The TUF Brazil 3 Finale is the second event the UFC has planned for this Saturday and you can check out our predictions for all the fights below.
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Main Card:
Stipe Miocic vs. Fabio Maldonado
Maldonado is a very tough customer and would never back down from a fight, but moving up to heavyweight to take on a top 10 contender on short notice doesn’t seem like the best idea.
Miocic will enjoy a considerable height and reach advantage and is capable on the feet of working from distance effectively, but he also holds a big wrestling and cardio advantage here and I think that’ll be his route to victory as he opts for takedowns, top control and ground and pound to wear down his opponent and get a stoppage at some stage in the later rounds.
Stipe Miocic to win by TKO in Rd3.
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Warlley Alves vs. Marcio Alexandre Junior
The first of two TUF Brazil 3 Finale’s, and Alves run to the finale was the more impressive here with a series of finishes showing his versatility, while Alexandre scraped through with split decisions.
Alexandre’s primarily a Karate style striker in the Lyoto Machida mold, but I think Alves has a more well rounded game and his ability to be effective from the clinch while also posing a submission threat on the mat will stand him in good stead here.
Warlley Alves to win by submission in Rd2.
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Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Vitor Miranda
Miranda is a dangerous striker with considerably more experience than his opponent Carlos who’s at his best on the mat with submissions, though he’s not afraid to trade on the feet.
There’s certainly ways for both men to win here, but it’s still very early in Carlos’ career to get a handle on what he’s really capable of and so Miranda seems like the safer bet here.
Vitor Miranda to win by TKO in Rd2.
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Demian Maia vs. Alexander Yakovlev
Maia got shut down by Jake Shields last time out, but was looking good at welterweight prior to that.
That makes it a tough test for the debuting Yakovlev who comes in as a late replacement and despite his experience it’s going to be hard for him to stop Maia if he sticks to his grappling where he has the clear advantage. A submission win could well be on the cards for the BJJ ace here.
Demian Maia to win by submission in Rd1.
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Rony Jason vs. Robbie Peralta
‘Jason’ is always fun to watch, though his somewhat reckless, all-or-nothing approach to fighting leaves holes in his defense that his opponent’s can potentially exploit, and Peralta is certainly a dangerous striker himself.
I still favor ‘Jason’ though with the home support behind him and his ability to finish the fight either with strikes or a submission. I think he’ll come out fast and furious and get the win.
Rony Jason to win by TKO in Rd1.
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Prelims:
Elias Silverio vs. Ernest Chavez
Paulo Thiago vs. Gasan Umalatov
Kevin Souza vs. Mark Eddiva
Rodrigo Damm vs. Rashid Magomedov
Wagner Gomes vs. Ricardo Abreu
Marcos Rogerio vs. Richardson Moreira
Pedro Munhoz vs. Matt Hobar
