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| 02:33 AM ET  11.30 | TALE OF THE TAPE

 

~BJ Penn~ 16 wins, 7 KOs, 6 SUBs

HT = 5' 9"

WT = 170 lb

REACH = 70"

Style: Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Most memorable fight(s):

1. GSP I

2. Matt Huges I

3. Diego Sanchez

4. Joe Stevenson

5. Lyoto Machida (open weight class)

 

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~Rory MacDonald~ 13 wins, 6 KOs, 6 SUBs

HT = 6

WT = 170 lb

REACH = 76.5"

Style: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai

Most memorable fight(s):

1. Carlos Condit

2. Nate Diaz

3. Clay French

4. Che Mills




ANALYSIS: BJ Penn versus Rory MacDonaldSurprisingly Penn has put on some muscle. But does this mean he has the conditioning to continue to fight MacDonald into the later rounds.... I sincerely still have my doubts. Once again Penn is taking on an opponent that should historically beat him to a pulp. Penn IMO is a great fighter at the Lightweight Division, but moving up to the next weight class, the Welterweights, has not treated Penn kindly.

GSP, Nick Diaz & Jon Fitch proved to be a difficult task for Penn to come out on top of the matches. Now even Frankie Edgar, a smaller former Lightweight champion, has beaten Penn twice. MacDonald looks to have recovered from his beating from Carlos Condit and his orbital bone seems to be just fine after fighting and winning 3 more fights after his lost to Condit.

If Penn can somehow be able to strike MacDonald perfectly at the same spot where Condit did his damage, then IMO Penn can bring down MacDonald. But IMO MacDonald has a few more variables that favor him over Penn. MacDonald has the luxury of training with GSP, has the longer reach, and is coming off 3 wins over Diaz, Pyle and Mills. MacDonald looks to be ready for more action and has set his target on destroying Penn. I would not be surprised if Penn comes out the winner, but IMO MacDonald has enough advantages over Penn and should get the victory....

 

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