UFC 118: Preview and Predictions

We are three days away from seeing whether or not B.J. Penn can goad Frankie Edgar into a "fight" in order to get his belt back and if James Toney has more than a puncher's chance of defeating Randy Couture. Barring any last-minute injuries or problems, the fight card for UFC 118 is set in stone.

Here's a little preview and some predictions:

Frankie Edgar vs. B.J. Penn (UFC Lightweight Title)

Will Edgar be able to pull off yet another upset? I find it hard to think so. While I believe the fight will be close at the start, a refocused and healthy Penn should be able to overwhelm Edgar in the later rounds just as he did to Sean Sherk and Kenny Florian. I'm expecting Penn to mix up his offense a bit more and Edgar to employ a similar gameplan to his original one save a more aggressive approach to brief takedowns. Penn via submission in round three.

Randy Couture vs. James Toney

It still baffles me that some are surprisingly giving Toney more than a puncher's chance in this one, claiming that Couture's increasing age has done a number on his reflexes and timing. In all honesty, a 50-something Couture years removed from the sport would probably beat Toney with ease as well. I'm giving this fight a minute and a half at the most before it's over. Couture will do exactly as he says he will: throw an overhand right, take Toney down and pound him out before sinking in a fight-ending rear-naked choke.