UFC Fight Night 56: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Predictions
UFC Fight Night 56 marks the second UFC event of the weekend, following Friday's Fight Night 55.
That's a pretty quick turnaround, but at least it's more reasonable than the two-shows-in-a-day deal that has been popping up lately. A little sleep in between lengthy shows never hurt anyone.
Saturday's event sports an 11-fight card divvied up into six prelims and five main card bouts. As per usual, Bleacher Report's prognostications unit is here to provide our forecasts for that quintet of main attractions.
In the main event of the evening, Brazilian legend Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will look to right his ship by taking out a talented opponent in Ovince Saint Preux.
The co-headliner between Ian McCall and John Lineker has been cancelled because McCall has taken ill and is unable to compete.
The full UFC Fight Night 56 main card—the fights we will be making calls for—is as follows:
- Mauricio Rua vs. Ovince Saint Preux
- Ian McCall vs. John Lineker—CANCELLED
- Warlley Alves vs. Alan Jouban
- Claudio Silva vs. Leon Edwards
- Juliana Lima vs. Nina Ansaroff
The action begins 7:30 p.m. ET on Fight Pass. The main card will begin at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Read on for predictions by Craig "He's The Fastest" Amos, Riley "Always Comes Second" Kontek, James "I'm No. 3" MacDonald, "Sean "Lost in the Shuffle" Smith and Scott "Lasty" Harris.
2014 Staff Records
1 of 5
We are heading down the home stretch now, and things remain fluid at the top. Yours truly is currently holding down a one-fight lead over Riley, while James is making it uncomfortable for both of us. Sean's odds look a little long at this point, but he isn't out of it just yet.
Scott Harris is the leading candidate for this year's sportsmanship award. I guess.
The current standings look like this:
- Craig Amos 127-68-1
- Riley Kontek 126-69-1
- James MacDonald 124-71-1
- Sean Smith 122-73-1
- Scott Harris 115-80-1
The rankings have been updated to reflect Friday's UFC Fight Night 55 results.
Juliana Lima vs. Nina Ansaroff
2 of 5
Scott Harris
I got all excited for Lima in her first bout for the UFC. I guess she did, too, to too great an extent, because she sort of burned herself out and lost. I don't think she'll gas so badly this time, but I do think Ansaroff will capitalize on some impatience.
Ansaroff, TKO, Rd. 2
Sean Smith
While Lima has UFC experience on her side, Ansaroff is actually the more heavily tested fighter. Having taken Carla Esparza and Barb Honchak to close decisions, Ansaroff should be more prepared for competition at this level.
Ansaroff, unanimous decision
James MacDonald
I expected a lot from Lima on her debut, given that she came in with a fair amount of hype. Unfortunately, she didn’t really live up to expectations and was largely outclassed by Joanna Jedrzejczyk. That being said, I’m going to give her the slight edge against Ansaroff here.
Lima, unanimous decision
Riley Kontek
Lima's gas tank and lack of diversity were exposed in her UFC debut, and although she has tremendous physical gifts, she is taking on a very improved fighter in Ansaroff, who can thrive wherever this fight goes. Let's just hope her cut to 115 pounds isn't too drastic.
Ansaroff, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Ansaroff enters having won five straight bouts, all by stoppage. She is also dropping 10 pounds for this fight, so that could play to her advantage. Lima is dangerous enough to warrant consideration for the pick here, but I estimate a decisive affair in the American's favor.
Ansaroff, TKO, Rd. 3
Claudio Silva vs. Leon Edwards
3 of 5
Scott Harris
Silva is one of those guys who do crazy stuff in order to freak out the other guy and soften him up for the takedown. Edwards isn't going to fall for it. Expect heavy punches, heavy elbows and a heavy clinch game from Edwards, and then a knockout.
Edwards, TKO, Rd. 1
Sean Smith
Entering the UFC with an 8-1 record, Edwards is a solid prospect, but his grappling has not been tested by an opponent like Silva. Competing in his home country with Octagon experience on his side, Silva should get Edwards to the ground and shut things down on the canvas or possibly lock up a submission.
Silva, unanimous decision
James MacDonald
This isn’t a great fight for Edwards to demonstrate his considerable striking skills. There is every chance Silva turns this into an ugly fight with copious amounts of clinching. If Edwards can keep the fight on his terms, he has the edge. I’m just not sure he’ll get his way.
Silva, unanimous decision
Riley Kontek
Edwards is an interesting newcomer, given his knack for finishing fights in violent fashion. The problem is that he's running into a straight grinder who is going to dominate him on the ground. Silva won't make this exciting, but it will be effective.
Silva, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
The others have outlined the dichotomy of styles well enough, so I won't rehash it. I'll just get to the pick.
Silva, unanimous decision
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Warlley Alves vs. Alan Jouban
4 of 5
Scott Harris
Warlley Alves is an outstanding prospect. He's young and well-rounded and should be able to do what he wants against Jouban, a game fighter who doesn't appear to have the ground game to contend here.
Alves, submission, Rd. 2
Sean Smith
At 23 years old, Alves has big potential, but it's impossible to say how good he is right now. The Brazilian has not been tested by a UFC veteran, while Jouban knocked out Seth Baczynski in his recent debut. I think Alves gets a little wild early on and Jouban takes advantage with another early stoppage win.
Jouban, TKO, Rd. 1
James MacDonald
This is an interesting fight. If this remains a striking battle, I’m not sure who deserves the edge. However, if Alves decides to use his superior grappling, he should grind out the win fairly comfortably.
Alves, unanimous decision
Riley Kontek
I thought this before The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3, but I will say it again: Alves is a stud and a guy to watch out for. Jouban is no walk in the park, but he is a pure striker whom Alves can expose on the ground. That will happen here.
Alves, submission, Rd. 2
Craig Amos
Both guys got off to a hot start in the UFC, showing a good deal of promise. As it stands right now, Alves is ahead on the development curve and should win this one in his native country.
Alves, unanimous decision
Mauricio Rua vs. Ovince Saint Preux
5 of 5
Scott Harris
As I noted in my preview, it's a fighter who's too green against a fighter who's too gray. Give me the veteran, I guess, whose knees won't fatally betray him when facing a guy who hasn't yet proved he has a professional-type clinch game.
Rua, unanimous decision
Sean Smith
Shogun has been struggling lately. However, he's still shown he's dangerous against opponents who leave openings when standing. While he hasn't been knocked out inside the Octagon, Saint Preux is one of those fighters. I don't know whether Rua can still beat the very best in the light heavyweight division, but I do know he can beat Saint Preux.
Rua, TKO, Rd. 2
James MacDonald
If Rua shows up anywhere near his best, this is his fight to lose. Unfortunately, the Brazilian is looking a bit shopworn these days. Still, if this fight remains on the feet, I favour Shogun. However, if Saint Preux chooses to take the fight to the floor, he has a shot of grinding out the win.
Rua, TKO, Rd. 3
Riley Kontek
This is a tough matchup. A few years ago, Rua would have smoked Saint Preux. But things have changed, and Rua has a lot of miles on him. Still, against the middle part of the division, Rua is superior, especially with his striking. Saint Preux will have his moments, but Shogun will ultimately score the victory here.
Rua, TKO, Rd. 3
Craig Amos
Shogun may have just one year on Saint Preux, but it sure doesn't feel that way. With all those miles and a gas tank that has at times not looked conducive to five-round fights, I don't like the former champ's odds. My heart aches a little bit when picking against Rua, but my gut is telling my heart to suck it up.
St-Preux, TKO, Rd. 3
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