| 11 December 2009
I've been pretty harsh of the past few cards the UFC have rolled out and things aren't looking real promising in the near future (unless Mark Coleman is still your idea of a PPV headlining talent). This isn't all the fault of the UFC management - injuries and illnesses have wreaked havoc with the talent pool - but, nonetheless, there have been some weak fight cards in recent times. UFC 107, however, is not one of them due to a triple threat of exciting match ups at the top of the card.
Ironically, the match that is getting the lowest billing on the card of the three is the frontrunner for Fight of the Night honours. Kenny Florian versus Clay Guida should be a thrilling match, with both men capable of carrying a fight all on their own. It also catches both fighters at a time when they will be desperate for a win, with Florian and Guida both coming off losses (ironically, to the two men in the main event of UFC 107, B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez, respectively). Both guys know that a loss will hurt their push for a title shot, and, likewise, a win will keep their names in the running for the gold. Two exciting fighters, both with their backs against the wall, equals a winning combination for the fans. Look for Florian's superior technique to give him the edge in this one.
The heavyweight headlining match on the card has the added bonus of bad blood between the participants. French striker Cheick Kongo has been irked by Frank Mir's verbal onslaught leading up to the match, and has started referring to him as "Big Mouth". Mir, meanwhile, is consumed with destroying Brock Lesnar and avenging his crushing defeat to him at UFC 100, and in the process is intent on tearing through any opponent in his way. Mir also has totally revamped his body and seems bigger (he weighed in at 264.5 today) and stronger than ever before. In the clash of styles - Kongo's striking versus Mir's Brazilian jiu-jitsu - look for the more experienced Mir to take the fight to the mat and finish it. However, one punch is all it takes to win a match and Kongo is definitely capable of delivering it.
The main event of the card looks to be a real thriller also, as Penn and Sanchez seem to have a healthy amount of contempt for one another. They also more than a healthy amount of confidence in themselves, so this match shouldn't fail to impress. The eccentric Sanchez is a cardio machine and likes to push the pace, which ensures exciting matches but also might allow Penn to capitalize on an ill advised move by his adversary. Look for the current champ to return to Hawaii with his belt still around his waist.
Check back at The MMA Manifesto tomorrow night for live play-by-play and interactive chat of UFC 107.
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