UFC 183 is sandwiched between the hype of Conor McGregor in Boston and the Super Bowl.
Hence the quiet nature of its approach.
Alas, an event headlined by a showdown between Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz, what many refer to as a superfight, is as great as it sounds.
Sure, both men enter on two-fight losing streaks. There are no straps at stake. One is flirting with the age of 40 and has not fought in more than a year. The other even longer.
If one had to bet, though, UFC 183 winding up as one of the better events of the year seems to be safe odds. Sometimes, pre-fight hype and other outside factors are not necessary when such names take the MGM Grand in Las Vegas by storm.
UFC 183 Full Card and Predictions
Top Matchups to Watch
Tyron Woodley vs. Kelvin Gastelum
A spot on the 170-pound hierarchy is up for grabs when Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley and Kelvin Gastelum square off before the main event.
To say Gastelum is at a career turning point may not be an exaggeration. The 23-year-old star needs to move his record to 11-0 against a veteran presence or face a serious trip down the ladder in a crowded division.
At the end of the day, perhaps the 32-year-old Woodley put it best.
“I remember being like Kelvin, that spunky kid coming off a great win,” Woodley said, via FoxSports.com’s Stan McNeal. “I ran into a humbling moment. I think he’ll have that same experience.”
Woodley has no qualms about swapping leather with the best of the best. He is one of the best strikers in the division, but he can also take to the mat with emphasis if the fight necessitates the approach.
On the other hand, Gastelum is a bit of a one-dimensional fighter who relies on the submission. So long as Woodley can avoid that fate while off his feet, the man who owes each of his UFC triumphs to TKO or KO will emerge the victor Saturday night.
Prediction: Woodley by TKO
Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz
Fluke or not?
That seems to be the question most ask of Silva’s two losses to Chris Weidman, once getting tagged while dancing and once breaking his leg off a check.
It matters little as The Spider makes his return to the Octagon, although forgive those who shudder at the thought of a fading legend on a downtrend at the same time Kobe Bryant crumbles before the eyes of the globe.
Diaz is one of the wilder personalities in the promotion, which in part explains his confidence as he heads into the matchup against a struggling Silva, as UFC captures:
The problem is both fighters are on the rebound. It is easy to fall into the trap of wondering what Silva has in the tank, when in reality, both of his losses are questionable and Diaz has been on the shelf for quite some time too.
It is also easy to forget that Diaz is a walking puzzle. He’s good upright or on his back, but in a predictable sort of way. Against someone as quick and explosive as Silva, this may lead to a bloodbath as the better athlete avoids and counters obvious advances.
Silva is not his usual self anymore, sure. He surely understands the bout needs to end in a quick manner. But Diaz‘s unwillingness to change his style and fight smart will result in a definitive loss.
Prediction: Silva by TKO
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