Move over 100, it is time for 101!

It is said that there can never be too much of a good thing.  Lies!  All lies!  That being said, it is time to shift gears from arguably the greatest (or at least most talked about) UFC of all time, to another that has huge implications on the future of the sport.  We move from Brock Lesnar and GSP to Anderson Silva and B.J. Penn.

UFC 101 may not have the buzz that 100 did, but it is just as important.  The right side of the U.S. has been screaming for a UFC event for several years now.  It isn’t fair that Cali gets tons of action, Vegas gets some love, but nothing over here.  Finally!  UFC 101 is not only showing love, but the UFC crew is actually going to provide an incredible fight card.

The fight is less than a month away.  Here is the current fight card.  Here are the fights and a few thoughts that immediately come to mind.

155 pound championship fight

B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian

This is going to be a battle.  I have picked Penn to lose his last three fights, he has made me look pretty bad at times.  That being said, this will make number four.  This has the potential to be one of those fight of the year types!

Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin

Anytime you have the best fighter in the world fighting it is a good thing.  This time around the UFC has found someone that will without a doubt stand and fight him!  This could be the first time at 205 Silva has been tested.

Amir Sadollah vs. Johny Hendricks

Amir was a sleeper on his season of TUF.  Since then he has done more corny UFC commercials and videos than fighting.  Hopefully the Virginia native can stay healthy and finally get to work inside the cage.

Kendall Grove vs. Ricardo Almeida

Another solid fight.  Both of these guys would love to make a title run, and a loss could prove to be devastating!

Josh Neer vs. Kurt Pelligrino

Neer has hopefully closed the chapter of legal troubles and will be tested in this fight.  Kurt is not a scrub and is going to be a very tough opponent.

Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley

Uh yea…what to say…Aaron has the most experience between the two, but has lost a surprising eleven times.  I am not saying he knows how to lose, but he is definitely not a stranger to it.

Tamden McCrory vs. John Howard

Tamden is one of the UFC’s most unknown but exciting fighters.  If he is able to string a few wins together he could be a future fan favorite.

Thales Lietes vs. Alessio Sakara

This is a great match up!  I am anticipating tons of love from Josh on this one.

Matt Riddle vs. Dan Cramer

Matt Riddle is another one of the TUF guys that is hanging around in the UFC.  If he plans to make it a career he needs to win this fight.

George Sotiropoulus vs. Rob Emerson

Why wouldn’t Emerson be on the same fight card as Penn.  They will ever be connected!  The sound of Penn saying Emerson over and over on TUF is pretty much burned into my brain and I can’t get it out!  It is MMA’s version of nails on a chalk board.

Jesse Lennox vs. Danillo Villefort

Lennox has only lost once in his career.  More to come on these guys in the future.

Start the hype now.  UFC 101 is going to be great!  Not only will it be in PA, but most of the MMAOpinion staff will be at the event.  Look for some of the best coverage available on the net!