The mixed martial arts (MMA) G.O.A.T is back!
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Las Vegas, Nevada, this Saturday (Jan. 31, 2015) for UFC 183: "Silva vs Diaz" live from MGM Grand Garden Arena.
In the main event of the evening, two fan-favorites will return from long layoffs as former longtime middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, takes on the former Strikeforce welterweight champion, Nick Diaz. "The Spider" will make his first Octagon appearance since his horrific leg fracture back in Dec. 2013 at UFC 168.
The co-main event pits Top 10-ranked welterweight contenders against one another as Tyron Woodley looks to be the first man to defeat The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 17 winner, Kelvin Gastelum. With a potential No. 1 contender fight hanging in the balance, there is a lot on the line for the two 170-pound standouts in "Sin City."
That's not all.
First, we've got seven "Prelims" under card matches on tap, three of which will stream online via Fight Pass and the rest will broadcast on FOX Sports 1.
Here's what's in store:
185 lbs.: Thiago Santos vs. Andy Enz
Thiago Santos (9-3) returns to the Octagon this Saturday night, hoping to rebound from a tough decision loss at the hands of Uriah Hall back at UFC 175. Since making his Octagon debut following a stint on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): "Brazil 2," "Marreta" has sandwiched two losses with an unbelievable one minute body kick (technical) knockout over Ronny Markes.
The Brazilian has proven to have some intriguing striking skills, but aside from his shocking defeat over Markes, he has yet to really put together a complete performance inside the Octagon. With a loss potentially meaning the end of the road for Santos, you can expect him to come into Las Vegas this weekend with a chip on his shoulder.
Speaking of potentially getting released, Andy Enz (7-2) has been unable to earn a victory in his two Octagon outings, meaning a loss at UFC 183 would almost guarantee the Alaskan earns a pink slip come Sunday morning.
Enz and Santos actually share a common opponent in Uriah Hall, although Enz dropped a decision to "Primetime" in the fight to get into the house on TUF 18, so the loss is not depicted on Enz's official MMA record. Even though "Tank Mode" did not get into the house, Enz earned a shot inside the Octagon for his gritty performance anyhow.
For this fight I expect an enjoyable battle on the feet, but Enz's penchant for taking a lot of punishment is not the way to earn elite status in the sport of MMA. With that being said, Santos could punish the Alaskan for 15 minutes, but finishing Enz has proved to be a tall order altogether.
Prediction: Santos via decision
185 lbs.: Richardson Moreira vs. Ildemar Alcântara
Following an exciting stint on TUF: "Brazil 3," Richardson Moreira (7-2) made his Octagon debut two weight classes above where he plans on fighting on Saturday night. Ultimately, "Rick Monstro" paid the price, as he was knocked out in just 20 seconds by heavyweight berserker Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
Although most fighters who lose at TUF finales are not given second chances, UFC brass has opted to give Moreira a shot in the middleweight division, but his first test will not be easy by any means.
Even though Ildemar Alcantara (20-7) is coming off a loss to Kenny Robertson, the Brazilian has shown flashes of brilliance inside the Octagon over his five fight UFC career. Most notably, Alcantara holds a victory over the highly touted Albert Tumenov, as well as a submission victory over Wagner Prado way back in his Octagon debut.
I for one am happy to see "Rick Monstro" get a second crack inside the Octagon, but I just don't see how he defeats the savvy veteran in Alcantara this weekend. Even though Moreira has the power to put Alcantara away, "Marajo" has only been finished twice in his career, and not since 2009.
We must also take into consideration Moreira's weight cut for this bout. Will it stunt his power and speed? Will it cause him to gas out?
Overall, I simply believe Alcantara is the better overall fighter on both the feet and the mat. With the ability to dictate where the fight goes, I expect a dominant victory for "Marajo" at UFC 183.
Prediction: Alcantara via technical knockout
145 lbs.: Diego Brandao vs. Jimy Hettes
Diego Brandao (18-10) has faltered at the top of UFC's featherweight division over the last handful of bouts, and UFC matchmakers are giving the Brazilian the opportunity to rebound against the exciting Jimy Hettes (11-2) this weekend.
Since winning the featherweight tournament in TUF 14, Brandao has not seen near the same level of success as many of the other fighters to come from that season; most notably UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw.
In fact, "DB" defeated Dennis Bermudez to win the show, but "The Menace" reeled off six straight victories afterward. Ultimately, it seems that Brandao has just not lived up to the hype many expected when he won the show about three years ago.
In his last two outings, Brandao bit off more than he can chew, as he was knocked out by both Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. With his UFC roster spot potentially at stake this weekend, fans are hoping to see the vicious Brandao of old show up in Las Vegas.
As for Hettes, the uber prospects' hype train was slown significantly following a decision loss to Marcus Brimage in 2012, and even though the judo and jiu-jitsu whiz rebounded with an impressive submission victory in his next outing, he was most recently knocked out at the hands of Dennis Bermudez last March.
Following a lengthy layoff, Hettes is set to return against the Brazilian this weekend, but this matchup will not be easy for "The Kid."
Hettes' strengths are on the mat and in the clinch, but he is not going to be powerful enough to bully Brandao to the fence in order to work his game. Even if Hettes does end up getting the Brazilian down, it is not going to be very easy to submit the jiu-jitsu black belt.
With their ground games essentially negating one another, I simply see Hettes taking damage from powerful haymakers as he desperately tries to get Brandao to the mat. Could the Brazilian gas badly and give up a submission? Sure, but I just find it unlikely.
Prediction: Brandao via knockout
Four more UFC 183 "Prelims" fights to preview and predict tomorrow, including the "Prelims" main event between women's bantamweights Miesha Tate and Sara McMann.
We'll have them for you, same time tomorrow, Maniacs.
For more information, including the latest fight card, start time, and more regarding UFC 183 click here.