UFC 107 is upon us this Saturday and it is a fight that I have been waiting to see for quite some time now. But I do think if Diego Sanchez had fought BJ Penn earlier in his career he would have been thoroughly dominated by the “Prodigy.” However, after Sanchez had his last loss something did seem to change with him. In my opinion, he seemed to transform into the “full-time fighter” which are the guys who are training year-round and always working on their game just like Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva (when their not injured).

We have always known that Diego Sanchez has a really good ground game and he has added, what appears to be, a really good stand-up game as well. But the factor that gives Sanchez his ability is his heart and mental toughness – even if he is a little “out there.” But most MMA fighters are probably a little “out there” (e.g. Forrest Griffin). Even with all of that – I just cannot see Diego Sanchez beating BJ Penn. Do not forget that many of the major MMA fight writers thought Kenny Florian would beat BJ Penn and we witnessed Penn beat Florian at his own game. I suspect that Diego Sanchez will try to stand-up and box BJ Penn which is likely a bad combination because Penn has heavier hands than Sanchez…

Now on to the predictions!!

Diego Sanchez v. B.J. Penn: Even though I really like how much Sanchez has improved his all around game, I just cannot see him beating BJ Penn especially after what Penn did to Kenny Florian. I like BJ Penn KO3

Cheick Kongo v. Frank Mir: This is kind of a toss up for me to predict a winner because both guys looked bad in their last fights but considering each guys opponent that is a bit unfair to base them on that. However, Mir is the one who changed trainers after his loss to Lesnar and that is not always a good thing. Mir definitely has the superior ground game but I think Kongo has the better stand-up. I’m going to go with Kongo by unanimous decision on this one.

Mike Pierce v. Jon Fitch: No question about this one here. Jon Fitch unanimous decision. Fitch is a good fighter with an even greater heart. Unfortunately, a big heart will not allow him to beat GSP.

Clay Guida v. Kenny Florian: This is going to be a great fight. Clay Guida has never been in a boring fight and he is going to keep coming at you no matter what. However I think this kind of aggression will benefit Kenny Florian.Even thought Florian was submitted in his fight against Penn – he did not look “bad” in that fight, he was just up against a fighter who had all the answers. This is my upset pick on this one. I think Guida pulls this one out on a split decision over Florian.

What do you guys think about my fight predictions?