UFC 134

The UFCs first foray into Brazil in over a decade promises to be a hell of a night of fights. We've got several former champs in their respective weight classes throwing down, and some exciting up and comers ready to prove that they are on the verge of stardom. Without further ado, the fights!

Luiz "Banha" Cane vs Stanislav Nedkov
light heavyweight

After a couple of tough losses in a row, Cane rebounded nicely with a dominant stoppage over Eliot Marshall. He looks to maintain momentum against newcomer Nedkov. Nedkov is undefeated, but other than a tightly contested split decision win over an aging Kevin Randleman, he has not fought anyone of note, and faces a tough challenge in his UFC debut. Cane is a nasty striker, and has a strong desire to finish things violently. If Nedkov can't get this fight to the ground, and away from Cane's bread and butter, it is likely to be a short night. Cane will be buoyed by his last fight, and fighting in his home country (expect this theme to repeat itself) and blitz Nedkov early and often on his way to a late first round stoppage.

Cane via TKO, Rd. 1


Ross "The Real Deal" Pierson vs. Edson Mendes Barboza
lightweight

After a stunning loss to Cole Miller, Pierson has righted the ship by soundly defeating tough vet Spencer Fisher, and looks to be the first fighter to post a win against Barboza. That will be a very tough road to hoe, however, as Barboza has some of the nastiest leg kicks in all the lightweight division, and with his range and speed, he will most likely try to stay on the outside and pick Pierson apart, while stuffing take downs. Pierson will need to get in close, and utilize the clinch, and work for take downs to try and work his ground and pound. He also needs to have good head movement, and absolutely has to be prepared to check leg kicks, or his evening will come to an end very early. Barboza is a striking beast, and is not to shabby off his back. He will pick Pierson apart on the feet, and be able to neutralize his ground and pound if he gets put on his back. Barboza gets the nod after three solid, albeit mostly one sided rounds.

Barboza via Unanimous Decision


Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira vs. Brendan "The Hybrid" Schaub
heavyweight

Nogueira has his first match in 18 months in his homeland, which is, oddly enough for a man who's been fighting as long as he has, his first fight in Brazil. Finally healthy, Nogueira is trying to get back on track for a title shot, but Schaub is a big tough roadblock, and might be too much for the legendary Brazilian. A former NFL prospect, Schaub has turned his phenomenal athleticism towards MMA and has found success. After losing his first UFC match to grizzled vet Roy Nelson, Schaub has rattled off four straight wins, and looks to springboard off a win over Nogueira to a title contender match, but first he actually has to win. Nogueira has solid boxing, and surprisingly slick takedowns, but his real bread and butter is his grappling. With some of the best jiu jitsu in the heavyweight division, and the heart of a true warrior, Nogueira may have the pure cojones to pull this one out, but I feel that such a long layoff, and facing a young hungry stud like Schaub are a bad combination. I hope I'm wrong, but I see Schaub getting a KO early in the second round.

Schaub via KO, Rd. 2


Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Forrest Griffin
light heavyweight

A rematch of Ruas first UFC bout is the co-main event, and it is likely to go nothing like their first fight. When healthy, Rua is one of the most dynamic, exciting fighters in the world. When that is tempered by injury, and poor conditioning, he instead looks like a shell of the man who ran roughshod over PRIDE, and blitzed Lyoto Machida into a first round ko. Supposedly functioning at near full capacity, he will still have his hands full with the man mountain Griffin, who is going to look to bully Rua, and make the fight ugly. Griffin is at his best when he takes a punch to give one, and drags the fight into the later rounds. When he gets tagged often and early, is when things tend to fall apart. Griffin will get in Ruas face, and force "Shoguns" cardio to either put up, or shut up, and think that Rua will not have an answer. He wont get the finish this go around, and it may be close on the cards, but Griffin gets the nod from the judges in a close, if unspectacular fight.

Griffin via Split Decision


MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva vs Yushin "Thunder" Okami

What can be said about Silva that hasn't been said before? Ummm, he has tremendous hair? Okami has a win over Silva via DQ when Silva tagged him with an illegal upkick in a tournament in Hawaii five years ago. Hungry to avenge the last loss on his record, Silva will test the waters early, before striking with his pin point accuracy. Okami will try and replicate what Chael Sonnen nearly accomplished by repeatedly taking down the Brazilian and pounding him at every chance he gets. While Okami is a beastly strong fighter, and has improved his wrestling immensely under the tutelage of Sonnen, it simply will not be enough to wrest the belt away from Silva who will get the stoppage win mid way through the third round, causing the entire arena to cheer loud enough for us to hear it in the states!

Silva via TKO, Rd. 3