Ares Mixed Martial Arts: UFC, Strikeforce news & articles

November 6, 2009 by Ares-mma.com staff

With only one day until the top-ranked heavyweight in the world steps into the cage, it is time for fight predictions.

Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva

Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva has a professional record of 13-1, with notable wins over Ricco Rodriguez, former UFC heavyweight champion, and Justin Eilers.  With a moniker like “Bigfoot,” one might think he is an awkward, heavy-handed, lumbering heavyweight.  That is not the case.  Silva is a fluid fighter on his feet and on the mat.  Fabricio Werdum has a professional record of 12-4-1, with quality wins over Gabriel Gonzaga and Brandon Vera.  Werdum is one of the most skillful grapplers in mixed martial arts today.  The level of competition that Werdum has faced is superior to the level of competition Silva has faced.  That experience will give Werdum an advantage on the big stage on Saturday.  Prediction – Febricio Werdum def. Antonio Silva by unanimous decision.

Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry “The African Assasin” Sokodjou

Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi is unbeaten is his last 13 fights, the last 2 wins coming over Mark Hunt and Renato “Babalu” Sobral.  Mousasi is a skilled striker with a solid ground game.  In his last fight, Mousasi took Babalu to the mat and pinned him against the cage before dropping heavy strikes, ending the fight by knockout.  Rameau Thierry Sokodjou had two quality wins in Pride, against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona, before having a less than successful stint in the UFC (1-3 record in the octagon).  Although Sokodjou has shown glimpses of brilliance, Mousasi is the more skillful fighter.  Prediction – Mousasi by knockout in the 2nd round.

Jason “Mayhem” Miller vs. Jake Shields (Middleweight Championship)

Jason “Mayhem” Miller co-hosts a satellite radio show and has hosted an MTV reality show. Mayhem had one opportunity to fight in the UFC – against George St-Pierre at UFC 52. It was not a good time to face St-Pierre, since it was St-Pierre’s first fight in the octagon since he lost to Matt Hughes for the vacant UFC welterweight title in their first fight. Since losing a unanimous decision to St-Pierre, Mayhem has two losses in thirteen fights – to Frank Trigg (TKO) and Ronaldo Souza (unanimous decision). Although Mayhem has not been able to break through to the elite of the sport, he is a technically sound striker and grappler who always comes to fight; he will be no pushover on Saturday night. Jake Shields is coming off 12 consecutive victories, including wins over UFC middleweight contenders Yushin Okami and Carlos Condit as well as a first round stoppage (submission – guillotine) of Robbie Lawler in his last fight. Shields has a solid wrestling background and is a Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Shields is a world class mixed martial artist who can fight anywhere from 170-185 lbs.  Prediction – Shields def. Mayhem by unanimous decision.

Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko vs. Brett “The Grim” Rogers

At only 6’0” and 230 lbs, Fedor Emelianenko is a relatively small heavyweight by today’s standards, but few doubt that he can compete with (or even dominate) the new wave of MMA heavyweights. Fedor  has stopped his last 5 opponents  in the first round, with his last 2 wins coming against former UFC heavyweight champions – Tim Sylvia (submission – rear naked choke) and Andrei Arlovski (KO).  Fedor’s focus is uncanny; that focus and the systematic way with which he decimates his opponents has led fans to call him a “cyborg.”  Fedor’s one-punch power is serious, albeit not absolutely devastating, but when Fedor’s punching power is coupled with his ability to put combinations together, he is the most dominating striker in the world. Fedor competes actively in Sambo (a branch of jiu-jitsu), and his Sambo skills have translated to MMA in a scary way; he has submitted 6 of his last 7 opponents.  Brett Rogers is physically imposing at 6′5″ and 280 lbs (cuts weight to make 265 lb heavyweight limit); he was raised in Chicago, Illinois and currently trains with Ambition MMA in Eagan, Minnesota.  He is 10-0 with 9 wins coming by way of knockout and the 10th coming by way of submission due to strikes, and Rogers is currently the #8 ranked heavyweight in the world by Ares MMA.  Rogers’ last win was his most significant; he stopped Andrei Arlovski, former UFC heavyweight champion, by knockout in the 1st round.  Prediction – Fedor by submission (armbar) in the 2nd round.