Weight Class: Welterweight Another fight where you have to ask "why isn't this on the main card?" Erick Silva (186 (1)) was a rising star in the UFC for a bit, while Canada's Nordine Taleb (113) is a game fighter who will be a tough out for just about any opponent. Taleb is the only fighter to appear on two different seasons of The Ultimate Fighter as a competitor, on both TUF Nations: Canada vs. Australia and TUF 19 (he failed to make it into the house at TUF 19). Despite not winning the show either time, his grit and determination impressed the UFC enough to ink him to a deal, and he immediately won his first three fights. He suffered his first loss in the promotion at UFC 190, a submission defeat at the hands of Warlley Alves, and is looking to bounce back now. Erick Silva is a serious step up for Taleb. Silva has defeated the likes of Josh Koscheck, Charlie Brenneman, and Jason High - and has fought some of the UFC's best, including Matt Brown and Stun Gun Kim. Were Silva to lose to Taleb, it would be a huge upset - but the safe money is on Silva, by submission or decision.
Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.
