Pros Pick: Penn vs. Fitch

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Mike Ciesnolevicz: I got to spend some time watching and talking with B.J. while he was training for this fight in Las Vegas at one of the same gyms I train at daily. I saw some of the stuff he was working on, and I think he has a few surprises up his sleeve for Fitch. I am a Fitch fan also. I like his grinding style. He is well-rounded and shuts people down. He is very dominant but [is] also a humble guy. I think if it wasn’t for GSP, Fitch would be dominating 170 the last few years. This fight is a toss-up for me, but I am rooting for B.J. by submission.

Enson Inoue: B.J. [wins].

Stefan Struve: The only way I see B.J. winning this fight is by submission or KO, but I think that it is going to be a tough task to finish Fitch. I think Fitch will score points with his wrestling and will be able to avoid B.J. and his boxing and sub attempts. Fitch by decision.

Tom Vaughn: I don’t think anyone gets finished in this fight; they are both too tough. B.J. has strong takedown defense, his striking is superb and he’s learned how to last. I’m going with B.J. by decision.

Luis Ramos: I think B.J. wins by submission in the second round.

Elvis Sinosic: This match definitely has piqued fan curiosity. Fitch is well deserving of a title shot, let alone a number one contender’s match. Many say Penn shouldn’t be in the running for a contender shot, as there are other welterweights with more wins on the board than he has. Regardless of whether people think this match [should have been made], the fans are excited to see how Penn performs and wonder what Fitch will do. This fight, on paper, should be a lock to Fitch. He’s generally regarded as the No. 2 welterweight in the UFC. He’s going to be a lot bigger than B.J. He has the superior wrestling and has a great chin. He’s also on a five-fight win streak. On paper, Fitch should be able to clinch with B.J., take him down and at the least ride him out for a decision if he doesn’t get into a position to TKO him with ground-and-pound. I can’t see Fitch subbing B.J. unless he hurts him badly first with some serious ground-and-pound. B.J., on the other hand, is 1-2 in his last two fights. He was beaten by Frankie Edgar, but it was speed and movement, not size and pressure, that beat him. When he bumped up to welterweight again, he beat Matt Hughes easily in the first round. A lot of pundits attribute this win to Hughes being close to retirement and also his willingness to trade with B.J. rather than take him down straight away -- which is something that Fitch needs to do -- that cost him the fight. B.J. is always dangerous, as he has fast and heavy hands. He has good takedown defense and great Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Though B.J.’s BJJ is better from the top than the bottom, he’s always a threat anytime it hits the mat. Also, if he hurts you with standup, he has the ability to finish you quickly when he follows up with either striking or grappling. Now, the obvious pick is Fitch. If you were a betting man, you’d have to say that Fitch is the safe bet. He’s got a better record at welterweight. He’s on a longer win streak. He’s going to come in bigger and stronger and with better wrestling. He should be able to easily take down B.J. and at least ride out a decision victory if he doesn’t get into a position to finish. Saying that, the last couple of fights with Penn I’ve gotten wrong. Every time I’ve picked him to win, he’s lost. Every time I’ve picked him to lose, he’s won. If I pick him to lose this match based on the obvious matchup, then it’s apparent I’m going to be wrong again, so, for this pick, I’m going way out on a limb and picking B.J. for the victory. Since I think Fitch will most likely win a decision, I’m saying that B.J. is going to finish Fitch. Let’s hope I finally get a B.J. fight prediction right.

Stephane Vigneault: Fitch will overpower B.J. like Georges did. [He’s] not gonna be so dominant like Georges did but enough to win a boring decision. Fitch over B.J. by sleeping on my sofa. I hope something will happen and then go to the three-round [decision].

Dan Evensen: B.J. [wins].

Charlie Brenneman: Fitch is as good, or at least almost as good, as B.J. in all positions. He’s bigger and stronger, as well, so I’m going with Fitch by decision. He may eat a ton of jabs, but that won’t be enough to prevent him from winning.

Fabio Maldonado: I think B.J. is the favorite.

Rex Richards: I’ve always been a huge Penn fan. I hate to say that I believe Fitch will grind out a victory. If B.J. comes with a ton of heart, like in the past, he can finish Fitch early.

Gustavo Machado: It’s a tough fight, but B.J. wins by submission in round two.

Ovince St. Preux: I think Fitch is going to win. It’s going to go all three rounds, but Fitch’s wrestling is going to be the factor.

Alberto Crane: B.J. [wins].

Ron Foster: It’s hard to pick against B.J. after his last fight, but the truth of the matter is this: Fitch is a huge guy for 170. His size, strength and wrestling abilities will be a bit much for Penn to handle. Fitch has an iron chin and is a cardio machine, and we all know Penn has had cardio issues in the past. Fitch will grind B.J. down with wrestling. I don’t see him doing any damage to B.J., but Fitch will get the W. My heart is with B.J., but my mind says Fitch will grab his 14th win in the UFC -- 10th by decision. Fitch by unanimous decision.

Kultar Gill: As good as B.J. is, I don’t see him breaking the iron chin of Fitch. Size will prevail this time, and Fitch will wear down B.J. to a decision.

Thiago Tavares: I bet on a victory from Fitch. He’s stronger and has a excellent wrestling.

Tim Kennedy: The AKA guys have been on a tear of late. I think Jon has the wrestling and size to do the same thing that GSP has done. Fitch by unanimous decision.

Pros who picked Fitch: 25
Pros who picked Penn: 17
Pros who could not decide: 7

You can also contact Mike Sloan at www.facebook.com/mikesloan19. Brian Knapp contributed to this report.

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