UFC 84: Ill Will Preview

The UFC returns to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this Saturday night with UFC 84: Ill Will. The event features three big time fights, including one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the lightweight division, as well as Tito Ortiz’s last fight in the UFC. The event also features an under card with lots of recognizable faces. Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 84.

Thiago Silva (11-0) vs. Antonio Mendes (14-2): For those who don’t know who Thiago Silva is, you should take notice because this guy is on a serious roll. His resume includes an undefeated record and first round knockouts of James Irvin and Houston Alexander. Ten of his eleven victories have actually come by way of some type of knockout. His opponent is a fellow Brazilian with zero octagon experience. His experience includes fights for various promotions all around the world, and he was won his 12 fights in a variety of ways.
Verdict: Silva by TKO in the First Round. The good times will continue to roll for Silva. He’s only had one fight go to a decision, and Saturday night will be no different as he continues to climb the light heavyweight ladder.

Tito Ortiz (16-5-1) vs. Lyoto Machida (12-0): Ortiz has more fights in the UFC than any other fighter. He has also ran his mouth more than any other fighter, and that’s probably the reason why this will be his final fight inside the octagon. With Ortiz on the way out, the UFC will look to guys like Machida to be the future of the light heavyweight division. Ortiz’s abilities are well known. He’s a great wrestler, and he’s relentless if he gets on top of his opponent. His conditioning was questioned following his last fight with Rashad Evans, but he claims to be in the best possible shape for this fight. Machida is an unknown among casual MMA fans, but his skills are very impressive. He’s one of the only top tier mixed martial artist to use karate as his primary weapon, but he has been accused of being a boring fight with three of his four UFC fights going to a decision.
Verdict: Ortiz by unanimous decision. With all he’s done in this sport and in the UFC, it’s hard to imagine Tito not putting everything he has into this fight. Expect Tito’s strength and superb wrestling skills to make the difference.

Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1) vs. Keith Jardine (13-4-1): So Jardine beat Chuck Liddell, and Liddell beat Silva, so Jardine should be able to beat Silva, right? Not necessarily. Liddell and Silva are different types of fighters, and Jardine should find that out on Saturday night. Silva is as ferocious as they get, while Jardine is someone of a counter striker who can slowly chop an opponent down with brutal leg kicks. Jardine is trying to cement his legacy in MMA, and he should be next in line for a title shot should he get by Silva. Silva on the other hand is on the worst losing streak of his career with three straight loses, but still remains a fan favorite due to putting on incredibly courageous performances.
Verdict: Silva by TKO in the Second Round. Jardine has never fought someone as vicious as Silva, and he’ll have to wait to get a title shot. A win opens up a lot of opportunities for Silva.

BJ Penn (12-4-1) vs. Sean Sherk (35-2-1): If you want a fight with some bad blood or ‘Ill Will’, this fight has it. Penn and Sherk really dislike each other. Penn hates Sherk because he was accused and tested positive for steroids, and Sherk hates Penn for going over board with cheap shots about his suspected steroid use. All drama aside, these are two of the best fighters in the UFC, not just this division. Before his suspension Sherk was in many people’s pound for pound top ten rankings, while Penn is finally doing a great job at living up to his expectations. Sherk is a dynamic wrestler with world class conditioning. His only loses come to Georges St. Pierre, and Matt Hughes at 170 pounds. The one knock one Sherk is that he doesn’t necessarily finish a whole lot of fights, and at times he can be boring. Penn has been reborn since re-entering the 155 pound division. His biggest flaw in the past was cardio. His body couldn’t keep up with what he was capable of doing, however things are different for him now as he’s changed his whole outlook to fighting. He was extremely dominant in his last two fights, but things could be different against the strength of the ‘muscle shark’. This fight could easily go either way. Expect lots of rolling around, as well as exciting stand up exchanges.
Verdict: Penn by third round submission. In the past Sherk has relied too heavily on take downs, and it may get him in trouble with Penn. Expect Penn to exploit Sherk into gaining better position, ultimately leading to a submission win.

The card also features several intriguing fights involving Rameau Sokoudjou AKA the African Assassin, Rich Clementi, as well as Jon ‘The War Machine’ Koppenhaver who was part of a fight of the year candidate at the Ultimate Fighter Finale in December.

UFC 84 kicks off what should be a big couple of weeks for Mixed Martial Arts. The following week is the debut of Elite XC ‘Primetime’ on CBS, and the weekend after that is UFC 85: Bedlam from London. It should be a great night of fights, and a great night for sports as game one of the Stanley Cup Finals will also be on. Enjoy the event, and feel free to let me know who you think will win and how.

Me and the Prime Minister

So here's the lowdown. I was at the Canada vs. Finland World Hockey Championship Game in Halifax last week, and who do I notice sitting two sections over. Non other than Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald. A friend and I (who happened to have more than a few beers into us) decided to go over to greet our nation's leader. The original plan was to be a bit of a smart ass and say something stupid, but when I entered his presence I chickened out. I did however give him a 'cool guy' handshake, which seemed to surprise him. He then gazed deep into my soul with his wolf like blue eyes and asked me where I was from. Meeting famous people is hilarious, mainly because it's unexpected. It was a cool experience, but I hope to meet more famous people in the near future or possibly by the end of the month.