Josh Neer v. Kurt Pellegrino

Here’s my Kurt Pellegrino story: When I first started getting into MMA, I went with Jason to a smaller card in Atlantic City. He told me he couldn’t believe how many UFC fighters were there, and he pointed to Pellegrino and showed him to me. I swear to god, this guy looks more like a computer engineer than a fighter. Maybe the most unassuming badass that I have

However, he is a pretty good fighter. He’s 5-2 in the UFC and his losses have come Joe Stevenson and Nate Diaz. Those are “quality losses”. The New Jersey native is a BJJ specialist, who finished 9 of his 13 fights by submission.

Neer is also has nine submission wins, but he’s got 25 total wins, so the percentage is far less. Neer is 2-1 in the UFC with his only loss also coming to Diaz. Neer is a wrestler, so he will look to lay on top of Pellegrino. However, I think that Kurt will pull out a submission victory and keep himself firmly in the second tier of lightweights. You know, the ones that have no shot of ever winning a title.

Prediction: Pellegrino via submission

Kendall Grove v. Ricardo Almeida

Grove is a former TUF winner who dangled on the edge for a while before coming back with a couple of wins and a destructive straight that knocked out Jason Day. His best attribute is his crazy length, and reach, which he has learned to use better recently. His muay thai is excellent and his knees are explosive.

Almeida is a BJJ specialist which can make this an interesting match-up. Those long limbs are easy to grab hold of and submit. Almeida is an Abu Dhabi champion, but struggled against Patrick Cote, who is a solid striker.

I think Grove will pull this out, but he has to keep his distance to win a decision.

Prediction: Grove via unanimous decision

Amir Sadollah v. Johny Hendricks

Sadollah will finally make his debut after winning TUF 7. He’s been out with various injuries for over a year, so let me remind you that he did beat C.B. Dollaway twice to win that competition, so there has to be something there. He’s a good kickboxer with some BJJ background, and shown the ability to finish his submissions.

Hendricks is not just a sacrificial lamb for Sadollah. A former WEC fighter, Hendricks is 5-0 but is making his UFC debut. He’s a national champion wrestler who has loves to throw hands. He’d be making a mistake if chooses to stand with Sadollah.

I just feel like Amir has more ways to win this fight. If Hendricks takes him down, He’s good enough off his back to submit him. If they stand, Sadollah can finish him off.

Prediction: Sadollah via submisison

Anderson Silva v. Forrest Griffin

This fight is designed for one thing: Anderson Silva will have an exciting fight whether he likes it or not. While the spider’s last two fights have less than stellar, he still possesses the world’s best stand up game. I’m serious. Name one person who does anything better while standing than Anderson Silva. You can’t. Stop trying.

Griffin is best known for a “brawling style,” however, he is also an excellent ring technician. He is a decent all around fighter who can take an absolute beating before going down for good. He’s said that his game plan against Silva is “controlled aggression.”

No matter what the gameplan is, I still believe that it ends with Silva getting his hand raised.

Prediction: Silva via TKO (Strikes)

UFC Lightweight Champion B.J. Penn v. Kenny Florian

True story: Jason gave me 4-1 odds that B.J. Penn would win. For those who are curious, that is TWICE the Vegas line.

Penn is the favorite for good reason, there may be no more complete fighter in the world when it comes to skills. He has great boxing, quick takedowns, and unbelievable jiu-jitsu. However, his Achilles heel has always been the fact that his conditioning has flat out sucked. He hired Todd Marinovich’s father to be his new strength and conditioning coach. We’ll have to see how it turns out because right now, everyone would say that Florian has the advantage if this fight goes into the championship rounds.

Florian is a very good muay thai striker in his own right who has opened a cut on many an opponents head. However, we’ve all seen B.J. take sick damage and never bleed. Florian will likely attempt to push the pace in the same way that George St. Pierre did. However, the way GSP did it was by taking Penn down and wearing him out. I wonder if Florian’s wrestling is good enough to get B.J. down, and I also wonder how good Florian’s top game is.

All in all, while I would love to see Penn lose, but I just can’t see Florian pulling it out.

Prediction: B.J. Penn via submission

For Anthony’s Undercard predictions, click here

Check out why Jason thinks B.J. Penn will crush Kenny Florian.