UFC 162: Breaking Down The Event's Biggest Matches

Anderson "The Spider" Silva's UFC middleweight title defense against "All-American" Chris Weidman is the feature bout at UFC 162 in Las Vegas on Saturday, but it isn't the only intriguing fight on the card.

Frankie "The Answer" Edgar is in a moderate must-win situation as he is set to tangle with 23-year-old Brazilian Charles Oliveira. Tim Kennedy will try to overcome a five-inch height disadvantage against Roger Gracie, and Mark "The Filipino Wrecking Machine" Munoz looks to conquer Tim "The Barbarian" Boetsch.

Any of these fights could win the Fight of the Night award. Here's a closer look at each of the aforementioned bouts.

Mark Munoz vs. Tim Boetsch

Boetsch has a tough draw in this matchup. Munoz's physical grappling and potentially vicious ground-and-pound skills make taking him to the mat a risky proposition. That's especially the case since Boetsch has had his issues on the ground with superior wrestlers like Phil Davis in the past.

Attempting to out-strike Munoz in the stand-up game has its potential pitfalls, but that strategy likely carries a higher probability of success for the Barbarian.

Boetsch has proven his toughness and punching power in a win over Yushin Okami, but most times he's simply a battler attempting to out-work his opponent. In this fight, he'll have a difficult time overcoming the talent disparity between him and Munoz.

Munoz's quick-twitch athleticism, technique and power make him a formidable challenge for any middleweight in the world.

The Filipino Wrecking Machine seems primed for another demolition. This one will come at Boetsch's expense.

Frankie Edgar vs. Charles Oliveira

Having lost his last three fights, Edgar can't afford to drop a fourth straight contest. At 31 years old, The Answer would be peppered with questions and doused with concerns about his future in the sport if he loses.

Oliveira himself is coming off a loss. He was knocked out by Cub Swanson in September 2012, but prior to that, Oliveira had been putting on a submissions clinic against his opponents.

That approach is his only chance to beat Edgar on Saturday.

The Answer is the quicker, more powerful fighter. However, he must be careful not to run into one of Oliveira's traps. The 23-year-old Brazilian has shown the ability to transition from one submission to the next with great ease.

Edgar will have to be on constant guard to keep himself out of danger. If he can keep the fight standing for most of the bout, his quickness should give him an edge.

Tim Kennedy vs. Roger Gracie

The name Gracie is filled with mystique, but Kennedy isn't the type of fighter who will be impressed or intimidated by his opponent's surname.

Gracie holds a big height advantage, but his inability to be effective as a stand-up fighter could cost him in this fight. Look for Kennedy to look for an opportunity to put Gracie to sleep with a big right hand.

That's the punch that Mohammed Lawal used to knock Gracie out in their bout in Strikeforce in 2011. Kennedy doesn't have the power Lawal has, but Gracie's chin hasn't been tested in a number of bouts. His professional record is padded with wins over fighters with big names who were past their primes when they fought Gracie.

Kennedy is 33 years old, but he's yet to achieve the level of accomplishment he seeks. Gracie is in for a very difficult night.

Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman

Spider fans should be nervous about this fight. Weidman is a physical, hard-charging fighter with a great wrestling background, a la Chael Sonnen. However, he's a more coordinated athlete who is superior to Sonnen as a striker.

That equates to a fighter with the skills to push Silva in a way he's never been pushed.

In order for Weidman to defeat Silva, he must find the right blend of wrestling pressure and striking. That's a very difficult task, especially against Silva.

Weidman has to be wary of the varied attacks from a man who could be the most dynamic striker in MMA history.

He may want to stand and exchange with Silva, but giving The Spider space to operate hasn't worked out for any of his opponents since he arrived in the UFC. Weidman may have the power and dexterity to have success striking with Silva, but his chances of winning increase if he can try to overwhelm him with takedowns.

One key factor here is Silva's huge advantage in experience. Though Weidman is 29 years old, he's only had nine professional fights; this will be Silva's 38th.

Weidman has taken down Munoz, Demian Maia and Tom Lawlor, but none of those fights carried the atmosphere and weight that Saturday night's main event will.

That element could ultimately be Weidman's downfall.

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