Stout hasn't been really tested on the ground, so this is a good test. Of course, Sam could knock him out before he gets that chance. I'm picking Per for this one..
Joe Stevenson vs. BJ Penn
BJ just seems focused for this fight, and I expect him to come in ready to go the full 5 rounds. I don't think it will be needed though. Pellegrino gave Stevenson problems on the feet and on the ground. Penn has better hands and his takedown defense is fabulous. I expect BJ to win by Sub in the 2nd.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Fabricio Werdum
They have both grown in talent since their last meeting, but I think Gonzaga has grown a bit more. Gonzaga has the better wrestling, but Werdum has a slight advantage in the bjj. Gonzaga also has improved his standing game, and I expect this to be the difference. GG by UD.
Marcus Davis vs. Jess Liaudin
Marcus Davis, of course has great hands because he was formerly a boxer. As he showed against Paul Taylor though, he also has come along way with his ground game. I don't expect this to be a ground war, and expect Davis to win by KO/TKO in the 1st.
Jason Lambert vs. Wilson Gouveia
This is my FOTN candidate. Lambert has a good all-around game, even though he was mounted by Rashad. I think he is more of a force on the feet than Gouveia and that will be his game plan. Lambert by KO/TKO in the 2nd.
Kendall Grove vs. Jorge Rivera
Jorge doesn't really have any strengths that would give Grove any trouble. I expect Grove to use his reach to keep Rivera at a distance and take this to ground and submit Jorge early. Grove by Sub in the 1st.
Alessio Sakara vs. James Lee
Another against the grain pick. I don't really follow either of these fighters, but I noticed that Lee has never been knocked out. I expect some heavy hands to be thrown, but I expect Lee to come out on top. Lee by KO/TKO in the 3rd.
Sam Stout vs. Per Eklund
I may be going against the grain here. Stout definitely has the advantage on the feet here and will try to keep this fight standing. Eklund is excellent on the ground, but his takedowns aren't that spectacular but effective. Regardless, unless Sam gets a quick knockout, I expect this thing to go to the ground. At which point, I fully expect Per to pull out the Sub (ala Florian). Eklund by Sub in the 1st.
Paul Kelly vs. Paul Taylor
Paul Kelly seems to be brought in to fit into the hometown guy, but I don't think his perfect record will stay intact. Taylor just has more experience against the better opposition. Taylor by KO/TKO in the 1st.
Colin Robinson vs. Antoni Hardonk
Does anyone care who wins this fight?
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I wanna see a bunch more Gouveia this year...Lambert is a great guy to put him on the map at LHW for 2008.
