UFC 198: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Predictions

The UFC is in Curitiba, Brazil, for UFC 198 on Saturday and put together a stacked card for the occasion. For the most part, the event follows the standard "Brazil vs. the World" formula of South American UFC cards—but with a few interesting departures.

First, there are a number of competitive matchups on the card, rather than the usual selection of crowd-pleasing squashes. The main event, a heavyweight title fight between Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic, should be a competitive bout between a well-rounded, athletic challenger and a crafty Top 10 stalwart. Also on the card are interesting stylistic matchups in Demian Maia vs. Matt Brown, John Lineker vs. Rob Font and Francisco Trinaldo vs. Yancy Medeiros.

Second, the co-main event is actually going to feature Brazilian-on-Brazilian violence as Vitor Belfort takes on Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. That's an especially big fight, as the winner will likely take on the victor of the upcoming middleweight title fight between Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman.

So who should you place your bets on this Saturday? Well, the Bleacher Report MMA staff is here to let you know. Read on to find our predictions for the main-card fights.

2016 Standings

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It's a tight one, folks! With the exception of Scott, everyone is piled on top of one another. Nathan and I are tied for first, but Sydnie and Craig are close behind. This event is an important one, with two of the fights likely to break up the standings a bit.

Here's how the staff stands entering the event:

• Nathan McCarter: 39-22
• Steven Rondina: 39-22
• Sydnie Jones: 38-23
• Craig Amos: 36-25
• Scott Harris: 30-31

Warlley Alves vs. Bryan Barberena

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Amos

Bryan Barberena had his moment in the sun when he muddled up the Sage Northcutt experiment, but Warlley Alves is a legitimate prospect already fighting at a high level. The Brazilian won't take long to finish.

Alves, TKO, Rd. 1

Harris

Everyone knows Barberena as The Guy Who Beat Sage Northcutt. And that (and not Alves' massive potential) is probably why this fight was elevated to the main card after injuries took their usual pound of flesh. But Alves is an exciting talent, and much to the UFC's chagrin, he'll show again just how far Northcutt still has to go.

Alves, TKO, Rd. 2

Jones

We saw some good stuff from Barberena in his fight against Northcutt, even if Northcutt had a suboptimal performance. But that won't be good enough to stop Alves, whom Rondina calls a "sexy prospect." Alves will remain unbeaten, and Barberena's time in the limelight will pause.

Alves, Submission, Rd. 2

McCarter

I've been high on Alves' potential since he came off The Ultimate Fighter. Barberena is in for a lot of pain. He gets hurt early and finished shortly afterward.

Alves, Submission, Rd. 1

Rondina

As Syd pointed out, I do have Alves on my "sexy prospect" list. Barberena? Yeah...he's not a sexy prospect. Unless Barberena has something hidden up his sleeve, this one shouldn't be especially close.

Alves, Submission, Rd. 2

Mauricio Rua vs. Corey Anderson

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Amos

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua may not be done, but it's been a while since he's beat a contender. Just emerging as a contender is Corey Anderson, who enters on a three-fight win streak. Can the Brazilian turn back the clock to please the Curitiba faithful? It would make for a storybook scenario, but it's not likely to happen.

Anderson, Unanimous Decision

Harris

Shogun is shot. His knees left him years ago, and his chin isn't that far behind. He's had an illustrious career, but Father Time, yadda yadda.

Anderson, Unanimous Decision

Jones

Shogun can rage against the dying of the light as hard as he wants, but that light is being gradually extinguished. Steel yourself for another grueling slog to a decision at the hands of Anderson.

Anderson, Unanimous Decision

McCarter

This fight is all about how much you think Shogun is shot. Anderson has some quality skills, but he's not an elite light heavyweight. I'm not high on Shogun, but the large Brazilian crowd will give him a bit of life. Anderson will only be Beastin' for about 30 seconds in this fight. Shogun's leg kicks will be the difference as they take away Anderson's power takedowns.

Rua, TKO, Rd. 2

Rondina

Anderson will look to grind down Shogun, and Shogun won't be able to stop him. This shouldn't be an especially difficult one for the TUF winner.

Anderson, Unanimous Decision

Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith

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Amos

Cris "Cyborg" Justino is a terrible matchup for nearly every bantamweight, but she's an especially bad opponent for Leslie Smith. Justino's long-awaited UFC debut will go as expected and lead to some scintillating discussions regarding matchups with the UFC's top 135ers, even though Saturday's action will go at 140.

Justino, TKO, Rd. 2

Harris

A moment of silence please. Smith is going out on her metaphorical shield. Hopefully that juicy paycheck helps to ease her passing.

Justino, TKO, Rd. 1

Jones

We have one of the most powerful strikers in the history of women's MMA, if not the most powerful, facing a striker with a record of 8-6-1. Four of Smith's eight wins have come by decision. She can't stop Justino. She may be more of a challenge than Charmaine Tweet or Faith Van Duin but not enough to endanger Cyborg.

Justino, TKO, Rd. 1

McCarter

Smith got her ear punched off by Jessica Eye. What exactly does everyone think Cyborg is going to do to her? Cover your eyes.

Justino, TKO, Rd. 1

Rondina

It's hard not to love Smith as a fighter and personality...but wow, she is a lot smaller than Cyborg.

Justino, TKO, Rd. 3

Ronaldo Souza vs. Vitor Belfort

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Amos

Vitor Belfort hasn't shown promising cardio lately. I give him approximately one minute to knock Ronaldo Souza out. After that, Souza dominates.

Souza, Submission, Rd. 1

Harris

Belfort still seems to think he's the Belfort of two versions ago. He's not. He's about to get tuned up by one of the best three or four middleweights in the world.

Souza, TKO, Rd. 2

Jones

Considering Jacare's nine-fight win streak (no way he lost to Yoel Romero), age and mileage advantage, it's a tall order for Belfort to last the whole bout—let alone win it. Jacare has been on a tear in the UFC, and after Romero was declared the winner of his last fight by split decision, he'll seek out the finish. And he'll get it.

Souza, Submission, Rd. 1

McCarter

If the fight ends within two minutes, it'll be Belfort who gets his hand raised. Anything past that point, it'll be Jacare. The latter is much more likely. Jacare slow-plays this fight. Belfort will be all but ineffective by the time the third round is underway, and Souza will put him down and make him tap.

Souza, Submission, Rd. 3

Rondina

Nathan's got the gist of it. Belfort still has some stopping power (not as much as testosterone-replacement-therapy Belfort, though), but there's little else behind it. Souza should be able to out-grapple him and submit him at some point during the fight.

Souza, Submission, Rd. 2

Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic

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Amos

Fabricio Werdum holds a grappling advantage over any heavyweight fighter he'll encounter in the UFC and has been a proficient striker late in his career. So what chance does Stipe Miocic have? A good one, in my book. His rise has not been as dramatic as Werdum's, but he has improved significantly as he's piled up experience. If he keeps the action upright and doesn't get too happy hunting the knockout, Miocic will walk away the new champ.

Miocic, TKO, Rd. 3

Harris

This will be a hard-fought bout. Miocic is at the peak of his powers; his boxing game would give anyone fits. Still, Werdum and his jiu-jitsu seem indomitable, and let's not forget that underrated muay thai. The action will ebb and flow, but Werdum will do enough to win.

Werdum, Unanimous Decision

Jones

Miocic is a great fighter, but Werdum's grappling is fantastic, and he can take a punch. With his chin and mastery of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the champ will successfully defend his title for the first time. What's more, he'll do so in short order to avoid letting Miocic tally up the strikes.

Werdum, Submission, Rd. 2

McCarter

Miocic has the ability to win by knockout, but Werdum's striking and chin will make it difficult. This comes down to if Miocic can stay off his back for five full rounds. I doubt that will happen, and he'll be more prone to mistakes as the fight goes on. Werdum retains in the championship rounds.

Werdum, Submission, Rd. 4

Rondina

In my predictions on Twitter and in casual conversation, I've been hyping up Miocic's chances...and I'll put my money where my mouth is. Miocic is more athletic, is the superior technical striker and has a better pure wrestling game. Werdum needs to sneak in a submission to win. Otherwise, it's all Stipe.

Miocic, TKO, Rd. 3