For BJ Penn, it's about an undisputed title.
For Sean Sherk, it's about redemption.
For Lyoto Machida and Keith Jardine, it's about getting to that next level.
For Tito Ortiz and Wanderlei Silva, it's all about returning to that level.
UFC 84 is riddled with crossroads. Mixed martial artists fighting not only for titles but for respect as well. Here are my predictions for Saturday's MGM Grand Garden Arena card in Las Vegas.
Sean Sherk vs. BJ Penn -- Lightweight title
Former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk (35-2, 6-2 UFC) returns from his performance-enhancing drug suspension and faces the man that earned the vacant title with a win against Joe Stevenson in January. For Sherk to win this match, he's going to need to use his superior strength and wrestling ability to stay on top of Penn (13-4, 8-3-1) for five rounds and grind out a decision. I don't see Sherk finishing Penn unless, like Penn's second Matt Hughes' match, he sustains an injury. Penn has better standup, and for certain, Sherk will not submit the champ.
But I do see Sherk getting hammered standing up and when he goes in for a shot, Penn uses his takedown defense and his dexterity to block the attempt. Eventually, I think Penn will get Sherk's back midway through the second round and win by rear naked choke.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine
Can Keith Jardine earn wins against both Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva? Not yet.
I think we're going to get the best Silva that we've seen in years. I don't know much about running with a snorkel on (UFC: All Access show), but Silva (31-8-1, 1-3) knows he needs a win. If an opponent sits back against Jardine, the 32-year-old will throw vicious leg kicks and win on points (Liddell fight), but if Silva attacks, like he absolutely can, then he will earn the TKO win against Jardine (Houston Alexander fight). I see Silva returning to form, overwhelming Jardine and earning the TKO win.
Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Reljic
Like the placement of the Kalib Starnes/Nate Quarry match puzzled me at the last UFC card, this fight's placement puzzles me as well. I understand Gouveia (10-4, 4-1) has won his last four UFC matches after a decision loss to Jardine, but does this fight deserve higher billing than the Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida match? Was this done to possibly get under the skin of the departing Ortiz? I don't know too much about Reljic. He's 7-0 in other organizations and is making his UFC debut. He's won five of those matches by submission. But Gouveia is more battle-tested in the Octagon. He wins this one by TKO/KO in the second.
Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida
Ortiz enters the Octagon possibly for the last time. More than possibly, but you never know. Machida is undefeated in his mixed martial arts career and has a unique striking style thanks to his Karate background. It will do Ortiz (16-5-1, 14-5-1) no good to stand and trade with Machida. He needs to take Machida down and punish the 12-0, 4-0 contender. Under normal circumstances, I give the edge to Machida in this one. But because this is Tito's victory lap and he has a lot of pride on the line, I think Ortiz will out work Machida and earn the decision victory.
Thiago Silva vs. Antonio Mendes
Silva is that late draft pick that turns out to be a star. Not much attention has been paid to the 25-year-old Brazilian, but he's 11-0 overall and now 3-0 in the UFC with three referee stoppages. Silva continues his ascension up the light heavyweight division with this TKO stoppage in the first round against Mendes (14-2), who is making his UFC debut.
Readers: Who will win these matches?