Since dropping a miserable five straight to disgruntled Buckeye fan boy Mike Fridley, Sherdog.com columnist Mike Sloan has been on a tear. He's ripped through Beatdown's TJ De Santis and Sherdog East Coast rep Steven Curtis like a knife through warm butter in winning four debates in a row. Sloan looks to continue his streak by dismantling De Santis yet again. Can the young buck from the North salvage a winless career?

Mike Sloan: You know, I've tried to goad Fridley into this debate all week long. But it seems like he's either too busy to put his unblemished record on the line or he's still getting his stomach pumped after swallowing too many pills due to his beloved Ohio State getting flattened by LSU. To say the least, and since I have yet to actually beat that guy, I was looking forward to a stiff challenge this time around.

I guess I was wrong, TJ. I got you instead.

You just can't seem to learn a lesson, huh? You'll be sitting at a rather inglorious 0-3 after you lay another goose egg in this debate.

To cut to the chase, I'm picking B.J. Penn (Pictures) to thwart Joe Stevenson's impressive run at the title, and he'll do it relatively quickly. I swore up and down that I'd never pick Penn again for the rest of my natural life after he gave away two fights (to St. Pierre and the rematch with Hughes) he was easily winning until his lack of training or focus betrayed him.

But in this one, I just don't see Penn not being in shape. His back-to-back losses taught him a valuable lesson, and now that he's back down at lightweight, where he absolutely has to train hard in order to make weight, I don't see how "The Prodigy" can lose.

Penn is arguably the greatest talent this sport has ever seen, though he hasn't lived up to his potential. The Hawaiian has said he's realized the errors of his ways following the loss to Hughes and has rededicated himself to his craft. If Penn comes into the fight totally focused and in shape, it'll be an easy fight.

Save for brute strength, Stevenson falls short to Penn in every category: striking, submissions, agility, athleticism. You name it and B.J. is better than "Daddy." The only way that Stevenson can possibly win this fight is if he is able to drag Penn into the fourth or fifth round. But it won't happen because B.J. will be scoring a beautiful rear-naked choke early in the second and set up a shot for the real UFC 155-pound title.

TJ De Santis: Back in the Great Sherdog Debate saddle again. And you know what they say about try number three: It's usually the charm.

Funny, you being a Vegas guy should know this. Also, you being a Vegas guy, I am sort of stunned you're not being a bit of a homer here and going with Joe Stevenson. Not only will I conquer you this time around, but I am going to be sure to tell Joe you doubted him. Have fun looking over your shoulder next time you frequent Jeff Sherwood's favorite buffet at the Rio.

Stevenson has been a force since falling short to Josh Neer (Pictures) back at Ultimate Fight Night 4. Since then he made Yves Edwards (Pictures)' look like he just walked off the set of "Carrie," outclassed Dokonjonosuke Mishima (Pictures), embarrassed Melvin Guillard (Pictures), beat a tough Kurt Pellegrino (Pictures) and this Saturday night will shock the MMA world by defeating B.J. Penn (Pictures) and winning the UFC lightweight title.

There is no doubt that Penn is a stud. Anyone that can choke out Matt Hughes (Pictures) and then give him a kiss has my respect.

However, the whole world is banking on Penn to win and fight Sean Sherk (Pictures) in April. Even Penn is looking forward to April. He has been outspoken about Sherk's steroid issues, and it seems they're already promoting their showdown at times. "The Prodigy" is a smart fighter, but I feel he is looking past Stevenson.

On paper, Penn is better than Stevenson. Better hands, better jiu-jitsu and better overall technique. But if 2007 taught us anything, it was that the better fighter on paper doesn't always win.

I think B.J. is sleeping on Stevenson. Now don't confuse that with him overlooking Joe. I am sure Penn knows Stevenson is a tough fighter, but I don't think he understands how tough. For Penn to win he is going to have to dispatch of Stevenson quickly. Otherwise Joe is going to grind it out and make it very unpleasant for Penn.

B.J. will start strong and utilize better striking to take control of the bout. After having issues trying to finish, Penn will fade. Stevenson is a tough kid that has little quit in him. The former King of the Cage champion has only been stopped three times in seven defeats. Joe steals this fight away after Penn becomes defeated mentally. Stevenson's hard head, heart and smart ground defense will get him through any trouble Penn will present early.

Joe "Daddy" will look to rally midway through the third and take it to the Hawaiian. Using his strength and wrestling, Stevenson will punish Penn from the guard to win via split decision.

The Rest of the Card:

Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) vs. Fabricio Werdum (Pictures)
Sloan: Lightning won't strike twice. Gonzaga wins a decision in a relatively dull affair.
De Santis: Agreed. Gonzaga is stronger, has better strikes and should really be able to control Werdum. It will be dull, but not as dull as the 14-minute head bobber we had to endure before Gonzaga knocked out Kevin Jordan (Pictures).

Jason Lambert (Pictures) vs. Wilson Gouveia (Pictures)
Sloan: Lambert seems to have his focus back into fighting, so I don't see him losing. My pick is Lambert by third-round stoppage due to strikes.
De Santis: Gouveia has a surgically repaired nose. Lambert said on a recent edition of "The Savage Dog Show" that he was going to attack it if he could. That mixed with momentum coming from the recent destruction of Babalu, I think Lambert is a lock.

Marcus Davis (Pictures) vs. Jess Liaudin (Pictures)
Sloan: Davis seems like an over-hyped bomber, but it's hard to say he's not the real deal. My guess is that Davis is legit and he scores another awesome KO, this one coming in the second.
De Santis: Davis is the loveable loser from TUF 2. Except now he doesn't lose. Look for Davis to slug it out and put Liaudin down for a nap.

Kendall Grove (Pictures) vs. Jorge Rivera (Pictures)
Sloan: I feel bad for Rivera. He has become the UFC's newest gatekeeper, snatching that job from Elvis Sinosic (Pictures). Grove needs a win to bounce back and what better opponent than Rivera? Grove will end it late in the first.
De Santis: You said it all. Grove by TKO.

Paul Kelly vs. Paul Taylor (Pictures)
Sloan: Paul will win this one -- trust me.
De Santis: That's all the insight you're going to offer? Two can play this game. Look for the Englishman to come out on top.

Antoni Hardonk (Pictures) vs. Colin Robinson
Sloan: Should be a somewhat entertaining battle, but Hardonk will be more active and effective. He wins a decision.
De Santis: Tough pick. I will go Hardonk by stoppage late in the third.

Sam Stout (Pictures) vs. Per Eklund (Pictures)
Sloan: Sorry, Eklund, but the lead-in stories written about you are all for naught as Stout will prevail. Trust me: Stout via second-round stoppage.
De Santis: I like Eklund in this one. He has submissions in his arsenal. I think the two will battle it out on the feet for a while, but look for Eklund to control Stout on the floor.

James Lee vs. Alessio Sakara (Pictures)
Sloan: This one looks like a showcase fight for Lee, a man making his UFC debut who hasn't lost in almost four and a half years. Lee's submissions are as good as they get for 205, and he'll prove me right by tapping Sakara in the first with an armbar.
De Santis: I am going out on a limb. Sakara by KO in the first. Why not?

GSD Career Totals:
Fridley: 5-0
Sloan: 16-13
Savage: 8-11
Curtis: 0-2
De Santis: 0-2
Sherwood: 0-1
Gross (ret): 0-1