UFC 142: Picks And predictions
The UFC is in Brazil where UFC 142 will kick off this Saturday featuring a featherweight title fight between champion, Jose Aldo and undefeated contender, Chad Mendes. Without further hesitation, let's get down to business.
Chad Mendes will bring his undefeated eleven-fight win streak to the table and put it on the line against featherweight champion, Jose Aldo. Aldo, currently riding a thirteen fight streak has only lost once in his twenty-one fight career. There are no secrets in this fight where Aldo will look to stand and bang trading in his deadly leg-kicks. Mendes, a dominant Team Alpha Male wrestler, will look early and often to take this fight to the mat and grind out another hard-fought decision. Aldo will have to choose his kicks wisely, as just one kick could land him on his back and earn him a punishment. To Aldo's advantage, this will be Mendes' first fight in the championship rounds four and five. Conditioning has never been a problem throughout his three round fights however, and if he's albe to take Aldo down, the champion will likely find himself tiring out on bottom quicker than Mendes on top.
Chad Mendes def. José Aldo by UD.
Anthony Johnson is finally set to make his middleweight debut, and in doing so finds himself against one of the most dangerous middleweights available, Vitor Belfort. Aside from a recent loss to middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, Belfort has won his past six fights, finishing five of them by KO/TKO, four of which ended in the very first round. Johnson is no stranger to KO's himself as he's finished six of his last seven victories by KO/TKO, five of which came in the first round. Don't blink, this one looks to be a quick one. Vitor Belfort is quick, and has undeniable power. I expect he lands first stopping this fight early.
Vitor Belfort def. Anthony Johnson by TKO.
Rousimar Palhares will take on Mike Massenzio, two fighters very familiar with submissions. Massenzio, after starting his career with an incredible win streak has faded and dropped four of his last seven as he faces tougher competition. He'll have his hands full with Palhares, a master of the heel hook.
Rousimar Palhares def. Mike Massenzio by Submission.
Erick Silva and Carlo Prater, both fighting at home in Brazil. Silva hasn't lost since since 2006 and looks to capitalize big on this opportunity over Carlo Prater who aside from his current four- fight win streak has failed to put on a decent string of victories since 2004.
Erick Silva def. Carlo Prater by Submission.
Edson Barboza will test his KO power against Submission specialist, Terry Etim. Can Etim evade the bomb long enough to find a home for his guillotine? Etim holding the edge of experience in MMA and in the Octagon holds composure in this one.
Terry Etim def. Edson Barboza by submission.
Thiago Tavares scored a TKO in his last fight in Rio de Janeiro against Spencer Fisher. Sam Stout won't be as easy of an out. Stout will look to bang early and often in this one. Tavares trying to trade will get caught with a bomb sinking him to the mat.
Sam Stout def. Thiago Tavares by KO.
Once a phenomenal fighter, an aged and past prime Gabriel Gonzaga is walking into a buzz-saw against a KO artist in Ednaldo Oliveira.
Ednaldo Oliveira def. Gabriel Gonzaga by KO.
