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UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Thiago Silva (11-0-0) vs. Antonio “Samuray” Mendes (14-2-0)
After defeating Houston Alexander decisively at UFC 78, Thiago Silva has quickly become a major force in the UFC Light Heavyweight Division. Originally, Thiago Silva was set to fight Rashad Evans at this event, but card changes forced Rashad Evans to fight at UFC 85 and Thiago Silva with a new opponent in Antonio Mendes. Thiago Silva is a very dominant striker who also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is the current Fury Fight Grand Prix champion. Antonio Mendes is making his UFC debut, but not without some previous MMA accomplishments in the Champions Night promotion and KSW7 Konfrontacja Champion out of Poland. In order to win his UFC debut, Antonio Mendes must counter the jiu-jitsu skills of Thiago Silva and counter his striking abilities.
My Prediction: Thiago Silva
UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
“Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (16-5-1) vs. Lyoto Machida (12-0-0)
This could be the end of one of the most unpredictable eras in UFC history as Tito Ortiz competes in the UFC for the final time. Tito Ortiz last fought nearly one year ago at UFC 73, competing to a draw against The Ultimate Fighter season two champion Rashad Evans. Tito Ortiz is one of the best ground and pound fighters in MMA with the ability to finish any fighter on the ground in any position. Training with such top MMA fighters in Team Punishment will put Tito Ortiz in top form heading into UFC 84. Lyoto Machida is a truly unorthodox striker who has used those strange skills to put himself in the top of the UFC Light Heavyweight Division. Despite never holding any MMA titles so far, Lyoto Machida has won the Brazilian Karate Championship and placed second in the South American Karate Championship. It an odd way, with UFC President Dana White completely burying Tito Ortiz leading up to this fight, its more like Tito Ortiz versus Lyoto Machida and the UFC.
My Prediction: Lyoto Machida
UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Wilson Gouveia (10-4-0) vs. Goran Reljic (7-0-0)
After losing his UFC debut to Keith Jardine, Wilson Gouveia has pulled out a four fight win streak, last defeating Jason Lambert at UFC 80. In all four of Wilson Gouveia’s UFC victories, none have gone past thirty nine seconds of the second round. Wilson Gouveia is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but he does have the ability to finish the fight while standing up or on the ground. Goran Reljic is entering the UFC for the first time and timing could be bad for him, as he is facing a fighter on a hot streak. While this is his UFC debut, Goran Reljic is a 2007 Gracie International winner, Bristol Open winner, Southern Open winner and Finland ADCC 2005 winner. Goran Reljic is a student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and must match the ground game of Wilson Gouveia to gain victory.
My Prediction: Wilson Gouveia
UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
“The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1) vs. “The Dean Of Mean” Keith Jardine (13-4-1)
After a seven year absence from UFC competition, Wanderlei Silva returned to the octagon and lost a long awaited grudge match to Chuck Liddell at UFC 79. Prior to his UFC return, Wanderlei Silva was one of the most dominant fighters in the PRIDE organization, even holding the PRIDE Middleweight Title. This fight could be the most important in Wanderlei Silva’s UFC career because a loss to Keith Jardine will put him out of championship contention for the first time in years. Keith Jardine is coming to this fight after the biggest win of his career when he defeated Chuck Liddell at UFC 76. Keith Jardine has won five of his seven UFC fights and could be one victory away from earning a UFC Light Heavyweight Title fight against the Quinton Jackson/Forrest Griffin winner in July. The Greg Jackson trained fighter may want to think about taking the fight to the ground instead of exchanging blows with Wanderlei Silva.
My Prediction: Keith Jardine
UFC Lightweight Title Fight
“The Prodigy” BJ Penn *Champion* (13-4-1) vs. “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (35-2-1)
The rejuvenated BJ Penn stated at UFC 80 that he trains and lives like a champion and at UFC 80, BJ Penn became the UFC Lightweight Champion by defeating Joe Stevenson. BJ Penn is the single most decorated jiu-jitsu athlete in American and is the first non-Brazilian athlete to win jiu-jitsu championships at a black belt level. BJ Penn has an always constant advantage over fighters by having the most flexible body anybody has ever seen in MMA, this is a man who can put his legs behind his head without even using his hands for help. BJ Penn is a fighter who can knock a fighter out while standing up or make him tap out while fighting on the ground. Sean Sherk achieved his life long dream of being a UFC champion when he defeated Kenny Florian at UFC 64 to become the UFC Lightweight Champion. The dream quickly turned into a nightmare when Sean Sherk failed a drug test after UFC 73 and was stripped of his coveted UFC Lightweight Title. After serving his suspension, Sean Sherk was instantly granted a fight with the current UFC Lightweight Champion in BJ Penn. Sean Sherk is a wrestler who uses the ground and pound technique to pull out victories and his elbow strikes are something to fear.
My Prediction: BJ Penn
