UFC 94: Georges St-Pierre vs BJ Penn 2

Main Card
Welterweight Champion Georges "Rush" St-Pierre vs. Lightweight Champion BJ Penn (Rematch) BJ damaged and kept their 1st fight close, but faded as he tends to do, and got out pointed. Now GSP has 5 rounds to work on the infamous gasser, with superior game in all areas (except for 1 punch power). I'm not calling this a run away fight for St-Pierre, but he is a much better fighter than in the initial meeting, and has added mental toughness against a man who talked waaay to much shit to make you believe his confidence. BJ has only motivated GSP who I believe will take the fight wherever it goes (standing or the floor).

WINNER-GSP Rd.4 TKO
Light Heavyweight bout: Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida 13-0 vs. Thiago Silva 13-0 That battle of the undefeated Brazilians will most likely birth the new #1 Light Heavyweight contender. Remember the old Pride FC days when Chute Boxe guys would swagger into the ring intimidating their opponents with glaredowns and a record of straight bludgeoning cats? Thiago brings it all back. The dude finishes fights (only 1 has gone the distance) while Machida has only stopped 5 men. This is important to me because everyone is taking Lyoto because of his pick you apart style, and clean accuracy in everything he does. However, Thiago will push you and push you more with one punch KO power and endless aggression. Lyoto has faced better competition by far, but I don't buy into him being a threat to finish anyone while the new Chute Boxe Silva looks to kill you without being reckless. If Lyoto wants to win this on points like he normally does, he'll have to survive a 3 round juggernaut who will not stop. I don't like those odds and have yet to buy into all the hype surrounding the karate fighter.

UPSET PICK WINNER-Thiago Silva by Rd.2 throttling
Light Heavyweight bout: Stephan Bonnar vs. Jon Jones "The American Psycho" did not fight in 2008 thanks to a bevvy of injuries and returns in great shape with his solid ground/submission game. Jon is undefeated at 7-0 which isn't a lot of fights and doesn't possess the ground game, though he may surprise Bonnar on the feet. Stephen has a good tested chin and will eventually impose his will and then we cut to the humorous promo.

WINNER-Stephen Bonnar by Rd.3 submission
Welterweight bout: Karo Parisyan vs. Dong Hyun Kim "The Heat" returns from his TKO loss to Thiago Alves in a little better shape, but much more humble, and fighting legitimate "anxiety disorder." The "Stun Gun" brings the exciting judo as well posing problems for Karo. The Donger has slick submissions but the striking for both men is adequate at best. Believe it or not, Karo has the better cardio and power to bedaze the gunner.

WINNER-Karo by close decision
Lightweight bout: Nate Diaz vs. Clay Guida Oooh, this is gonna be a barn burner. Nice to hear the fans just shower the constantly bouncing "Carpenter" with cheers at the weigh-ins while surprising Nate with boo's. Nate has sooo much reach and height here to keep Clay at bay with striking. If Guida gets it to the floor where he likes to work, Diaz long limbs twist and turn in a constant myriad of submissions. I love Guida and his beautiful flowing locks of hair, but there are glaringly obvious ways a plenty for him to lose though as always, he'll make it a great fight giving his full 100% at all times (including just heading to the ring).

WINNER-Nate Diaz by submission

Prelims
Welterweight bout: Jon Fitch vs. Akihiro Gono Everyone is teeming about Fitch going from "main event" to undercard, but he's playing it cool borrowing Gono's weigh-in afro and sporting it for the staredown to the delight of Akihiro and the fans. Zebra panties is very tough and has better striking, but Fitch is going to take him down, break him up, and stomp his will into submission, letting the world know he is still one of the best in the Welterweight division.

WINNER-Jon Fitch by Rd.2 TKO
Lightweight bout: Thiago Tavares vs. Manvel Gamburyan Provided "The Anvil" doesn't run headfirst into an oncoming truck like he did when he dashed into the fist of Rob Emerson for a 12 second loss, we could see a pretty good war here. Tavares keeps everyone scratching their heads with his recent back to back losses, but he brings great stand up and sick Jiu-Jitsu along with some Tony Danza hair this time. The takedowns and little engine that could style belong to Gamby, but a big reach advantage and supposedly better game expertise should help the war tested Brazilian find his way back into the win column. Close fight, hard to call.

WINNER-Tavares by decision but if he fails continuing to mirror his older twin Vitor Belfort in bewildering "you're better than that" letdowns, I'm out.
Welterweight bout: John Howard vs. Chris Wilson "The Professor" shocked everyone when he took Jon Fitch to the brink in his debut only to fall in a spirited loss. A decision win over Steve Bruno gets Wilson even in the UFC but with his great game planning and outrageous reach advantage in this fight, expect Chris to sprawl and brawl his way to picking apart Johnny on the feet.

WINNER-Chris Wilson via Rd.3 TKO
Light Heavyweight bout: Jake O'Brien vs. Christian Wellisch Both former Heavyweights make the move down to 205 where they are much better suited to compete. Jake is the amateur style wrestling machine that has been stopped in his last 2 fights by superior strikers (Arlovski, Velasquez). Christian is a less gifted wrestler but better striker (thank you AKA) who has been felled by the behemoths (Kongo, Carwin). The Irishman is going to his bread and butter taking the Hungarian down and doing the G&P thing for 3 rounds using his aesthetically pleasing "lay & pray" technique.

WINNER-O'Brien by decision
Welterweight bout: Matt Arroyo vs. Dan Cramer The debut of Cramer is ill-timed as his inexperience will show against a somewhat gifted submission fighter. Too many skills against a green rookie under the big lights.

WINNER-"No Regard" by Rd.2 submission