UFC Fight Night 62 fantasy picks: 'Maia vs. LaFlare' Kountermove preview

Not every Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) card can be as stacked as the UFC 185 pay-per-view (PPV) event this past weekend, but that won't stop the mixed martial arts (MMA) train from rolling right along to the injury-laden UFC Fight Night 62 extravaganza this Saturday night (March 21, 2015) live on FOX Sports 1 from the Ginásio do Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The main event in Brazil pits legendary jiu-jitsu artist Demian Maia against the undefeated welterweight prospect Ryan LaFlare. Although these two men lack the major name value fans are accustomed to seeing in a UFC main event, this fight could wind up being "Fight of the Night."

The co-main event features dangerous Brazilian striker Erick Silva as he takes on short-notice replacement Josh Koscheck -- who just lost via submission to Jake Ellenberger only three weeks ago at UFC 184.

Although the card may not be the most stacked on paper, you can spice up the event by playing Fantasy MMA with Kountermove. Don't worry, all the cool kids are doing it!

If you are not familiar with how Kountermove works, here is what you need to know:

In Kountermove you build a team of five fighters utilizing a "salary cap" of $25,000 in fantasy money to spend on drafting the team you expect to perform the best on fight night. If your team performs well enough, you will likely have a share of cash prizes in any number of Kountermove's games.

Points* are scored with finishes, significant strikes, knockdowns, takedowns, dominant positions, and submission attempts. The more dominant your fighters' performance is, the more points you're going to score. For a detailed breakdown of how the scoring works, click here.

*Fighter statistics are provided by FightMetric LLC, the UFC's official stats provider.

Once again, Kountermove is offering MMAmania.com readers a special deposit bonus using the code "Maniacs." Use the promo code at checkout and Kountermove will instantly give you an extra 25 percent deposit bonus with a $100 max bonus amount!

Ready to play?

Below I break down the UFC Fight Night 62 card to help give you an edge in Kountermove this weekend. Here is my risky pick, who to avoid, and a handful of quick picks for the Saturday night fracas.

High-risk, high-reward: Erick Silva - $5300

Don't expect anything from Erick Silva.

That is what I have learned watching the Brazilian savagely beat down several UFC opponents while withering away in a handful of other contests. In nine career Octagon appearances, "Indio" has exchanged wins and losses each time out, and has never once won two fights in a row.

In five UFC victories, Silva has finished each and every opponent in the first round. In his four losses, the Brazilian has been finished by strikes twice.

Ultimately, the striker's price tag is a bit high at $5300 for UFC Fight Night 62, but if Silva can earn another first round finish, he will pay huge dividends for those that risk taking the unpredictable Brazilian.

Facing Josh Koscheck on just three week's notice could prove to be excellent for Silva, or he could be on the wrong end of a decision where the American lays on top of the dangerous striker for three rounds.

Considering Koscheck lost not even a month ago to Ellenberger, I just don't see him having the wherewithal to handle the savage onslaught Silva will bring when the bell rings in round one.

Take Silva, and hope the Brazilian is able to accrue his first UFC winning streak this Saturday night.

Who To Avoid: Demian Maia - $5300

With four fighters on UFC Fight Night 62 coming in at the $5300 price point, I am truly astonished headliner Demian Maia is one of them.

The 37-year old jiu-jitsu ace actually costs $100 more than his undefeated counterpart in Ryan LaFlare, even though many suspect (including myself) that the American will leave Brazil with the victory this weekend.

I don't fancy Maia one bit in Kountermove, especially when you can nab Erick Silva or Gilbert Burns for the same price.

My main reason for avoiding Maia this weekend is his opposition. Sure LaFlare has never fought anyone like Maia, but let's not pretend the Brazilian has not looked relatively mediocre as of late.

Maia hasn't finished anyone inside the Octagon since 2012, and I highly doubt LaFlare will get caught on Saturday night. Point blank, if anyone is getting finished in the main event, it is going to be Demian Maia.

Maia is aging before our very eyes, and his best days are unquestionably behind him. Does he have what it takes to pull out one more impressive victory this weekend? Sure he does! Will he score more than 50 or so points in doing so? I find that very unlikely.

Don't waste your precious fantasy dollars on the Brazilian this weekend!

Quick Picks:

$5100 Andre Fili: Fili is going to overwhelm Godofredo Pepey this weekend in Brazil. The Team Alpha Male product is simply better everywhere, and barring a shocking knockout loss, Fili should finish Pepey at some point within 15 minutes.

$5500 Amanda Nunes: If you are looking to pick several underdogs with one big-time purchase, make sure Nunes is the fighter you pick. The Brazilian has earned a finish in all nine career victories, and Shayna Baszler has been finished in two straight fights.

$4800 Edimilson Silva: Silva's heavy hands have earned him 13 career knockouts, and while Kastunori Kikuno has shown off an impressive chin in his previous fights, you have to believe the Brazilian will make the Japanese fighter pay for leaving his hands down in his awkward stance.

For more information on UFC Fight Night 62, including the full fight card, results, news, and more, click here.