UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar
October 13, 2012
HSBC Arena
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
October 13, 2012
HSBC Arena
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Main Bouts (PPV):
Anderson Silva (32-4) vs. Stephan Bonnar (14-7) This is a Light Heavyweight bout that is only scheduled for 15 minutes. We all know the “Spider” is the greatest active fighter today and he steps in here before his homeland to save a dying card. The “American Psycho” is a gamer who has never been stopped in a MMA fight though he is known to cut and bleed like Ric Flair in a cage match. Bonnar is far too slow no matter how much weight Silva has gained and I would bet my life he can’t submit Anderson with Jiu-Jitsu which is really the strong part of his game. Stephan is gonna take a beatin’ and what we are all looking for is how much damage can Bonnar take without dying in the cage. It may be the greatest professional moment for Stephan in his professional career, and I don’t think he’ll wilt under the pressure and shit the bed like Forrest Griffin did, though the only question is if Boner can live to the end of round 3 which would be a moral victory. I do expect a fun fight as Bonnar comes forward with no fear (which he should have) and gets taken apart by the “Spider” in an entertaining if not important clash. Hey, anytime we get to see Anderson Silva fight is a good thing.
WINNER-Anderson Silva by Decision
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-7-1) vs. Dave Herman (21-4) “Big Nog” is looking to erase the broken arm memory burned into all MMA fans brains by Frank Mir last December. Thankfully, he is facing a small minded error prone Heavyweight who is about to be shown the door back to the minor leagues. Dave has but one chance, and its a KO punch, which is possible against a 36 year old “Minotauro” who is 94 in fight years. The Team Nogueira Godfather can tap Herman whenever he pleases and might even put “Pee Wee” to sleep standing. The MMA gods have decreed this to be a win for Rodrigo one way or the other in front of the most rabid Brazilian fans.
WINNER-Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by Rd.2 Submission
Glover Teixeira (18-2) vs. Fabio Maldonado (18-5) The highly touted prospect finally got to the UFC in may of this year and throws up Chuck Liddell’s hang loose cross because he is also a KO machine and he trains at The Pit with the “Iceman’s” gang. Fabio is a boxer with just killer body shots though he has had some bad luck losing his last 2 Zuffa bouts after winning his debut. This will be a crowd pleaser as the two Brazilians slug it out but if, and that's a big if, Teixeira gets in trouble he can best Fabio on the floor. Look for Glover to crush Maldonado in a fun slobber knocker.
WINNER-Glover Teixeira by Decision
Jon Fitch (23-4) vs. Erick Silva (14-2) This is gonna be a good one. Fitch got caught last out but you cannot deny that through the course of his career, he has the ability to slow down anybody (BJ Penn) and make opponents fight his way. Erick is the new hype who has killer striking but this is a whole new level of cat. Silva’s takedown defense is good and the key to him winning but Jon’s relentless grinding style has earned him a 13-2-1 record just for the UFC and even Georges St. Pierre couldn’t stop him (though granted he did beat the living shit outta him). My only fear is that Jon who is well aware of his “boring” label, will look for a more exciting and dangerous crowd pleasing style while looking for the stoppage that has eluded him since 2007! Erick has a lot to prove to me and he will have his chance.
Upset Pick WINNER-Jon Fitch by Decision
Phil Davis (9-1) vs. Wagner Prado (8-0) [Rematch] The 1st outing ended almost before it began when an errant finger cut Prado’s eye and the doctors called a stop to the bout 1:28 in. Prado is quite vocal and full of bravado but it is doubtful his hands will be able to hang with Phil’s vaunted wrestling prowess and coming along striking ability. Its “Mr. Wonderful’s” fight to lose and if the stand up fails him the wrestling won’t.
WINNER-Phil Davis by Decision
Demian Maia (16-4) vs. Rick Story (14-5) I like the “Mat Magician” at 170 but the “Horror” will not be intimidated by Demian or the homeland crowd. Story got dry humped by Charlie Brenneman in a fight he took on last second notice as well, and then dropped a good fight to perennial Welterweight star Martin Kampmann which is nothing to sneeze at. Since those bouts it seems like people have forgotten how good Rick is and that he sports wins over Thiago Alves, Johny Hendricks, Brian Foster, and Dustin Hazelett. Maia’s only top tier win is over Chael Sonnen (I’m not counting Dong Hyun Kim’s injury loss) and he has shown 4 times already that when he gets near the top of a division, he falls. Sometimes Maia’s striking looks improved and sometimes it looks rudimentary. Story has never been tapped or KO’d and if Rick can stay standing for the most part, I like him to pull a decent Upset here using his aggression over a more passive and flaky fighter.
Upset Pick WINNER-Rick Story by Decision
Anderson Silva (32-4) vs. Stephan Bonnar (14-7) This is a Light Heavyweight bout that is only scheduled for 15 minutes. We all know the “Spider” is the greatest active fighter today and he steps in here before his homeland to save a dying card. The “American Psycho” is a gamer who has never been stopped in a MMA fight though he is known to cut and bleed like Ric Flair in a cage match. Bonnar is far too slow no matter how much weight Silva has gained and I would bet my life he can’t submit Anderson with Jiu-Jitsu which is really the strong part of his game. Stephan is gonna take a beatin’ and what we are all looking for is how much damage can Bonnar take without dying in the cage. It may be the greatest professional moment for Stephan in his professional career, and I don’t think he’ll wilt under the pressure and shit the bed like Forrest Griffin did, though the only question is if Boner can live to the end of round 3 which would be a moral victory. I do expect a fun fight as Bonnar comes forward with no fear (which he should have) and gets taken apart by the “Spider” in an entertaining if not important clash. Hey, anytime we get to see Anderson Silva fight is a good thing.
WINNER-Anderson Silva by Decision
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-7-1) vs. Dave Herman (21-4) “Big Nog” is looking to erase the broken arm memory burned into all MMA fans brains by Frank Mir last December. Thankfully, he is facing a small minded error prone Heavyweight who is about to be shown the door back to the minor leagues. Dave has but one chance, and its a KO punch, which is possible against a 36 year old “Minotauro” who is 94 in fight years. The Team Nogueira Godfather can tap Herman whenever he pleases and might even put “Pee Wee” to sleep standing. The MMA gods have decreed this to be a win for Rodrigo one way or the other in front of the most rabid Brazilian fans.
WINNER-Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by Rd.2 Submission
Glover Teixeira (18-2) vs. Fabio Maldonado (18-5) The highly touted prospect finally got to the UFC in may of this year and throws up Chuck Liddell’s hang loose cross because he is also a KO machine and he trains at The Pit with the “Iceman’s” gang. Fabio is a boxer with just killer body shots though he has had some bad luck losing his last 2 Zuffa bouts after winning his debut. This will be a crowd pleaser as the two Brazilians slug it out but if, and that's a big if, Teixeira gets in trouble he can best Fabio on the floor. Look for Glover to crush Maldonado in a fun slobber knocker.
WINNER-Glover Teixeira by Decision
Jon Fitch (23-4) vs. Erick Silva (14-2) This is gonna be a good one. Fitch got caught last out but you cannot deny that through the course of his career, he has the ability to slow down anybody (BJ Penn) and make opponents fight his way. Erick is the new hype who has killer striking but this is a whole new level of cat. Silva’s takedown defense is good and the key to him winning but Jon’s relentless grinding style has earned him a 13-2-1 record just for the UFC and even Georges St. Pierre couldn’t stop him (though granted he did beat the living shit outta him). My only fear is that Jon who is well aware of his “boring” label, will look for a more exciting and dangerous crowd pleasing style while looking for the stoppage that has eluded him since 2007! Erick has a lot to prove to me and he will have his chance.
Upset Pick WINNER-Jon Fitch by Decision
Phil Davis (9-1) vs. Wagner Prado (8-0) [Rematch] The 1st outing ended almost before it began when an errant finger cut Prado’s eye and the doctors called a stop to the bout 1:28 in. Prado is quite vocal and full of bravado but it is doubtful his hands will be able to hang with Phil’s vaunted wrestling prowess and coming along striking ability. Its “Mr. Wonderful’s” fight to lose and if the stand up fails him the wrestling won’t.
WINNER-Phil Davis by Decision
Demian Maia (16-4) vs. Rick Story (14-5) I like the “Mat Magician” at 170 but the “Horror” will not be intimidated by Demian or the homeland crowd. Story got dry humped by Charlie Brenneman in a fight he took on last second notice as well, and then dropped a good fight to perennial Welterweight star Martin Kampmann which is nothing to sneeze at. Since those bouts it seems like people have forgotten how good Rick is and that he sports wins over Thiago Alves, Johny Hendricks, Brian Foster, and Dustin Hazelett. Maia’s only top tier win is over Chael Sonnen (I’m not counting Dong Hyun Kim’s injury loss) and he has shown 4 times already that when he gets near the top of a division, he falls. Sometimes Maia’s striking looks improved and sometimes it looks rudimentary. Story has never been tapped or KO’d and if Rick can stay standing for the most part, I like him to pull a decent Upset here using his aggression over a more passive and flaky fighter.
Upset Pick WINNER-Rick Story by Decision
Prelims (FX):
Rony Bezerra (11-3) vs. Sam Sicilia (9-0) “Jason” The Brazil TUF winner who looked very tentative in the finals and narrowly won while crying almost throughout. 7 wins in a row for Sam including a KO win in his UFC debut but the record is against lackluster talent. “Jason” should get things done and hopefully won’t keep crying like Adam Morrison in the sweet 16.
WINNER-Rony Bezerra by Decision
Gleison Tibau (25-8) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (11-1) ATT’s Tibau is always solid and is 9-5 in Zuffa though he usually falters toward the top of the division. 5 wins in a row for “Massaranduba” who is actually a bit underrated from the Brazilian Constrictor Team that includes the likes of Rani Yahya and Paulo Thiago. This is a coil flip match and I’m going to roll the dice with the more aggressive and new fighter to force his way to a win.
Upset Pick WINNER-Francisco Trinaldo by Decision
Diego Brandao (14-8) vs. Joey Gambino (9-1) “Ceara” is the Jackson/Winkeljohn Brazilian who is 1-1 with Zuffa while “The Raging Warrior” also faltered last out in his debut with the big show. Diego is a fire that starts fast and fades out while Joey enacts a more slow and steady wins the race plan of action. I highly doubt Joey has much to offer here as Diego skates to a relatively easy judges nod.
WINNER-Diego Brandao by Decision
Rony Bezerra (11-3) vs. Sam Sicilia (9-0) “Jason” The Brazil TUF winner who looked very tentative in the finals and narrowly won while crying almost throughout. 7 wins in a row for Sam including a KO win in his UFC debut but the record is against lackluster talent. “Jason” should get things done and hopefully won’t keep crying like Adam Morrison in the sweet 16.
WINNER-Rony Bezerra by Decision
Gleison Tibau (25-8) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (11-1) ATT’s Tibau is always solid and is 9-5 in Zuffa though he usually falters toward the top of the division. 5 wins in a row for “Massaranduba” who is actually a bit underrated from the Brazilian Constrictor Team that includes the likes of Rani Yahya and Paulo Thiago. This is a coil flip match and I’m going to roll the dice with the more aggressive and new fighter to force his way to a win.
Upset Pick WINNER-Francisco Trinaldo by Decision
Diego Brandao (14-8) vs. Joey Gambino (9-1) “Ceara” is the Jackson/Winkeljohn Brazilian who is 1-1 with Zuffa while “The Raging Warrior” also faltered last out in his debut with the big show. Diego is a fire that starts fast and fades out while Joey enacts a more slow and steady wins the race plan of action. I highly doubt Joey has much to offer here as Diego skates to a relatively easy judges nod.
WINNER-Diego Brandao by Decision
Sergio Moraes (6-2) vs. Renee Forte (7-1) “Serginho” is the runner up for the Brazil TUF 185ers and won the crowd though not the day. Forte is a bit of a mystery but Sergio’s popularity makes me think the debuting kid is being set up for a fall.
WINNER-Sergio Moraes by Decision
WINNER-Sergio Moraes by Decision
Prelims (Facebook):
Luiz Cane (12-4) vs. Chris Camozzi (17-5) “Banha” has been struggling going 1-3 recently but he has lost to good talent which “Grenade Winged Chest” is not. Chris has won 2 in a row but he’s just not that good though he is nice enough to donate a portion of his purse to help needy kids in Brazil. Perhaps the Brazilian fans won’t chant for him to die which is the best he can hope for here.
* Cane was the only Brazilian to lose at UFC 134 and has to be motivated here.
WINNER-Luiz Cane by Decision
Cristiano Marcello (12-4) vs. Reza Madadi (12-2) “Mad Dog” is on a 7 fight winning streak and got all up in Macello’s grill at the weigh-ins. Cristiano got KO’d his last outing and his only shot here is if we saw a Jiu-Jitsu match which we won’t. Its a beatin’ to start off the PPV while repping Tehran.
WINNER-Reza Madadi by Rd.2 TKO
Luiz Cane (12-4) vs. Chris Camozzi (17-5) “Banha” has been struggling going 1-3 recently but he has lost to good talent which “Grenade Winged Chest” is not. Chris has won 2 in a row but he’s just not that good though he is nice enough to donate a portion of his purse to help needy kids in Brazil. Perhaps the Brazilian fans won’t chant for him to die which is the best he can hope for here.
* Cane was the only Brazilian to lose at UFC 134 and has to be motivated here.
WINNER-Luiz Cane by Decision
Cristiano Marcello (12-4) vs. Reza Madadi (12-2) “Mad Dog” is on a 7 fight winning streak and got all up in Macello’s grill at the weigh-ins. Cristiano got KO’d his last outing and his only shot here is if we saw a Jiu-Jitsu match which we won’t. Its a beatin’ to start off the PPV while repping Tehran.
WINNER-Reza Madadi by Rd.2 TKO
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