UFC 137: Diaz vs. Penn main-card picks

Diaz, right, squares off against former training partner Penn in a
clash for a potential welterweight title shot. 

In what was once slated to be headlined by a welterweight title fight, UFC 137 is chalk full of former and future title holders. 


The prelims feature renowned fighters such as Donald Cerrone and Tyson Griffin, but the main card is where the eyes of the MMA community will be focused.


Main card action begins with a featherweight bout between Japan's Hatsu Hioki, who is making his UFC and American debut, and UFC veteran George Roop. Although Roop has a slight reach advantage, Hioki is the better mat technician and should be able to submit Roop. Roop does have a history of losses due to submission.


137's bantamweight bout pits MMA veteran Jeff Curran making his UFC debut against Scott Jorgensen who is fighting in just his second fight inside the octagon. Curran looks to add another win to his current win streak whereas Jorgensen is looking to follow-up his KO of Ken Stone. Both these men have good cage awareness and do not have a problem with going the full three rounds. I see this one ending in a split decision victory for the veteran Curran in his UFC debut.


Now is when the fun begins. It is time for the heavy hitters of the UFC.
In the night's first of two heavyweight tilts, the legendary Mirko Cro Cop is looking to bounce back after two straight losses against "Big Country" Roy Nelson, who is also coming off two straight losses. Both men are eager for a win, but Cro Cop much more so. There have been rumors that win or lose Mirko might be fighting his last match in the UFC. If that is the case look for both men to put on a classic battle. This one could go the distance, but I believe Cro Cop will KO Nelson in the third round.


As for the second heavyweight fight, Cheick Kongo looks to halt Matt Mitrione's unbeaten beginning to his UFC career. Kongo had one of the most epic KOs over Pat Barry back in June and looks to build off of that. He will have his hands full with Mitrione, who has only had one of his five fights go to the judges. This has all the makings of a brawl and that's what I expect. As resilient as Kongo has shown to be, I have to take Mitrione with a late-third round KO.


On to the main event, Nick Diaz rides a 10-fight win streak into his UFC return versus B.J. Penn who's last fight ended in a draw. It is Penn's third fight since his return to welterweight and Diaz's first in the UFC in over five years. This is quite possibly the most even match-up ever on paper. Both men have similar fighting styles and fight with a lot of intensity. Whoever can harness that fire and emotion into the fight the best will win this and possibly garner a #1 contender's spot. I believe Diaz will win by KO or submission in the third round.


RECAP:
Hioki submission over Roop
Curran split decision over Jorgensen
Cro Cop KO Nelson
Mitrione KO Kongo
Diaz sub or KO Penn


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