UFC 101 Predictions: BJ Penn Vs. Kenny Florian

[Winner]
BJ Penn

[Method]
TKO

[Comment]
BJ Penn is a monster at 155. There’s no way he’s losing his belt. And after watching Countdown to UFC 101, it looks like he’s in the best shape of his life. He’s gonna destroy Florian and end the fight with a brutal TKO. There, I said it.

UFC 101 Predictions: Anderson Silva Vs. Forrest Griffin

[Winner]
Anderson Silva

[Method]
TKO

[Comment]
I absolutely can’t wait for this one! I think that Griffin has a serious chance to win it. I feel a lot of Silva’s opponents give him too much respect and face the added pressure of fighting for the middleweight belt and these are factors which Griffin will not have to worry about. He truly has nothing to lose in this fight and his size and strength might actually earn him a decision. However, I also think that Griffin hasn’t been a very consistent fighter. I’d love for Griffin to win, but it’s more likely that he’s gonna make a mistake which Silva will capitalize on.

UFC 101 Predictions: Amir Sadollah Vs. Johny Hendricks

[Winner]
Amir Sadollah

[Method]
Submission

[Comment]
Even though he hasn’t fought in over a year, Sadollah has already proven himself with wins over Matt Brown and C.B. Dolloway. Sadollah will have the size advantage in this one which means Hendricks will waste a lot of energy trying to take him down. Sadollah will end the fight with a submission whether off his back or from the mount.

UFC 101 Predictions: Kendall Grove Vs. Ricardo Almeida

[Winner]
Kendall Grove

[Method]
Submission

[Comment]
Grove is one of my favorite fighters so I’m gonna rule in his favor in a very bias manner. Grove will try to strike from a distance but Almeida will find a way to take him to the ground. I look for Grove to pull off a submission from his back.

UFC 101 Predictions: Josh Neer Vs. Kurt Pellegrino

[Winner]
Josh Neer

[Method]
Decision

[Comment]
This one’s gonna be a war! I give the advantage to Neer due to his size and strength advantage. He’ll look to keep the fight standing where he has a definitive advantage over Pellegrino. But if he’s taken down he should also be able to get the upper hand on the mat. Very close fight ending in a decision for Neer.

UFC 101 Predictions: Shane Nelson Vs. Aaron Riley

[Winner]
Shane Nelson

[Method]
Decision

[Comment]
Nelson’s the underdog in this fight. Riley is undeniably the better striker, but Nelson should be able to control the fight with his clinch and his grappling. He’s also coming out of what seems to be BJ Penn’s most intense training camp to date. The decision should go in his favor.

UFC 101 Predictions: Tamdan McCrory Vs. John Howard

[Winner]
Tamdan McCrory

[Method]
TKO

[Comment]
McCrory is definitely the more experienced and well-rounded fighter. He will also enjoy a massive reach advantage in this fight. Look for McCrory to soften up Howard with his stand-up before taking him down to the ground. He should win the fight with his  ground & pound although a submission is also a possibility.

UFC 101 Predictions: Thales Leites Vs. Alessio Sakara

[Winner]
Thales Leites

[Method]
Submission

[Comment]
This one’s a toss up between a Sakara KO/TKO and a Leites submission. I give the edge to Leites who should come out rejuvenated from his loss to Anderson Silva. He now has to prove that he belongs amidst the ranks of the contenders to the 185 pound crown. His ego will win him the fight.