UFC Fight Night 62 Predictions: Main Card Staff Predictions

The UFC returns to Brazil this Saturday for UFC Fight Night 62. A welterweight matchup between submission machine Demian Maia and under-the-radar wrestling specialist Ryan LaFlare headlines the event.

In the co-main event of the evening, fellow welterweights Josh Koscheck and Erick Silva will tussle in a contest that sees both men approach a career crossroads. Silva is still looking to break on through to the division's upper echelon, while Koscheck enters having lost four straight, hoping to stop the bleeding.

Prior to the headliners, there will be an additional 10 fights, including four more main card draws. Which brings us to our purpose here—some main card predictions.

Bleacher Report brings you forecasts for each of the six main card matches on Saturday night:

• Demian Maia vs. Ryan LaFlare
• Erick Silva vs. Josh Koscheck
• Leonardo Santos vs. Tony Martin
• Amanda Nunes vs. Shayna Baszler
• Gilbert Burns vs. Alex Oliveira
• Godofredo Pepey vs. Andre Fili

Read on for predictions by Riley "Rhubarb" Kontek, James "Jetski" MacDonald, Sean "Sherbert" Smith, Scott "Holistic Healer" Harris and Craig "A-Lister" Amos.

2015 Staff Records

Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

Ugh.

It's nearing the end of March, which means we are about one-quarter through 2015. There is still time for things to change here, right? Right!?

• Riley Kontek: 27-13
• James MacDonald: 25-15
• Sean Smith: 24-16
• Scott Harris: 22-18
• Craig Amos: 21-19

Avert your eyes as quickly as possible, if you please. Let's just get to the picks. 

Godofredo Pepey vs. Andre Fili

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Sean Smith

Following his first UFC loss to Max Holloway, Fili bounced back the way a highly regarded prospect should with a win over Felipe Arantes. Pepey could be dangerous to Fili on the ground, but he's been inconsistent and has a loss to Arantes on his record. As long as Fili keeps this standing for a few minutes, he should stop the Brazilian with strikes.

Fili, knockout, Rd. 1

Riley Kontek

This will probably be the Fight of the Night. On the feet, both men are aggressive and tough. On the ground, Fili is an exception grappler, and Pepey is a good submission fighter as well. Wrestling may be the difference here, something Fili has. That should help him through this barnburner.

Fili, unanimous decision

Scott Harris

Pepey is a well-rounded and perfectly serviceable featherweight. He has the aggression to make this a good scrap. Fili has more power in his strikes, though, and the ground game to neutralize whatever Pepey may wish to do.

Fili, unanimous decision

James MacDonald

This is a decent fight to start the card. Both men are well-rounded, but Fili probably has the brighter future. Look for him to eventually grind down Pepey in an otherwise competitive fight.

Fili, unanimous decision 

Craig Amos

Pepey has looked good of late, winning his last two by stoppage, but Fili has an altogether higher ceiling and is getting closer to reaching it. He'll win this one and look good doing it.

Fili, knockout, Rd. 2

Gilbert Burns vs. Alex Oliveira

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Sean Smith

Entering the UFC with six straight wins, Oliveira is a solid prospect, but he's debuting against an opponent with multiple wins inside the Octagon. Burns is well-rounded, and his UFC experience will make him a tough opponent for Oliveira. I'll go with the more proven commodity in this matchup and feel confident about doing so.

Burns, unanimous decision

Riley Kontek

I like Alex Oliveira's style; he's a promising prospect. However, it's difficult to take a short-notice bout, especially against a fighter the caliber of Gilbert Burns. Burns looks to be a future contender and should win impressively.

Burns, submission, Rd. 1

Scott Harris

Alex Oliveira is a fun injury fill-in here. Stepping in for the injured Josh Thomson, he's a berserker who will do what he can to put on a show for his countrymen. But it won't be enough against Burns' virtually nonpareil jiu-jitsu.

Burns, submission, Rd. 2

James MacDonald

Look for Burns to continue his ascent up the lightweight rankings. The 28-year-old is too skilled even for the underrated Oliveira.

Burns, submission, Rd. 2 

Craig Amos

Oliveira has some potential, but this is a tough draw for his opening UFC bout. Burns has an edge on the mat and should find the opportunity to exploit it early on.

Burns, submission, Rd. 2

Amanda Nunes vs. Shayna Baszler

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Sean Smith

Baszler was once one of the best in women's MMA, but those days appear to have passed. The Queen of Spades disappointed on The Ultimate Fighter 18 and lost in her official UFC debut. With two knockouts prior to a strong showing in defeat against Cat Zingano, Nunes should get back on track this weekend.

Nunes, TKO, Rd. 2

Riley Kontek

I am surprised Shayna Baszler is still on the roster after disappointing on TUF 18 and getting thoroughly dismantled by Bethe Correia. It appears she's past her prime, while Amanda Nunes is hitting her stride. She beat up Cat Zingano before Zingano came back on her. She should make mincemeat of the Four Horsewoman.

Nunes, TKO, Rd. 1

Scott Harris

In keeping with the current March Madness season, have you ever heard a team described as the kind of team that expects an opponent to wilt the moment they throw their jerseys on the court? That's Shayna Baszler. We keep hearing these lectures about how historically great she is, but we haven't seen a whole lot of proof yet. She should stop expecting other fighters to tap at the sight of her illustrious shadow and try just going out there and winning a fight. Until it happens, I'll remain skeptical. And Nunes is really aggressive.

Nunes, TKO, Rd. 2

James MacDonald

Baszler looks frail these days and appears to be outsized by most opponents. Her gas tank is the major worry, though. The veteran looked like she had nothing left after one round against Bethe Correia. Look for the younger, fresher Nunes to make quick work of Baszler.

Nunes, TKO, Rd. 2 

Craig Amos

Baszler is always a danger to submit her opponent, but I don't see it happening here. Nunes is stronger, more aggressive and more powerful. Look for her to overwhelm Baszler and finish her with strikes.

Nunes, TKO, Rd. 2

Leonardo Santos vs. Tony Martin

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Sean Smith

Undefeated in three UFC outings, Santos is proving that his winning TUF was no fluke despite the fact that he was a replacement in the finals. The Brazilian is tough on the ground, which should serve him well against Martin. Having been submitted by Beneil Dariush, Martin does have defensive holes on the ground, and Santos will take advantage on Saturday.

Santos, submission, Rd. 2

Riley Kontek

Martin is one of the promising young lightweights who have inhabited this division, and he has a bright future. Santos hasn't looked anything spectacular since winning TUF: Brazil 2. Martin's wrestling and superior stand-up should take this here.

Martin, TKO, Rd. 2

Scott Harris

I have yet to be bowled over by any of the TUF: Brazil winners. That trend will continue here, as Santos (who is 35 years old, by the way) fails to achieve anything definitive on the ground and gives up plenty on the feet.

Martin, unanimous decision

James MacDonald

Santos isn’t anything special, so I’m not sure how competitive he’ll be against the well-rounded Martins. Look for the latter to win this one at a canter.

Martin, TKO, Rd. 2 

Craig Amos

Martin began his UFC tenure with a pair of losses, but both came against tough guys, and he had some good moments in both fights. Santos is another tough one for him, so this fight will demonstrate whether or not he's learned enough to take his career to the next level. 

Martin, unanimous decision

Erick Silva vs. Josh Koscheck

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Sean Smith

With four losses in a row, it is a bit surprising that Koscheck is going to continue competing. It's even more questionable that he's stepping back into the Octagon less than one month after being rocked and submitted by Jake Ellenberger. Silva has had some setbacks, but he has the ability to hand Koscheck a similar loss to the one Ellenberger handed to the TUF 1 veteran.

Silva, submission, Rd. 1

Riley Kontek

Josh Koscheck is at the end of his road. He has nothing left to prove. He wants to go out on a win, but I don't see that happening here. His chin has withered a bit, so unless he uses his wrestling early and often, he will go out on his shield.

Silva, unanimous decision

Scott Harris

When Ben Saunders went down, it was a final gift to Josh Koscheck from the MMA gods. Think of it as a sort of karmic Fight of the Night bonus, presented for a reasonably well-conducted career. He'll get one more payday, but his karma credit isn't good enough for one more win. Silva will be the faster, stronger athlete, especially in the stand-up phase.

Silva, unanimous decision

James MacDonald

It’s time for Koscheck to retire. The TUF veteran just doesn’t have what it takes to compete at this level anymore. More importantly, his chin doesn’t have much left. Silva doesn’t have the best gas tank in the world, but his offense is dynamic enough that cardio shouldn’t be a factor in this one. 

Silva, TKO, Rd. 1

Craig Amos

I don't really see how Koscheck wins this one. Rather than try to find an answer, I'm just going to assume he'll lose.

Silva, knockout, Rd. 1

Demian Maia vs. Ryan LaFlare

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Sean Smith

LaFlare has been solid in four UFC appearances, but he's about to hit his ceiling hard. Maia lost two in a row prior to a rebound matchup with Alexander Yakovlev, but he has one of the best ground games in the welterweight division. LaFlare certainly hasn't met a grappler like him and will have big problems should this one go to the ground at all.

Maia, submission, Rd. 1

Riley Kontek

I have tossed this matchup in my head back and forth. LaFlare's wrestling is definitely good enough to stymie Maia, but I don't know how he'll fare against the submission attack or on the feet. I'm not positive how this matchup will look, so I will be safe and take Maia.

Maia, unanimous decision

Scott Harris

It's a pain picking Demian Maia's fights. He wins, and thanks to his jiu-jitsu credentials, he's immediately considered "back." He loses, and at this point of his career, he's "shot." Maia is more of a known quantity, though, and those credentials are still strong.

Maia, unanimous decision

James MacDonald

This is the big one—the one the world has been waiting to see for years. We asked impatiently, "When will they finally get Maia and LaFlare to agree terms?" Well, the waiting is over. This is a fitting main event for any card. OK, time to be serious. This is not a great main event on paper, but maybe it will turn into a decent scrap. I reckon Maia grinds out the win with his superior grappling, but it would be nice if he got in the habit of submitting people again. 

Maia, unanimous decision

Craig Amos

I'm not sure what to make of this matchup. Both guys rely heavily on the takedown; one is a terrific wrestler, and the other is a submission specialist. It's hard to choose between a quick Maia submission and a long, methodical LaFlare decision.

LaFlare, unanimous decision