UFC 101 FORECAST: PENN VS. FLORIAN
Saturday August the 8th marks the biggest night in Kenny Florian's professional mixed martial arts career. For a second time, KenFlo will challenge the UFC lightweight champion for his undisputed crown. The first time Kenny fought for the title was in 2006 and then champ, Sean Sherk, gave him a reality check and showed that he wasn't ready to hang with the big dogs just yet. That was three years ago and Florian has learned and gained a lot from that losing experience which eventually resulted into six consecutive wins inside the octagon and another shot at the title. The man who stands in Kenny's way though is none other than Canada's favorite, out spoken, Hawaiian champ, BJ Penn, who has been making the headlines again but for all the wrong reasons.Kenny Florian is constantly improving and evolving his game and will be a brand new Kenny Florian when he steps into the octagon on Saturday night. Florian's ground game and submissions are second to none in the lightweight division and he is always looking to finish the fight. This mentality of KenFlo's has resulted in five submission or TKO finishes in his last six appearances.
BJ Penn seems to be obsessed with his most recent loss to Georges St-Pierre as he recently stated in an interview that he thinks GSP is on the juice. Perhaps this silly remark is just a clever mind trick of Penn's to make Florian think that he is still concerned with St-Pierre and not his upcoming bout. Regardless, I think Penn will come into this one with something to prove and to fight for and that is his legacy. Expect Penn to be at the top of his game.
MMA HANGOVER's Prediction: Mental toughness. I believe mental toughness is what's going to count the most in this five rounder and at this point I don't think Penn will be phased by it. This is only Kenny's second time in a championship fight and I think that's going to play with his mind to the point of distraction. BJ Penn by 4th round submission for the win.
Gary Whittaker's Prediction: I agree with Jordan that mental toughness is key. I disagree about BJ Penn having it. No one is mentally tougher than Kenny Florian. At least not in the Octogan that night. Florian has excelled in his training and development and he knows it. KenFlo will make Penn bleed, and when Penn realizes that he has the same problem with Florian in getting a submission as he did BJ Penn, he will quit. Again. Kenny Florian by verbal submission in Round 4.
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