Its been a while since I wrote an entry since I've been so busy studying for finals and all, but now that the semester is over I have some time to look at the state of MMA and boy do we have a good card coming up next weekend.  With the most anticipated rematch of the year taking place this weekend I am going to give my take on the pay-per-view card as well as some of the preliminaries.  Now these are just opinions upon the hours of fight footage that I have witnessed over the 10 years of following this beloved sport.

First on the prelims we have John "Doomsday" Howard v. Siyar "The Great" Bahadurzada.

Both these fighters have an extensive record and a plethora of experience between the two.  Bahadurzada, a Blackzilian fighter may be an unknown to most in the UFC, but this man has great punching power and a superb submission game.  Howard is a well known fighter notorious now among fans for being in one of the most boring fights this year when he faced Uriah Hall at UFC Fight Night Sonnen v. Shogun.  However, the monicher doomsday is no euphemism.  Howard has devastating knockout power and can end a fight after a good combination.  However, he usually grinds and breaks down his opponents, usually winning by decision.

My prediction for this fight is Howard by decision.

The next fight on the card is Dennis Siver v. Manny "the anvil" Gamburyan

Dennis Siver is probably one of the most skilled pure strikers in the UFC as evidenced by his ability to confuse and baffle fighters as he sets up spinning back kicks and a flurry of punches.  Over the years the German has also developed a good ground game, but has been blunted by the elite grapplers like Gray Maynard and Donald Cerrone.  Siver is coming off a TKO loss to Cub Swanson look for him to try to keep the fight standing and either win on points or try to stop the fight in later rounds.  On the other hand, there is no secret that Gamburyan is going to try and take the fight to the mat as his accolades in wrestling are numerous.  Not to say that Gamburyan is any slouch in the striking department training on a daily basis with Edmund Tarverdyan, one of the best striking coaches in the world.  Look for him to set up his takedowns with his hands and lots of clinchwork against the cage, landing punches and elbows from within.

My prediction is Gamburyan by decision

Next is Gleison Tibau v. Michael Johnson

Both These fighters are very well matched.  Both have great wrestling, jui-jitsu, and knock-out power.  However, it is baffling how Tibau is able to make 155 at times.  The fact that he cuts so much weight could be a factor in the later rounds and Tibau has slowed down in the later rounds.  This matchup is kind of a toss up.  It is sure to be exciting.

Tibau decision

The final fight on the prelim card:  Uriah Hall v. Chris "the crippler" Leben

The aren't enough words that can describe Chris Leben, the man was on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter which brought the sport to the mainstream. Uriah Hall burst onto the scene also through the TUF competition as an absolute destroyer mowing through his competition on the show.  Chael Sonnen even went on to say that Hall had the potential to beat the likes of Anderson Silva.  However, his performances in his last two outings in the cage did not demonstrate the fighter who viewers became astonished with on the ultimate fighter.  It all depends which fighter shows up in the cage on Saturday night.  If Hall does not put on an impressive performance it may mean the end of his time in the UFC.  However, if he does show up it could be an all-out war.

Because his job is on the line I say Hall by TKO

Now for the main card:  Dustin "Diamond" Poirier v. Diego Brandao

Both these fighters are on the line for title contention.  Both have put on impressive performances in recent fights.  Diego often starts out quick and takes many opponents by surprise.  I think people will remember when he threw a flying knee at Cody McKenzie to advance in tough.  The guys are tough and both have have heart and durability in past fights.  Poirier is coming off a unanimous decision over Erich Koch and with only three losses on his record to fighters who have either had title shots or are on the cusp is an impressive feat.  Both will try to leave their mark on this fight to make their case for a title shot.

Poirier by decision

Jim Miller v. Fabricio Camoes

Jim Miller is as tough as they come.  He is not afraid of anyone, for example he successfully won against Charles Oliveira with his own signature submission, the kneebar.  While Fabricio Camoes has defeated several former UFC fighters like Efrain Escudero and Caol Uno.  That being said he is coming off a loss against Melvin Guillard at UFC 164.  Fabricio is a very skilled grappler, but Miller is no chump either, holding a black belt in BJJ and has submitted numerous black belts over his UFC career.  Look for Miller to try to impose his will on Camoes.

Miller by decision

Josh "The Warmaster" Barnett v. Travis "Happa" Browne

When Travis Browne was taking knees from Alistair Overeem against the cage, no one expected him to get up, but the fighter showed his heart and stood back up and proceeded to knockout Overeem with a front kick.  Travis has shown his striking skills on numerous occasions knocking out Setphan Struve and Gabriel Gonzaga and with only one loss on his record wants to put his name in the title conversation.  Josh Barnett is one of the most experienced fighters on the roster.  This master of catch wrestling has been on a tear since his return to the UFC in January of this year.  He will want to clinch, landing knees and elbows, much like he did to Frank Mir.  Also Josh will try and take Browne to the ground imposing his top game, landing strikes and knees while he transitions to a full mount landing a barrage of punches or taking the back for a rear naked choke.  It is very unlikely that when these two collide that there will be a judge's decision.

Prediction:  Browne via KO

Co-Main Event:  Ronda "Rowdy" Rousey v. Miesha "Cupcake" Tate

The last time we saw these two women it ended with Rousey breaking Tates arm in her signature armbar.  The UFC has created the women's division around Rousey.  But it appears that perception has changed about Ronda after The Ultimate Fighter, evidenced by Tate beating out Rousey in the fan cover of EA UFC.  That being said Ronda's fights have all ended the same way via armbar in the first round.  When she fights it appears that at any moment she can snatch up an arm and tap her opponent.  Miesha Tate on the other hand has shown her cards, having gone to war with the likes of Julie Kedzie and Kat Zingano.  Has Tate prepared for the best Rousey, and whether or not Miesha has prepared for Rousey's takedowns and throws.  On the other hand, we haven't seen Ronda face serious adversity.  What must be asked is whether Rousey can shift strategies when if the armbar fails.  Is Miesha Tate going to the one to test her?  Only Saturday will we get the answer.

Prediction: Rousey via submission

Main Event: Chris "The All American" Weidman v.Anderson "The Spider" Silva

When Chris Weidman knocked out Anderson Silva it felt like the end of an era.  For me it was the passing of the torch.  I  have to admit when I was fighting, I emulated Anderson's style he was my idol. I fought with my hands low and was being constantly admonished for it.  So when he was stopped by Weidman in July after seven years on top of the world using his signature Muhammed Ali flair, it was a sign that a new generation was about to take over.  Putting that aside I will try to look at both fighters objectively.  Chris Weidman is so confident that he can beat Anderson again that he has put his diet, workout, and his entire blueprint of the fight online.  That being said, I think he has kept some things close to the chest.  Weidman is an all American wrestler who is well rounded training with Ray Longo's camp in Long Island  and training under both Matt Serra and John Danaher for Jiu-Jitsu.  Chris Weidman is tough as nails and she shows his depth in the Mark Munoz fight and showed that he would not be distracted by Anderson's antics in the last fight.  Anderson has been in this position before people called him lucky when he pulled off a last minute submission against Chael Sonnen in their first fight.  Definitively proving his dominance in the second.  Anderson was humiliated that day when he died by his own sword, and the entire country of Brazil have uttered their disappointment over what transpired on July 6th. Will this pressure motivate him to take back his title?  Also is Silva going try to redeem the mistake he made in the first fight and take Weidman seriously. I think this fight will definitely change Anderson.  You only grow as a fighter after a loss because it is eye-opening and humbling.  Anderson had to go back to the drawing board.  It will be interesting to see what will come of this fight and I cannot wait to find out on Saturday.

Prediction: Anderson KO

Thank you if you read the entire breakdown it was my first and I hope to be able to do many more.  I will continue to blog about what is going on in MMA and no just UFC, but also up incoming fighters.

Thank you

MMALegal2016