The Big Fight Preview - UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch

JayF · Feb 23, 2011

Chris Cork takes an in-depth look at the main event from this week's UFC 127 fight card, BJ Penn vs. Jon Fitch.

He also makes his prediction based on this, surmising that Fitch may well be the victor after fifteen minutes of fighting.

You know what youre going to get from Fitch, so its likely to be a similar game plan against Penn who possesses very solid defensive wrestling skills, despite being put on his back frequently by St-Pierre and, to a lesser extent, Edgar. Weak shots from the outside wont cut it against Penn, and Fitch wont be able to rely on catching kicks because the Hawaiian throws so few.

Fitch, therefore, will likely want to clinch with Penn and use his size and strength to muscle him to the floor or push him against the fence. In fact, we may get a scenario where Fitch holds Penn against the cage for lengthy periods looking for takedowns but seldom completing them. The upshot being an excruciatingly tedious fight with a lack of point-scoring action.

If and when Fitch gets the takedown, he would be best served playing a judicious top game to help him keep Penn on his back. Sitting in guard and sporadically striking gives him far more control over Penn than an aggressive ground and pound approach would. And attempts to pass Penns guard could present The Prodigy with opportunities to scramble, sweep or stand back up. It may be somewhat dull but its a low risk, high reward strategy that will benefit Fitch.
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Check out the full thing here:

http://www.yourmma.tv/news/details.asp/id/1521/ufc-127-the-big-fight-preview-bj-penn-jon-fitch.htm

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The Big Fight Preview - UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch

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The Big Fight Preview - UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch

JayF Active Member Full Member