Nick Diaz is aiming to make an instant impact on his return to the UFC against BJ Penn at UFC 137.
Diaz aiming to kickstart UFC return with win
When BJ Penn takes on Nick Diaz at the main event of UFC 137 it will represent the third incarnation of a troubled card which has been hit by injuries and external pressures.
The main event was originally slated to see Diaz take on welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, before the former Strikeforce challenger failed to turn up to a number of press conferences, citing personal reasons for his absence.
UFC President Dana White decided to step in and replace Diaz with fellow contender Carlos Condit, as well as arranging Penn v Diaz as a co-main event to reduce the pressure on the 28-year-old. But then GSP was ruled out with a knee injury, ironically pushing Diaz back to the fore.
With GSP the latest superstar to pull out of a main event in 2011 - following injuries to Jon Jones, Rashad Evans, Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar - White's organisation have been forced to re-think their main events on a regular basis.
Intriguing
However, it could be argued Penn v Diaz is a more intriguing contest than both previous bouts at the top of the bill.
Veteran Penn is preparing for his third fight back at welterweight after losing his lightweight crown to Edgar and is 4/5 with Sky Bet to beat the 28-year-old.
Diaz
(21/20) vacated his Strikeforce title to return to the UFC and is on a remarkable 10-match winning run in all organisations, including three five-round title defences.
Whether he can replicate this level of performance in the Octagon remains to be seen, but after finishing six of those 10 wins by KO or TKO stoppage, Diaz could be worth a 9/2 punt on winning by this method.
Both Penn and Diaz are rounded fighters who are as happy to take the fight to the ground, where they have excellent wrestling and submission skills. With this in mind it could be worth looking at the fight to end by submission at 4/1.
Slugfest
In the new co-main event, Matt Mitrione takes on Cheick Kongo in a heavyweight bout that could turn into a slugfest right from the opening exchanges.
This is reflected in the method of victory price as KO or TKO is 1/2 with the fight
5/4 to go the distance.
Since graduating from the UFC's Ultimate Fighter reality show, Mitrione has won all five of his professional fights and is 8/11 to add Kongo to his growing list of conquests.
The veteran Frenchman suffered a terrible beating against Pat Barry before finally landing a KO blow when he looked to be on the way to a third defeat in five.
Kongo is
11/4 to knock out Mitrione and perhaps set himself up for one last run at the heavyweight title.
