Brazilian former champions feature in the main and co-main event at UFC Fight Night 58 in Brazil and both will be looking to get right back into the title picture.
This is the final UFC card of 2014 and the judging in Brazil has been far from reliable this year but hopefully our pair of MMA writers will be a bit more accurate than them. Their record so far is:
Darragh “The Quizmaster” Murphy: 12-8
“Bourbon” Ben Kiely: 11-9
Lyoto Machida v C.B. Dollaway
DM: This is one of those fight where you either stand up and be counted or you get crane kicked into unconsciousness and, unfortunately for Mr Dollaway, I see this being the latter.
Fair enough, the wrestle has a few underdog victories to his name and Machida has struggled against strong grapplers like Weidman, Davis and Jones but I don’t think Dolloway is near their level of wrestling. I see Machida being too quick for a lumbering C.B. and the TUF vet getting tagged with a counter and finished off with frantic ground n’ pound. Lyoto Machida via TKO (round 2)
BK: I have no doubt in my mind that Dollaway has the requisite skills to grind out a victory against the Dragon. Will he? Probably not. Dollaway is one of the most improved fighters of the year holding a 2-0 record inside the Octagon for 2014. However, Lyoto Machida has that certain special quality that only comes with being a former champion and legend of the sport. I don’t see Dolloway lasting too long in this one. Lyoto Machida via TKO (round 3)
Renan Barao v Mitch Gagnon
DM: Renan Barao will win this however he chooses to. If he wants to break the record for fastest KO, tonight will be ideal to try it. If he wants to give a new submission a go, then Gagnon’s the guy to try it on. Making the leap from Roman Salazar to the former UFC bantamweight champion is too big for most men and Gagnon is one of them. Renan Barao via submission (round 1)
BK: I get the feeling that they’re throwing Gagnon to the wolves a bit too soon here. I’m a big fan of the Canadian and I think he’s got a wonderful future in the sport. However, as those overplayed Joe Rogan promos keep reminding us, Renan Barao is a monster. I envisage the Brazilian pummeling Gagnon to a bloody pulp from the opening round and not even Urijah Faber’s patented “thumbs-up” defence will be enough to spare him from the inevitable loss. Renan Barao via TKO (round 1)
Antonio Carlos Junior v Pat Cummins
DM: This is the ideal fight in which to make your pre co-main event cuppa. I don’t see anything too crazy taking place in the fifteen minutes, all of which will definitely take place. I don’t anticipate a finish here. Cummins has done well enough since he was all but murdered by Daniel Cormier and I’ll go for him to out-grapple the Brazilian for three rounds. Pat Cummins by decision.
BK: You’ve got to hand it to Pat Cummins. It took major cojones to take that embarrassing beating at the hands of Daniel Cormier after talking so much smack about him. He got his ass handed to him in that fight and for a time, it was looking like he could become a bit of a laughing stock. However, since his promotional debut he has won two fights on the bounce and he should extend that to three in Brazil. He’s proven that he’s right where he belongs. Pat Cummins by decision.
Elias Silverio v Rashid Magomedov
DM: The only fight on the main card with a result of which I’m somewhat uncertain. Both guys are amazing on the ground and have just one professional loss between them. It is in Brazil but I learned a long time ago never to side against a Dagestani. Rashid Magomedov by decision.
BK: This is probably the most intriguing bout on the main card for the MMA hipsters among us. I’m going to side with the Brazilian because of his home field advantage. I’m banking on the jet lag, weight cut and hostile crowd overwhelming the Dagestani. Elias Silverio via submission (round 3)
Erick Silva v Mike Rhodes
DM: Erick Silva will always be one of those fighters who can never quite make it to the very top of his weight class. But he will be a gatekeeper in the welterweight division for the duration of his career and Mike Rhodes is one fighter who won’t get past the Brazilian. Silva will catch Rhodes early and, depending on his mood, ground and pound for a stoppage or latch onto a RNC. Take your pick Erick my son, because you’re mine. Erick Silva via submission (round 1)
BK: Erick Silva has shown glimpses of brilliance throughout his career. I’ve always got the impression that with the right coach, he could eventually work his way into title contention. He’s going to be way too much for a mediocre Mike Rhodes who’s riding a two-fight losing streak. Silva should personally hand him his UFC pink slip after the dominant victory. Erick Silva via submission (round 1)
Daniel Sarafian v Antonio dos Santos
DM: Daniel Sarafian’s record fails to flatter him and if he wants to start making waves in the division, the 32-year-old had better pull his finger out. Dos Santos is making his UFC debut and I reckon he’ll fall victim to the usual adrenaline dump that debutants often do. Dos Santos will win the first round but Sarafian will take advantage of his fatigue in the second and grapple his way to a position to tap dos Santos. Daniel Sarafian via submission (round 2)
BK: There’s a lot of pressure on both these guys for very different reasons. Dos Santos will be looking to make a mark in his UFC debut while Sarafian knows that another loss will almost certainly result in him getting axed from the promotion. I’m going to go for the young up-and-comer here to rise to the occasion. Antonio dos Santos by decision
