UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare Crystal Ball Predictions
This Saturday's UFC event out of Rio may have snuck in under the radar for many fans, but there are many reasons to tune in. For one, it always seems to be these events low on star-power but thick with good matchups that turn out to be some of the most exciting of any year.
So, read on to prepare for UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare, and then stick with us Saturday for complete coverage!
Demian Maia (19-6) vs. Ryan LaFlare (11-0)
Demian Maia (L) is known for his grappling, but he isn't afraid to throw hands, either.
We know what we're getting in Demian Maia -- one of the most effective submission artists to ever fight in the UFC, who has underrated takedown ability and who isn't afraid to throw down with strikes on his feet. For many fans, LaFlare is much more of a mystery.
The former wrestler has quietly won his first four UFC fights, and has a perfect overall record, as well. To put it simply, LaFlare has been stifling in the UFC thus far.
He is best with his takedowns in precisely the place Maia is as well -- from the clinch. Who the better takedown artist is remains to be seen.
Surely, Maia is the sharper ground fighter in terms of submissions, but LaFlare hasn't showed many huge holes thus far in his career, and also trains with fantastic Jiu Jitsu practitioners in Long Island with Matt Serra's crew, as well as in South Florida with the Blackzilians team.
Will that be enough to survive on the ground with Maia? The possibility also exists that the two will nullify one another in the clinch, and be forced to decide matters with strikes on their feet.
In either case, Maia has to still be considered the favorite with all his UFC experience, and fighting in his home country. However, LaFlare has what it takes to surprise Maia and the world, and get an upset.
Prediction: Maia by decision
Erick Silva (17-5) vs. Josh Koscheck (19-9)
Can Josh Koscheck (bottom) be ready to win just weeks after getting choked out at UFC 184?
Koscheck comes to Silva's home turf as a short-notice replacement, and just weeks after losing his first bout back after about a year and a half out. In all, Koscheck has lost four in a row, and five of his last seven fights.
Silva rebounded from a TKO loss to Matt Brown last May with a submission win in December. "Indio" tends to fight his best in Brazil, and he'll have momentum and youth on his side, here.
That said, if Koscheck focuses on trying to get takedowns, he could turn the fight his way and make things very hard for Silva. If Koscheck had a full training camp in before fighting Silva, instead of getting choked out a few weeks ago, we'd pick him.
As things stand, however, we have to go with Silva.
Prediction: Silva by decision
Leonardo Santos (13-4-1) vs. Tony Martin (9-2)
Martin is a decade younger than his opponent and coming off of a submission win. That said, beating Santos is never easy, and doing it on his home turf in Brazil will be even more challenging.
Santos hasn't lost a fight since 2009, and he brings a great deal of experience into this main card lightweight battle.
Prediction: Santos by decision
Amanda Nunes (9-4) vs. Shayna Baszler (15-9)
Amanda Nunes is one of the world's best bantamweights.
Both women here are coming off of losses but Nunes still seems like she's in a much different position in her career. Baszler has not won a fight since 2012, and has been stopped in her last two fights.
Nunes was also finished in her last fight, against bantamweight No. 1 contender Cat Zingano, but she looked great in the first round before fading. The Brazilian is also fighting at home, and has won twice by stoppage in the UFC.
Prediction: Nunes by third-round TKO
Gilbert Burns (9-0) vs. Alex Oliveira (10-1)
This lightweight main card contest features two exciting prospects. Burns is a teammate of headliner Ryan LaFlare, is a former Jiu Jitsu champion and undefeated in his MMA career thus far.
Oliveira has only lost once in his career, and heads into his UFC debut without a loss in his last eight bouts. Oliveira has the power advantage, but Burns is slicker on the ground with his submissions in this contrast of styles.
Prediction: Burns by second-round submission
Godofredo Castro (11-3) vs. Andre Fili (14-2)
Castro had a tough start in the UFC, losing two out of his first three bouts in the promotion. Since then, however, he's won two straight and is riding high as he heads into this fight against the talented Fili.
The Team Alpha Male American heads to Brazil having won two out of his first three UFC bouts. Fili should have the wrestling and punching power advantage, here, but Castro has the ground skills to catch a submission.
Prediction: Castro by third-round submission
Francisco Trinaldo (15-4) vs. Akbarh Arreola (23-8-1)
This is a tough one to call. Trinaldo is well-rounded, but Arreola is a takedown and submission machine.
We'll go with perhaps the best MMA fighter out of Mexico, Arreola, in a hard-fight bout.
Prediction: Arreola by third-round submission
Kevin Souza (15-3) vs. Katsunori Kikuno (23-6-2)
These two featherweights each have real, one-strike KO power. Souza has the long win streak going, but Kikuno has faced the slightly better competition of late.
Prediction: Kikuno by second-round KO
Leandro Silva (17-2-1) vs. Drew Dober (15-6)
Drew Dober finished Jamie Varner in his last fight.
Both lightweights are looking to get over the hump in the UFC, and rack up consecutive wins. Both are comfortable on the ground, but Dober has a better chance of hitting the mat on top.
Prediction: Dober by third-round submission
Leonardo Mafra (11-2) vs. Cain Carrizosa (6-1)
Both men lost their UFC debuts by submission and will amped-up to get back on track Saturday in Rio. Mafra is vulnerable on the ground, but we like his striking ability and KO power.
Prediction: Mafra by decision
Jorge "Blade" de Oliveira (7-1) vs. Christos Giagos (10-3)
These two big lightweights are not used to losing, but both lost their UFC debuts. More than likely, this fight will have fireworks as neither man really knows how to win any other way than by KO or submission.
Prediction: Oliveira by third-round KO
Bentley Syler (5-0) vs. Freddy Serrano (1-0)
We spoke with doctor-turned-fighter Syler and he thinks highly of Serrano's takedown ability and toughness. That said, we agree with the Bolivian fighter that he is too well-rounded and experienced for the Colombian.
Prediction: Syler by decision
