UFC 101: Penn vs. Florian

[Snail Shell]

Okay. 29/38 so far this year. My picks for tomorrow night are:

Pellegrino d. Neer by Submission
Almeida d. Grove by Submission
Sadollah d. Hendricks by Decision

Breakdowns:

Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin

I've said this before and I'll say it again; Forrest Griffin is an average fighter with above average stamina and a large frame for 205. That's all.

That being said, what's all this crap I hear about Silva going back into his shell? The Patrick Cote fight, he was against the toughest striker he'd faced to date. The Leites fight, he didn't get the highlight win because every time he went in for the kill, Leites laid on his back and played BJJ like a bitch. Silva still has all the killer in him to destroy just about anyone.

That said, Griffin has never faced a more dynamic striker and he's been KO'd by guys who aren't as good. Size and durability aside, one clean shot will put Griffin down, and with Silva, one is all it takes. Silva by KO/TKO.

BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian

This might be the closest title fight we get all year. Both terrific strikers. Possibly the two best BJJ games at 155. Because of his reach and his tendency to be elusive (run away), I'd give the stand up game to Florian. The ground game has to go to Penn.

This could easily be Fight of the Year. I'm not a huge fan of either fighter, but if I had to put down a wager, always go with the champ. Penn by Decision.



See you Saturday!

Snail Shell

 

[ShiningIce]

Silva is simply the best, but Griffin is a never die kind of guy should be interesting

Florian and Penn will def be close I give the stand up and ground to Penn though. Florian has never fought a fighter of Penn's caliber. BJ has really been working on his conditioning for this fight and an in shape BJ Penn is a very very very dangerous thing.

 

[Rook's Media]

Can't wait for the fights tonight!!!

I agree with your predictions regarding the victors Snail....but here's the thing about Forrest.

Against Tito...against Shogun Rua...no one gave him a chance.

Forrest put on one hell of a show against Tito...absolutely destroyed Rua (on paper, the best 205 lb'er at the time)...

Forrest seems to do the best against fighters that, on paper, absolutely dominate. Wouldn't be surprised if Forrest takes Silva into the late 2nd, or possibly even the early 3rd round.

Silva will, no doubt in my mind, pull out the win.

I think Penn will definitely beat Florian...I'm thinking late 2nd round...submission. Should be an amazing fight though!!

Cheers man, and enjoy the fights!



Ryan @ Rook's Media

 

[CurtWild]

The Patrick Cote fight, he was against the toughest striker he'd faced to date.

Cote is no where near the level of Rich Franklin or Dan Henderson


I like Forrest but i think he goes to sleep

 

[drnkntklr]

I can't pick between Penn and Florian. Florian always brings his top game, but Penn is so talented although he can underestimate his competition.

 

[Snail Shell]

Cote is no where near the level of Rich Franklin or Dan Henderson

Troof, but Cote has the best chin out of the three of them, and managed to keep it standing up. He's not a better fighter than Franklin or Henderson, but he has the best ability to absorb damage.

Three hours, can't wait!

Snail Shell

 

[Snail Shell]

Congrats to Almeida and Pellegrino.

Very noice work by Hendricks. Look forward to seeing more of him.

Mad props to BJ Penn for stopping Florian. Penn/Sanchez is going to be crazy.

And....oh yeah....

FORREST GRIFFIN GOT KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT!!! WELCOME BACK ANDERSON SILVA!!!

Snail Shell

 

[Rook's Media]

Congrats to Almeida and Pellegrino.

Very noice work by Hendricks. Look forward to seeing more of him.

Mad props to BJ Penn for stopping Florian. Penn/Sanchez is going to be crazy.

And....oh yeah....

FORREST GRIFFIN GOT KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT!!! WELCOME BACK ANDERSON SILVA!!!

Snail Shell

There's just simply no one that can stop Silva.

If Silva can get through Rampage or Rashad...MACHIDA/SILVA will happen!!

Looking forward to that....

He's already devoured the Middleweight division...and on his way through the Light Heavy!

 

[Snail Shell]

There's just simply no one that can stop Silva.

If Silva can get through Rampage or Rashad...MACHIDA/SILVA will happen!!

Looking forward to that....

He's already devoured the Middleweight division...and on his way through the Light Heavy!

Sadly, it won't. Silva has already said that he won't fight Machida and Machida has said the same. Silva will still get Middleweight shots against Maia, Marquardt, Henderson and maybe Bisping, but yeah, he's pretty kick-ass.

That being said, GSP is on injury suspension until Jan. 8 from a pulled groin against Alves. Afterwards, he gets the winner of next month's Kampmann/Swick fight. Which means next spring/summer, we may get to see Silva/St. Pierre, which will be incredible. 😀

Snail Shell

 

[Rook's Media]

Sadly, it won't. Silva has already said that he won't fight Machida and Machida has said the same. Silva will still get Middleweight shots against Maia, Marquardt, Henderson and maybe Bisping, but yeah, he's pretty kick-ass.

That being said, GSP is on injury suspension until Jan. 8 from a pulled groin against Alves. Afterwards, he gets the winner of next month's Kampmann/Swick fight. Which means next spring/summer, we may get to see Silva/St. Pierre, which will be incredible. 😀

Snail Shell

Is St. Pierre moving up to Middleweight to fight Silva? Or, maybe it'll be a catch weight...

Silva/Maia has two possibilities: A tremendously exciting fight...or...and absolute bore fest (similar to Silva/Leites).

Maia is one bad dude though...stellar ground game.
Problem is...can he get in close enough for the take down?

While Hendo is a bad ass as well...he can't touch Silva, and that's already been proven. And as much as I respect Bisping's skills, I just don't think he has what it takes...yet. I definitely think that Hendo has a much better chance than Marquardt though.

That's a shame that Machida/Silva won't happen...maybe we'll get lucky, and some intense rivarly will develop within the next year or so! Doubt it...but it would definitely be awesome if those two collided.



Ryan @ Rook's Media

 

[Liu Kang]

Mad props to BJ Penn for stopping Florian. Penn/Sanchez is going to be crazy.

Snail Shell

If Maynard manages to beat Huerta, he would deserves that title shot more, although Sanchez would be more marketable.

 

[Snail Shell]

It's already determined that Sanchez got the winner of Penn/Florian. You're right though. Maynard against either guy would be a terrific matchup.

Incidently, while Machida has no interest in fighting Anderson Silva, he HAS expressed interest in testing his self-proclaimed unbeatable style against Brock Lesnar.

Snail Shell

 

[Rook's Media]

Wow....Machida/Lesnar!

Very interesting!

Ya know, call me crazy...but nothing bores me more than the heavyweight division. I'm a big Light Heavy fan though.

Machida would definitely add a lot, at least in my opinion.

If Fedor (and management) wouldn't have asked for 1/2 ownership of the UFC, Fedor could've definitely added some much needed quickness to that division. Sadly, this we'll probably never see.



Ryan @ Rook's Media