UFC 134 Fight Card: Fight-by-Fight Predictions for Silva vs. Okami

UFC 134 is one of the most anticpating events of the entire year. The UFC will be traveling to the home of Anderson Silva in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for the first time in 10 years. The fight card is featured around the Middle Weight Championship bout Silva vs. Yushin Okami. Silva, the greatest fighter in UFC history will look to continue his 14 fight win streak against the man who defeated him in 2006.

The remaining card consists of 11 electrifying fights consisting of the Forrest Griffin vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua rematch and Brendan Schaub vs. Antonio Nogeuira. UFC 134 has potential to be the greatest fight card of 2011 and the fans in Brazil will not be disappointed.

The following slides predict each of the 12 bouts at UFC 134. Please sit back and enjoy.

Yves Jabouin vs. Ian Loveland

Yves Jabouin and Ian Loveland are two of the few fighters who will not be fighting in front of their hometown fans. Jabouinn was born in Haiti and Loveland in the United States. Both fighters will square off at UFC 134 both looking to get their UFC careers back on track. Jabouin has lost three of his last four fights including a loss to Pablo Garza at UFC 129 by first-round submission.

Loveland on the other hand is 1-1 in his UFC career, but could very easily be 2-0 as he lost a close bout at UFC 128 against Joseph Benavidez. Loveland will enter UFC 134 winning seven of his last eight fights. Don't look for this fight to go the distance.

Prediction: Loveland by R2 TKO

Yuri Alcantara vs. Felipe Arantes

Much like Anderson Silva, Alcantara and Arantes will both be squaring off in their home country of Brazil. Alcantara was born in Marajo and Arantes in Sao Paulo. UFC 134 will be more than just another fight for these two fighters, as they are both looking for their first UFC win in their debuts.

Alcantara who made the move to the UFC after they joined forces with WEC is much more experienced than Arantes. Alcantara was successful in his last bout, defeating Ricardo Lamas at WEC 53 with a first-round TKO. Arantes's last bout was ruled a No Contest against Andrew Main. Despite Arantes' three- inch height advantage, look for Alcantara to come out on top.

Prediction: Alcantara by R3 Unanimous Decision

 

Erick Silva vs. Luis Ramos

Erick Silva and Luis Ramos are two more fighters who will be fighting in their home country of Brazil. Silva was born in Vila Velha, Espirito Santo and Ramos in Itaguai. This will also be both fighter's UFC debuts as they look to be victorious in front of the the home crowd.

Going into the fight Silva hasn't lost since December of 2006. Since then he has posted eight electrifying fights finishing five of them by TKO or Submission. Ramos on the other hand is famous for going the distance in his bouts. Of his 25 career fights, 16 of them have gone to the judge's scorecards. While Ramos Jiu Jitsu is spectacular, Silva has trained with Anderson Silva in the past, giving him the advantage.

Prediction: Silva by R1 Submission

Raphael Assuncao vs. Johnny Eduardo

Raphael Assuncao, born in Recife, Brazil will take on hometown favorite Johnny Eduardo who was born and fights out of Rio De Janeiro. While this fight is overlooked by many, it has the potential to be one of the best of UFC 134. These fighters are very similar and share many tendencies, as both are exceptional in submitting opponents

Assuncao made his UFC debut at UFC 128 where he was anything but impressive—getting knocked out in the first round of action by Erik Koch. Even before that his fight history has been subpar. Eduardo on the other hand is the complete opposite as he is looking for his 12th straight victory. Of Eduardo's last 11 fights, nine of them have ended by TKO or Submission.

Prediction: Eduardo by R3 Submission

Paulo Thiago vs. David Mitchell

Paulo Thiago and David Mitchell will square off at UFC 134, looking to get back into the win column. To Thiago's favor he will be fighting Mitchell in his home country. Thiago was born in Brasilia, Brazil and Mitchell was born in the United States. Also to Thiago's favor is his experience as a UFC fighter. UFC 134 will be Thiago's seventh career UFC fight and only Mitchell's second.

Thiago already has witnessed success inside the Octagon, as he has defeated UFC vets such as Josh Koscheck and Mike Swick. Mitchell's only bout came in a losing effort at UFC Fight Night versus Anthony Waldburger. While Mitchell did come up short, it was actually the first loss of his career. This fight should bring fireworks to the Brazil crowd.

Prediction: Thiago by R3 Unanimous Decision

Rousimar Palhares vs. Dan Miller

Much like many other UFC 134 fighters, Palhares will be fighting in his home country against UFC vet Dan Miller. Palhares was born in Dores Do Indaia, Minas Geraism, Brazil and Miller in the United States. Both fighters have seen success inside the UFC Octagon each winning five bouts. UFC 134 will be Palhares eighth career UFC fight and Miller's 10th.

Both fighters are on fairly successful streaks as Palhares has won four of his last five fights and Miller two of his last three. Palhares and Miller are very similar in that they don't get knocked out or knock out their opponents. Of their combined 16 UFC fights, only one has been decided by a TKO. Look for this fight to be decided by submission or decision.

Prediction: Palhares by R3 Unanimous Decision

Thiago Tavares vs. Spencer Fisher

Thiago Tavares will enter UFC 134 fighting in his home country of Brazil against Spencer Fisher. Tavares was born in Florianopolis, Brazil and Spencer in the United States. Both fighters have had experience fighting in the UFC, especially Fisher who has been fighting pay-per-view events since UFC 58. This will be Tavares' 10th fight and more than likely the most meaningful one.

While both fighters have had successful careers up to this point, Tavares and Fisher have hit dry spells as they have displayed subpar performances as of late. Tavares has lost three of his last six fights including one draw. Spencer has lost three of his last four. The fighter's tendencies cause many to expect a thrilling TKO on Tavares; part of a grueling three round decision with Spencer as the victor.

Prediction: Tavares by R2 TKO

Luiz Cane vs. Stanislav Nedkov

Luiz Cane will return home to Brazil to square off with UFC newcomer Stanislav Nedkov at UFC 134 for the first time since December of 2006. Cane was born in Sao Paulo and Nedkov in Bulgaria. This is one of the most interesting fights on the card, as it will be Cane's seventh career UFC and Nedkov's first. What makes it even more interesting is that Nedkov has never lost entering UFC 134 with a record of 11-0.

This fight has potential to be Fight of the Night and have the Brazil crowd on their feet. In Cane's last bout at UFC 128 he knocked out Eliot Marshall in the first round of action. One thing is a guarantee when these two square off—it won't go the distance. This fight is a TKO waiting to happen. Look for Nedkov to establish his name in his UFC debut and come out on top.

Prediction: Nedkov by R1 TKO

Ross Pearson vs. Edson Barboza

Ross Pearson and Edson Barboza enter UFC 134 both looking to continue their successful careers inside the Octagon. Pearson who is from England will look to take out Rio De Janeiro local Barboza in an exciting Main Card showdown. Pearson has won four of his five careers fights, including his latest bout against Spencer Fisher at UFC 127.

Barboza on the other hand has never lost a bout with an overall record of 8-0. His two UFC victories have come against Mike Lullo and Anthony Njokuani at UFC 123 and 128. It will be interesting to see how this bout ends up, as Pearson usually ends in Decision and Barboza in TKOs. Look for Barboza to continue a winning streak and advance his status as a legit contender.

Prediction: Barboza by R3 TKO

Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira vs. Brendan Schaub

Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira will travel home to Brazil to take on UFC young gun, Brendan Schaub. Nogueira was born in Bahia, Brazil and Schaub the United States. Nogueira gained the hearts of many fans after he defeated Tim Sylvia in a Heavy Weight Championship bout in 2008. Nogueira also defeated UFC favorite Randy Couture at UFC 102 by Unanimous Decision.

Schaub, who lost his first career fight to Roy Nelson, has won four straight bouts including three knockouts. Schaub holds a career record of 8-1, hasn't lost since December of 2009, and is moving closer to a title shot. This fight is very unpredictable, as many feel Nogueira usually overpowers his opponents, while Schaub has knockout power.

Prediction: Brendan Schaub by R2 TKO

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Forrest Griffin

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, arguably Brazil's greatest fighter behind Anderson Silva, will take on Forrest Griffin at UFC 134. Rua was born in Curitiba, Brazil and Griffin in the United States. Rua and Griffin squared off once before at UFC 76 where Griffin submitted Rua in the third and final round of action. While it was Griffin's career defining moment, Rua will get his revenge in his home country.

Behind the Silva vs. Okami fight, this is the most anticpated fight at UFC 134. Rua has won three of his last five fights including victories over Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell and Lyoto Machida. Rua was just defeated by Jon Jones in a lopsided bout and many are anxious to see how he will bounce back. Griffin has won five of his last seven, including recent victories over Tito Ortiz and Rich Franklin. Look for the same type of fight as the first time around.

Prediction: Forrest Griffin by R3 Unanimous Decision

Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami

Brazil's greatest fighter of all time, Anderson Silva will travel to his home country to defend his title against challenger Yushin Okami. Silva was born in Curitiba, Brazil and Okami was born and raised Kanagawa, Japan. Silva has won 14 straight UFC bouts and hasn't lost since January of 2006. Ironically, his last loss actually came to Okami when Silva was DQ'd in the first round of action.

Silva has literally beaten opponents who have come his way consisting of: Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Forrest Griffin, Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin and many more. Okami on the other hand, has won six of his last seven fights with his only defeat coming to Chael Sonnen at UFC 104. While Okami may have defeated Silva five years ago, Silva clearly dominated the fight before being disqualified. The chances Silva loses a five-round fight in his home country are slim to none. Look for this fight to be over fast; chances are the first two rounds.

Prediction: Silva by R2 TKO