The newest 155er

Diego Sanchez has dropped from his welterweight home to the 155lb division. A division already stacked with talent, not to mention aggressive wrestlers with cardio. Sanchez has been known as an aggressive fighter who gets the takedown and ground and pounds and if he'll feels like being nice, will just choke you so you can tap and go home.

The problem at welterweight was when he hit AKA's wrestling roadblocks in Kos and Fitch. Deprived of his normal wrestling advantage, Diego dropped decisions to both fighters, although in very different fights. Koschek was content to feed Diego a steady diet of right hands while Fitch used an apparent size and strength advantage to stay in dominant position throughout their 3 round encounter.

Now Diego moves to a division where fighters like Sherk, Griffin, Maynard, Edgar and for his first fight Stevenson posses the same attributes that resulted in the two decision losses at welterweight. The cut in weight could give him a size advantage but depending on how his body takes it, he may not have the gas he's had at welterweight.

It will be interesting to see if Diego can transfer his aggressive wrestling style in a new division or if the similar talent there will prove to be a problem and result in some close split decisions against the many other wrestlers.

One exciting result of this move, who doesn't want to see a rematch with Kenny Florian? Florian was overwhelmed early their first match and made to look like he doesn't belong. He has since been a dominant contender, his only loss since his UFC debut against Diego coming to a 5 round decision loss to Sean Sherk. A second fight between Diego and Florian would certainly be a completely different story than the first.

Pound for Pound

1. Anderson Silva
   Middleweights tremble. Taking out Henderson, Franklin (x2), Marquardt, Lutter and Leben and none of them looked like they had a chance.
   
   
2. Fedor Emelianko
   Fedor came off some time off inactivity as well as some fights that were easy for him to knock out two former UFC champs in the first round.
   
   
3. George St Pierre
   Hughes (x2), BJ (x2), Fitch, Koscheck, Serra, Trigg, Miller, Sherk. Quite the hitlist.
   
   
4. Miguel Torres
   He's beaten....everyone at 135 basically and during his fights looks more dominant than even Anderson Silva.
   
   
5. Thiago Alves
   Big year taking out Hughes, Parisyan and Koscheck.
   
   
6. Forrest Griffin
   Forrest stepped up to fight Shogun when Shogun was unstoppable. That bold move got him his fight with Jackson, who he also beat.
   
   
7. Quinton Jackson
   Chuck, Hendo and Wanderlei. Despite a fumble to Forrest when he's on his game I think his combination of Boxing and Wrestling make him the best light heavyweight out there.
   
   
8. Lyoto Machida
   I can't argue anymore. He's insane and tough fight for any A level lhw out there.
   
   
9. Eddie Alvarez/Shinya Aoki
   Both these fighters were impressive in the Dream Tournament. Aoki going through Calvacante and Uno where Alvarez went through Hansen and Kawajiri. Aoki lost to Hansen (who Alavarez beat) but tapped Alvarez in the last fight for both fighters.
   
   
10. Urijah Faber
    Despite his recent upset loss, then man has been tearing through 145ers like a buzzsaw. Look to see him return with a vengeance. Winning a rematch with Brown and beating Garcia will put him back in the top 5 pound for pound and hopefully set up a pound for pound dream match with Miguel Torres.
    
    
    Other notables: Kenny Florian has been smashing people left and right and his upcoming fight against BJ should be one of the best lw matches we've seen. Sherk as always is dominant despite his loss to BJ. Demian Maia has the skills to be a top 3 middleweight, he just needs the matchups to prove it. Josh Barnette will be Fedors toughest fight when they finally meet.
    

UFN Lauzon vs Stephens

Joe Lauzon v. Jeremy Stephens Winner: Joe Lauzon	Submission (Choke)	3
Matt Grice v. Matt Veach Winner: Matt Veach	Submission (Choke)	2
Nick Catone v. Derek Downey Winner: Derek Downey	Technical Knock Out	2
Mac Danzig v. Josh Neer Winner: Josh Neer	Unanimous Decision	3
Gleison Tibau v. Rich Clementi Winner: Rich Clementi	Unanimous Decision	3
Cain Velasquez v. Denis Stojnic Winner: Cain Velasquez	Technical Knock Out	1
Kurt Pellegrino v. Rob Emerson Winner: Kurt Pellegrino	Submission (Choke)	2
Luigi Fioravanti v. Anthony Johnson Winner: Anthony Johnson	Unanimous Decision	3
Dan Miller v. Jake Rosholt Winner: Dan Miller	Technical Knock Out	2
Steve Bruno v. Matt Riddle Winner: Matt Riddle	Technical Knock Out	3

Fight Nights are always a rough call. They often hold new talent or veterans trying to break onto that next level with a big win which makes the match ups that much harder. When you look at the newer fighters their records are often unproven and their fight history such that you haven't really seen everything they have to offer. The veterans on these cards often have great resumes but dotted with inconsistency and losses, albeit usually to high caliber opponents.

These are the best picks I could make when pitting potential against performance.

Kurt Pellegrino is always on the verge of being a contender but for him it all comes down to execution. He has the tools to beat Emerson and should do so.

Danzig vs Neer should be high paced. I don't think Danzig will be able to finish Neer who will probably frustrate his opponent and earn a nod.

Stephens has a tough fight taking on Lauzon on short notice. Joe comes out fast and hard and will likely take it to the ground where his jitz and ground and pound will earn him a stoppage.

Post UFC 94

What was supposed to be a battle as close as their first meeting turned out to be a one sided display of dominance by "Rush". The Canadian power house pushed the pace from the opening bell to the final round and showed himself to be an ever evolving and improving fighter, much to the dismay of every UFC welterweight watching. As impressive as his physical performance was the depth of strategy Georges showed in his post fight interview. The combination of Greg Jacksons blueprint and St. Pierre's technique and power made BJ Penn look like an outmatched contender, not a fellow champion who was supposed to give Georges his toughest fight since their first match a few years ago.

So where does this beat down leave the two champions? Well for one, it still leaves them both champions. BJ still holds his lightweight crown and Georges the undisputed welterweight king. It has cemented Georges as one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world and opens the door a crack more to what would be the biggest fight in MMA's young history, St Pierre vs Silva. If Penn vs St Pierre was the mega fight of the century, biggest PPV in history, then St Pierre vs Silva is the Holy Grail, Armageddon, the definitive pound for pound fantasy fight. One would think that pre UFC 94 St Pierre would be an underdog to Silva, but after Saturday night one would have to think twice, or maybe three or four times before making such a statement.

As for BJ Penn, his only flaw has been focus. The fight with St Pierre brought him focus in trying to cement his legacy and claim to being the best fighter in mma. Hopefully this defeat will also bring him focus and a fire to concentrate on becoming the best lightweight of all time. With the UFC's interest in some of the lighter weight Japanese free agents, BJ will have all the motivation and concentration he needs. He showed back when he fought Gomi that he can take the best in the world at lightweight and there are many match ups out there to cement his legacy. Uno, Florian, Hansen, Alvarez or Aoki all make for amazing match ups should the UFC be able to grab some of those overseas match ups.

Another fighter who Saturday night answered critics and cemented his status as a premier fighter in his division was Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida who earned his nickname by devouring Thiago Silva in the first round. Thiago seemed to only be able to land a single right to the body and an elbow in the clinch as Machida would dart in, throw combinations and circle back out without absorbing any damage. Never moving straight back, Machidas footwork confounded the aggressive Brazilian as Silva punch after punch. The final few seconds of the round showed Machida throw Silva to his back and land two vicious punches that put his opponent out and earned him knockout of the night and a bump up in line for the light heavyweight belt. It's hard to say how any of the top light heavyweight fighters would approach such a unique fighter as Machida but that's for another time.

Pre UFC 94

Georges St-Pierre v. BJ Penn
Winner: BJ Penn Technical Knock Out Rnd 3

Lyoto Machida v. Thiago Silva
Winner: Lyoto Machida Unanimous Decision Rnd 3

Stephan Bonnar v. Jon Jones
Winner: Stephan Bonnar Submission (Arm Lock) Rnd 2

Manny Gamburyan v. Thiago Tavares
Winner: Manny Gamburyan Unanimous Decision Rnd 3

Jake O'Brien v. Christian Wellisch
Winner: Jake O'Brien Technical Knock Out Rnd 2

Matt Arroyo v. Dan Cramer
Winner: Matt Arroyo Submission (Choke) Rnd 2

Chris Wilson v. John Howard
Winner: Chris Wilson Unanimous Decision Rnd 3

Jon Fitch v. Akihiro Gono
Winner: Jon Fitch Technical Knock Out Rnd 1

Nate Diaz v. Clay Guida
Winner: Nate Diaz Submission (Choke) Rnd 2

Karo Parisyan v. Dong Hyun Kim
Winner: Karo Parisyan Technical Knock Out Rnd 2


Lyoto Machida v. Thiago Silva:

Thomas Drwal, even in his loss, exposed that Thiago doesn't have the best cardio. Chasing Lyoto for three rounds is certainly going to be exhausting. Thiago might get tired enough for Machida to actually finish a fight, which he has only done when tapping Sokoudjou, the one of his past 5 fights that hasnt been a decision. While Silva is certainly capable of a knockout, not many people connect with Machida.

Nate Diaz v. Clay Guida

This will be a great fight. Diaz will probably hit a great triangle during a scramble in what would be fight of the night on any other card without competing with Penn vs St Pierre.

Other notables on the card are Dan Cramer making his pro debut in the UFC which is impressive as well as Stephan Bonnar returning after a long layoff due to injury.

and the main event...

Georges St-Pierre v. BJ Penn

This is gonna be amazing. St Pierre is going to look to control the fight with takedowns and steady ground and pound. He will not knock out or submit BJ and the only way he can stop the fight is if BJ gasses around rounds 4 or 5 and Georges gets a tko. A Unanimous Decision win by St Pierre seems the most likely result on paper.

BJ Penn has the potential to both knock out, tko or submit Georges the second he makes a mistake. His hands are fast and he hits very hard. Regardless of the outcome, BJ will win the first round with a hard jab setting up aggressive combinations. BJs flexibility and use of the rubber guard will also make it hard for GSP to posture up and deliver punches on the ground.

The big keys for a stoppage are BJs conditioning and Georges being able to pass BJs guard. Fight of the Night for sure and will be one of the best fights of 2009. While on paper I think GSPs athleticism and conditioning will earn him a decision (mayyybe late stoppage) my gut is telling me BJ is gonna connect within 3 rounds and wont stop till the ref pulls him off.

aaaaaaaand discuss...