UFC 84 Picks

BJ Penn Versus Sean Sherk

BJ Penn: BJ Penn is (seriously) a jiu-jitsu master. He can contort his legs into positions that are simply amazing. He also has a quality stand-up game and always brings a good fight. He has knock-out power and is a very technically-sound striker.

Sean Sherk: Sherk has been around a long time and is known for his agressiveness as well as his ground and pound prowess. He is a wrestler who is very strong and has a quality stand-up game. He has excellent takedowns and a very high stamina.

Fight Analysis: Look for BJ to keep this fight standing as long as he can using his reach and methodical striking to work over Sherk. During that time, Sherk will aggressively counter punch all the while searching for that opening to take BJ to the matt. While BJ is VERY good from his back, Sherk is too strong and will get to him in the later rounds where BJ will tire. In the end, Sherk will use his superior strength, superiod cardio, and awesome ground and pound to end the fight.

Prediction: Sherk by TKO. Best guess - round 2.

BetUS Line:

BJ Penn -240

Sean Sherk +180

Place Bet at BetUS

Bodog Line:

BJ Penn -250

Sean Sherk +200

Place Bet at Bodog

Wanderlei Silva Versus Keith Jardine

Wanderlei Silva: Silva has long been known for his brutal and aggressive attacks. His TKOs have been on highlight reels for as long as any of us can remember because... they are sooo memorable. He has a blackbelt in jiu-jitsu and heavy hands along with a thai clinch that has won him several fights over huge opponents (one including a brutal TKO against current title holder Rampage).

Keith Jardine: Jardine is coming off the biggest win of his career against Chuck Liddell where he brutally battered Liddell's body with leg kicks. His technique is very different but also aggressive. He has good technical skils in standup, but it remains to be seen how his ground game can hold up.

Fight Analysis: Jardine is going to try to keep this fight both standing and at a distance where his leg kicks are most effective. Silva is going to look to get inside Jardine's perimeter to score heavy blows. Jardine will be able to keep Silva at a distance, but only for a short while. I see this fight ending up with one hell of a knockout. Silva WILL get inside on Jardine and the trade of punches and knees will be something Jardine cannot withstand.

Prediction: Wanderlei Silva by TKO. Best guess - round 2.

BetUS Line:

Wanderlei Silva -175

Keith Jardine +135

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Bodog Line:

Wanderlei Silva -200

Keith Jardine +160

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Tito Ortiz Versus Lyoto Machida

Tito Ortiz: Tito is known as the workhorse with tons of cardio who brought recognition to 'ground and pound'. He is likely one of the most recognizable UFC fighters in history because he pounded his opponents into submission and quickly became the most feared fighter in his division in quick fashion. He is a skilled wrestler who has the ability to quickly get on top and begin pounding away.

Lyoto Machida: Machida is seen as one of todays top 5 fighters in the light heavyweight division and is a very well-rounded fighter with ground skills matching his incredible standup game. His complement of ground defense, good jui-jitsu skills, and excellent standup (hands and feet) have given him an undefeated record in 12 MMA fights.

Fight Analysis: This fight will be a matchup of opposites. Tito will want to take this game to the ground where he is stronger and his wrestling ability may provide advantage. Machida is going to try to use his takedown defense to keep this fight standing while chipping apart Tito's less than stellar standup game. Tito WILL get Machida to the ground, of that I have no doubt, but not for long because Lyoto is well-versed in BJJ and will use his abilities to keep Tito from dominating him in that position. Eventually, Tito will tire and have less takedown ability and at this point, Machida will take him out.

Prediction: Lyoto Machida by TKO. Best guess - round 3.

BetUS Line:

Tito Ortiz +160

Lyoto Machida -210

Place Bet at BetUS

Bodog Line:

Tito Ortiz +155

Lyoto Machida -185

Place Bet at Bodog