceeding expectations. On the other hand, it could end up being a letdown, and these are three reasons why it might disappoint fans.

No. 3: It Could End Prematurely by Cut Stoppage

If you were to take the most vulnerable fighters for getting cut, Diaz would be near the top of the list. His title fight with K.J. Noons was stopped prematurely due to cuts. He rarely makes it out of a fight unmarked, even in those that he is victorious.

On the other side is B.J. Penn, who is one of the least likely fighters to ever get busted up, no matter how much damage he takes.

If this fights turns out to be the striking match that many are anticipating, Penn's boxing could become a serious problem for Diaz if damage starts to show.

Penn doesn't need to land more than Diaz. He just needs to land enough to force a doctor stoppage, and this fight has the makings to end by stoppage.

The drama that ensues afterward might make up for the inconclusive stoppage, but it will keep MMA fans from seeing who the better fighter is between the two, and that's what is most important.

No. 2: It Could End in a Draw

Penn gets his second chance in a No. 1 contender's matchup, and he has to make this one count, unlike his last bout with Jon Fitch.

Given their similar skill sets, if there was one fight to predict a draw, this is it. It's an even matchup, and it's one that is fairly hard to predict where it's going to take place. Anywhere it goes, both fighters are exceptionally skilled, whether they are on the ground or on their feet.

What will make a draw worse is the fact that this could have been a five-round main event instead of three, which would guarantee that a real winner will emerge.

Much debate was made after Penn's draw with Fitch at UFC 127, and it was one of the reasons why the UFC has begun to schedule five-round non-title fights starting at UFC 138.

Unless this fight gets stopped early, it's bound to be a competitive one that will have fans debating about who deserved the victory long after if it results in a draw.

No. 1: Fans Will Want 2 More Rounds After the Fight Is over

Not only do the fighters deserve to fight for five rounds, the fans deserve to see two of the best fighters in the world go at it for 25 minutes.

An exception will be made for this fight, because of it taking over as the main event on short notice, but Diaz's manager, Cesar Gracie, told MMAjunkie they would like to make it five rounds.

There are many examples of fans wanting to see a 15-minute fight go longer. Some examples include Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva, Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida and Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson. Whether it's because they want to see more action or a clear winner, it's something that should be taken into consideration when a No. 1 contender's matchup takes place.

Outside of it helping determine a clear winner, it also gives fans the chance to enjoy one of the best and even matchups of the year without feeling like they got robbed of two more rounds.