Champ B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian for the UFC lightweight title

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

 

Zach Krantz: Oh how I want to say Forrest. I think he is the smart bet as his odds are excellent, but Silva has an advantage in every aspect.  Silva uses his precision striking to pepper Forrest for three rounds taking a unanimous decision, but it will be exciting. 

E. Spencer Kyte: Silva via TKO in Round 2.

Nick Becker: Griffin usually steps his game up to the level of competition he faces.  Problem is, Silva really steps up (or down) his game according to the level of competition he faces.  The end comes early for Forrest as Silva catches one of his kicks and drills him with a straight right before finishing him on the ground.  Silva by KO in Round 1.

Zak Woods: I don't believe Silva's past two performances were indicative of what we will see in this fight. I believe Anderson will get back into old form and win this bout through highlight reel fashion. Griffin will have some early success in the beginning but then he will stay in the pocket too long and eat some monster punches. Silva via TKO in Round 2 and the world will make sense again.

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Johny Hendricks vs. Amir Sadollah

Zak Woods: I have no faith in Sadollah. The last TUF product that was as green as Amir was Corey Hill and he has had a rockey raod while actually fighting. Amir has been chronically injured and is fighting a game Hendricks. While Johny will be smaller than Amir, who is dropping down to 170lbs. for the first time, look for Hendricks to use his wrestling and striking to great effect and pull off the upset. Johny Hendricks via split decision.

Nick Becker: It should come as no surprise that well-documented wrestler and first-time Octagon enterer, Hendricks, will be looking to take this fight to the ground ASAP.  Despite the long layoff, Amir's submission skills should clinch the victory for him.  Sadollah by Triangle midway through Round 2. 

E. Spencer Kyte: Amir Sadollah via unanimous decision.

Zach Krantz: The most interesting fight on the card.  Not the most exciting or the one I want to see the most, but very interesting.  I am yet sold on Amir and Hendricks is still raw.  History favors Sadollah a little as his submission game was what helped him defeat the wrestler in Dollaway.  Hendricks is a former D-I wrestler with a similar pedigree as Dollaway.  However, it appears that C.B.'s lack of submission defense was more the case than Amir's submission offense.  A win for either fighter is huge as it shows hope for Amir or Hendricks can avoid the achillies heal, the submission expert.  I think the factor floating below the radar is Amir's Muay Thai and that will be the difference as Amir wins via TKO in Round 2.

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Ricardo Almeida vs. Kendall Grove

Nick Becker: As much as I'd like to see Almeida catch Kendall Grove in a sick submission -- it ain't gonna happen.  Both guys fight not to lose en route to a lackluster decision that tests the Philly crowd's patience and cursing ability.  Grove by split decision.

E. Spencer Kyte: Kendall Grove via split decision.

Zach Krantz: A striker vs grappler fight where the advantage goes to who can execute their game plan.  Grove's reach will help keep Almeida at bay, but he lacks power and Almeida has solid chin.  Almeida will push through the strikes, wrestle Grove to the ground, and surprisingly not submit him.  Grove's jiu-jitsu is good and will prevent the submission, but Almeida still wins via unanimous decision.

Zak Woods: Two inconsistent fighters but it appears that grove has turned a corner of late. Grove via unanimous decision.

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Josh Neer vs. Kurt Pellegrino

Zach Krantz: Knockout artist Kurt Pellegrino faces off against designated driver Josh Neer, hilarious.  Neer is the favorite and I guess it is because of the Nate Diaz fights.  I hate comparing fighters based on how they fared against a common opponent.  Neer lost split decision and Pellegrino got choked out with Diaz doing the double birdie salute.  Small upset here as Pellegrino is able to get the fight to the ground and submit Neer.  Another submission, apparently I think there is going to be submission records at UFC 101, as Pellegrino submits Neer toward the end of Round 1. 

Nick Becker: Both guys are coming off thrilling victories in their last Octagon performance and this one has Fight-of-the-Night written all over it.  Joe Silva deserves props for setting up a very even match-up in what should be a three-round war.  Tough one to call but I'll go with Neer by unanimous Decision.

Zak Woods: Neer will look to stand and bang but Kurt will take the fight to the ground and use his wrestling to keep Neer frustrated. If Pellegrino avoids the last second middle-figner triangle choke he will pull off the vcitory. Kurt Pellegrino via unanimous decision.

E. Spencer Kyte: Josh Neer via unanimous decision.

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

Tell us your picks!

Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley

Zach Krantz: Aaron Riley is coming out crazy.  The stoppage was obviously too quick and Riley wants to correct that mistake.  Ignoring the first fight and a doctor stoppage (Riley did not quit) Riley has only been stopped via punches twice in 38 fights.  Add this to the fact that these two fighters love decisions for some reason I fully expect this to go that way.  Riley is the stronger and better fighter therefore I'll go with Riley via split decision, but who really cares.

Zak Woods: Allow me to take the opposite view of the Zach's. I think both will come out tenative as the last bout ended so abruptly. But I agree that Riley will win this time. Riley via unanimous decision.

Nick Becker: Count on this rematch lasting longer than their controversial first match-up.  Riley has a ton of experience and always fights his heart out but I'm picking Nelson to extend his win streak to nine bouts.  Nelson by unanimous Decision.

E. Spencer Kyte: Riley TKO in Round 1.

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John Howard vs. Tamdan McCrory

E. Spencer Kyte: McCroy via unanimous decision.

Nick Becker: Tamdan looked good in his last fight against Ryan Madigan at UFC 96 but has shown a vulnerability to submissions in the past.  Not a good weakness to have when facing "Doomsday" who has very underrated jiu-jitsu skills.  In my upset pick of the night, I have Howard by submission in Round 2.

Zach Krantz: Howard started his career off submitting his opponents making a name for himself.  However, in his last 4 fights he has two KO wins and two decision wins.  A decision win over Chris Wilson is not enough for me to see an upset.  McCrory two losses in the UFC are to a very promising Dustin Hazelett and Gono (before he was getting his head knocked off, this is scary).  He is actually a decent prospect and will work over Howard through round one before submitting him in Round 2-McCrory win.

Zak Woods: McCroy via unanimous decision.

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Thales Leites vs. Alessio Sakara

Nick Becker: I was tempted to be a smart-ass and say Thales by Butt-Scoot but since WKR may fire me for doing so I'll just go with the automatic pick.  Leites via submission Round 1.

Zak Woods: Personally I would love to see the story-lines that would come out if Sakara pulled the upset here and I think his chances are good. But my brain tells me Leites will be safe and cautious, working his way to a late victory. Leites via submission Round 3.

E. Spencer Kyte: Thales Leites vis submission Round 2.

Zach Krantz: From headliner title fight to middle of the road undercard, rough.  Luckily they are letting him fight Sakara.  Sakara is fun fighter to watch and ex boxer, but he possesses almost (almost is generous) ground game.  Leites will take the knockout artist down and submit him quickly.  Leites via submission Round 1. 

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Dan Cramer vs. Matthew Riddle

Zach Krantz: I like both of these fighters very much.  Not based on skill, but they both have likable personalities and consider me a sucker.  Riddle is going to take the fight and continues his fortune because his lack of hype.  Riddle is nice guy, but did not train in a gym until after TUF.  Without the hype of a prospect he continues to fight on the bottom end of the cards where he can rack up experience and victories.  Riddle via unanimous decision. 

E. Spencer Kyte: Riddle via unanimous decision.

Nick Becker: Will Cramer be able to solve the Riddle? (Oh yeah, I went there)  Chances are, he will.  Here's hoping for a Double KO - but in all likelihood, I've got Cramer by Unanimous Decision. 

Zak Woods: Riddle via unanimous decision.

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George Roop vs. George Sotiropouslos

E. Spencer Kyte: Sotiropouslos via unanimous decision.

Nick Becker: Thomas Gerbasi writes that Sotiropoulos has "mental toughness" and brings a "no nonsense approach to the game." Works for me. Sotiropoulos by submission Round 1.

Zach Krantz: Sotiropoulos is an Australian fighter with a Greek background, awesome.  Also, I want to hear Buffer say Sotiropoulos multiple times and George Roop is not very good.  Sotiropoulos via submission Round 1.

Zak Woods: Zuffa official mentioned Sydney Australia as a possible destination. No way are they risking their only Aussie on the roster. Sotiropoulos via TKO Round 1.

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Jesse Lennox vs. Danillo Villefort

Nick Becker: Both of these former WEC fighters have some serious skills and this fight should be an absolute barn-burner.  Lennox decimated Blas Avena in his last bout, while Villefort was equally impressive in beating Mike Campbell.  In a total pick ‘em fight, I'm going with Lennox by razor-thin Split Decision.

Zak Woods: I will take the American Top Team product over the Miletich Martial Arts product any day of the week. Danillo Villefort via submission.

E. Spencer Kyte: Villefort via unanimous decision.

UFC 101: Declaration coverage