This Saturday, Anderson Silva (33-6-1) returns to the Octagon to face Michael Bisping (27-7) as the main event of Fight Night 84, which airs on the UFC’s streaming service Fight Pass. The former middleweight champion is coming off a year-long suspension after he failed drug tests for his February 2015 victory over Nick Diaz, who also failed his drug tests. The victory was turned into a no-contest.
This will be Silva’s second fight since the gruesome leg break he suffered after Chris Weidman checked a kick during Silva’s attempt to reclaim his title at the end of 2013. The bones in his lower left leg snapped completely, an injury that also befell Corey Hill and Gustavo “Coelho” Franca.
Bisping looks to continue his two-fight win streak, with decision victories over C.B. Dollaway and Thales Leites. His last loss was to current champion Luke Rockhold, via guillotine in the second round at UFC Fight Night 55 in November 2014.
Also on the main card:
Gegard Mousasi vs. Thales Leites
Tom Breese vs. Keita Nakamura
Francisco Rivera vs. Brad Pickett
The prelims start at 12:45 pm/9:45 am ET/PT, with the main card beginning at 4/1 pm ET/PT. As usual, our team for staff predictions consists of:
Steven “Faded Glory” Rondina, 15-10 in predictions this year
Craig Amos, 16-9
Scott Harris, 14-11
Nathan McCarter, 16-9
And me, Sydnie Jones, 18-7.
On to our picks!