When middleweight champion Chris Weidman (10-0) goes head-to-head with former titleholder Anderson Silva (33-5) in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 168 pay-per-view, the MMA world will be focused on one of the most anticipated rematches of the last decade.
Fans will either witness the greatest fighter of all time avenging his previous loss or a champion proving he is more than just a one-fight wonder.
Add in a stacked undercard that features an exciting women’s bantamweight championship bout between Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate, and this is going to be one of the best PPVs of 2013.
Here is all the vital viewing information for the show, a full slate of predictions and a preview of the main event.
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
When: Saturday, Dec. 28, at 10 p.m. EST
Watch: Pay-per-view
Live Stream: UFC.com
Main Event Preview and Prediction
Chris Weidman stunned the world when he knocked Anderson Silva out and won the UFC Middleweight Championship in July. In the rematch, the challenger will be more focused than he has been at any point in the last five years.
Silva will take his title back from Weidman.
The biggest advantage for Weidman is his ability to wrestle. As seen in Silva’s previous fights against quality wrestlers like Chael Sonnen, he is susceptible to takedowns. Weidman needs to get to the legs of Silva and take the fight to the ground. With Silva’s elite striking limited when he is on his back, the champion’s best chance of retaining the title is to grind out a five-round decision using his superior wrestling.
That’s where Silva’s superior Brazilian jiu-jitsu and muay thai will come into play, though.
The key for the No. 1 contender will be to keep this fight standing up by thwarting Weidman’s takedown attempts and turning them into offense of his own. Using his quick hands and a powerful combination of knees and kicks, Silva must make it clear that shooting on him will not work.
Once both men start to exchange blows in the center of the Octagon, Silva will need to show more composure than he has in the past and fight with his hands up. It may be against everything he has stood for, but Weidman is not afraid to punch though Silva’s elusiveness.
As the champion proved in the first fight, he has the speed and power to KO his challenger.
With a solid defense and the fight standing up, Silva will use the counterpunching that has made him a legend to his advantage once again. Weidman is not a fighter who will rest on his heels, and will be on the attack throughout this bout. As soon as Silva finds the opening he needs to land his lethal punches and kicks, he will strike his opponent with power and precision.
The determination that comes for a bona fide legend who lost his title and is looking to regain it will have Silva as focused as he has ever been in his career. Weidman is a great fighter, but Silva is the superior in-ring competitor.
The championship is going home with the Spider.
Predicted Winner: Silva via TKO
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