Rafael Cavalcante vs Igor Pokrajac: UFC Fight Night 32 'Fight of the Night' early pick

At UFC Fight Night 32, which takes place later this evening (Sat., Nov. 9, 2013) at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil, two well-traveled Light Heavyweight fighters will meet when Rafael Cavalcante and Igor Pokrajac square off on FOX Sports 1.

The pair have both been in their fair share of entertaining fights, and when they meet in South America, it's fair to assume that trend will continue.

Cavalcante, a member of Team Noguieira, has been a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter for nearly eight years. His biggest accomplishment in that time was a knockout win over "King Mo" Muhammed Lawal to claim the Strikeforce 205-pound title. His style is well-known, as a high level striker with heavy hands, he is adept at making opponents bend to his will by unleashing heavy combinations on them.

Pokrajac is a perennial journeyman with skills in all areas and a level of proficiency that make him an average Light Heavyweight. He has been in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) since 2009, remaining afloat with four wins in 10 Octagon appearances. He'll probably be fighting to keep his job this Saturday, being that he could be on a four-fight losing streak if not for an overturned loss to Joey Beltran at UFC on FX 6.

Therefore, expect him to come into this fight in motivate and in good shape.

This will be good scrap simply because both fighters could really use the win. Cavalcante's recent loss to Thiago Silva may put him at risk of being cut if he suffers another loss, while testing positive for steroids fairly recently will not help his case, either. Pokrajac, as stated, has struggled in his last three fights, and is a very likely candidate for the UFCs purge if he cannot pick up a win.

Cavalcante, given a boost by his Brazilian audience, will swing tirelessly, looking to land a home run shot. Pokrajac will utilize his frenetic style, mixing clinch sequences with takedowns and striking combinations, looking to fluster Cavalcante.

This will be a battle of wills where both men will look for a finish and do anything to not be finished.

In the early going, this fight will be somewhat calm. Cavalcante will look to set up his big punches, with Pokrajac coming in-and-out on frequent occasion, but not doing too much damage. As the fight wears on, and both fighters have put in a great deal of effort, this will be a fight of heart and will, and the man with the better gas tank will be the one to end up victorious.

At UFC Fight Night 32, expect Cavalcante and Pokrajac to put forth a gutty performance that has the potential to win "Fight of the Night" honors on FOX Sports 1.