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Predict the outcome of the Penn-MacDonald fight at UFC on Fox 5, who wins and how?
MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I'll take Rory by decision. Too big. Too strong. Too good. Penn is still nearly impossible to finish, and I think he'll get in a little offense both on the feet and off his back, but Rory has seen the blueprint to beating Penn, and he has the absolute perfect skill set to pull it off. Clean sweep on the scorecards, with a possible 10-8 third round if he can tire Penn out enough in the first two.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think B.J. comes out motivated and whoops up on MacDonald. I think he shows how dangerous he can be when he's motivated. I would expect a ref stoppage to come by the third round or so.
CHRIS PARK, MMATORCH UK SPECIALIST
If B.J. Penn faces any top level fighter then he needs to get it done in a round, a round and a half max! Anything beyond that and he is half as effective at best.
Against both John Fitch and Nick Diaz he looked great in rounds 1 but faded dramatically and this is something that needs to be firmly in the forefront of his mind. He needs that urgency about him, the Penn that faced Sean Sherk, Caol Uno. The Penn who snatched the title from Matt Hughes. That B.J. Penn can beat anyone.
What has kept that version of The Prodigy at bay for so long? In my opinion; motivation. A motivated Penn is a dangerous first round for any MMA fighter in the world, regardless of weight class, and unless Rory MacDonald can restrain him until he tires, then I see B.J. Penn exploding on the younger fighter and finishing him within a round. @MMATorchUK
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
As much as I would love to see B.J. Penn climb the ranks of the welterweight division I just don't see it happening. He just doesn't seem to be able to really turn it on anymore. Although he's only 33, his stock has dropped significantly. MacDonald is the polar opposite he's a young fighter, 10 years the junior of Penn who has every tool he needs to win any given fight. I am going to give this fight to MacDonald by TKO in the second round, he will ground and pound to garner the victory.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
If I had a crystal ball and could see which B.J. shows up, I could predict this easily. If he trained and got himself into top condition he should have no trouble. MacDonald is a good bet to be the heir to GSP’s belt, but not yet. Because B.J. does not have many fights left in him, I think he will win this fight by KO in the later rounds. He has a great deal to prove and if he can win this fight, he goes a long way in starting his way back to the top.
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
As much as I respect and admire everything that B.J. Penn has accomplished in his career, I really worry for him in this fight. MacDonald, of all the UFC fighters with big potential, is the one most likely to fulfill it. He's an absolute beast and as soon as he gets Penn to the ground, he'll be too big and too good for Penn. MacDonald wins this by TKO in Round two and sadly Penn calls it a day after a soul destroying defeat.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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