The Ultimate Fighting Championship love taking the long haul over to Brazil, the birthplace of the sport has welcomed them with open arms and getting to see the consensus pound-for-pound king compete on home soil is a big deal to the Portuguese-speaking public, no matter who the opponent is.
We speak of fighters with ‘nothing to lose’ so frequently that it’s sort of become a tired cliche but tomorrow Stephan Bonnar literally has nothing to lose. If he gets beaten, well, he lost to the best fighter in the world. On the flip side, if he wins, Matt Serra knocking out George St. Pierre or Fabricio Werdum tapping Fedor Emelianenko will pale in comparison to the shock written over everyone’s face.
I went around the hypothetical MMASucka office knocking on doors and pestering the crew for some pre-fight predictions. Admittedly, most were playing Solitare or napping but once I got their attention they managed to get their picks to my E-Mail as we battle for bragging rights.
Anderson Silva vs. Stephan Bonnar
Trevor Dueck:
I want to take Bonnar in this fight just so I’m different than everyone else. I mean how cool would it be to see a monumental upset? I could say that I predicted it on MMASucka.com. Alas, I can’t do it. As great of a warrior Stephan Bonnar is, and as much as I enjoy watching him fight, there is no way he even comes close to beating Silva. That said, something tells me that Silva has trouble ending the fight.
In the end he may win on points, but I am not going to say that this fight ends early. Bonnar knows he is the underdog, but this is a guy who is not going to go quietly into the night. What will be interesting is to see if this fight goes into the later rounds and we see what Silva’s gas tank is like at 205lbs division. Yes Bonnar may get beaten up badly, but Anderson better not take this fight too lightly or he may find himself frustrated and winded when the later rounds come knocking. Bonnar seems to only get better the longer a fight goes.
Something tells me that is what Bonnar’s game plan is…getting the fight to the later rounds and hoping that Silva gets caught with something. I still think it is Anderson Silva takes this fight but it will be via decision, which won’t make him happy but it will show us once again, the heart of Bonnar.
Anderson Silva by Unanimous Decision
Jeremy Brand:
Everybody seems to be counting Stephan Bonnar out in this fight. People seem to forget that this guy is a BJJ ace who isn’t scared to go to the ground. However, if he gets caught up in stand and bang fight, he’s in trouble.
Anderson Silva by first round TKO
JP Lasaleta:
If you have been following our staff pick series, you know I usually root for the underdog in these situations… But come on now… Bonnar is not going to beat Silva. It’s just a matter of picking the poison. I’ll take Silva by KO round 1
Anderson Silva by first round TKO
Thinesh John:
Silva is the best P4P fighter in the world. There’s no way he’s coming out of this fight with a loss. And with the Brazilian crowd behind Silva’s back, Bonnar will have his work cut out for him. Bonnar, though, has not been finished in his MMA career, so I’ll reckon we’ll go all 5 rounds in this one.
Anderson Silva by Unanimous Decision
Carlin Bardsley:
I expect this fight to be incredibly fun for the short time it lasts. But there’s a reason Anderson Silva is the best in the world and Bonnar is “the other guy” from the TUF 1 finale.
Anderson Silva by first round TKO
Justin Faux:
You’ve all seen the most famous animated gifs, Rampage slamming Ricardo Arona to the pits of hell, Anthony Pettis taking a page out of every fighting video game bouncing off the cage to blast Benson Henderson in the face, that sort of business.
This here is a fight that might give us some highlight-reel footage that will live on forever in 240-kilobyte animated format. I expect Bonnar to take it to Silva with a major hail mary offence, only to get brutalized from the counter-striking of the middleweight king.
Anderson Silva by first round TKO
Shawn Smith
Like most, I love a good underdog. Growing up with movies like The Mighty Ducks, one can’t help but cheer for the blue-collar hero.
Unfortunately, Stephan Bonnar has neither the knuckle puck nor a Flying V, and won’t be able to get things done inside the cage. His toughness will keep him in it until the end, but it won’t be pretty. I expect Bonnar to rumble out of the gates, maybe even land a punch but quickly fall apart to the superior striking and game-planning of Anderson Silva.
Anderson Silva by unanimous decision
SUCKA’S TAKING SILVA – 7
SUCKA’S TAKING BONNAR – 0
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Dave Herman
Trevor Dueck:
Dave Herman told MMASucka Radio a couple weeks back that he took one BJJ class and now plans on submitting Nogueira. All kidding aside, there are so many ways that Herman can lose this fight. Big Nog is no slouch standing up. If Herman thinks that he can keep this fight standing and pick Big Nog a part he is in for a rude awakening.
If this fight goes to the ground, Herman is going to look silly. Dave “Pee Wee” Herman use to be a guy who was a top prospect in the heavyweight division, but his refusal to work on his weaknesses has derailed his potential. Let’s hope after losing twice in a row for the first time in his career, that Herman has taken the sport a lot more seriously. The one thing that could go in Herman’s favor in this fight is the mileage on Big Nog and the cage rust. If Nogueira starts off slow, that is when Herman needs to pounce and finish this fight.Unfortunately I don’t see it happening. Nogueira will use his striking to set up a takedown and eventually another submission victory.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by second round submission
Jeremy Brand:
Big Nog is coming off a crazy injury and is going up against Pee Wee who believes BJJ is a fraud. I think this is a do or die fight for Herman, who had a fantastic record coming into the UFC, but hasn’t looked all that tremendous since making that transition.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by second round submission
JP Lasaleta:
Herman is the perfect come back fight for Nogueira. Big Nog will pepper Herman with his boxing, take the fight to the ground and submit Herman in the first round.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by first round submission
Thinesh John:
Story of this fight – Big Nog loves BJJ, while his opponent despises it. And both these guys are coming off tough losses so I think this will be a tight affair. I still fancy Big Nog to get a win though, and it may very well come in the form of TKO.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by first round TKO
Jiu-jitsu works. Much to Dave Herman’ chagrin.Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by first round submission
This is a fight that I really enjoy, mainly because I expect Nogueira to get his hand raised, with a minimal chance or him suffering a near-fatality that forces every journalist to write about how he has to hang up his gloves. He might not be the caliber of fighter that held the Pride Fighting Championship’s heavyweight crown but he’s good enough to tie Dave Herman up like a pretzel and do whatever the hell he wants with him.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by first round submission
Shawn Smith
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has never lost back-to-back fights in his career, and I don’t expect him to start now. The jiu-jitsu based Brazilian is coming off of the most devastating loss of his career, and will be looking to prove his relevancy in the heavyweight division.
Herman simply doesn’t have the skill to do anything against Nogueira. “Big Nog” hasn’t got a submission in a long time, and I expect that trend to continue.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by second round knockout
Glover Teixeria vs. Fabio Maldinado
Trevor Dueck:
I’m looking forward to seeing this fight, mostly because I’m interested to see how far the Teixeira hype train can go in the UFC. This is the guy that many, including him, have touted as Jon Jones’s greatest threat in the light heavyweight division.
Maldonado could be the guy who derails Teixeira’s ascent to the top. Both men can strike and this has all the makings of “fight of the night” or “knock out of the night.” Someone could be leaving with a bonus. Although Maldonado is creative with his striking, I’m going to take Teixeira’s brash power and overall skill set over what Fabio can offer. Although this could be a tougher fight for Teixeira, I don’t see him having too many problems with Fabio.
Glover Teixeira by third round TKO.
Jeremy Brand:
Glover Teixeira is the beast that no one wants to fight and Fabio Maldonado will be wishing he didn’t either after this fight is done.
Glover Teixeira by first round KO
JP Lasaleta:
Believe the hype. Glover by vicious KO in round 1
Glover Teixeira by first round TKO
Thinesh John:
This bout has ‘Fight of the Night’ written all over it. Teixeira is a beast with KO power, but Maldonado has excellent Boxing and has never been stopped by strikes. Although I see a back-and-forth 3 round affair with both guys standing and trading in the octagon, I feel that Teixeira will land the harder punches and get the decision.
Glover Teixeira by Unanimous Decision
Maldonado’s got good boxing, but there’s a reason no one wants to fight Glover. I expect Glover to keep the heat on Maldonado before sending him to dreamland.
Glover Teixeira by second round TKO
I expect Teixeria to win here, and win big. Maldinado is a fine fighter, definitely worthy of being in the UFC’s 205-pound ranks but aside from a lucky punch on the button I don’t see him winning this fight. As a bit of a change from everyone else I’ll take Teixeria to take this to the floor and remove a limb or two.
Glover Teixeira by third round submission
Shawn Smith
I don’t really see the big deal about Fabio Maldinado, and I think Glover Teixeira is a far superior fighter. Teixeira will put Maldinado to sleep, however he sees fit.
Glover Teixeira by first round submission
Jon Fitch vs. Erick Silva
Trevor Dueck:
Fitch is back after being on hiatus ever since his KO loss to Johny Hendricks back in December of 2011. It’s been a while but while he was away there was this guy named Erick Silva who was fighting and looking like a threat in the welterweight division.
This is a tough fight to pick because even if Fitch can take Silva down, it will be tough to keep him there. Fitch is tough and before he lost to Hendricks via KO, he had a chin of granite. Jon needs to dig deep and find the vintage Fitch to win this fight, but Silva is a wrecking machine on his feet and the longer this fight goes, the bigger chance Fitch gets caught by the younger and more dangerous Silva. On a coin flip of a fight, I’m going to take Erick Silva via devastating KO in the first round.
Erick Silva by first round TKO
Jeremy Brand:
Who will prevail in this one and how will it go down. We have everyone’s favorite lay and pray fighter, Jon Fitch against the always dynamic Erick Silva. Fitch has not fought in quite some time and will look to remain in a top position in the welterweight position.
Erick Silva by third round TKO
JP Lasaleta:
Perfect time to get a snack. Fitch wins by Fitch style decision.
Jon Fitch by Unanimous Decision
Excellent match-up on paper. I think Fitch will once again ‘fitch’ his way, in typical fashion, to a decision win. I can’t see Silva winning because I feel he hasn’t, yet, faced a wrestler of Fitch’s caliber.
Jon Fitch by Unanimous Decision
Carlin Bardsley:
I see this fight ending suddenly and violently. And since Fitch never wins in that fashion, that leaves Silva to continue his march up the 170 pound ranks.
Erick Silva by first round TKO
Justin Faux:
I don’t get this matchmaking. Jon Fitch gets blasted and knocked off his perch as the number-two ranked welterweight on the planet and suddenly he’s Glass Joe and any fighter with explosive power can send him crashing to the floor? I don’t see it.
Fitch is a far better wrestler and can force this fight to the floor whenever he wants it. One thing people forget in their ‘Jon Fich is ruining the sport’ bashery is how active he is on the floor, I mean how many guys can you name to rack up 10-8 rounds on BJ Penn? Fitch and Diaz, that’s all.
I’m taking the long-time UFC Intercontinental champion at 170-pounds to make a return, punch his ticket and go to work.
Jon Fitch by Unanimous Decision
Shawn Smith
Everyone I talk to has a different opinion on how this one is going to go down. Some think Fitch’s chin is shot and Silva will put another stamp on it while an almost equal amount believe Fitch will grind his way to victory.
We don’t know much about Erick Silva, despite having seen him twice. For what it’s worth, we did see Brenneman put him on the mat for a couple of second. I expect Fitch to do the same. Experience talks, and Fitch won’t make the same mistake twice. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Jon Fitch finishes him.
Jon Fitch by third round knockout
SUCKA’S TAKING FITCH – 4
SUCKA’S TAKING SILVA – 3
Phil Davis vs. Wagner Prado
Trevor Dueck:
The first time these two met it was Prado who looked to have more of the Octagon control as Davis was going through the “feel out” portion of the fight. Unfortunately the feeling out process ended up being Davis feeling Prado’s eye ball and within a minute the fight was stopped and now we have a redo.
Prado is extremely dangerous on the feet and that was why Davis was very cautious the first time around. However, now Davis knows what to expect and he will probably still be wary of striking with Prado, but patience could be the key in this fight. I expect Davis to weather the early Wagner storm and eventually take the Brazilian down. Davis will own Prado on the ground and the fight will be all Davis. This is Phil’s fight to lose.
Phil Davis by second round submission
Jeremy Brand:
Hopefully this one doesn’t end the same way the first contest went. No eye-pokes Mr.Davis. The only loss on Davis’ record is to former champ Rashad Evans. This guy is so close to cracking title contention and a win over Prado will push him one step closer.
Phil Davis by Unanimous Decision
JP Lasaleta:
Davis wins this continuation fight as he still has the fire to come back from the loss against Rashad Evans.
Phil Davis by Unanimous Decision
I fancy Prado for this one, but it won’t be easy. Prado has better stand-up, and he’ll use his Muay Thai to get the better of Davis. He has to defend Davis’ takedown attempts, though.Wagner Prado by Unanimous Decision
Carlin Bardsley:
I see Davis grinding down Prado with his superior wrestling and maintaining top control for the majority of the fight.
Phil Davis by Unanimous Decision
Justin Faux:
When Wagner Prado and Phil Davis had their no contest last time, Chael Sonnen and Rashad Evans criticized “Mr. Wonderful” heavily for not forcing an early takedown in a meltdown that was second only to Dana White’s freak out session on commentary in the 2003 middleweight grand prix when Chuck Liddell ‘didn’t follow the gameplan’ against Alistair Overeem.
This time, he will have more than 98 seconds to go to work (hopefully) and will get that takedown, coupled with improved striking as he will get up on points in a fine rebound.
Phil Davis by Unanimous Decision
Shawn Smith
Phil Davis learned a lot from his defeat earlier this year at the hands of Rashad Evans and I expect a completely advanced man to enter the cage. Even with the striking advantage, I just cannot see Prado keeping this on the feet.
Phil Davis by unanimous decision
SUCKA’S TAKING DAVIS – 6
SUCKA’S TAKING PRADO – 1
Demian Maia vs. Rick Story
Trevor Dueck:
Remember Rick Story? The guy knocked off Johny Hendricks and Thiago Alves and everyone thought he was the next big prospect coming up in the welterweight division. However, after losing to Martin Kampmann and Charlie Brenneman, “The Horror” came back down to earth.
Now he faces Demian Maia who is looking to go 2-0 in his new weight class. I know many are quick to jump on the Maia train and write off Story in this fight, but as long as Rick can keep the fight standing, he has a great shot at beating Maia. If it goes to the ground, it could be end of Story. I’m going to go against the grain on this pick and picking Rick Story.
Rick Story by second round TKO
Jeremy Brand:
We didn’t see much of Demian Maia in his welterweight debut, as Stun Gun was injured very early in the contest. Rick Story has itched so close to being “in the mix” and then loses it. If Story gets the best of Maia on the feet then Maia will revert to his BJJ background. It’s a coin-toss for me.
Rick Story by Unanimous Decision
JP Lasaleta:
I’m gambling on the fact that Maia has his weight cut on point this time. I’ll take if he’s not drained dead in this fight, Maia wins by submission round 1.
Demian Maia by first round submission
Maia has had improvements in his striking, so I see him grinding out a decision in this one. Given the BJJ credentials that Maia possesses, and with the crowd’s support, he’ll be more than content to keep this fight on the ground, should the fight hit the mat at any point of time.
Demian Maia by Split Decision
Maia hasn’t won a fight by submission in almost four years, he’s due.
Demian Maia by first round submission
I would pick Demian Maia, and I would pick him confidently if he fought to his strengths. The submission ace is one of the finest grapplers in the sport but as he’s grown more confidence throwing hands he suddenly think’s he Peter Aerts when he steps inside the Octagon.This one will probably go to points and it will probably be a pretty competitive fight with rivaling 29-28 scorecards but I will take Rick Story to get his hand raised here.
Rick Story by Split Decision
Shawn Smith
Much like the Jon Fitch versus Erick Silva fight, fans and media alike seem to be split on this one. My head tells me Rick Story can win this fight. I think his boxing is superior and his wrestling should be able to keep it on the feet.
But, home field advantage counts for something and Maia has been asking for a fight in Brazil for a while. Expect him to get this to the mat and submit the American wrestler.
Damian Maia by first round submission
