The BJ Penn and Frankie Edgar rematch is almost here yet all we hear about is James Toney’s princess remarks towards Randy Couture. Yes, Toney and Couture might be legends in their respective sports and it’s perfectly understandable from a business standpoint that this fight will garner enough attention to make a substantial amount of money but they could have promoted the Lightweight title rematch a lot more because these are the guys that epitomize what this sport is about. Toney claiming boxing is better than MMA is so 1993.It’s about time someone shut’s him up.

 I’ve given Toney too much ink already; let’s get on with the card. Shall we?

Nate Diaz vs. Marcus Davis (Welterweights)

Nate Diaz moving to 170 doesn’t change anything. He didn’t win a title in 155 because he wasn’t good enough and it still rings true at 170. He will definitely have a huge advantage when this fight gets to the ground. The only question is how will it get to the ground? If it is what I expect, Davis will clock him and knock him out cold. Davis might not have much of a ground game but Diaz thinks he’s a much better striker than he actually is so it will be his downfall. But if this fight goes beyond the 2^nd round, Diaz will win by submission (which I highly doubt).

Prediction: Marcus Davis by KO round 1

Kenny Florian vs. Gray Maynard (Lightweights)

The winner of this match should be the number 1 contender for the lightweight title. Since losing to Penn, Florian has been very impressive in his wins over Clay Guida and former Pride Lightweight King Takanori Gomi. Maynard meanwhile has remained undefeated and plans to stay that way against Ken-Flow. A task that is not an easy one considering Florian’s ever improving game. His wrestling isn’t at par with Maynard’s but he is a black belt in BJJ and his striking is much more advanced so he really doesn’t need to.  Maynard is very tough and durable and it’s very unlikely Florian can knock him out, and while he’s a very good scrambler I can see Kenny catching him midway in the 3^rd with a submission.

Prediction: Florian by submission in Round 3

Demian Maia vs. Marlon Miranda (Middleweights)

After losing to current middleweight champ Anderson Silva in Dubai (UFC 112) we’ll finally see if Maia is still worthy of another title push. Miranda is no bum but if his standup is not at par with the likes of Anderson Silva or Vitor Belfort (which it isn’t), Maia will submit him eventually in the 2^nd round.

Prediction: Maia by submission

Randy Couture vs. James Toney (Heavyweights)

I love Randy Couture and I was a big fan of Toney but this is just madness. Randy will melt if Toney touches him so Randy should be smart enough to not stand with him and stay away from the clinch and just pound him to submission.

Prediction: Couture wins via ground and pound

BJ Penn vs. Frankie Edgar (Lightweights)

I got to give Edgar credit. Though I gave the first fight to Penn, Edgar didn’t let Penn control the fight and BJ never really got going. Edgar pulled off a Manny Pacquiao and just darted in and out as he peppered BJ with punches most of the fight. That will all change this time as I believe Penn will take it to Edgar and get this fight on the ground by knocking him down. BJ could just let him take him down but he’s too proud to let that happen. Either way, BJ wins this in the very first round.

Prediction: BJ Penn by submission in round 1