UFC On Fuel TV 10 takes place on Saturday night in Brazil and we’ve got our predictions for all the fights below.
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Main Card:
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Fabricio Werdum
There’s certainly a case to be made for both fighters here. Nogueira won the last time they fought, but that was some seven years ago and since then a lots changed.
For one thing Nogueira shown plenty of signs of wear, picking up plenty of injuries along the way and being KO’d and submitted. Meanwhile, Werdum’s had his ups and downs too, but more of the former than latter and has certainly improved his stand-up significantly since their first meeting.
Both guys are experts on the ground and so I think instead they’ll each look to find an advantage on the feet. Nogueira still packs a harder punch, but his chin is suspect and I think Werdum will pick his shots, mix it up with kicks and finish stronger, allowing him to sneak a close decision victory.
Fabricio Werdum to win by decision.
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Leonardo Santos Vs William Macario
Santos is the grappling expert here and will more than likely be looking to get this fight to the mat, while Macario is at his best on the feet.
Santos actually only made it to the final due to an injury to one of the other finalists, but I still feel he’s got the experience and superior grappling technique to get the better of this fight and secure a submission to become the next TUF: Brazil winner.
Leonardo Santos to win by submission in Rd2.
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Rafael ‘Feijao’ Cavalcante vs. Thiago Silva
Interesting fight to call here. Both men are tough, scrappy competitors who’ll be competitive wherever the fight takes them.
‘Feijao’ is more comfortable on his feet than on the mat though and I think has a bit more variety to his striking game than Silva. Nevertheless, Silva will match ‘Feijao’s aggression, happily trade blows and is more likely to mix takedowns into the equation which could work to his advantage as I’d give him the advantage on the mat.
It should be a close encounter and there’s a chance this could end in the first if they both just start trading bombs toe-to-toe, but I’m tipping Silva to emerge the fresher man from the early exchanges and gain in the upper hand later in the fight as he mixes things up and tires out ‘Feijao’. I’m not convinced he’ll be able to finish his fellow Brazilian, but he should get the nod on the scorecards.
Thiago Silva to win by decision.
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Jason High vs. Erick Silva
Despite his loss to Jon Fitch I’m still pretty high on Silva. Away from an elite-level top-heavy wrestler like Fitch he still has very well-rounded skills along with speed and athleticism.
High is on the a good run at the moment and so has earned another crack at the UFC, but this is a tough first fight back and I just feel Silva is going to be too much for him, ending this one in the second round by strikes.
Erick Silva to win by TKO in Rd2.
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Eddie Mendez vs. Daniel Sarafian
Mendez sneaks onto the UFC’s roster via just a single decision win the undercard of a Strikeforce card and so still has to prove he belongs in the Octagon.
Sarafian’s still trying to find his feet too after a split decision loss to CB Dollaway in his debut, but I think he’ll fare better here both on the feet and on the mat and with the home crowd cheering him I like him to overwhelm the newcomer and produce a first round tap out.
Daniel Sarafian to win by submission in Rd1.
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Rony Jason vs. Mike Wilkinson
This feels a little bit like a showcase fight for the TUF Brazil winner with Wilkinson not exactly setting the UFC alight in his debut decision victory.
‘Jason’ is a dynamic fighter who’s happy to slug it out or get technical on the mat and I think he’ll have success with the former option here, coming out with guns blazing to stopping Wilkinson in the first round.
Rony ‘Jason’ to win by TKO in Rd1.
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Prelims: (Predicted winners in bold)
Raphael Assuncao vs. Vaughan Lee
Derek Brunson vs. Ronny Markes
Felipe Arantes vs. Godofredo Castro
Ildemar Alcantara vs. Leandro Silva
Rodrigo Damm vs. Mizuto Hirota
Caio Magalhaes vs. Karlos Vemola
Antonio Braga Neto vs. Anthony Smith
