On the same night as the Academy Awards, two battle-torn heavyweights highlight a UFC Fight Night card in Brazil where the supporting performers might be better than the men in leading roles. Former heavyweight champion Frank Mir will take on Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in a fight that hopefully decides which of these two continues fighting and which one calls it a career.
As Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie points out, there’s no questioning these two men have been in their share of high-profile scraps:
While the big guys may be battling for their careers, the fighters in the co-main event could be edging toward a title shot. Edson Barboza and Michael “Menace” Johnson are two in a long line of talented lightweights who would love to earn their shot at Anthony “Showtime” Pettis—if he’s still the champion of the 155-pound division after tangling with Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185.
Minus the lack of name recognition, the Barboza-Johnson scrap could easily be the headliner. Both men are still in the primes of their athletic careers and have more serious aspirations about becoming champion than do Silva and Mir.
There are also a few notable preliminary bouts to take note of, including an intriguing women’s bantamweight bout between Jessica Andrade and the potential budding star, “The Belizean Bruiser” Marion Reneau.
Check out the viewing information, full card and predictions.
Most Intriguing Main Card Bouts
Sean “Tarzan” Strickland Will Make a Splash in His Return
It’s been almost a year since Sean Strickland was in the Octagon, but the 23-year-old is still undefeated at 15-0, and he’s young enough to be considered an up-and-coming talent.
Strickland is moving down to welterweight where he should be faster and more explosive. His Millennium MMA training partner Lorenz Larkin made the same move and looked spectacular in his last fight against John Howard.
While Tarzan doesn’t possess the same striking prowess that Larkin does, the Riverside, California, native has a balanced game, and he’s cerebral. Per Jordan Newmark of UFC.com, here’s what Strickland said about his mental approach:
I think the thing that separates great fighters from average fighters is intelligence, to be honest. If we’re all training the same way, training with the same caliber of people, and fighting at the same weight then there has to be an X-factor that separates us. That’s the mental game. It’s controlling your emotions. It’s when someone is booing you to not get mad and bite down on your mouthpiece and throw an overhand right trying to get the KO. The mental game is the X-factor, being able to adjust and think and do what I needed to do to beat him.
Against Santiago Ponzinibbio on Sunday, the poised and calculated approach will lead Strickland to victory.
Ponzinibbio is ultra-aggressive by nature. He’s a good striker who will be performing in front of his countrymen. He’ll want to put on a show, but he’ll find himself in peril as he runs into a trap set by Strickland.
When the fight goes to the mat, Strickland will have the advantage and finish matters by way of submission.
Barboza Will Give Brazilians Something to Cheer About
When it comes to kicks, not many in the sport are more dangerous than Barboza. He scored the single most devastating kick KO I’ve ever seen against Terry Etim in 2012. Since then, he’s stopped three opponents with kicks—two of them to the legs.
Offensively, he’s a machine. On Sunday, he’ll square off with Michael Johnson. Quite honestly, I thought Johnson was headed out of the promotion after back-to-back losses to Myles Jury and Reza Madadi, but he’s strung together three straight wins.
He hasn’t fought in almost a year, and Barboza represents a step up over the competition he’s faced recently. While I like the improvements in aggression and stand-up fighting that Johnson has exhibited in his most recent fights, I don’t think he has the speed to contend with Barboza.
Ultimately, the Brazilian will catch him with a powerful kick that leads to a TKO win and a delighted crowd.
Bigfoot Will Thump Mir
As a submission artist, there aren’t many better than Mir. The problem with him recently is that he’s not able to get past his opponent’s stand-up game to take the fight to the ground.
Sunday’s main event won’t be any different. Silva is a massive and strong heavyweight with extremely heavy hands. If he connects with Mir’s chin, the end will come shortly thereafter. Even if Mir is able to get Silva to the ground, he’ll have to be at his best.
Silva is skilled on the mat as well, and his size makes it tough to gain an advantageous position against him. In a bout with two guys who shouldn’t ever be considered serious contenders again, Silva will prove to be the least shopworn.
Quick Hits on Top Preliminary Fights
Sweet Draw for Wendell Oliveira
TJ Waldburger has lost his last two fights—each by KO/TKO. He’s facing Wendell Oliveira on Sunday, a Brazilian with titanic punching power but questionable defense on the ground and standing.
In his last fight, Ponzinibbio stopped him in the first round with punches. This, however, is a fight Oliveira can win easily. Waldburger lacks the chin and quickness to handle Oliveira’s initial assault.
This fight will end quickly and violently, with Oliveira claiming the victory.
Reneau Will Power Her Way into Top 10
There’s a new threat on the horizon in the women’s bantamweight division. Marion Reneau is a well-balanced fighter with improving striking and an accomplished grappling base. She has a tough matchup on Sunday against Jessica Andrade, but Reneau has the advantage in poise and versatility. She’s just as comfortable on the mat as she is standing.
This fight will begin as a boxing match, but ultimately find its way to the ground where Reneau will finish matters via ground-and-pound.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
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