The UFC returns this Saturday night for their first event since the much hyped UFC 100 show. While UFC 101: Declaration provides a good main event and a solid co-main event, the rest of the card leaves much to be desired. In fact, UFC 101 is more of an “Ultimate Fighter” reunion special than anything else.

BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian – While I do think that Kenny Florian is top three in the UFC lightweight division, I don’t think he has nearly enough to defeat current champion BJ Penn.

Thus far in his career, Florian has relied on on a relentless, technical striking game to frustrate opponents and work the fight to the ground where he finishes the fight with ground-and-pound or a submission.

BJ Penn will be a whole other beast for Florian however. We all know that BJ is notoriously the hardest fighter in MMA to work to the ground. Once on the ground with BJ, you are never in a safe place as Penn is equally adept at securing a submission from the top or bottom.

In his last few fights, Penn has also shown a much improved striking game that could matchup decently with Florian. I think Florian will have the better kicking game, but as far as pure striking the matchup is probably a push.

The last factor is, of course, endurance. We know Florian will be in excellent shape, and based on his recent fights and training footage, we have no reason to believe that Penn won’t be in top shape as well.

So, all things considered, Penn is just too good for everyone else in the lightweight division at the moment. This is not a knock against Kenny Florian, its just a simple fact. Penn wins via submission in round three.

Winner: BJ Penn

Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin – I really went back and forth for a while when I was thinking over this matchup. Can Forrest Griffin really challenge Anderson Silva? Does he have what it takes to defeat Silva at light heavyweight?

The more I thought it over and talked about it with friends, the more I realized the answer. No.

Anderson Silva is just too talented and skilled at every aspect of MMA and can “turn it on” or off whenever he wants to.

Forrest Griffin has power and an improved ground game, but neither of which matchup to the level of Silva’s technical striking and grappling skill. Forrest’s only hope is to use his size advantage to work and keep Anderson on his back for the full three rounds. Over time, having the “bulk” of Griffin on top of him, could frustrate Silva.

While many critics are calling for a close battle for several rounds, I think Anderson could, once again, end this fight quickly via strikes.

Winner: Anderson Silva

Amir Sadollah vs. Johny Hendricks – If you looked solely at the UFC’s promotional and marketing machine, you would think Amir Sadollah is one heck of a fighter and worthy of being pushed. The reality, however, is much different.

Sadollah has a lone fight on his professional MMA record, a victory against CB Dollaway on that TUF 7 finale. Since that fight in June of 2008, Sadollah has been injured and not appeared in the UFC. The fact remains we really don’t know much, if anything, about Amir’s game. Sure, he has been training with the crew at Xtreme Couture, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.

We have seen Johny Hendricks fight, however, as he sports a 5-0 record with two of those wins in the WEC. Hendricks has good power and a strong wrestling background. If he can avoid Sadollah’s favorite Thai clinch, I think he should be able to win this fight via TKO in the first or second round.

Winner: Johnny Hendricks

Kendall Grove vs. Ricardo Almeida – Many people seem to have written off Ricardo Ameida after his last two fights, but I still think Almeida is just getting his feet back under him after his long layoff.

I’ve never been impressed with Kendall Grove and don’t think he has much to offer as a middleweight at all. Grove clearly relies on his striking and clinch game and will definitely have the edge in striking against Almeida, who doesn’t pose much threat standing up.

However, Kendall doesn’t have nearly enough offense or defense on the ground to match up with Ricardo Almeida’s BJJ game. I think Almeida works hard for the takedown and, once he is able to secure one, will end the fight via submission.

Winner: Ricardo Almeida

Josh Neer vs. Kurt Pellegrino – Josh Neer will hold a decided striking advantage against Kurt Pellegrino. Neer has better power, striking skill and hand speed, and if the fight remains standing Neer will win the easy victory.

Kurt Pellegrino has the better wrestling game and will need to utilize this ground work from the opening bell to be able to get a victory over Neer. The odds makers have this fight as an even push and I am inclined to agree.

What should be an exciting matchup will probably be anything but exciting in my opinion with Pellegrino taking the victory on points.

Winner: Kurt Pellegrino

Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley – Winner: Shane Nelson
Tamdan McCrory vs. John Howard – Winner: John Howard
Thales Leites vs. Alessio Sakara – Winner: Thales Leites
Matthew Riddle vs. Dan Cramer – Winner: Dan Cramer
George Sotiropoulous vs. George Roop – Winner: George Sotiropoulous
Jesse Lennox vs. Danillo Villefort – Winner: Jesse Lennox