The Ultimate Fighting Championship comes to Memphis, Tennessee for the first time later tonight and brings a decent card for UFC 107: “Penn vs Sanchez,” which is headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship bout between champion “The Prodigy” BJ Penn and explosive challenger Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez.
In heavyweight action, former champion Frank Mir looks to take one step closer to capturing the title again when he meets heavy-handed striker Cheick Kongo. MMARising.com previews the event.
“The Prodigy” BJ Penn vs Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez
While many feel that Sanchez has no chance in this fight, it would be foolish to discount him entirely. Penn is the overwhelming favourite for a reason, but Sanchez has worked diligently to improve all areas of his game. He will push the pace and force Penn to work hard in hopes that Penn will fatigue as the fight enters the later rounds.
The only problem with Sanchez’s strategy is that Penn has looked like a man possessed recently. His new training regimen is working wonders for his career and cardio, previously his glaring weakness, no longer appears to be a significant issue. Even if Sanchez can take this fight into the later rounds, there is no assurance that that will help him.
Penn has the ability to finish this fight wherever it goes, while Sanchez’s best – and possibly only – hope is to try to grind out a decision. Penn’s chin is one of the best in the entire sport and Sanchez will have to turn his hands into sledgehammers if he wants to knock the Hawaiian out.
Having said that, Sanchez is no pushover and he should give Penn a solid test in his latest title defence. The fight likely will go into the later rounds, but it will be Penn who capitalises on a mistake from Sanchez and he will finish the fight soon after.
Prediction:
Penn by Submission late in round three.
Frank Mir vs Cheick Kongo
Mir has gotten himself into phenomenal shape for this fight and is nearly as big as current champion Brock Lesnar was when the two met at UFC 100. Mir’s loss to Lesnar has lit a fire under him and he is more motivated now than perhaps at any other point in his career. However, while he is obsessed with Lesnar, he is overlooking and discounting Kongo.
It is true that Kongo’s striking skills and overall reputation as a highly feared kickboxer are somewhat embellished, but his knockout power is undeniable and Mir’s chin has failed him in the past. Brandon Vera, a very small heavyweight at the time, dispatched of Mir in short order with few problems.
Kongo’s ground game is still terrible and Mir knows this, so he can always shoot for a takedown if he gets into trouble. Kongo needs to defend the takedowns at all costs and keep the fight standing. If he can do that, he can win. If not, he’ll be submitted within a matter of seconds.
Mir is supposed to win this fight and he probably will in quick and dominant fashion. Kongo is not at all well-rounded and he’ll never be a top contender in the division because of that. However, Mir’s overlooking of Kongo will cost him in this fight when Kongo lands a big punch that shocks everyone and silences Mir in an instant.
Prediction:
Kongo by KO in round one.