UFC Rio Fight Card: Power Ranking Every Main Card Bout

The UFC returns to Rio this Saturday for UFC 142. Rio means "river" in Portugese and, true to its name, the city promises to offer a "river" of great bouts in the Octagon this weekend.

Boy. How's that for a thin hook? That was like the Mary Kate Olsen of hooks.

All right, how about I just power-rank the main card bouts? I think I can do that.

Rankings based on the anticipated quality of the fight itself, as opposed to its importance in the larger scheme of things and other factors.

5. Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio

The last time Palhares fought in Brazil, he started celebrating a victory over Dan Miller before the stoppage occurred. No matter, though; he still swept the judges' scorecards.

"The Tree Stump" and his rugged jiu-jitsu have an interesting foil in Massenzio, himself a BJJ black belt. Sometimes two experts can cancel each other out, but I don't see either of these men wanting to test his stand-up against the other. No, this should be a good grappling exhibition, and not long on fireworks.

Then again, with Palhares you never know.

(Photo credit: ESPN)

4. Erick Silva vs. Carlo Prater

It's tough to put Erick Silva in the No. 4 hole on this list, considering he knocked his man out in 40 seconds in his last fight, which was also his first in the UFC.

Silva (13-1-1) was a champion at the sport's minor-league level, and is picking up where he left off so far in the bigs. The veteran Prater (29-10-1), a late injury replacement making his UFC debut, appears to be little more than convenient cannon fodder for the young welterweight prospect across the cage.

(Photo credit: MMABay)

3. Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes

Everyone knows the storyline for this one. Aldo has some of the best striking in the world, much less the featherweight division. Mendes, a Team Alpha Male member, has some of the best wrestling.

Who can drag who into the other's world?

We'll find out, with Aldo's featherweight belt dangling in the balance. It should be a very good fight. But if Aldo wins, that could mean it was over quickly. And if Mendes takes control, we could be in for a grinder special.

2. Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson

Hope your have your slugfest pants. You'll need them for this one.

Johnson, making his middleweight debut, is a two-time winner of the Knockout of the Night bonus, the last time being his TKO by way of face kick on Charlie Brenneman in his most recent bout.

Belfort...well, you know Vitor Belfort. The Phenom, the fastest hands in the game, and also coming off a Knockout of the Night performance, this one over Yoshihiro Akiyama.

Someone is getting knocked out. And because I like knockouts, I am looking forward to this fight. That's it.

1. Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim

Submission of the Night Machine Terry Etim (do I smell a nickname?) faces Muay Thai Mad Scientist Barboza in what could be the Fight of the Night.

Etim will probably be happiest if Barboza is fighting off his back, or at least his back foot. Barboza will be happiest if he is kicking something.

Most importantly, though, both men are aggressive.

They will have game plans that play first to their own strengths, not those of the opponent. There will be no laying and praying and walling and stalling in this one. With 21 finishes between them in only 27 pro fights, there's a good chance the judges will be sitting on their clipboards.

Because the fighters employ different styles, the manner of that finish is anyone's guess. But it could happen any time and almost anywhere in the cage, making this the most exciting matchup going into the main card.

(Photo credit: MMAMania)