Red Ink: Penn/Sanchez

When asked about Diego Sanchez’s chances against B.J. Penn Saturday, Kenny Florian -- a man who has fought and lost to both -- said that he believes Penn does everything Sanchez can do. Only better.

Probably true, but that’s not a prediction. Superior fighters lose to less talented opponents for reasons having no relation to skill: fatigue, a faulty game plan, a mid-fight surprise, and most often, a tactical error. Diego Sanchez probably can’t bully Penn around, but he can get in his face with A). more worrisome power than Kenny Florian brought, and B). better reach than the compact arms of Sean Sherk. He brings more to the table than Penn’s previous victims, and there may come a moment when Penn takes just a second to reset. It’s all Sanchez needs. The guy just does not stop.

What It Means: For Sanchez, a chance to become only the second man to defeat Penn in the 155 lb. division; for Penn, another checked box in what could turn out to be a lengthy, historical title run.

Might Look Like: Sanchez’s last fight against Clay Guida, which was a lot of back-and-forth jockeying for position. Fighters at levels this high tend to spend a lot of time vying for control more than they actually spend in control.

Wild Card: Penn’s mid-fight boredom, where lots of anaerobic activity can tend to have him hanging on -- rather than pressing -- the fight.

Third-Party Investor: Gray Maynard, who would probably have a better chance against Sanchez than Penn if he earns a contender’s slot.

Who Wins: In abandoning erratic training and diets, Penn has done the most dangerous thing he’s capable of: transplant his skill into an athlete’s body. It’s hard to imagine anyone having an answer for it until he’s tired of proving himself. Penn via grueling, gory, biohazard decision.