Finally, we are here to preview the main event of “UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch†that will take place this Saturday in Sydney, Australia.This match-up features two of the UFC’s best fighters in BJ Penn and Jon Fitch, with the winner earning a potential title shot.
Former welterweight and longtime lightweight champion BJ*Penn will be shooting for his second consecutive*victory since returning to the welterweight division.
He was last seen in action dismantling former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes at UFC 123 in under 30 seconds.
Ironically, it is*Hughes that has helped prepare Penn for his fight against Fitch.
Penn comes into this fight with a career record of (16-7-1) with seven wins via TKO/KO and six wins via submission.*Penn is*known for his toughness, incredible flexibility, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and boxing skills.
Former*number*one welterweight contender Jon Fitch comes into this fight with a career record of (23-3) with five wins via TKO/KO and five wins via submission.* However, ten of his fourteen wins inside the Octagon have come via decision.
Fitch was last seen in action at UFC 117 earning a decision win over highly ranked Thiago Alves.*Fitch brings toughness, solid wrestling, and good conditioning into this fight.
Linesmaker has*Fitch as the betting favorite going into this one at (-200) with Penn as the underdog at (+160).
The key to this fight is pretty simple.*If Penn can’t stop Fitch from taking him down he’ll lose this fight by decision, there’s just not any other way to put it.
If Penn can stop the take-down, he should be able to stand and strike effectively against Fitch.*However, with Penn naturally being the smaller guy, I expect Fitch to close the distance and clinch with Penn and use that size to his advantage.
Penn has historically had stamina problems as a welterweight, so those factors could rear themselves as the fight goes on as well.
Penn’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills have always been highly touted, but his offensive game is pretty limited when he’s on his back.* In fact, I don’t recall Penn ever submitting someone off his back.
He does have a great defensive guard though, which limits the amount of damage he receives while in that position.* However, if Penn is somehow able to achieve top position on the ground that’s where he’s at his best.
He’s excellent at taking his opponents back and submitting guys with the*rear naked choke.**Fitch fights pretty safe on the ground though, so the opportunity to sweep or capitalize on mistakes*will be*small for Penn.
Penn has to keep this*fight on the feet to win.*He has better boxing than*Fitch and*probably packs more power in his strikes than the larger Fitch.
However, Penn will be giving up a few inches in reach*with Fitch having a solid chin as well.*So the safe bet*is on Fitch to win this one*via decision, but you can never fully*count out a fighter like*BJ*Penn.
Filed Under: B.J. Penn • Jon Fitch • UFC
Tags: Australia, B.J. Penn, featured, Jon Fitch, Matt Hughes, Mixed Martial-Arts, Sydney, ufc 127, ufc 127 main event preview
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