Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
After a long (by UFC standards) two weeks break from live events, the Ultimate Fighting Championships returns to action with a stacked card this Saturday Night. The card will feature Brazil’s favorite son in Vitor Belfort, plus a pair of top Strikeforce fighters in Luke Rockhold and Ronaldo Souza. The preliminary card that is airing on Fuel TV will feature several top talents, including top featherweight Nik Lentz.
Kicking off the action is a light heavyweight division contest as Roger “The Hulk†Hollett (13-4-0) competes against Fabio Maldonado (18-6-0). Hollett is currently winless in UFC competition, having dropped a fight to Matt Hamill via decision at UFC 152. Maldonado will enter the fight riding a three fight losing streak and he has not achieved a victory in nearly three years. This is a must win situation for both fighters, but Hollett is a better fighter at this stage in each fighters career and he will get the win.
Bantamweight fighters will enter the cage next as Yuri “Marajo†Alcantara (27-4-0-1NC) is in action against Iliarde Santos (27-6-1-1NC). Alcantara has won two of four while in the UFC, but his last fight was a no contest against Pedro Nobre due to an accidental eye poke. Santos will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he previously competed against UFC veteran John Lineker at a Jungle Fight event. Santos may be entering the fight on a better role than his opponent, but Alcantara has fought far better competition and that experience will gain him the victory.
A pair of welterweights will compete next as Michel “Trator†Prazeres (16-0-0) will do battle with Paulo Thiago (14-5-0). Prazeres will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he has spent time in top promotions like Shooto and Jungle Fight. Thiago has only won one of his last five in the UFC, with that lone victory coming over David Mitchell at UFC 134. Prazeres has been dominating the majority of his opponents on the ground, which is where he will dominate Thiago to get the win in his UFC debut.
We move to the lightweight division for the next fight as John Cholish (8-2-0) battles Gleison Tibau (26-9-0). Cholish has split both of his fights in the UFC, defeating Mitch Clarke and suffering a defeat to Danny Castillo. Tibau has only won one of his last three fights under the UFC banner, with that lone victory coming over Francisco Trinaldo at UFC 153. Tibau is the gate keeper of the lightweight division or a good reason and he will show why as he defeats Cholish in this encounter.
Up next is a lightweight division fight as Mike “The Wolverine†Rio (9-1-0) takes on Francisco “Massaranduba†Trinaldo (12-2-0). Rio is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated John Cofer at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale. Trinaldo has won two of three in UFC competition, with his lone loss coming to Gleison Tibau at UFC 153. These are two fighters who could be two of the better strikers in the division, but it will be Rio remaining undefeated in UFC competition when it’s all over.
Headlining this portion of the card is a featherweight division fight as Hacran “Barnabe†Dias (21-1-1) faces Nik “The Carny†Lentz (23-5-2-1NC). Dias is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Yuri Alcantara by decision at UFC 147. Lentz is currently undefeated as a featherweight in the UFC, with a notable victory over Diego Nunes at UFC On FX VII. Why this fight is not taking place on the main card is beyond me, but it will be Lentz keeping his streak going with a victory on Saturday Night.
Follow me on Twitter @DaveTeesMMA
Contact me at bigteesps3@yahoo.com
