UFC returns to Sydney after a very successful first time experiment down under with UFC 110. This time, UFC 127 has a welterweight match-up between Jon Fitch and BJ Penn as the headline fight.
While this isn't a title fight (Georges St Pierre currently holds that honor), Penn v Fitch is an fascinating fight between two extremely evenly matched fighters.
Penn was thoroughly roughed up by St Pierre at this weight and his recent form has been patchy to say the least. Frankly, I think welterweight is a class too far for Penn and that his Brazilian ju-jitsu skills are better suited to fights at lightweight.
Inevitably, I'm going to have to pick Jon Fitch as the victor of this headline UFC 127 bout - he's just more powerful, bigger and a better wrestler than Penn. Penn would have to hope for a knockout but I don't think he's going to be able to get close enough to Fitch to deliver that kind of blow.
Keep in mind, of course, Jon Fitch has only lost to the brilliant GSP at this weight division and I certainly don't anticipate that changing at UFC 127.
Another UFC 127 fight to take a closer look at is Michael Bisping v Jorge Rivera. Rivera, who is something of a veteran these days, has been trash talking about his opponent in recent interviews - something I think is very unwise.
While Rivera is certainly a stronger puncher and a man who can take some serious punishment without going down, Bisping has a greater range of skills. His ground and pound, in particular, has improved significantly and his wrestling is also much better. I fully expect Bisping to wear the older man down and win - most likely by submission - in the third round.
You can catch all the UFC 127 action from the Acer Arena, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on February 27, 2011. As with UFC 110, the event is scheduled for early afternoon local time, so USA MMA fans will be able to see it at the usual start times back home.
You can see the full UFC 127 fight card right below and can get the latest UFC 127 betting odds at UFCBettingToday.com.
FINAL UFC 127 CARD
B.J. Penn vs. Jon FitchMichael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera
George Sotiropoulos vs. Dennis SiverChris Lytle vs. Brian Ebersole
Kyle Noke vs. Chris CamozziRoss Pearson vs. Spencer FisherNick Ring vs. Riki Fukuda
Curt Warburton vs. Maciej JewtuszkoTie Quan Zhang vs. Jason ReinhardtAlexander Gustafsson vs. James Te Huna
Mark Hunt vs. Chris TuchschererAnthony Perosh vs. Tom Blackledge
iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software
