TUF Brazil: A Head-to-Toe Breakdown of the Middleweight Final

For all those keeping track online at UFC.com, The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil is almost finished, and we have two featherweights ready to fight at the finale. Of course, the finale is UFC 147, headlined by coach Wanderlei Silva and late replacement Rich Franklin.

Franklin steps in for Silva's opposing coach Vitor Belfort, who unfortunately injured his hand recently. Nevertheless, fans will be in for a good fight in the main event.

As for the middleweight tournament final, let's breakdown the fight, which will be fought between Team Belfort's Cezar "Mutante" Ferreira (4-2) and Sergio "Serginho" Moraes (6-1).

On the show, Mutante showed his skill by finishing every opponent placed in front of him. He submitted Gustavo Sampaio and Leonardo "Maccarrao" Teixeira, as well as knocked out Thiago "Bodao" de Oliveira Perpetuo.

On the other hand, Moraes earns a second chance to win the show, following the injury of original finalist Daniel Sarafian. Moraes submitted Thiago Rela and Delson Heleno, before falling victim to a knockout at the hands of Sarafian. 

Striking

The striking department looks to be a lopsided matchup, favoring the Vitor Belfort training partner.

Moraes has shown to be a limited striker, as he is gifted grappler. Moraes is 6-1 in his career, but has never won by knockout. He similarly was unable to gain a knockout victory during his time on the show.

Ferreira, at 4-2, has won three times by knockout, although one of the times is by doctor's stoppage. Ferreira got the knockout of the season in the semifinals, as he knocked out Thiago "Bodao" with a head kick.

In looking at each man's handiwork, it's easy to see a clear advantage. 

Edge: Cezar Ferreira

Wrestling/Grappling

Both men are great grapplers. The difference between Ferreira and Moraes is the wrestling skills that both men have.

Ferreira is a training partner of Vitor Belfort at Xtreme Couture. Training there, Ferreira has sharpened his wrestling, which has been exemplified on the show. He probably has the best wrestling out of the middleweights and maybe the entire show.

Moraes is a great grappler, but doesn't have the wrestling chops Ferreira does. This will make it hard for Moraes to get the fight to the ground. That gives "Mutante" the slight edge here.

Edge: Cezar Ferreira

Submissions

The submission game is sharp for both men, but one man has the credentials and skills to be the better man. 

So far, Cezar Ferreira is two-for-two on the show with submissions. He has used the guillotine choke in both wins against Gustavo Sampaio and Leonardo Maccarao. He has just one submission in his pro career.

Moraes is had two submissions on the show, earning a rear-naked choke against Delson Heleno and a heel hook against Thiago Rela. Of his six professional wins, five have come by a variety of submission holds.

The submission game is the only advantage Moraes holds over Ferreira.

Edge: Sergio Moraes

Intangibles

The first intangible in this fight will be the training partners each man will have since returning from the taping. Moraes will not share the same wealth of training partners as Ferreira.

Another intangible will be the psychological edge that Ferreira has, knowing he hasn't lost on the show yet. Moraes was knocked out in his last fight on the show, which can't help his confidence going into a fight with arguably the best fighter on the cast. 

Prediction

Striking may be the difference in this fight, as both men are very good grapplers and submission artists. Game plan may also be a difference, as Ferreira will have better coaching and game planning than Sarafian.

It seems like this season is destined to be a win for Ferreira, who was on Team Belfort and will be fighting on a card that Belfort, who got injured, was supposed to be on.

Both men have a great future in the UFC, so whoever loses should not be discouraged. Both have serious potential and could be players for years to come.

Prediction: Cezar Ferreira def. Sergio Moraes via knockout