163 Predictions

                                            

UFC 163 Predictions

August 2, 2013

By Ryan Porzl

Ednaldo Oliveira vs. Francimar Barroso

Nickname:                                  Lula Molusco      |             Bodao

Height:                                             6'7                 |               6'0

MMA Record (UFC):            13-1-1, 1NC (0-1) |         15-3 (0-0)

Age:                                                  29                 |           Unknown

Arm Length:                                  81.5 in.             |          Unknown

Team:                                        Champion Team    |         Nova Uniao

Weight Class:                               Light Heavyweight (205 Pounds)

Notes: Barroso's UFC debut. Barroso is replacing Robert Drysdale.

Preview: Oliveira is coming off a loss to Gabriel Gonzaga by submission at UFC 142 (January 14, 2012). Barroso is riding a three fight win streak. His recent win was over Simao Melo da Silva by submission at WOCS 25 (April 12, 2013).

Predictions: Oliveira. Barroso has lost all of his fights by knockout and Oliveira has knockout power. Oliveira has been sparring partner of Junior Dos Santos so he'll probably be the better striker. Barroso has power but Oliveira's reach may be too much. While Oliveira's recent loss was by submission and Barroso won his recent fight by submission, Barroso doesn't have the world class jiu-jitsu skills that Gabriel Gonzaga (who submitted Oliveira) has. Oliveira hasn't had a fight in nearly nineteen months but at the same time, Barroso is taking this fight on less than a months notice.

Viscardi Andrade vs. Bristol Marunde

Nickname:                                          None             |          None

Height:                                                  6'0               |            6'1

MMA Record (UFC):                      14-5 (0-0)       |       12-8 (0-1)

Age:                                                       29                |            31

Arm Length:                                      Unknown        |       Unknown

Team:                                              Gracie Fusion    | Throwdown Training Center

Weight Class:                                    Welterweight (170 pounds)

Notes: Andrade's UFC debut.

Preview: Andrade is riding a six fight win streak. His recent win was over Michel Vaz by TKO at MF – Moema Fight (October 6, 2012). Marunde is riding a two fight losing streak. His recent loss was to Clint Hester by KO at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale (April 13, 2013).

Predictions: Andrade. Andrade is likely taking a step up but he's proven in the past year to be a well-rounded fighter. Two of his wins last year ended by (T)KO while the other two ended in submission. Marunde has proven in his last two losses he can be finished although it should be pointed out the submission loss was to Jacare Souza.

Rani Yahya vs. Josh Clopton

Nickname:                                            None         |   The Gentleman

Height:                                                   5'6           |          5'7

MMA Record (UFC):                       18-7 (3-1)    |      6-1 (0-1)

Age:                                                        28            |          32

Arm Length:                                          68 in.        |      Unknown

Team:                                          Constrictor Team |     Skrap Pack

Weight Class:                                     Featherweight (145 pounds)

Notes: Clopton's first fight since the Ultimate Fighter Finale 14 (December 3, 2011).

Preview: Yahya is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Mizuto Hirota by unanimous decision at UFC on Fuel: Silva vs. Stann (March 3, 2013). Clopton is coming off a loss to Steven Siler by unanimous decision at The Ultimate Fighter Finale 14 (December 3, 2011).

Predictions: Yahya. You know what you're getting with Yahya but it doesn't matter. Clopton hasn't had a fight in nearly 19 months. More importantly, Clopton is not a great striker as he hasn't won any of his fights by knockout. Even though Yahya is one-dimensional, Clopton won't be able to take advantage of that. Very doubtful that Clopton will be able to block takedowns from an ADCC world champion and if it goes to the ground, it's Yahya's world.

Ian McCall vs. Iliarde Santos

Nickname:                                       Uncle Creepy |          None

Height:                                                     5'5         |            5'5

MMA Record (UFC):                   11-4-1 (0-2-1) |       27-7 (0-1)

Age:                                                          29          |            32

Arm Length:                                        Unknown    |        Unknown

Team:                                                Team Oyama |  Ulisses Pereira Team

Weight Class:                                          Flyweight (125 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: McCall is riding a two fight losing streak. His recent loss was to Joseph Benavidez by unanimous decision at UFC 156 (February 2, 2013). Santos is coming off a loss to Yuri Alcantara by KO at UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold (May 18, 2013).

Predictions: McCall. McCall has struggled in the UFC but his only losses are to the two guys who are considered the top two flyweights in the UFC in Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez. Santos is a good fighter but he's not on the same level as Johnson and Benavidez. Santos has won most of his recent fights by knockout but McCall has never been knocked out in his career to date.

Sergio Moraes vs. Neil Magny

Nickname:                                           Serginho        |         None

Height:                                                   5'11            |           6'2

MMA Record (UFC):                        7-2 (1-1)        |      8-1 (1-0)

Age:                                                         31              |           25

Arm Length:                                           73 in.          |      Unknown

Team:                                             Alliance Jiu-Jitsu  |    Torres MMA

Weight Class:                                      Welterweight (170 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Moraes is coming off a win over Renee Forte by submission at UFC 153 (October 13, 2012). Magny is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Jon Manley by unanimous decision at UFC 157 (February 23, 2013).

Predictions: Moraes. Both guys are grapplers and won most of their fights by submission. However, Moraes is a better grappler as he is a two time brazilian jiu-jitsu champion. If this fight goes to the ground then Moraes has the advantage. Moraes has also proven that he's tough as he's been rocked a few times in his career but has come back to win.

Amanda Nunes vs. Sheila Gaff

Nickname:                                         The Lioness       |  The German Tank

Height:                                                      5'8             |          5'5

MMA Record (UFC):                           7-3 (0-0)       |    10-5-1 (0-1)

Age:                                                           25              |          23

Arm Length:                                          Unknown       |        64 in.

Team:                                                AMA Fight Club | Arena Aschaffenburg

Weight Class:                                       Bantamweight (135 pounds)

Notes: Nunes' UFC debut

Preview: Nunes is coming off a loss to Sarah D'Alelio by unanimous decision at Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt (January 5, 2013). Gaff is coming off a loss to Sara McMann by TKO at UFC 159 (April 27, 2013).

Predictions: Gaff. Both are strikers but Gaff may be better. She has a wild style that can be hard to deal with. She won't have to worry too much of being controlled on the ground since Nunes is not an Olympic level wrestler like Sara McMann. Gaff will also likely fight smarter and not charge across the cage and allow herself to be taken down.

Vinny Magalhaes vs. Anthony Perosh

Nickname:                                       Pezao                 |      The Hippo

Height:                                               6'3                   |           6'3

MMA Record (UFC):               10-6, 1NC (1-3)      |      13-7 (3-4)

Age:                                                    29                    |           41

Arm Length:                                     79 in.                 |          75 in.

Team:                                           Syndicate MMA    |  Sinosic Perosh Martial Arts

Weight Class:                                 Light Heavyweight (205 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Magalhaes is coming off a loss to Phil Davis by unanimous decision at UFC 159 (April 27, 2013). Perosh is coming off a loss to Ryan Jimmo by KO at UFC 149 (July 21, 2012).

Predictions: Perosh. It's safe to say that each and everyone of Magalhaes' weaknesses were on full display in his last fight. Perosh is up there in age and hasn't fought in a year but it shouldn't matter. Phil Davis showcased all of Magalhaes' flaws and Perosh has plenty to exploit. Magalhaes is one-dimensional, he can't strike, and has a bad gas tank. Perosh is a good grappler. While he's not on par with Magalhaes on the ground, he should be able to hold his own as he's a two time bronze medalist in the world jiu-jitsu championships. Perosh is likely a better striker and can pick Magalhaes apart standing up. While Magalhaes has defeated Mikhail Zayats by knockout and Perosh has suffered some brutal knockouts, it's highly unlikely that Perosh will get knocked out.

John Lineker vs. Jose Tome

Nickname:                                       Mao-de-Predra |     No Chance

Height:                                                    5'2             |       Unknown

MMA Record (UFC):                        21-6 (7-3)      |  33-3, 2NC (0-0)

Age:                                                         23              |          31

Arm Length:                                           67 in.          |      Unknown

Team:                                               EMPORIUM    |  Renovacao Fight Team

Weight Class:                                          Flyweight (125 pounds)

Notes: Tome is replacing Phil Harris. Tome's UFC debut.

Preview: Lineker is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Azamat Gashimov by TKO at UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold (May 18, 2013). Tome is unbeaten in 17 fights (16 wins, 1 No Contest). His recent win was over Milton by Submission at WOCS 26 (May 24, 2013).

Predictions: Linker.

Thales Leites vs. Tom Watson

Nickname:                                            None          |        Kong

Height:                                                    6'1            |          6'1

MMA Record (UFC):                       20-4 (5-3)     |     16-5 (1-1)

Age:                                                         31            |           31

Arm Length:                                          78 in.          |         73 in.

Team:                                                Nova Uniao    |  Jackson's MMA

Weight Class:                                      Middleweight (185 pounds)

Notes: Leites' first fight in the UFC since UFC 101 (August 8, 2009).

Preview: Lietes is riding a three fight win streak. His recent win was over Matt Horwich by submission at Amazon Combat Forest 2 (March 31, 2012). Watson is coming off a win over Stanislav Nedkov by TKO at UFC on Fuel: Barao vs. McDonald (February 16, 2013).

Predictions: Watson. Leites is like Yahya in that he's a one-dimensional jiu-jitsu fighter. Watson is mostly a striker but he has attempted to become more well-rounded by training at Jackson's MMA and Tristar Gym. Leites hasn't been very active in years. He hasn't fought in nearly seventeen months and prior to that, he had an eleven month layoff. Leites has never been knocked out in his career but that hasn't stopped Watson before. Watson became the first fighter to knock out Nedkov so he's capable of handing fighters their first knockout losses.

Cezar Ferreira vs. Thiago Santos

Nickname:                                         Mutante         |        Marreta

Height:                                                  6'1              |       Unknown

MMA Record (UFC):                      5-2 (1-0)        |        8-1 (0-0)

Age:                                                       29              |            29

Arm Length:                                        79 in.            |       Unknown

Team:                                               Blackzilians      |   Tata Fight Team

Weight Class:                                      Middleweight (185 pounds)

Notes: Santos is replacing Clint Hester. Santos' UFC debut.

Preview: Ferreira is coming off a win over Sergio Moraes by unanimous decision at UFC 147 (June 23, 2012). Santos is coming off a win over Denis Figueira da Silva by TKO at WOC 20 (July 27, 2012)

Predictions: Ferreira. Both are strikers but Ferreira is likely the better striker. He's a protege of Vitor Belfort who is well-known for his striking abilities. His arms are 79 inches and if he knows how to use that than he's got a great advantage. He's a master of capoeira which can make his striking unique. He can hold his own on the ground as he has a black belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu, has gotten several submission victories on the Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, and held his own against a very decorated grappler in Sergio Moraes.

Camp. Aldo can also be a very bad stylistic fight for Zombie. Zombie got his nickname because of the way he keeps coming after taking tons of damage. The problem is that Aldo has a lot of power and is one of the last people you want to test your jaw on.

Lyoto Machida vs. Phil Davis

Nickname:                                         The Dragon       |  Mr. Wonderful

Height:                                                     6'1              |        6'2

MMA Record (UFC):                       19-3 (11-3)       | 11-1, 1NC (7-1, 1NC)

Age:                                                          35               |       29

Arm Length:                                           74 in.            |      79 in.

Team:                                                  Black House     |  Alliance MMA

Weight Class:                                   Light Heavyweight (205 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Machida is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Dan Henderson by split decision at UFC 157 (February 23, 2013). Davis is unbeaten in three fights (2 wins, 1 no contest). His recent win was over Vinny Magalhaes by unanimous decision at UFC 159 (April 27, 2013).

Predictions: Machida. This is Machida's fight. Machida style is great against wrestlers and that's what Davis is. Davis is also very one-dimensional and it'll be hard to use his wrestling when he can't catch Machida. Davis has a long reach but it doesn't matter as Davis is not a good enough striker to utilize it. If he strikes like he did against Magalhaes then he has no chance standing up. Even if Machida gets taking down, he's not defenseless as he has an underrated ground game.

Jose Aldo vs. Jung Chan-Sung

Nickname:                                         Scarface   |    Korean Zombie

Height:                                                   5'7       |           5'9

MMA Record (UFC):                      22-1 (4-0) |      15-3 (3-0)

Age:                                                        26        |           25

Arm Length:                                         70 in.      |        72 in.

Team:                                               Nova Uniao | Korean Zombie MMA

Weight Class:                                        Featherweight (145 pounds)

Notes: For the UFC Featherweight Championship. Jung is replacing Anthony Pettis.

Preview: Aldo is riding a fifteen fight unbeaten streak. His recent win was over Frankie Edgar by unanimous decision at UFC 156 (February 2, 2013). Jung is riding a three fight win streak. His recent win was over Dustin Poirier at UFC on Fuel: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier (May 15, 2012).

Predictions: Aldo. Zombie is not to be underestimated but he has an uphill battle. Zombie has been very impressive since coming into the UFC but he has some issues going into this. For one, he hasn't had a fight in fifteen months which isn't something anybody wants to come off of when they're fighting an elite fighter. Second of all, Zombie spent most of his career training out of Korean Top Team but has since left and formed his own gym. In the past, the MMA world have seen world class fighters spend their whole career training somewhere and then decline when they go somewhere else. Best examples would be Rashad Evans going from Jackson's MMA to the Blackzilians and Josh Koscheck going from AKA to Dethrone Base Camp. Aldo can also be a very bad stylistic fight for Zombie. Zombie got his nickname because of the way he keeps coming after taking tons of damage. The problem is that Aldo has a lot of power and is one of the last people you want to test your jaw on.