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UFC 107 “Penn vs. Sanchez” Preview & Full Event Coverage By Justin Bolduc
PDG’s Live Streaming UFC Channel (Weigh-Ins, Press Conferences, Interviews)
This weekend the UFC returns hot on the heels of a successful Ultimate Fighter Finale. This weekend's card, which takes place at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, features fan favorite UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn and The Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Sanchez in the main event. In the co-main event former UFC champion Frank Mir faces dangerous striker Cheick Kongo.
The main card is rounded out by a lightweight clash between The Ultimate Fighter finalist Kenny Florian and Clay Guida. Top three welterweight Jon Fitch faces Mike Pierce in Pierces second UFC appearance, and heavyweights Paul Buentello and Stefan Struve have found their way to each other.
The undercard features a wealth of talent as well including Rousimar Palhares, TUF 9 finalist DaMarques Johnson, Matt Wiman, T.J. Grant, and an exciting middleweight bout between Alan Belcher and Wilson Gouveia.
B.J. Penn (14-5-1) vs. Diego Sanchez (21-2) UFC Lightweight Championship B.J. Penn is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the history of the sport. With a strong Brazilian jiu-jitsu background which includes a world championship, a great chin, and excellent boxing, Penn has laid claim to the UFC championship in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions. He has also competed successfully well above his natural weight class and has rightfully deserved his moniker - “The Prodigy”.
Penn made his return to the lightweight division in 2007 when he avenged an earlier loss to former UFC champion Jens Pulver. He then earned the vacant UFC lightweight title by defeating TUF 2 winner Joe Stevenson at UFC 80 and has since successfully defended it twice against former champion Sean Sherk and TUF 1 finalist Kenny Florian. In between the bouts with Florian and Sherk, Penn rematched UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, losing a controversial fight by TKO.
At lightweight Penn has generally looked fantastic, losing only to Pulver and drawing once with Caol Uno. His other losses have come when he has moved up in weight, with two against St. Pierre, one against UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, and one against former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes. He has had success moving up in weight however, and has defeated Renzo Gracie, Rodrigo Gracie, and Hughes.
Intangibles:
UFC Record: 10-3-1 Strengths: Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, great boxing, granite chin Weaknesses: Tends to train lazily Key Wins: Matt Hughes, Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian, Joe Stevenson, Caol Uno, Renzo Gracie, Duane Ludwig, Rodrigo Gracie, Takanori Gomi, Matt Serra, Din Thomas, Jens Pulver Notable Losses: Georges St. Pierre (2), Matt Hughes, Lyoto Machida, Jens Pulver
Diego Sanchez first appeared in the mainstream with his appearance, and subsequent victories, on season one of The Ultimate Fighter. Competing as a middleweight, Sanchez won the reality show, including defeated Kenny Florian in the finals. Like Penn, Sanchez possesses a strong grappling background. Recently he has really pulled his striking together, and combined with his speed, agility, and never-ending cardio has become a true “Nightmare” for his opponents at 155 pounds.
After winning the Spike TV-based reality show Sanchez made his mark in the welterweight division. He picked up big wins over opponents such as Nick Diaz, John Alessio, and Karo Parisyan to earn his place in the top ten ranks. Sanchez ran into a roadblock with back to back losses to Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck, but picked up two more wins before making the move to the lightweight division.
At lightweight Sanchez has defeated TUF 2 winner Joe Stevenson and most recently Clay Guida – each in exciting performances that could be considered amongst some of the best bouts of 2009. Sanchez is catching a title shot quicker than some of his fellow lightweights, such as Gray Maynard and Frank Edgar, but with his notability and welterweight performances it is hard to argue otherwise.
Intangibles:
UFC Record: 10-2 Strengths: Aggressive, improved striking, great ground game Weaknesses: Struggles when he's not the one doing the bullying Key Wins: Clay Guida, Kenny Florian, Jorge Santiago, Joe Stevenson, Nick Diaz, John Alessio, Joe Riggs, Karo Parisyan, Ray Elbe, Brian Gassaway, Luigi Fioravanti, David Bielkheden Notable Losses: Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck
PDG’s UFC 107 Guest Panel for ‘Penn vs. Sanchez’
Pat Miletich – “B.J. by TKO 3rd round. Diego has found success is his new found stand up skills but they don't compare to B.J.'s instincts standing up. Diego is obviously very good on the ground, but again falls short in comparison to B.J.”
L. Jon Wertheim (Sports Illustrated) – “As much as we all like upsets and plot twists, I just can't see how Sanchez wins this. Does he do anything better than Penn? Sanchez gives himself chance on aggression alone and you have to applaud him for this. But - especially at this weight - I think Penn rolls. Submission, maybe in the fourth round?”
Reed Wallace (White Chocolate Mgmt – Sanchez’s former manager) – “I used to manage Diego and was a part of his life and growth as a fighter for many years. I personally am very proud of his accomplishments and think he will be the next champion of the UFC.
I've watched him grow from his early days of simple wrestling & ground and pound to an accomplished BJJ practitioner and stand up fighter. His skills have improved dramatically as he's matured and he's had the opportunity to travel and train with some of the top martial arts trainers and fighters on the globe. This should be a great fight! Diego is a champion in and out of the cage and I wish him much happiness and success in life.”
Mark Munoz – “I believe B.J. has the advantage on his feet and on the ground but if Diego can last to the later rounds and have a high intensity fight throughout he'll have a chance to win. It'll be a great fight!”
C.B. Dollaway – “I see B.J. dominating this one and he is the champ at 155 lbs. for a reason but it all depends on if he shows up in shape because I know Diego will be coming in shape and looking to take it to the later rounds.”
Shayna Baszler – “I think B.J. Penn wins. Diego is aggressive but I think B.J. isn't someone that will be overwhelmed by that. B.J.'s technique is 2nd to none and I think he wins it by Diego making a mistake 1st.”
Scott Casber (Takedown Wrestling Radio) – “I have never really been a fan of B.J. I respect him as a fighter but have to say that Diego is hungry and full of Stevia. I know that probably surprises some of you that I would pick a guy who cannot keep a cell phone longer than a couple days but that's Diego. Diego is a year older and very talented he needs to stay away from the ground to win this fight.”
Elvis Sinosic – “For once I'm going to keep this short. Diego's strength is his BJJ. He has improved stand up and aggressive takedowns. B.J.'s strength is his BJJ. B.J. has strong takedowns and defense. B.J. has very effective boxing. B.J.'s biggest weakness (in his WW fights) has been his cardio. B.J. has shown improved cardio at LW. Diego is known for having good cardio. I think B.J. has what it takes to beat Diego though Diego will prove a tough opponent. Diego's best chance is if he can draw the fight out to the Championship rounds. Saying that B.J. will win this match and I'm also expecting a fairly exciting match as well.”
Jon Fitch (20-3, 1 NC) vs. Mike Pierce (10-2) Jon Fitch slowly worked his way into the top tier of the welterweight division by grinding out tough opponents on the undercard. He found himself in positions where strong wins didn't mean much and potential losses would be devastating. His big break came though when he beat TUF winner Diego Sanchez by split decision at UFC 76, opening the doors for his career.
Training at AKA alongside the likes of Paul Buentello, Josh Thomson, Josh Koscheck, and Mike Swick, amongst others, Fitch has added strong submissions, brutal ground and pound, and good kickboxing to his wrestling background. In eleven UFC bouts he has only lost once, to champion Georges St. Pierre, and has won consistently otherwise since 2003. In his only other losses he fell to Mike Pyle in his professional debut and later to Wilson Gouveia.
In his two most recent outings and only bouts of 2009, Fitch has edged out one-sided decisions against PRIDE veteran Akihiro Gono and Paulo Thiago. In twenty professional victories, Fitch has won ten times by decision. Four wins have come by way of TKO and five by submission. Despite the tendency to fight to a decision, Fitch usually manhandles his opponents and comes out way ahead.
Intangibles:
UFC Record: 10-1 Strengths: Great wrestling, improved striking, physically strong Weaknesses: Struggles off back, inability to finish fights Key Wins: Diego Sanchez, Akihiro Gono, Paulo Thiago, Shonie Carter, Kyle Jensen, Thiago Alves, Josh Burkman, Chris Wilson, Roan Carneiro, Luigi Fioravanti, Kuniyoshi Hironaka, Jeff Joslin, Brock Larson Notable Losses: Georges St. Pierre, Mike Pyle, Wilson Gouveia Mike Pierce is a relative unknown to many fans, but recently made a big splash in his UFC debut with a decision win over Brock Larson at UFC Fight Night 19 in September. Training alongside fellow UFC fight Rick Story, Pierce has won ten professional bouts and finished six by TKO. Prior to his mixed martial arts career, Pierce wrestled collegiately at Portland State University.
Pierce entered the UFC with a five-fight win streak, including wins over TUF veterans Mark Miller and Paul Bradley, as well as a win in the WEC against Justin Haskins. His only career losses have come against Nathan Coy and WEC veteran Mark Munoz. Three of his six TKO wins have come due to doctor's stoppages.
In his relatively short professional mixed martial arts career, beginning in 2007, Pierce has liked to keep a busy schedule. Saturday will mark his fourth fight in 2009. In 2008 he competed four times, and in his first year he fought five times.
Intangibles:
UFC Record: 1-0 Strengths: Wrestling background, relatively unknown and underrated, good conditioning Weaknesses: Comparatively inexperienced Key Wins: Brock Larson, Paul Bradley, Mark Miller Notable Losses: Nathan Coy, Mark Munoz Kenny Florian (11-4) vs. Clay Guida (25-10) Kenny Florian first appeared on season one of The Ultimate Fighter as a middleweight. He lost in the finals against Diego Sanchez, but was able to gain some traction. Once the UFC brought back its lightweight division, Florian jumped right into the mix and has been one of the most improved fighters in recent years.
Despite a loss to Sean Sherk for the vacant lightweight championship, Florian performed very well. He followed the loss with a path of destruction which saw him win six fights in a row, finishing five opponents by TKO or submission. He submitted submission fighters such as Dokonjonosuke Mishima, Joe Stevenson, and Alvin Robinson and pummeled game opponents in Din Thomas, Roger Huerta, and Joe Lauzon. In his most recent appearance and his second stab at the UFC title he lost to current champion B.J. Penn in a one-sided, fourth round submission.
Florian holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has refined his striking in both Thailand and under the tutelage of Mark DellaGrotte. The Massachusetts native improves leaps and bounds every time he steps into the ring, and is expected to showcase a brand new “KenFlo” this weekend against “The Carpenter”.
Intangibles:
UFC Record: 9-3 Strengths: Black belt in BJJ, finishes fights Weaknesses: Can rely to much on the aforementioned strength Key Wins: Joe Stevenson, Roger Huerta, Joe Lauzon, Din Thomas, Alvin Robinson, Dokonjonosuke Mishima Notable Losses: B.J. Penn, Sean Sherk, Diego Sanchez
Clay Guida found success in Strikeforce prior to joining the ranks of the UFC. Despite a rocky start to his UFC career, including back-to-back losses against Din Thomas and Tyson Griffin, Guida has found a place as one of the promotions most exciting and talented lightweights. Guida works hard, never backs down, and seems to have and endless gas tank.
Guida won his UFC against Justin James by rear naked choke at UFC 64 in 2006. He then ran into his back-to-back losses against Thomas and Griffin before rebounding against PRIDE veteran Marcus Aurelio at UFC 74. Guida then put on a great performance against Roger Huerta in an exciting bout at The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale, but was caught with a big knee and strikes in the third round and ultimately submitted. Guida was able to pick up three big wins over Samy Schiavo and TUF winners Mac Danzig and Nate Diaz, but lost his most recent bout against Diego Sanchez by split decision at The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale.
Guida has a wealth of experience and has faced some of the best in the world including PRIDE and Strikeforce veteran Gilbert Melendez, Strikeforce veteran Josh Thomson, IFL veteran Bart Palaszewski, and Joe Jordan. In twenty-five professional victories he has finished twelve opponents by submission and four by TKO.
Intangibles:
UFC Record: 5-4 Strengths: Great wrestling, never-ending cardio, tenacious Weaknesses: Needs to tighten up his striking, struggles from the bottom Key Wins: Mac Danzig, Nate Diaz, Marcus Aurelio, Josh Thomson, Joe Jordan, Bart Palaszewski, Jay Estrada, Chris Mickle Notable Losses: Diego Sanchez, Tyson Griffin, Din Thomas, Gilbert Melendez, Yusuke Endo, Tristan Yunker, Gabe Lemley, Adam Copenhaver
UFC 107 Fight Card Main Card B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez (UFC Lightweight Championship) Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida Paul Buentello vs. Stefan Struve Preliminary Card Alan Belcher vs. Wilson Gouveia Matt Wiman vs. Shane Nelson Johny Hendricks vs. Ricardo Funch Rousimar Palhares vs. Lucio Linhares DaMarques Johnson vs. Edgar Garcia T.J. Grant vs. Kevin Burns
Additional Thoughts *Frank Mir versus Cheick Kongo is a pivotal bout for each heavyweight. Both fighters are looking for a crack at the title and a win here is big. This is also one of the exciting grappler vs. striker match-ups. Look for Mir to search for takedowns and submissions while Kongo wants to land heavy strikes and finish with a KO.
*Alan Belcher and Wilson Gouveia have all the makings of fight of the night. Both fighters can grapple and both can strike. Although Gouveia has the advantage on the mat, look for both fighters to throw heavy hands and an exciting scrap and finish is definitely possible.
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