WKR Staff Picks UFC 107

Lightweight Champion B.J. Penn (14-5-1) vs. Diego Sanchez (21-2)

Zach Krantz: I like Diego Sanchez.  He comes to fight every night, does not gas out, and is a very well rounded fighter.  However, the truth is that B.J. is better than Diego in every aspect of the game except cardio.  Penn via TKO Round 3.

Nick Becker: Let's be real here. There is nothing Sanchez has to offer that Penn hasn't seen before. Penn is superior in every facet of the game and should absolutely dominate this from start to finish. Sanchez is tough and has never been stopped before - but there's a first time for everything. Penn via TKO Round 3.

E. Spencer Kyte: Instead of going into great detail, I'll keep this simple: Until further notice, any time a fight consists of "Fighter X versus BJ Penn at 155," feel free to assume that I'm picking BJ Penn. He'll need to go the distance in this one though. Penn via anything he wants.

Zak Woods: B.J. Penn has better wrestling, jiu-jitsu, boxing and cardio, yes, even cardio (I believe in Marv Marinovich that much). Penn via anything he wants.

Frank Mir (12-4) vs. Cheick Kongo (14-5-1)

Nick Becker: Sooner rather than later, I fully expect Mir to get rocked by a few shots although his submission acumen will come to the rescue. The end will come for Kongo as he'll get overanxious once he knocks Mir to the canvas. Kongo will instinctively pounce on Mir in an attempt to finish him and in the process get caught in a fight-ending armbar. Mir via Submission (of the Night) Round 1.

E. Spencer Kyte: I honestly hope Frank Mir decides to stand with Cheick Kongo, because then Kongo could land a couple of those powerful right hands to Mir's constantly-in-motion mouth and teach him a small bit of humility. That said, Mir would probably then come out and make it about him anyway, so what's the use?

In actuality, Mir brings this to the ground ASAP and wins via first round submission... probably a kimura. Mir via submission.

Zach Krantz: Frank Mir talks and talks and talks.  I also think his obsession (assuming he is not marketing himself) with Brock Lesnar is reaching unhealthy levels.  I would love for Kongo to come in and have established some sort of takedown defense, but I'll believe when I see it.  Kongo can strike with anyone, but if Frank gets him down once the fight is probably over.  Mir wins via submission Round 2.

Zak Woods: Frank Mir can't be stupid enough to stand-and-trade with Cheick Kongo, can he? Frank Mir via submission Round 2.

Kenny Florian (11-4) vs. Clay Guida (25-10)

Zach Krantz: Do not get me wrong I love Guida and I want to support the Chicago guy, but I am surprised so many people are going with Clay.  His over aggressiveness will go right into Florian who does the unthinkable and Kenny wins via submission Round 2.

Nick Becker: This fight has instant classic written all over it. We know that Guida's never been a boring fight and neither has Florian, so hopefully they don't start now. As has been mentioned ad nauseum, Guida is near impossible to finish - that doesn't mean Florian won't spend 15 minutes trying anyway. Florian via Unanimous Decision in the Fight of the Night.

E. Spencer Kyte: Clay Guida is overrated. There. I said it.

He's high-energy, highly entertaining and covered in hair. None of those things contribute to his wins and losses though, and so far in his UFC career, every fight he's had against an upper echelon opponent has resulted in the upper echelon opponent earning the win.

Having twice fought for the UFC Lightweight title, albeit in a losing effort both times, and having a 7-2 record in the lightweight division qualifies Kenny Florian as an upper echelon fighter.

KenFlo via submission (RNC) Round 3.

Zak Woods: Yes, Clay Guida is overrated but I love the Greg Jackson kool-aid, it's like crack. Now that Guida is with Team Jackson I am jumping back on the overrated bandwagon. Guida via split decision.

SBN coverage of UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez

Jon Fitch (20-3) vs. Mike Pierce (10-2)

E. Spencer Kyte: Fitch is the best welterweight on the planet not named Georges. Since he's not fighting Georges, his chances of winning are massive. While he most likely grinds out another Fitchian decision, finishing a fight for the first time since stopping Roan Carneiro would be nice.

Part of me actually wants to see this fight last a while, just so I can get an accurate reading on Mike Pierce. He earned big points with me for dismantling Brock Larson, but then Larson got smashed on by Brian Foster and that took away from Pierce's performance a little. Maybe this fight helps show how high a ceiling the Portland State product has.

But you still gotta go with the easiest bet around - Jon Fitch via Unanimous Decision.

Zach Krantz: Lighting does not strike twice.  Brock Larson has shown himself more than Pierce has proven himself.  Fitch via TKO Round 1.

Nick Becker: Unfortunately for Pierce, he won't be able to hold Fitch down for three rounds en route to a grinding (read: boring) decision victory. Normally I'd pick Fitch via decision but I have a feeling he'll be able to get the finish this time around. Fitch by Submission Round 2.

Zak Woods: Let's break this down using a comparison of universities. A Portland State wrestler vs. the captain of Purdue wrestling. I am going to go with the Big Ten guy in this one. Fitch via unanimous decision.

Paul Buentello (27-10) vs. Stefan Struve (18-3)

Nick Becker: While I certainly admire Struve for the amazing strides he's made since getting blown out by Dos Santos in his UFC debut, I have a feeling his run ends here. Buentello has been dying to get back into the UFC and I believe he'll make the most out of his return. Buentello by KO Round 1.  

E. Spencer Kyte: I'm taking the kid with the upside instead of the veteran on the downside of his career.

Buentello could certainly knock Struve silly, but getting kicked out of AKA in the week leading up to this fight couldn't have helped and really, he's never beaten anyone of real use in his career. Neither has Struve, but then again, he's only 21 and has a lot of time to collect names.

Struve via submission, Round 2.

Zach Krantz: Probably the fight I am the least confidence about.  Buentello has not beat quality competition in awhile and I am yet sold on Struve.  I'll take the favorite due to Paul's weak takedown defense which will lead to a Struve submission in Round 2.

Zak Woods: I told Spencer on Cage Cast that I am a horrible jinx for Struve as the last two times I have picked against Stefan he has won. Well no more! Stuve via submission Round 1.

Alan Belcher (14-6) vs. Wilson Gouveia (12-6)

Zach Krantz: My first upset pick of the night.  Despite the hideous tattoo on his arm I have an appreciation for Belcher.  I think his skill set is improving from fight to fight and he took a close split decision loss to the hyped Akiyama.  Gouveia chin is not glass, but it is not iron either and I expect Belcher to take advantage of this.  Belcher via KO Round 3.

Nick Becker: Despite his dismantling at the hands, feet and elbows of Nate Marquardt back in February; Gouveia has shown flashes of brilliance in the Octagon and is crafty enough to catch ‘The Talent' in a submission should the opportunity present itself. That being said, I have to give the nod to Belcher since he'll be the de facto hometown favorite (Johnny Cash - whose countenance is tattooed on Belcher's arm - had a backing band called the Tennessee Three) and has the striking ability necessary to put Gouveia away. Not to worry fight fans, the obligatory ‘fight that should be on the main card but isn't' will end up making the broadcast anyway. Belcher via TKO (of the Night) Round 2. 

Zak Woods: When Alan Belcher loses a fight, like he did against Yoshihiro Akiyama, he usually rebound with a string of victories. Also, judging by the Memphis crowds reaction at the weigh-in Belcher appears to be the home crowd favorite. Belcher may be able to feed off the crowd to power his way to victory. Belcher via TKO Round 2.

E. Spencer Kyte: Gouveia over Belcher

Matt Wiman (10-5) vs. Shane Nelson (12-4)

Nick Becker: This is my pick for sleeper fight of the night. Look for multiple momentum shifts as I think both guys will come out swinging for the fences and then proceed to scramble all over the mat. This is a pretty tough fight to call; but ultimately, Wiman's Octagon experience will give him the edge. Wiman by Split Decision.

Zach Krantz: Wiman is a solid, but not extraordinary fighter.  We are told Nelson is a great jiu-jitsu fighter.  Told if the key word.  Wiman via unanimous decision.

Zak Woods: Matt Wiman is a huge favorite at -365. I am going with Vegas on this one. Wiman via unanimous decision. 

E. Spencer Kyte: Nelson over Wiman.

Johny Hendricks (6-0) vs. Ricardo Funch (7-0)

Zach Krantz: Hendricks uses his wrestling to keep the fight standing and Hendricks wins via KO in Round 1.

Nick Becker: For me, the jury's still out on Hendricks. Although there wasn't a whole lot to be learned from his last fight, he showed me enough to think he'll be able to handle Funch. Hendricks via Unanimous Decision.

Zak Woods: Johny Hendricks upset Amir Sadollah. That's all I need to know. Hendricks via TKO Round 1.

E. Spencer Kyte: Hendricks over Funch.

Rousimar Palhares (9-2) vs. Lucio Linhares (13-4)

Zach Krantz: Both are too skilled in BJJ to submit the other one.  Rousimar grinds out a unanimous decision victory.

Nick Becker: As long as he doesn't catch a nasty case of Octagon jitters, I've got Linhares winning a dominant decision. Linhares by Unanimous Decision.

Zak Woods: Rousimar Palhares via unanimous decision.

E. Spencer Kyte: Linhares over Palhares.

DaMarques Johnson (9-7) vs. Edgar Garcia (7-1)

Nick Becker: I went back and forth on this bout many times before I made my final decision. Johnson showed great potential on TUF 9 but then looked pretty awful against James Wilks in the Finale. I don't really have much confidence in this pick but I think Johnson rights the ship with a win here. I want to be perfectly clear though, I could be wrong. Johnson via Submission Round 1.

Zach Krantz: I am not sure if it is DaMarques's overhyped skill during the show or him obviously trying too hard to get on t.v., but I am not a fan.  Edgar KOs Johnson is the second Round.

Zak Woods:I am not a big believer in the Americans from the ninth season of TUF but against my better judgement I am picking Johnson. DeMarques via unanimous decision.

E. Spencer Kyte: Garcia over Johnson.

Kevin Burns (7-3) vs. T.J. Grant (14-3)

Zach Krantz: A really good fight for the bottom undercard.  Grant via submission Round 2.

Nick Becker: Burns has the superior eye-poking ability. Burns by Split Decision.

Zak Woods: All those eye-pokes will cause karma to come back to bite Burns. Grant via submission.

E. Spencer Kyte: Grant over Burns.