UFC Fight Night 84 Anderson Silva vs. Michael Bisping: Picks, Prognostications, & Odds

February 27, 2016

O2 Arena

London, England

Main Card on UFC Fight Pass:

* Anderson Silva (33-6, 1) -315 vs. #7 Michael Bisping (27-7) +260

The dream match that should have happened in '12! Bisping was on a 4 fight tear as Silva continued his dominance of the Middleweight division. Mike ran into a TRT/PED/liar/cheater losing his shot at the coveted gold, and Anderson would derail he career but a year later with costly cocky mistakes. Now both men are looking to make one final run at the belt on their own terms.

The "Count" has won 2 in a row after being thrashed by now Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold in '14. At age 36, Bisping has slowed down, not that he was ever known for his speed, but he's still a technically smart fighter who can grapple if need be. The main weapon in Mike's arsenal is his mouth. The Brit has not been shy about calling Anderson a cheater for his failed PED test post Nick Diaz fight, and blaming the whole thing on a little blue Taiwan pill. It was ridiculous and an obvious stain on Silva's record and Bisping is not avoiding the topic. Mike has been training at the RVCA facility with boxing coach Jason Parilo, Mark Munoz, and Lorenz Larkin.

Respect has been lost for the "Spider" and there's really no other way to say it. After a cocky defeat the 1st time against Chris Weidman, the horrific leg injury in the rematch, and the debacle of the failed drug test after the aforementioned Nick Diaz bout, the once hailed GOAT has fallen mightily from his summit. At the age of 40, can Anderson find some spark from his record setting title run to put him back into contention and regain lost credibility?

The bout should stay standing for the most part and its hard to imagine after the bad blood that has crept up for this meeting that these men won't be going at it tooth and nail. Anderson has the speed and power that Mike never had, but Bisping isn't easy to put away and will mind game you all night. Couple that with the fact that Silva looked tepid at best against Diaz and then sat on the bench for another year and we may just see that the "Spider" just doesn't have "it" anymore.  MMA fighters get very old overnight. We think the "Count" gives a better showing for himself than many are predicting but the end will be the same. Anderson Silva wins and Bisping falls for the 1st time in his homeland, though not without making it a fun fight! And Mike making it to the final bell will be a moral victory.

WINNER-Anderson Silva by Decision

* Anderson is unranked for MMAFO due to a failed drug test and year-long inactivity which automatically takes you out of our rankings.

#6 Gegard Mousasi (37-6-2) -325 vs. #10 Thales Leites (25-5) +265

The "Young Vagabond" was last Upset in the most dramatic way possible last September when Uriah Hall went all Mortal Combat on that ass. This folks, is an apparition. Shit happens and the "Dreamcatcher" got caught end the discussion. Now "Sweet Sassy Mousasi" has returned to claim to his rightful position in the Middleweight echelon. Mousasi is great everywhere and will out-class Leites no matter where the fight takes place. Bet.

WINNER-Gegard Mousasi by Decision

Tom Breese (9-0) -1150 vs. Keita Nakamura (31-6-2, 1) +750

"K-Taro" is a well traveled and experienced warrior and the 31 year old comes in on a 5 fight winning streak. Keita is a submission fighter with 16 stops on his record but he is in for a beating.

Tom Breese is a monster Welterweight who was good enough to rid us of Cathal Pendred last October. The Brit by way of Canada is an undefeated striker with murderous power. Tom isn't just power though as he has shown an ability use proper footwork and head movement. 

Nakamura isn't afraid to throw hands and it will cost him. We don't see Keita being able to take Breese down and instead getting chewed up in the process. Retreating won't work either as Nakamura is a chin up hands down kinda guy. Tommy takes this when he feels like it and continues to be a "MMAFO Prospect To Watch."

WINNER-Tom Breese by Rd.1 TKO

* Look at these odds. Woudja just look at em!

Francisco Rivera (11-5, 1) -175 vs. Brad Pickett (24-11) +150

Much love for the "One Punch" pikey but this is not a good style match for the Brit. At 37 years of age and 35 professional fights, Brad is looking at the future already. Pickett has stated in numerous interviews that he knows the end is coming and that is always a bad indicator. Along with Brad on a 3 fight losing skid in which he was brutally knocked out by Thomas Almeida last July. Despite the nickname, Pickett has always been a stellar grappler with lightening fast finishes but he prefers to trade punches lowering his durability through the years.

Then there is "Cisco." Francisco got tapped after an unbelievably exciting 2:08 war with John Lineker last September in which they threw over 100 live rounds at each other. It was cray, cray. The American's power is death and he'll catch Pickett playing to loose with the game and putting him away. 

Much respect for Mr. Pickett and we wish him the best as long time fans, but this is gonna be ugly.

WINNER-Francisco Rivera by Rd.1 TKO

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:

Mike Wilkinson (9-1) +160 vs. Makwan Amirkhani (12-2) -190

"Mr. Finland" is looking to have a breakout year in 2016! Amir  has spent 1:09 in 2 fights for the UFC and looked like a star doing so. Makwan is a sliiiiick submissioner and has made the transition to SBG Ireland to hone his young skills.

Wilkinson is a well rounded up and comer as well but he'll take far less chances in his approach. The Brit could easily win this one but we're riding the momentum with Makwan who finally has to work the full 15 to get the win and some valuable experience.

WINNER-Makwan Amirkhani by Decision

Davey Grant (9-2) -190 vs. Marlon Vera (7-2-1) +160

"Chito," is shito. "Dangerous DG" lost in the finals of TUF 18 and was beset upon by knee injuries. IF, this guy is healthy, he runs over Vera and submits him sooner rather than later. The long layoff is worrisome though.

WINNER-Davey Grant by Rd.1 Submission

Scott Askham (13-2) -340 vs. Chris Dempsey (11-3) +280

Askham is massively larger than Dempsey and some Brits have got to win at home. This is the one. Scott lights up Chris and avoids the takedown to end the night early.

WINNER-Scott Askham by Rd.1 TKO

Arnold Allen (10-1) -315 vs. Yaotzin Meza (21-10) +260

"Triple-A" (Arnold "Almighty" Allen) is but 22 years old and a "prospect" at 145. He's going to run game for England here.

MMA Lab's Meza is a tough enough sort but he's a journeyman who has a 2-3-1 record for Zuffa. He's awright but this bout was made to get Allen a tough test but one he can pass. 

WINNER-Arnold Allen by Decision

Bradley Scott (10-3) +140 vs. Krzysztof Jotko (16-1) -165

The Pole has only stumbled once in his young career and continues to come into his prime at 26.  He's looking to surge here and add to his 3-1 Zuffa record.

The "Bear" is an average nothing special.

WINNER-Krzysztof Jotko by Decision

Norman Parke (21-4-1) +210 vs. Rustam Khabilov (17-3) -250

"Hobby Lobby" is the better fighter everywhere and he is going to lose this fight. Rustam has better technical boxing skills, power, and is the better grappler. But, Khabilov cannot, and we mean cannot, wake up in fights. What we mean, is every single time he fights, Rustam is doing well, then he shifts out of neutral and into slow. The Jackson-Wink fighter just stops working in the cage and its not due to fatigue. The guy has just stopped fighting time and time again. Its infuriating.

Parke is about as average as they come at Lightweight only moving in and out of the Top 20 for his career. Yet, Norman will never stop coming forward and never stop throwing punches. The sheer volume tends to surprise opponents and that is the catalyst to this bout. 

Rustam starts strong but the will and determination of Parke takes over as he "storms" back into the contest late taking the cards in an Upset as we question what one has to do to get Khabilov fired up.

Upset Pick WINNER-Norman Parke by Decision

Daniel Omielańczuk (17-5-1, 1) -120 vs. Jarjis Danho (6-0, 1) +100

Omielancczyanonatuchuck is a garbage Heavyweight. He just is.

"Man Mountain" is here to shake up the Heavyweight division.

Upset Pick WINNER-Jarjis Danho by Rd.1 TKO

Teemu Packalen (7-1) +110 vs. Thibault Gouti (11-0) -130

Teemu has a massive size advantage but Gouti should be better everywhere. The Frenchman continues to roll.

WINNER-Thibault Gouti by Decision

David Teymur (3-1) -160 vs. Martin Svensson (14-5) +130

Teymur is a kickboxer who is slowly gaining MMA experience. David remains upright and he wins. 

WINNER-David Teymur by Decision

UFC Fight Night 84 Start Times

Main Card on UFC Fight Pass: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT

Preliminary Card on UFC Fight Pass: 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT

10-3 on the picks for UFC Fight Night 83.