Torn on this. I really like Kenflo and he has improved leaps and bounds since the Sherk fight, of which I'd like to see a rematch. Penn has pissed me off lately and I'm quickly losing my respect for him. I want Kenflo to win this but in all honesty I can't see it happening. Penn is still a beast a 155, the best in the world and Kenflo I think would give him his hardest fight at the moment. The only unknown is where BJ's head is at.
I'm voting for Kenny Florian but that might be more because I want him to win than because I actually think he can. Kenny's striking has gotten a lot better. I think Kenny may be able to stand and strike with Penn. On the ground the advantage goes to Penn, but especially if Penn can get on top. Kenny really really has to make sure he doesn't end up on his back in this fight, which could prove a much harder task for him than it was for GSP or Sherk. Florian might be able to use some good ground and pound to try to tire our Penn like GSP did, but Florian is not as strong (in a physical sense) a grappler or as strong GnP as St. Pierre. I look forward to seeing Kenny get his second shot at the title, no matter how the fight goes. Dude really deserves it. Also, unrelated, I think Lauzon should get the winner of Sanchez-Stevenson. What an exciting matchup either way!
Im still going with Penn not sure what Florian can do he cant take Penn down and BJ has a big boxing advantage sure Florians got good leg kicks but BJ checks them well and on the ground as great as Florian is I believe Penn is that much better. Hes going to hurt him in the 3rd and RNC KenFlo.
Penn 1st round TKo...take it to the bank. He's coming in with something to prove, no lightweight in the world can beat him.
Penn; Florian has none of the advantages GSP had that made Penn look so average. BJ is stronger, has better wrestling, better hands, and the weight limit means BJ pretty much has to show up in shape; gas hasn't been the problem at LW for him that it has at WW. The fight is going to mostly be either on the feet or with BJ on top. The only way I can see Florian winning is to land some of his nice body kicks early, survive without being totally hammered or stopped, and finally manage to take Penn down late and get a GnP stoppage. I don't know if Kenny will even have better cardio; he is vastly improved since Sherk beat him, but that is the only 5 round fight of his, and it wasn't impressive.
im a massive penn fan but ive got a feeling this might be florians break through fight.. just a hunch..
KF by a close SD kenny would throw leg kicks, pressing the cage and a well defensive exchange on the ground.
I think Penn will either come into this fight looking to make a point and fight like a man posessed and dominates Flo, or the beating GSP gave him may have taken his edge, and he will not be the same fighter - obviously Im hoping the former.
I dont think Penn will tko Florian, I think Kenny is the better striker, Penn will win by submission or on points. Ken-Flo has improved a lot since the Sherk loss but IMO not enough to beat the greatest LWT that ever lived who is BJ Penn. There`s a chance Penn might not be mentally 100% after the GSP loss but if he is then I dont see any LWT in the world beating him. Diego Sanchez as a LWT vs Penn is something Id pay to see as long as Sanchez is as good as he was in his earlier WWT days, he could push BJ to the limit but Id still fancy BJ to win that one. Penn UD Florian :thumbsup