On October 29, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will showcase one of the most anticipated and talent filled cards of the year when they present UFC 137: Penn vs Diaz at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in their hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event will be a die-hard's dream come true when one of the most dangerous mixed martial artists B.J. Penn takes on a fighter with a relentless pace in Nick Diaz. The co-main event bout will be showdown of Heavyweight strikers between veteran Cheick Kongo and rising star Matt Mitrione. The midway bout on the card could be one of the most important bouts in both fighters' careers when Mirko Cro-Cop competes for the last time professionally against a fighter who may need this win to save his career in Roy Nelson. The second bout could either be a showcase bout or an upset when debuting Japanese import Hatsu Hioki takes on a well rounded George Roop. And the opening bout on the card will pit the final WEC Bantamweight contender Scott Jorgensen against returning veteran Jeff Curran. With a card stacked with so much talent, this event will be one of several that will help solidify 2011 as one of the most exciting years for MMA.
Main Card Bouts:
"The Prodigy" B.J. Penn (16-7-2) vs Nick Diaz (25-7-0(1))
Cheick Kongo (16-5-2) vs Matt "Meathead" Mitrione (5-0-0)
Mirko "Cro-Cop" Filipovic (27-9-2(1)) vs Roy "Big Country" Nelson (15-6-0)
Scott "Young Guns" Jorgensen (12-4-0) vs Jeff "The Big Frog" Curran (33-13-1)
Hatsu Hioki (24-4-2) vs George Roop (12-7-1)
Main Event: Penn vs Diaz
The main event will be a highly anticipated Welterweight bout that die-hard MMA fans have been waiting for when former UFC Lightweight/Welterweight champion and BJJ phenom B.J. Penn takes on the former inaugural WEC and former inaugural Strikeforce Welterweight champion Nick Diaz. Penn comes into this bout going 1-1-1 in his last three bouts losing a Unanimous Decision in an immediate rematch failing to reclaim the Lightweight title from Frankie Edgar, a quick Rnd1 KO win over fellow former Welterweight champion Matt Hughes ending a trilogy between the two, and going to a Majority Draw with longtime contender Jon Fitch at UFC 127: Penn vs Fitch. Diaz comes into this bout riding a ten fight win streak with the last five including a Rnd1 TKO over Marius Zaromskis to become the inaugural Strikeforce Welterweight champion, a Rnd1 Submission over Hayato Sakurai, a Unanimous Decision over K.J. Noons avenging his last loss and making his first title defense, a Rnd2 Submission over Evangelista Santos for his second title defense, and a Rnd1 TKO over Paul Daley at Strikeforce: Diaz vs Daley making his final title defense. For the advantage in the stand up, picking a favorite will mean comparing the unique styles of both fighters. Penn has been considered to have one of the best boxing skill sets in MMA by world class trainer Freddie Roach, and Diaz has developed a technical boxing skill set of his own that has helped dominate many of his opponents. Penn's style that emphasizes precision and power always looking for the knockout, and Diaz's style is punches-in-bunches landing multiple shots with little power and throwing strong punches in between going both to the body and the head. Penn always displays aggression looking to finish the fight as soon as possible, while Diaz looks to overwhelm his opponents with a barrage of punches backing them against the cage. With solid knockout power, Penn will be seen as a favorite in the stand up by many analysts, but Diaz's relentless pace and strong chin could make this an even match when striking. For the advantage on the ground, Penn will be seen as the favorite with an elite pedigree in BJJ. Recognized as one of the fastest individuals to earn a black belt in BJJ and being the first non-Brazilian to win the Mundial World Championships. With an aggressive style that can overwhelm opponents on the ground, Penn is one of the most dangerous BJJ practitioners in UFC history. Though Diaz does not have the credentials that Penn possesses, he is no push over when it comes to his own submission game having one of the most active and offensive guards in the division. While in the process of being taken down, Diaz is always locking guard and is already working on a submission attempt by the time they hit the ground. Should the fight hit the ground, it could turn out to be one of the most intriguing grappling exchanges ever seen in MMA. For game plans, they could go either way. With more visible power, Penn could look to keep the fight standing looking to become the first fighter to knockout Diaz, or he could look to prove that his more credentialed BJJ background is far more superior looking for a submission. With a relentless pace and aggression combined with a unique boxing style, Diaz could look to outstrike Penn to wear him out, and could also look to test his own aggressive BJJ style against the better credentialed Penn. Overall Penn is seen as the favorite to win.
An "X" factor that could be a key factor in deciding who wins this fight could be cardio. Though Penn has looked better in recent fights, his cardio has been a problem for him before. In fights like his first rematch with Hughes, against St. Pierre, and Jon Fitch who are top Welterweights, Penn has shown some problems when not controlling the pace of the fight. In his last bout against Fitch, Penn began to wear out in Rnd3 under the control of Fitch on the ground the entire round. With endless cardio and utilizing his love of competing in marathons and triathlons, Diaz has an advantage. If Diaz can control the pace of the fight and wear Penn out, he could take control entirely.
Co-Main Event: Kongo vs Mitrione
The co-main event on the card will be a meeting of two hard hitting Heavyweights when former kickboxer Cheick Kongo takes on TUF10 alumni and former NFL player Matt Mitrione. Kongo comes into this bout going 2-0-1 in his last three with a Rnd3 Submission over former contender Paul Buentello, going to a Unanimous Draw with rising star Travis Browne, and an amazing come from behind Rnd1 KO over fellow kickboxer Pat Barry at UFC Live 4: Kongo vs Barry. Mitrione comes into this bout riding an undefeated five fight win streak that includes a Rnd2 KO over Marcus Jones, a Rnd2 TKO over Kimbo Slice, a Unanimous Decision over Joey Beltran, a Rnd1 TKO over Tim Hague, and a Rnd2 TKO over Christian Morecraft at UFC Live 4: Kongo vs Barry. This bout is expected to be an all stand up affair with two heavy handed Heavyweights with more than half of each fighters' wins coming by way of (T)KO. In the stand up, Kongo will be favored more with more experience and a kickboxing background, and nine championships to show for it. While still a developing MMA fighter, Mitrione has developed a strong kickboxing background of his own that comes naturally with his athleticism and knockout power following his time on TUF10. Though Kongo is favored due to his experience, he has a "suspect" chin being knocked to the ground after just one punch from Frank Mir whom many felt he had the striking advantage over, and being rocked repeatedly by Barry before being able to land two right hooks that knocked Barry out. With a solid chin and endurance stemming from his time as a professional Football player in the NFL, many analysts believe that Mitrione can endure Kongo's worst to get in range to land his own powerful strikes. With these factors, both could be considered even in the stand up. Should the fight go to the ground, both could be considered even in terms of grappling, though Kongo could be the favorite again with experience and strength. As seen in his bout against Buentello, Kongo can force opponents to the ground with his strength and can keep them down to land some powerful ground-&-pound. Though still developing a ground game of his own, Mitrione has been training in wrestling and BJJ under Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, Nevada and has the strength as well to put an opponent on the ground. For strategies from both sides, they could be the same. Kongo could look to prove his more credentialed striking can outwork and finish off the less experienced Mitrione, though he could approach this bout similar to his fight against Buentello and take Mitrione down to control him and pick his strikes. For Mitrione, he is not one to shy away from a striking exchange and will likely look to keep the fight standing looking for the knockout, and be prepared to defend takedowns, work in the clinch, and know how to work off his back should he be taken down. With these factors making the fight even, so to could be the picks for this fight, though Kongo may be favored most to win.
Cro-Cop vs Nelson
The midway bout on the card will be another Heavyweight meeting that will have different meanings for both fighters' careers when former PrideFC Open-Weight Grand Prix champion and K-1 star Mirko Cro-Cop takes on TUF10 winner and former IFL Heavyweight champion Roy Nelson. Cro-Cop comes into this bout following two straight losses with a Rnd3 KO to former UFC champion Frank Mir, and a Rnd3 KO to TUF10 finalist Brendan Schaub at UFC 128: Shogun vs Jones. Nelson also comes into this bout following two straight losses with a Unanimous Decision to #1 contender Junior dos Santos, and a Unanimous Decision to Mir as well at UFC 130: Rampage vs Hamill. With both fighters coming off of two fight losing streaks, a win is crucial for both of them. In the stand up, both fighters have different styles. With a credentialed background in kickboxing, Cro-Cop will have an advantage when striking, though that may be looked past by many analysts seeing that he has been knocked out in his last two bouts by single strikes. With a highlight reel of knockouts from his signature left high kick and devastating leg kicks, Cro-Cop is still seen as one of the most dangerous strikers to have competed in the Heavyweight division with twenty of his twenty-seven wins coming by way of (T)KO. For Nelson, he could also be considered a favorite with one punch knockout power of his own. Though not possessing a technical style, Nelson is still a dangerous striker with looping right hands that have earned eight of his fifteen wins by way of (T)KO. With a single over-hand right, Nelson can cause serious damage to an opponent. For the advantage on the ground, Nelson will be the favorite as a high level BJJ black belt. Combined with the knowledge of how to utilize his weight in controlling his opponents, Nelson is a dangerous BJJ practitioner. Though a veteran of the sport, Cro-Cop has never really developed a ground game except to clinch his opponent close as to get the fight back on the feet. For game plans, they could be straight forward. Cro-Cop will look to keep the fight standing and likely kick at Nelson's legs to wear him out. Nelson may look to stand and strike with Cro-Cop taking advantage of his lack of endurance against strikes, though he will likely look to take the fight to the ground where he can control the fight and look for submissions. With the better ground game and one punch knockout power, the favorite to win will be Nelson.
Jorgensen vs Curran
The second bout will be a late addition to the main card but will none-the-less be an interesting match up in the Bantamweight division when final WEC division contender heavy hitting striker Scott Jorgensen takes on returning veteran and grappling expert Jeff Curran. Jorgensen comes into this bout off an impressive Rnd1 KO over Ken Stone at the TUF13 Finale where he sat up in Stone's guard and landed a single powerful punch that knocked him out. Curran comes into this bout making his return to fighting under the Zuffa banner riding a two fight win streak with a Unanimous Decision over David Love and a Unanimous Decision over Billy Vaughan at XFO 39. This match up right away presents itself as a striker vs grappler. For the advantage in the stand up, Jorgensen will be the clear favorite with heavy hitting power and a good boxing game that has out-struck some of his opponets. Though Curran is the more experienced fighter with almost three times the amount of fights than Jorgensen has been in, his preference has always been to get the fight to the ground. With that, the grappling advantage will go the way of Curran with second degree black belt in BJJ and and nineteen of his wins coming by way of submission. Even with being seen as the underdog on the ground, Jorgensen is no push over with a tremendous amount of strength and an NCAA1 wrestling background that combines well for some strong takedown defense. With these factors, the game plans for both fighters seem straight forward. Jorgensen will look to keep the fight standing looking for the knockout finish while being prepared to defend what could be constant takedown attempts, and also be prepared to scramble back to standing the moment the fight hits the ground. Curran will look to get the fight to the ground to utilize his greater submission game to look for the finish or grind out a decision victory. With better striking and the likelihood of defending the takesdowns of Curran, Jorgensen will be a favorite to win by fans and analysts.
Hioki vs Roop
The opening bout on the card will be contested in the Featherweight division when former Sengoku, Shooto, and TKO champion Hatsu Hioki makes his UFC debut against dangerous striker George Roop. Hioki comes into this bout riding a four fight win streak that includes a Split Decision over Takeshi Inoue to win the Shooto Lightweight championship, a Rnd1 Submission over Jeff Lawson, a Unanimous Decision over Marlon Sandro to win the Sengoku Featherweight title, and a Rnd2 Submission over Donald Sanchez at Shooto Tradition 2011. Roop comes into this bout off a rebound win with a Rnd3 KO over former contender Josh Grispi at the TUF13 Finale. This will be Hioki's debut both in the UFC and the United States. For the advantage in the stand up, Roop may be considered the more powerful striker. With an impressive display of striking including a crippling body shot that shut down Grispi, Roop may be finding his groove in the division. Though Hioki is the more experienced veteran, he is seen more as a grappler than a striker. With that, the grappling advantage will clearly go the way of Hioki. With half of his twenty-four wins coming by submission, Hioki is one of the biggest threats on the ground in the Featherweight division. Though Roop did show some control and ability to get off his back against Grispi, the speed at which Hioki can take his back could be overwhelming. Picking an overall favorite, this bout could go either way depending where it goes. If it stays standing, Roop could control the fight. If the fight goes to the ground, Hioki could control and look for a submission. For many die hard MMA fans, Hioki will be the favorite to win seeing that he is finally making his debut in the major MMA scene.
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