Preview: UFC 84 Ill Will

Here is a preview for the upcoming UFC 84 Pay Per View. I will only be previewing the fights on the main card because really, who wants to read about Rameau Sokoudjou vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura....who? Exactly my point. Interestingly enough, 4 our of 5 events on the card will be in the light heavyweight division.

Thiago Silva (11-0) vs. Antonio Mendes (14-2)

Mendes, a new fighter to the UFC is currently riding an 11 bout win streak. Of those 11 wins, 8 came by knockout or submission. One of his two losses was a doctor stoppage due to a cut. He is well versed in Thai boxing and will look to keep the fight standing

Silva is an accomplished fighter who Sherdog.com actually lists as 12-0, with only one win by decision. Silva, also a striker poses devestating knockout power and is on a 3 fight win streak in the UFC.

Personally, I like Silva in this contest. He has faced much tougher opponents in his career and has the experience factor of fighting in front of the huge crowds in the UFC.

Prediction: Silva by knockout in the first round.

Tito Ortiz (16-5-1) vs. Lyoto Machida (12-0)

This should be an outstanding fight. The "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" has a lot to prove before he heads off and signs a huge free agent contract with EliteXC. His ongoing feud with Dana White is well chronicled and will only serve to add fuel to the fire in what already promised to be a great match up. Machida is undefeated at (4-0) thus far in the octagon.

Although Machida is new to the UFC, he does hold victories over former middleweight champ Rich "Ace" Franklin by TKO, and current lightweight champ B.J. Penn by unanimous decision. Ortiz has only lost to two men in the last 7 years, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture. His most recent bout was a draw with Rashad Evans that would have been a victory had Tito not been deducted a point for grabbing the cage. Otiz, known for his great conditioning and ground and pound will look for an early take down. Machida too is comfortable on the ground so don't expect to see a slug fest. True fans of MMA should be impressed with the ground game of both men.

Prediction: This one kills me because I know he is going to act like a pompous jerk afterward but here goes.....Tito Ortiz, Split decision.

Wilson Gouveia (10-4) vs. Goran Reljic (7-0)

Gouveia is 4-0 since a disappointing loss at the hands of tough guy Keith Jardine in the TUF Season 3 finale. He does however hold a knockout victory over welterweight contender Jon Fitch. Gouveia is a brazilian jiu-jitsu/submission specialist with only 2 of his 14 pro fights going to the judges scorecards. Reljic is a newcomer to the UFC. He also is proficient in brazilian jiu-jitsu with 5 of his 7 fights coming by submission.

Look for these guys to go to the ground right away and battle for position. This one will start and finish on the mat.

Prediction: Gouveia by submission, second round

Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1) vs. Keith Jardine (13-4-1)

Finally a slug fest! Silva is a very unimpressive 1-3 in the octagon, but don't be fooled. This guy is one of the most skilled fighters in the world of MMA. His laundry list of big wins includes Vitor Belfort, Dan Henderson, and Quinton Jackson twice. He is known as a striker with 21 of his 31 victories coming by knockout. He has seen his skills diminish over the last couple of years as he creeps up in age. Keith Jardine is a heavy contender to compete with Rampage for the light heavyweight crown. Jardine has been up and down in his last three fights. After a big knockout win over Forrest Griffin and a disappointing knockout loss to Houston Alexander, he bounced back with an impressive decision over former lightweight champ Chuck Liddell.

This one is my pick for fight of the night. What better than two guys with good chins who like to throw leather. This is a really tough fight to call with both fighters willing to stand and trade. Either way, this isn't going to a decision.

Prediction: Jardine by knockout, second round.

B.J. Penn (13-4-1) vs. Sean Sherk (35-2-1)

This should also be a thrilling fight. B.J. Penn looked dominating in his last fight against up and comer Joe Stevensen. B.J. has beaten some big names in the sport including Matt Serra, Takanori Gomi, Matt Hughes, and two Gracie's. He is a well rounded fighter who can stand and throw or play the ground game with the best fighters in the world. Shawn Sherk is back in action after a positive steroid test that stripped him of his belt and forced him to serve a suspension. Sherk is a physical specimen and has outstanding cardio. His only loss in his last 17 fights was a TKO by current welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre.

I expect to see the full compliment of MMA fighting skills on display. Both fighters are comfortable standing or on the mat and this should make for an explosive fight. Given the cardio and condition that both of these fighters are in, I expect it to go the distance.

Prediction: Sean Sherk, decision.