UFC 147: Predictions for the Main Card

The pay-per-view portion of UFC 147 looks to be a good one, as Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin lead a card full of hungry fighters.

The main card of UFC 147 has a mix of long-time veterans of the sport, as well as young, hungry up-and-comers looking to make a name for themselves. It is also home to The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil finals in the featherweight and middleweight division.

With a main card chock-full of talent, one has to wonder why so many people are sour about this card. Nonetheless, here are the predictions for UFC 147.

Yuri Alcantara vs. Hacran Dias

Up first on the main card is a featherweight scrap pitting rising contender Yuri Alcantara against Hacran Dias.

Originally an applicant for The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, Dias instead signed a contract with the UFC, opting to take the easier road to the UFC. Dias must have really impressed UFC officials, as he earned a contract without making an appearance on the show.

Training out of Nova Uniao, Dias has compiled a 20-1-1 record, fighting mostly in Brazil. Nine of Dias' wins have come via submission, which is a testament to his grappling ability. One would have to think his game plan would be to get Alcantara down and look for a submission.

As for Alcantara, he is definitely the more well-rounded of the two fighters. At 27-3, the three-fight Zuffa veteran has finished 23 fights by tapout or knockout. 

His WEC and UFC run has seen him take out Ricardo Lamas by knockout, as well as Felipe Arantes and Michihiro Omigawa by decision. His striking will make the difference in this fight, as he is similarly a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.

Prediction: Alcantara def. Dias via decision

Mike Russow vs. Fabricio Werdum

A heavyweight bout with high implications takes place next, as Brazilian Fabricio Werdum meets the ultra-durable Mike Russow. The winner of this fight moves one step closer to a title shot in the heavyweight division.

Fabricio Werdum made a successful UFC debut in his latest outing, as he absolutely trounced Roy Nelson back at UFC 143. Werdum showcased improved striking in that fight, which seems to compliment his top-notch grappling ability.

Werdum is 15-5-1, submitting eight and knocking out four on the way. The submission ace is a veteran of the UFC, Strikeforce, Pride and Jungle Fights. He has fought almost every big name in the heavyweight division, mostly with positive results.

His adversary of the night, Mike Russow, comes into the fight on the heels of a 4-0 UFC record. The tough-as-nails heavyweight has defeated Justin McCully, Todd Duffee, Jon Madsen and Jon Olav Einemo in his tenure with the company, showing his ability to defeat all sorts of fighters with different backgrounds.

Russow will have the wrestling advantage, despite being at a submission disadvantage. The striking will likely be somewhat even, with Werdum possibly having the slight edge. Russow will be the more rugged of the two, but their gas tanks will likely be similar. This will be my upset of the night.

Prediction: Russow def. Werdum via decision 

Rony Jason vs. Godofredo Pepey

In the featherweight finale of TUF: Brazil, Team Silva's Rony Jason meets Team Belfort's Godofredo Pepey to decide the inaugural winner of the reality show in Brazil.

Godofredo Pepey was the 12th overall pick in the competition, proving that no matter where a fighter is picked in the competition, he is still in contention. Pepey is a submission ace, holding an 8-0 record with six tapouts. 

Through the competition, Pepey was 3-0 with two submissions. He submitted Johnny Goncalves to get into the house and followed that up with a decision win over Wagner Campos. Then, to earn a spot in the finale, Pepey submitted Marcos Vina, capping off his impressive run on the show.

Rony Jason was the first overall pick in the competition, as he impressed Coach Wanderlei Silva in his preliminary fight. Jason is probably the most well-rounded guy from the show, as he is an ace on the ground and scary on his feet.

Jason's run on the show was pure dominance. To get into the house, Jason knocked out Dileno Lopes. Then, he submitted Anistavio Medeiros with a brutal armbar in the next round. Finally, to get into the finale, Jason earned a hard-fought decision victory over Hugo Wolverine. 

Expect striking to be the difference in this fight, as both men are great submission fighters. Jason is the better striker, which will earn him the win.

Prediction: Jason def. Pepey via knockout

Cezar Ferreira vs. Sergio Moraes

In the middleweight finale of the reality show, Team Belfort teammates Cezar Ferreira and Sergio Moraes clash, following a dust-up at the weigh ins last night.

Cezar Ferreira is a training partner of Vitor Belfort, as Ferreira is an Xtreme Couture product. At 4-2, Ferriera has won three fights by knockout and one by submission. He was probably the most well-rounded middleweight from the show, possessing great knockout and tapout ability.

On the show, Ferreira finished every opponent he faced. Ferreira submitted Gustavo Sampaio and Leonardo Mafra, and knocked out Thiago Perpetuo. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will have the benefit of top-level training partners working out at Xtreme Couture.

As for "Serginho," the world-class grappler holds a 6-1 record with five submission wins. Normally a welterweight, Moraes won fights using two rear-naked chokes, two triangle chokes and a kimura, proving he is a dangerous submission specialist.

Moraes was 2-1 on the show, but earned the finale spot due to an injury to original finalist Daniel Sarafian. Moraes earned submission wins over Thiago Rela and Delson Heleno, before he was knocked out by Sarafian in the semifinals.

Like the other finale, this fight will come down to who the better striker is. Undoubtedly, that will be Ferreira, who is technical and powerful.

Prediction: Ferreira def. Moraes via knockout

Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva

The main event sees two familiar opponents who are legends of the sport collide, as Brazil's own Wanderlei Silva meets former educator Rich Franklin.

Silva is 34-11-1 (1 NC) in his legendary career, but since his return to the UFC, he is 3-4. Silva's chin has deteriorated over his long, rough career. It has been his Achilles heel for some time now.

He is still a dangerous striker, as seen when he brutalized Cung Le in his latest outing. He has a good ground game as well, though we rarely see it due to his incredible striking arsenal.

Franklin is 28-6 (1 NC) in his similarly legendary career. He has shuffled between wins and losses in his last five though, as he is coming toward the end of a great career.

Franklin is an all-around threat in any fight. He has the power to knock your head off, as well as the submission prowess to tap any opponent.

This fight will look a lot like the first. It may come down to whose chin holds up longer, an advantage for Franklin.

Prediction: Franklin def. Silva via knockout