UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping Podcast Preview

WC-FX On this edition of the Getting Lucky MMA Podcast, English Thom joined us to talk about the upcoming event - UFC on Fuel TV: Belfort vs. Bisping, taking place this weekend down in São Paolo, Brazil. As one might expect from an event in the birthplace of mixed martial arts, the entire card is stacked with killers from top to bottom. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIYL6sZq0tM Episode (018) Summary The only fight on the Facebook prelims features Lightweights Francisco "Massaranduba" Trinaldo (11-2) against C. J. Keith (8-1). Trinaldo has brutal ground and pound as he displayed on the Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. Massaranduba has more experience and has faced better competition, making Keith's only tactic to ground and smother the Brazilian with his freestyle wrestling. The card moves onto the Fuel TV fights with Light Heavies Wagner Prado (8-1-1) facing off against last minute replacement Ildemar Alcantara (17-5). With less than two weeks to prepare and fighting above his natural weight, Alcantara has little hope against the brawling style of Prado. They are followed by Bantamweights Yuri Alcantara (27-7) fighting Pedro Nobre (14-1-2). Yuri was riding a 13-fight win streak until he picked up a UD loss against Hacran Dias in his last fight. Now he looks to right the ship against an unheralded, but powerful UFC newcomer. Edson Barboza (10-1) fights Lucas Martins (12-0) in what will likely be one of the highlights of the night. Expect either the KO of the Night to come out this match-up from either fighter or a potential Fight of the Night candidate. Barboza is famous for his Knockout of the Year spinning heel kick against Terry Etim. They are followed by rising prospect Diego Nunes (18-3) facing off against wrestler Nik Lentz (22-5-2, 1). While Nunes' athletic kickboxing is a joy to watch be wary of Lentz grounding and stuffing Nunes en route to a decision victory. A pair of Middleweights square off next as Ronny Markes (13-1) faces off against fan favorite Andrew Craig (8-0). Craig is famous for stepping in as a last minute replacement to fight UFC veteran Kyle Nokes and scoring a huge upset victory. He only added to his popularity with a head kick KO in his next match against Rafael Natal. They are followed by TUF Finalist Godofredo "Pepey" Castro (8-1) against Milton Vieira (13-7-2). While Vieira certainly carries the advantage in experience, Pepey's overall game and superb athleticism should earn him the victory. The first fight on the main card features Thiago Tavares (17-4-1) facing off against Khabib Nurmagomedov (18-0). Khabib is perhaps the best kept secret at Lightweight, combining his lethal power with his world class Sambo skills. HW Gabriel Gonzaga (13-6) continues his return into the UFC with a fight against IFL legend Ben Rothwell (32-8). If Gonzaga continues to use his BJJ rather than stand and trade as he did for much of his earlier UFC career, expect a submission victory late in the fight. Daniel Sarafian (7-2) faces off against C. B. Dolloway (12-4) in the co-main event. Dolloway is infamous for his conservative wrestling style and his unmentionable fight with Jason "Mayhem" Miller. Despite all of this, we suspect that Dolloway will capitalize on Sarafian's weakness towards wrestling for UD. The final fight and main event features Vitor Belfort (21-10) against Michael "The Count" Bisping (23-4). Bisping has been promised a title shot if he can get by the Phenom. He is certainly the more technical striker with great footwork, but he is on the losing end on hand speed and power to the Brazilian. We're tipping Vitor with the upset victory.
In this post: 
podcasts mma
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Robert Curtis is a columnist, podcaster, screenwriter, and WhatCulture.com MMA editor. He's an American abroad in Australia, living vicariously through his PlayStation 3. He's too old to be cool, but too young to be wise.