The Academy Awards might be on tonight, but fight fans will have their gaze firmly fixed on the UFC action in Porto Alegre
Our staff writers records currently look like this:
Darragh “The Quizmaster” Murphy: 33-21
“Bourbon” Ben Kiely: 36-18
Antonio Silva (18-6-1) v Frank Mir (16-9)
DM: Picking this fight is essentially a case of “who is less ravaged by father time?” Who can remember another UFC event being headlined by two fighters who haven’t won in a combined 7 fights, four for Mir and three for Bigfoot.
The chins of both fighters have been left back in 2010 but I don’t see Mir having the power to take advantage of Bigfoot’s recent fondness for getting TKO’d.
This bout has Mir retirement written all over it and we can only hope that it comes earlier rather than later so he doesn’t take too much damage. Granted, there’s four years of difference but if Silva can finish Fedor Emelianenko then he shouldn’t have too much trouble seeing off Frank Mir. Bigfoot via TKO (round 1)
BK: Two or three years ago this would have been a really exciting main event but recent form means they’re both fighting for their jobs tonight. Bigfoot has looked a shadow of what he once was since he stopped doing TRT and Mir’s recent trips to Octagon have been massively depressing for fans who’ve followed him since the beginning of his career.
The former UFC champion and the man who handed Brock Lesnar his first defeat inside the Octagon has had his ass handed to him in his last four fights. His last bout against Alistair Overeem was a particularly hard watch.
Silva looks like he has slightly more in the tank and should be buoyed by the impassioned home crowd. However, retirement seems imminent for both of these MMA legends. Silva via TKO (round 2)
Edson Barboza (15-2) v Michael Johnson (15-8)
DM: Ah the age-old problem of the UFC picking bigger-name, heavier-weight fights for the main event over a fight that mixed martial arts fans would love to see go five rounds.
This fight goes down to how disciplined Michael Johnson is with his defensive guard. If he drops his hands at all, or fails to get them back in position quickly enough after throwing a punch, then he’s getting knocked out.
Johnson should be technical enough to avoid being caught by one of Barboza’s gorgeous kicks but that avoiding strikes doesn’t mean you win the fight. Barboza ought to focus more on peppering shots than looking for the finish and he’ll strike his way to a third consecutive win inside the octagon. Barboza by decision.
BK: That’s more like it. This a fun fight between two warriors who are still relevant in their division. However, the lightweight division is the most populated weight class in the promotion and as such, either fighter will need to make a real statement to launch a run at the belt.
Michael Johnson holds some wins over tough opposition such as Joe Lauzon, Gleison Tibau and Tony Ferguson and has the talent to come away with the victory tonight. However, he has to do battle against one of the most lethal strikers at 155 lb in the lion’s den.There’s a reason why Brazilian fighters tend to win in Brazil, and I think Barboza will give the fans something to smile about. Edson Barboza by TKO (Round 2)
Cezar Ferreira (8-3) v Sam Alvey (24-6-1NC)
DM: I don’t think Sam Alvey is going to tear up the 185lb division any time soon but he’s certainly a tough ‘un with KO power, as we saw with his victory over Dylan Andrews.
Having said that, Mutante is on a whole other level of talent. He’s got elite-level striking and grappling but his ability to take a punch is a cause for concern. The Brazilian crowd should be the deciding factor here, though, and urge Ferreira to go for an early finish. I see Alvey opening with some wild strikes before Ferreira clinches and gets the fight to the mat. Ferreira by submission (round 1)
BK: The thing about Sam Alvey is that he’s always a ball of nerves.
No really, the man with the million dollar smile will be more than able to cope with the pressure of being the villain in this fight. However, I don’t think he has the talent to justify his supreme confidence. He lost to Tom Watson, for Christ’s sake! Ferreira by decision
Rustam Khabilov (17-2) v Adriano Martins (26-7)
DM: I refuse to entertain the idea that Khabilov will even find himself in danger in this fight. The guy is an absolute animal and I think he will react to his loss to Benson Henderson in a way that will not be good for the health of Adriano Martins.
Martins is a good lightweight who will likely spend the remainder of his career as a gatekeeper of the UFC lightweight division but I see a title shot in Khabilov’s future. It’s just a matter of talent discrepancy here. Khabilov has been playing it a little bit safer as of late but I see him reverting to his finishing ways come tonight. Khabilov via TKO (round 3)
BK: Both these guys are talented lightweights who have been humbled in recent bouts against extremely talented lightweights. Khabilov was overwhelmed by masterful tactician Benson Henderson while Martins was absolutely annihilated by a trademark Donald Cerrone headkick.
However, they’ve both gotten wins inside the cage since their respective losses and they’ll be looking to build on them.
I give the Sambo specialist the edge here. Martins has power but lacks the technique that the Dagestani possesses.Khabilov by decision
Iuri Alcantara (31-5) v Frankie Saenz (11-1)
DM: Sean Shelby must have had a few tinnies in him when he put this scrap together. In no way is this a bout that makes sense. Iuri Alcantara is one of the best bantamweights in the world while Frankie Saenz is a man whose last name I’m never going to learn how to pronounce.
Frankie is getting thrown to the wolves here and it’ll probably be difficult to watch. Alcantara via KO (round 2)
BK: This is a complete mismatch. Alcantara is the eighth-ranked ranked bantamweight in the promotion and is currently riding a three-fight win streak. Frankie Saenz is a natural flyweight who only has one fight under the UFC banner.
It would be unfair to call this a David vs Goliath match up because David actually ended up winning. There’s only going to be one winner here and this time the little guy won’t upset the odds. Alcantara via KO (Round 1)
Santiago Ponzinibbio (19-2) v Sean Strickland (15-0)
DM: That moment when you watch the fighters’ previous bouts and realise that Sean Strickland is 15-0. The American looks to be the more dangerous fighter in this match-up.
He’s also going to have a significant size advantage with his drop to welterweight and I really see this as his chance to establish himself as a genuine prospect. “Tarzan” is nowhere near the finished product and leaves himself open to aggressive stand-up fighters but I think he should be able to take Ponzinibbio to the mat and dominate with ground and pound. Strickland by TKO (round 2)
BK: Whenever you have a match up between two heavy hitters, it has the potential to be a real barn burner. Strickland has a clear advantage if the bout goes to the mat but I don’t think the fight is likely to turn out that way.
He’s up against a really aggressive Brazilian who will have the full support of the crowd. Strickland didn’t look especially brilliant in his split decision victory over “professional guest fighter” Luke Barnatt and I think the fighting the belligerent fans literally calling for his death will overwhelm the 23-year-old. Ponzinibbio by TKO (Round 2)
