Belfort vs. Henderson: UFC Fight Night Crystal Ball Predictions – FOXSports.com
The UFC returns to the birthplace of MMA (or, Vale Tudo, as the original gangsters know to call it), Brazil, this weekend with a UFC Fight Night bill.
In the main event, UFC legends Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson face off for the third time in their illustrious careers while the card is filled with rising contenders, former champions and living legends.
Read up, then let us know who you’re picking, on Twitter and Facebook!
Vitor Belfort (24-11) vs. Dan Henderson (31-13)
These rivals’ first two fights could not have been more different from one another. In 2006, Henderson controlled and grinded Belfort en route to a unanimous decision victory.
In 2013, Belfort got off quick against Hendo and knocked him out with a head kick in the first. There’s no telling what kind of fight we’ll have this Saturday, as these two legends face off in a rubber match.
Both men are at their best early with their dangerous striking power. Henderson is likely the better man down the stretch, however, and has shown an ability to fight at a steady pace for up to five rounds.
If Henderson is to win, it is likely in one of two ways: he survives early attacks from Belfort and uses clinch work and takedowns to win a decision, or he himself connects quickly with a KO punch. Vitor is historically at his most dangerous in the first few minutes of the fight.
I happen to think that Henderson in his prime is a better fighter than Belfort. However, Henderson is nowhere his prime right now, and has taken a lot of damage to his body and brain after a lifetime of combat. Henderson never fought to his wrestling strengths, choosing instead to be a gunslinger with his fists.
With slowed reaction time and speed, he may be in for a rough night in Belfort’s native Brazil. If there’s a firefight in the center of the cage, however, it is anyone’s fight.
Prediction: Belfort by first-round stoppage
Glover Teixeira (23-4) vs. Patrick Cummins (8-2)
This is a huge opportunity for Cummins to show that he belongs in the top five of the light heavyweight division. At his best, he is stifling with his wrestling and top control.
However, Teixeira stands a good chance at defending enough of Cummins’ takedowns to land some big punches on the feet.
Cummins is capable of winning a decision here, if he can get and keep Teixeira on his back like Phil Davis did. But Teixeira is the more well-rounded and experienced fighter, and is more likely to finish the fight, by either submission or KO.
Prediction: Teixeira by third-round stoppage
Thomas Almeida (20-0) vs. Anthony Birchak (12-2)
Almeida is a rising star in the bantamweight division, and most are counting Birchak out of this fight. However, the American stands a good chance of not letting Almeida simply turn this bout into a showcase in his home of Brazil.
Almeida is capable of stopping anyone with his quick strikes, including Birchak. If Birchak’s defense is good enough to avoid creating big holes, however, he’ll probably have chances to exploit Almeida’s.
Almeida goes for the kill, but exposes himself in big ways, and often gets touched up pretty good early on. It’s possible that one of these nights, he’ll walk into a fist or shin that will finally stun him.
Prediction: Birchak via upset first-round TKO
Alex Oliveira (12-2-1) vs. Piotr Hallmann (15-4)
Oliveira is a bad man, and dangerous both on the feet and on the mat. Hallmann is a proficient submission fighter.
I like Oliveira’s momentum and size, here, though – he’s two inches taller than Hallmann with a five-inch reach advantage. His confidence is likely running high right now from back-to-back wins, and he’ll have his home town crowd behind him.
Prediction: Oliveira by decision
Gilbert Burns (10-0) vs. Rashid Magomedov (18-1)
Burns needs to get this fight to the mat. If he can, he can submit Magomedov, given enough time.
However, Magomedov is a power striker, so Burns’ night may be long if he can’t put the Dagestani on his back. And unfortunately for the Brazilian, Magomedov’s wrestling is also solid.
We think the Russian can keep the fight standing, and if he does, that he’ll have an advantage there.
Prediction: Magomedov by decision
Fabio Maldonado (22-7) vs. Corey Anderson (7-1)
Corey Anderson has told us that he’s confident he can take the Brazilian “Rocky” out because he’s “more well-rounded” than the boxer. It is true that the American’s wrestling and submission game probably exceeds that of Maldonado.
However, Anderson had better bring a big gas tank with him because Maldonado has beaten plenty of people who were better than him. Look no further than Gian Villante, who dominated Maldonado before fading later in the fight and ended up losing as Maldonado kept his pace and pressure consistent for three rounds, eventually hurting him with punches.
Villante owns a win over Anderson, but that type of cross-comparison doesn’t usually mean a great deal in MMA. If Anderson has the energy to grind on Maldonado for three straight rounds, non-stop, he probably wins.
If he lets up for even a moment, however, Maldonado will find and take his opportunity to sneak in his accurate punches and turn the tide.
Prediction: Anderson by decision
Gleison Tibau (40-11) vs. Abel Trujillo (12-6-1)
These two compact grapplers look and fight kind of similarly. Tibau has a lot more experience and miles on him, though.
Trujillo is also a bit of a harder puncher and a better wrestler. Tibau is more dangerous with submissions, however, and few people ever look good fighting him.
Prediction: Tibau by decision
Yan Cabral (12-1) vs. Johnny Case (21-4)
This is one of the more fascinating matchups on the Sao Paulo card. Case is a strong wrestler with height, nasty KO power on the feet and a lot of fight experience.
Cabral is older, less experienced, but a straight killer on the ground. Case will likely want to keep this on the feet, to give himself his best chance at winning.
Prediction: Case by third-round stoppage
Clay Guida (32-15) vs. Thiago Tavares (19-6-1)
Both tough featherweights have won two out of their last three fights. Tavares is coming off a loss, however, and Guida an impressive win in April.
Tavares is the more dangerous finisher with his submission ability, but Guida is better conditioned, more durable and more experienced.
Guida needs to watch his neck as he goes for takedowns, but he is capable of deciding where this fight takes place.
Prediction: Guida by decision
Kevin Souza (19-3) vs. Chas Kelly (14-1)
Souza has size and deceiving striking power, evidenced by his 74-percent knockout rate. Kelly trains with some of the best wrestlers in MMA, and also has finishing ability.
This one will likely come down to who makes the first big mistake.
Prediction: Kelly by decision
Viscardi Andrade (17-7) vs. Gasan Umalatov (15-4-1)
Andrade is a big welterweight and he makes his punches count when he lands them. Umalatov is likely the better wrestler, however, and has only lost to some of the best in the UFC.
Prediction: Umalatov by decision
Pedro Munhoz (11-1) vs. Jimmie Rivera (17-1)
Munhoz fights for the first time since 2014. His momentum after two straight wins may have slowed, but if he’s anywhere what he was back then, he’s an exceptional bantamweight.
His only loss is by way of decision, and to No. 1 bantamweight contender Raphael Assuncao. For his part, Rivera is red-hot, having won 16 straight fights, including a KO over Marcus Brimage in his last outing.
Prediction: Munhoz by decision
Bruno Korea (4-0) vs. Matheus Nicolau Pereira (10-1)
These two Brazilian flyweights open up the night’s show, and will be looking to make an impression and gain national bragging rights. Pereira comes from one of the best lighter weight teams in the world, Nova Uniao, and trains with the likes of Jose Aldo and Renan Barao.
Rodrigues is a phenomenal grappler who so far is perfect in MMA. Pereira has the edge in experience and age.
Prediction: Pereira by decision
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