Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson Vs. Thiago Silva
It has been six weeks since the last UFC event in March, and what a long six weeks it was. This hiatus is pretty much setting up the UFC for four straight weeks of great fights. It kicks off with UFC on Fuel TV 2 this Saturday. The headliner features the biggest 205lbs prospect in the world versus a contender with something to prove. Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) is considered the "next big thing" in the UFC. Some consider him as the biggest threat to Jon Jones’s belt. The Mauler is riding an impressive 4-fight win streak, all in dominating fashion, splitting those four fights by either submission or TKO. Gustafsson is the definition of a finisher with all of his wins but one coming by either submission or KO/TKO. Gustafsson uses his lanky 6’4" frame and great athleticism to stick his foes with stiff jabs and use constant pressure. Just look at the quick work he made of Vladimir Matyushenko back in December. One would think that with the Swede’s long frame that the way to beat him would be to close the distance and fight in the pocket. But Gustafsson has foiled those plans many times before. The only person to successfully do this was Phil Davis. But Alexander will be fighting a new kind of animal in Thiago Silva. Originally Gustafsson was supposed to fight Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, but due to injury, Silva takes his place. Silva (14-2 1 NC) is coming off a year suspension from one of the weirdest scandals to date. After his dominating victory over Brandon Vera in January of last year, The Nevada State Athletic Commission fined Silva $33,750 and revoked his fighting license for one year after it was discovered that Silva tampered with his UFC 125 drug screen. It turned out that the sample that Silva turned in did not match with human urine. Yes, you read that right. Silva will be the best pure striker the Swede has faced to date with a superb ground game to boot. Silva will look to use his striking prowess to close the distance and take the fight to the mat and use precise ground and pound. Silva will come into this fight with a chip on his shoulder to show the MMA world that he is still a top contender at 205. Look for Silva to come out guns blazing and blitz Gustafsson right out of the 1st bell. But Gustafsson has survived early onslaughts before and will compose himself by the end of the first. From here, the fight will become a shootout with both fighters finding their range and landing crisp strikes. But it will be Gustafsson with his longer reach and athleticism that will earn him the split decision nod in this potential fight of the night.
Brian “All-American” Stann Vs. Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara
The co-main event on this card is a middleweight scrap between Brian Stann and Alessio Sakara. Stann (11-4) is coming off his first loss at 185lbs to Chael Sonnen by way of an arm-triangle choke. Before that, however, Chael was undefeated at middleweight with notable TKO victories over Chris Leben and Jorge Santiago. Clearly what one can take from that UFC 133 fight is that Stann still has some serious improvement to be done on his wrestling, but his chin and athleticism is some of the best in the business.
Brian recently joked about his giant chin and noggin at the UFC on Fuel TV 2 pre-fight press conference, "As far as my chin, as you can tell from my head and jaw, you just have to be born with it," Stann said. "When I first started training, and I wasn't very good, I would just tell them, 'Well, I can still beat you.' They'd ask me how, and I'd say, 'Just break your hand on my face.' I've learned a little more foot movement since then."
But all joking aside, the former Marine and Silver Star recipient will have his hands full with Sakara. Sakara (15-8 1 NC) is also coming off a defeat after stringing together a three-fight win streak. Sakara was taken out of his element in his last outing by a unanimous decision loss to rising start Chris Weidman. Sakara is a good technical striker with a solid counter punch. But Stann has made a name for himself on the feet at middleweight, so expect a standup war. If Brain was still a brawler like back in his Light Heavyweight days, then the edge might go to Sakara. But since being under the tutelage of Mike Winkeljohn at Jackson’s MMA, Stann has become a very sound technical striker, utilizing great angles and picking his shots precisely. Stann is also skilled at exposing his opponents for powerful follow-up combinations, which I believe he will execute against Sakara. Stann will feel out Sakara in the opening frame and vice-versa until Stann lands a crisp combination that rocks Sakara. Stann will follow up with more viscous strikes until the ref waives him off. Stann by TKO in the first.
Brian recently joked about his giant chin and noggin at the UFC on Fuel TV 2 pre-fight press conference, "As far as my chin, as you can tell from my head and jaw, you just have to be born with it," Stann said. "When I first started training, and I wasn't very good, I would just tell them, 'Well, I can still beat you.' They'd ask me how, and I'd say, 'Just break your hand on my face.' I've learned a little more foot movement since then."
But all joking aside, the former Marine and Silver Star recipient will have his hands full with Sakara. Sakara (15-8 1 NC) is also coming off a defeat after stringing together a three-fight win streak. Sakara was taken out of his element in his last outing by a unanimous decision loss to rising start Chris Weidman. Sakara is a good technical striker with a solid counter punch. But Stann has made a name for himself on the feet at middleweight, so expect a standup war. If Brain was still a brawler like back in his Light Heavyweight days, then the edge might go to Sakara. But since being under the tutelage of Mike Winkeljohn at Jackson’s MMA, Stann has become a very sound technical striker, utilizing great angles and picking his shots precisely. Stann is also skilled at exposing his opponents for powerful follow-up combinations, which I believe he will execute against Sakara. Stann will feel out Sakara in the opening frame and vice-versa until Stann lands a crisp combination that rocks Sakara. Stann will follow up with more viscous strikes until the ref waives him off. Stann by TKO in the first.
Paulo Thiago Vs. Siyar “The Great” Bahadurzada
In a UFC debut, the newcomer will usually draw either another UFC beginner or a vet past his prime. But in Syar Bahadurzada's case, he draws former top-ten welterweight Paulo Thiago. Thiago (14-3) is looking for his first two-fight win streak since 2010. The Brazilian police officer is used to facing off vs. the UFC's best. Thiago is finally getting a change of pace after besting David Mitchell by unanimous decision back in August. Siyar (20-4-1) is no slouch though. The former Shooto light heavyweight champion is riding a six-fight win streak all by KO or TKO. Siyar is an exciting fighter on the feet, but has obvious holes in his game that Thaigo can exploit. In the fight, Siyar will put the pressure on Thiago until he delivers a clean counter and gets a takedown where he can work his always-dangerous ground game. The Jiu Jitsu specialist will be too much for Siyar on the ground where he will eventually succumb to submission in the third round.
Dennis Siver Vs. Diego “The Gun” Nunes
In the eyes of a lot of onlookers, this is the most anticipated fight on the card. Dennis Siver will be making his featherweight debut after a successful stint at lightweight. In his most recent outing, Siver (19-8) tapped out to a rear-naked choke to lightweight contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. The German kick-boxer will look to utilize his size and power against the also powerful Nunes. Nunes (17-2) is coming off an impressive unanimous decision victory over Manny Gamburyan after a close loss to former lightweight and featherweight title challenger Kenny Florian. Nunes has great speed in his striking, which complements his power. Nunes’s versatility will keep him in this fight, but Siver and his size and kickboxing prowess will keep the fight in Siver’s favor. Siver takes a close unanimous decision.
Damarques “Darkness” Johnson Vs. John “The One” Maguire
Damarques Johnson (15-9) is one of the most uneven fighters in the UFC. He’ll look good in one fight and horrendous in the next. "Darkness" is coming off an impressive KO victory over Clay Harvison in November, but he still needs to impress in this next fight if he wants to avoid getting the pink slip. Maguire (17-3) is coming off a well-fought unanimous decision victory over Justin Edwards at UFC 138. Maguire has great work ethic while on the ground, which was evident in his last fight. I assume Maguire will want to take this fight to the ground, as Johnson’s key to victory will be the standup. This fight will go everywhere, but it will be Maguire with the unanimous decision victory.
Brad “One Punch” Pickett Vs. Damacio “The Angel of Death” Page
This calls for a very intriguing and exciting fight. These two fighters both have great fight-finishing instinct and great all-out pace. Damacio Page (15-6) has been plagued with injuries that have put him out of action for an entire year. Brad Pickett (20-6) recently lost via submission to Renan “Barao” Pegado. Pickett will be motivated to prove that he is still a top featherweight. Page is known to blitzkrieg early looking for the finishing blow, whereas Pickett likes to use his furious pace to impose his will. With that being said, I like Pickett’s pace over Page’s all-out style. Page will tire himself out trying for the kill blow where Pickett will control the pace en route to a Unanimous decision.
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