Originally expected to co-headline UFC 137, welterweight greats B.J. Penn and Nick Diaz have been promoted to their rightful place as the main event in what surely will be one of the most exciting fights in recent memory.
In a fight card that also features Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Roy Nelson in heavyweight special attractions, Penn-Diaz tops the bill for UFC 137 on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Here's a breakdown of the televised portion of the event:
B.J. Penn (16-7-2) vs. Nick Diaz (25-7)
In a dream welterweight pairing that guarantees to get the juices of hardcore fans flowing, the Hawaiian "Prodigy" looks to spoil the UFC return of Nick Diaz, the last reigning Strikeforce welterweight champion.
Penn, 32, is widely regarded as one of the most talented fighters of all time. A former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion, Penn became the first non-Brazilian to become world Jiu-Jitsu champion before taking the MMA world by storm in 2001.
Since his debut, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Andre Pederneiras has recorded emphatic finishes over Din Thomas, Caol Uno, Takanori Gomi, Matt Hughes, Duane Ludwig, Jens Pulver, Joe Stevenson, Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez, cementing his place as one of the most well-rounded fighters to ever enter the Octagon.
In his most recent appearance this past February, Penn battled American Kickboxing Academy captain Jon Fitch to a closely contested draw.
Penn has seemingly reinvented himself since returning to the 170-pound division after disappointing back-to-back decision setbacks against current lightweight ruler Frankie Edgar. In his trilogy clash with Hughes, a ferocious "Prodigy" needed only 21 seconds to record a spectacular knockout. In his fight with Fitch, Penn shocked observers with multiple takedowns of the superior wrestler and impressive back control on the canvas.
Looking to return to the win column, Penn must brace himself to face an equally aggressive and multidimensional opponent, as well as a former training partner.
Diaz, 28, is riding a 10-fight winning streak into his promotional return. The last Strikeforce welterweight champion has finished nearly every opponent since 2008, including Paul Daley, Evangelista Santos, Hayato Sakurai, Marius Zaromskis, Scott Smith and Frank Shamrock.
A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt himself under Cesar Gracie, Diaz has openly admitted that he admires Penn's legacy and fighting style.
The Stockton, Calif., native is a southpaw with sublime submissions, though his exceptional boxing pedigree has been his weapon of choice in recent outings. Penn has credited Diaz as the best boxer in mixed martial arts, having spent time training with WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward, while Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach calls Penn the best pure boxer in the sport.
This fight could very well come down to who is more effective with their hands. Diaz will have a four-inch reach advantage and his style of boxing revolves around punch output as he wears foes down with a high volume of strikes.
Penn, meanwhile, is a more powerful puncher who relies on accuracy and counterpunching to assault his opponents. If he can dodge some of Diaz's sloppy punches, he could connect with a fight-ending combination.
Stylistically, fight fans couldn't ask for a better matchup. As such, it's also a difficult fight to predict.
Diaz has been dropped in numerous bouts, including his clashes with Zaromskis and Daley, before coming back with flurries to finish them off. If he lets Penn drop him with a punch, recovering will be easier said than done.
On the mat, both fighters are seasoned grapplers with outstanding flexibility. For the first time in history, Penn could be entering a fight without a significant edge in submissions.
Ultimately, it will come down to Diaz landing first and often. Conversely, Penn will need to use his speed to dodge and counter.
Fireworks are inevitable in this clash of welterweight warriors, but Penn's power and durability will likely be the difference maker after both men go toe to toe for three frantic rounds.
Verdict: Penn via decision
