UFC 127 brings about an interesting fight card. Not as spectacular as UFC 126, where Silva destroyed Belfort, but interesting nonetheless. You can watch Penn vs Fitch fight video , read my full fight review and predictions, and also discuss this upcoming welterweight fight with other MMA fans.
Penn vs Fitch Fight Video (Full Fight) Links:
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Share, tweet and like this page, and also invite your friends who are into mixed martial arts so we can start the discussion going on. I have no doubts that this will be a very interesting fight; not only this one but the other fights on the fight card also: Michael Bisping will face Jorge Rivera, George Sotiropoulos will face Dennis Siver, Carlos Condit vs Chris Lytle and Kyle Noke Chris Camozzi.
Penn vs Fitch Predictions:
What’s really interesting in this fight is the fact that BJ Penn once again returns to the welterweight division. After 2 consecutive losses to Frankie Edgar, I think he realized that he won’t have a chance to get the lightweight title shot any time soon. However, he’s facing a very dangerous opponent in Jon Fitch.
Before I tell you my predictions, I want to point out to a great analysis made by Hetottai on Sherdog forums. I will summarize it here in a few sentences. Also note that I’m not a fan of statistics either. Probably because I’m not an American 
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Basically, he argues that, by using the statistics of how many take downs per fight Finch manages to accomplish, BJ Penn will spend this fight on the floor for 6.45 minutes. This leads him to a conclusion that Penn will win by decision (since this will largely be a stand up battle) or a (T)KO in the early stages. The only way Fitch could possibly win is by pressing BJ against the cage.
Now, I will give you a bit detailed prediction, since MMA is not always a game of numbers. Just look at the Silva vs Belfort fight. I predicted that Belfort will win or that Silva just might counter strike him to oblivion. But something happened, which I don’t think anyone expected. Vitor got KO-ed on the most unbelievable way: by a front kick to the face. Other important factors must be included as well.
I think that this fight will largely depend on BJ Penn and his mood. Unfortunately, I don’t know how well his training is passing by, but I’ve heard lots of rumors that he’s got a great cardio now. The only bad thing about these rumors is that, I’ve heard this also when he was preparing for the Frankie Edgar fight as well. Even in the video trailer he says that this is the best BJ Penn you will ever see. I’m taking this with the grain of salt though.
Considering the ground game, nobody doubts that BJ Penn’s flexibility is legendary. He’s simply one of the all time best when it comes to BJJ, there’s no argument there. However, we shouldn’t forget how great of a wrestler and a controller Jon Fitch really is.
Basically, it will all come down to this: will BJ Penn be able to stop the grinding and ground & pound game from Jon Fitch? Consider also that Penn is fighting in a welterweight division now. This is not to be taken lightly because defending against mediocre lightweight take down attempts by, let’s say Kenny Florian, is not the same as defending against welterweight fighters like GSP and Matt Huges. If we take BJ’s welterweight stats into the formula (keep in mind that I’m against the formulas in MMA; in any shape or form, but I’m just using this as a point of discussion) BJ Penn only has a measly 40% take down defense success.
Even if Fitch scores a take down, will he be able to keep BJ down, or will BJ manage to take the fight standing again? These are the questions that I’m asking myself and I can’t come to any other conclusion that giving this fight to Jon Fitch. Why? First of all, this is a welterweight division now. Second of all, I don’t think that BJ will be able to take this fight standing so soon again. Third, even if he makes it, he won’t be able to do anything on feet either because his stand up game falls in comparison as of lately. The only way I see this fight ending in a favor of BJ Penn is by a T(KO) in the very early stages, or by pulling a submission due to Finch’s carelessness. What do you guys think?
Penn vs Fitch Full Fight Review:
Coming after the fight…