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The UFC is returning to Brazil tonight with UFC 153, featuring plenty of the finest Brazilian fighters competing in their home country. This event will also mark the return to the UFC Light Heavyweight Division for the current UFC Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva. Also, a heavyweight fighter returns from injury and a top light heavyweight prospect is competing.
Kicking off the action is a welterweight division fight as Damian Maia (16-4-0) competes against Rick “The Horror†Story (14-5-0). Damian Maia is currently undefeated as a welterweight in the UFC, defeating Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 148. Rick Story recently ended a two fight losing streak at UFC On FX IV, defeating Brock Jardine by unanimous decision. The majority of this fight should be contested on the ground and that is where Damian Maia pulls out the victory.
Light heavyweight fighters will battle next as “Mr. Wonderful†Phil Davis (9-1-0) sees action against Wagner “Caldeirao†Prado (8-0-0). Phil Davis will be looking to rebound from his first career defeat, which came to Rashad Evans at UFC On Fox III. Wagner Prado initially fought Phil Davis at UFC On Fox IV, but the fighter ended in a no contest following an eye poke. Not much has changed for both fighters following the initial meeting, which is why Phil Davis will still gain victory.
More welterweight action will happen next as Jon Fitch (23-4-0) does battle with Erick “Indio†Silva (14-2-0). Jon Fitch will be looking to rebound from his first loss in three years, with that defeat coming to Johny Hendricks at UFC 141. Erick Silva has won two of three in UFC competition, most notably defeating Charlie Brenneman at UFC On FX III. This fight will easily be the biggest test of Erick Silva’s professional MMA career, but it will be a test that the fighter passes.
Another light heavyweight battle will take place next as Fabio Maldonado (18-5-0) battles Glover Teixeira (18-2-0). Fabio Maldonado enters the fight riding a two fight winning streak and he has not achieved victory in over two years. Glover Teixeira is currently undefeated in UFC competition, defeating Kyle Kingsbury by submission at UFC 146. Fighting Fabio Maldonado instead of Quinton Jackson is quite the step down for Glover Teixeira, but he will still pull out the victory.
Up next is a heavyweight division fight as Dave Herman (21-4-0) takes on Antonio “Minotauro†Rodrigo Nogueira (33-7-0). Dave Herman enters the fight riding a two fight losing streak, with those losses coming to Stefan Struve and Roy Nelson. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira competes for the first time since Frank Mir broke his arm, which occurred at UFC 140. This is essentially a must win fight for both heavyweights, but it will be Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira getting the home country win.
Headlining this card is a light heavyweight division fight as Anderson “The Spider†Silva (32-4-0) faces “The American Psycho†Stephan Bonnar (15-7-0). Anderson Silva is the current UFC Middleweight Champion and is also undefeated as a light heavyweight in the UFC. Stephan Bonnar enters the fight riding a three fight winning streak, most notably defeating Krzysztof Soszynski at UFC 116. Barring the greatest upset in all of MMA taking place on Saturday Night, Anderson Silva should get the win.
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