Early UFC On Fox 5 Preview

UFC on Fox 5 will take place on a December 8 on a Friday evening and will be a free to watch on television event featuring three top tier fights that are going to be fun and exciting to watch.  Here is an early preview of what will surely be an awesome fight night.

Rory “Ares” MacDonald versus  BJ “The Prodigy” Penn

The big storyline going into this game is like something out of a Rocky movie.  B.J. Penn is 33-years-old and is not getting any younger.  He has never been a fighter known for being in great shape, but instead was known as being a good fighter.  Unfortunately for Penn, when you start naming the best fighters in the UFC his name does not really come up anymore.  Penn has acknowledged this in interviews and says that despite his age that he still has some left to accomplish and Rory MacDonald has really lit a fire under Penn.

MacDonald knocked Penn for his weight in interviews and this has seemed to drive Penn to get in the best shape of his career.  He now seems to be fight ready.  The only remaining question is “What if Penn loses?”

MacDonald is penciled in as the early favorite over at Bovada.  The money line for MacDonald is -300 to Penn’s +250.

Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson versus Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

This lightweight match is an unpredictable bout.  Alexander Gustafsson seems to be the new up and coming contender for the lightweight title and getting a win over Mauricio Rua would be huge for The Mauler.  Gustfsson is also the early favorite according to the sports books at Bovada with a -230 money line.  Shogun’s line is at +180.

Despite Gustfsson’s favorable odds, Rua is still has a dangerous strike and ground game and could easily get an upset win with a KO or submission.

Benson “Smooth” Henderson versus Nate Diaz

This Lightweight Championship match should be a PPV headliner, but I’m not going to complain to get to see it for free on FOX.  Nate Diaz has been impressive since he defected from the welterweight division over to the lightweight division.  Benson Henderson is undefeated in the UFC and likes to take fights to the distance and win by decision.

Bendo’s strategy should be successful in this fight as well.  Bendo will try to take Diaz to the ground and avoid Diaz’s superior striking.  On the ground Bendo will attempt to out wrestle Diaz until the fight is over.  However,  Diaz has become renowned for his submissions. Bendo trying to go the distance on the ground is going to open up a ton of submission opportunities for Diaz who could easily take this one by submission.

Smooth is the slight favorite with a money line of -165 to Diaz’s +135.  This is going to be a good one.