UFC 134/UFC Rio: Silva vs Okami II Main Card Preview

On August 27 the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make their long awaited and overdue return to the what is considered the home of Mixed Martial Arts and the home of Brazilian/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu when they present UFC RIO/134: Silva vs Okami II. In the long awaited return the UFC will showcase plenty of talent from the sport's homeland with fourteen out of the twenty-four scheduled fighters being of Brazilian descent. The main event will be an overdue rematch that will finally go down when the longest reigning UFC champion and multiple record holder in the promotion takes on the last fighter to hold a technical victory over him that was itself controversial. The co-main event will be another fan demanded rematch when two former Light Heavyweight champions and experienced veterans of the sport compete for a chance to move within range to once again challenge for the title they once held. The midway bout will be a test when one of the most experienced battle tested Brazilian fighters takes on a fast rising young American star where experience will either bring a halt to the rising contender, or a young athlete will signal yet another changing of the guard. The second bout on the card will pit two different striking preferences against each other when the classic British boxing slugger takes on a young rising Muay Thai striker with devastating leg kicks. The opening bout will pit a heavy hitting Brazilian hoping to find his groove against a Bulgarian newcomer who wants to make a statement in his promotional debut. With so much talent on this card and monumental meaning in its return to the sport's homeland, this will be one of the must order PPV cards for die hard MMA fans.

Main Card Bouts:
(C) Anderson "The Spider" Silva (30-4-0) vs Yushin "Thunder" Okami (26-5-0)

Forrest Griffin (18-6-0) vs Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (19-5-0)

Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira (32-6-1(1)) vs Brendan "The Hybrid" Schaub (8-1-0)

Ross "The Real Deal" Pearson (12-4-0) vs Edson Barboza (8-0-0)

Luiz "Banha" Cane (11-3-0(1)) vs Stanislav Nedkov (11-0-0)



(C)Silva vs Okami II
The main event will be a highly anticipated rematch that die hard fans, especially those of the champion, have been waiting over five years to see. This Middleweight bout will pit reigning UFC division champion Anderson Silva against powerful Japanese wrestler Yushin Okami. Silva comes into this bout riding a fourteen fight win streak with the most recent being his eighth consecutive title defense with a Rnd1 KO over former Light Heavyweight champ Vitor Belfort via front-kick at UFC 126: Silva vs Belfort. Okami will come into this bout on a three fight win streak that includes a Split Decision victory over Silva's teammate Mark Munoz at UFC Live 2: Jones vs Matyushenko and a Unanimous Decision over Nate Marquardt at UFC 122: Marquardt vs Okami to earn his spot as #1 contender. In the original meeting that took place at Rumble on the Rock 8, Silva dominated the stand up picking his shots at will while Okami looked for the takedown. After getting a takedown, pulling out then diving back into Silva's guard, Okami looked to land some ground-&-pound until Silva through an ax-like kick to the head of a technically downed Okami which ended the bout via disqualification. The rematch would have happened at UFC 90, but Okami was forced out due to injury and had to work his way back to another title shot. When it comes to skill sets in this fight, looking at each fighters' style is the best way to look at this fight. In the stand up, Silva is the overwhelming favorite with some of the most random striking that combined with his Muay Thai and Capoeira make him one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport. With fast hands and whipping kicks Silva has one of the most dangerous arsenals in the striking game. Okami's striking is more limited to boxing which he utilizes to set up driving takedowns, though he has been showing an interest in keeping the fight on the feet when taking on opponents who are overly cautious of his wrestling to let loose with their own strikes. In the ground game, both fighters are polar opposites with one fighter relying on his discipline as a prepared defensive measure, and the other uses their discipline to control and dominate his opponents. For Silva, he possesses a BJJ black belt that has helped and even saved him from losing fights as seen when he locked on a come from behind submission on Chael Sonnen after being dominated for almost five full rounds. For Okami, his wrestling has been the most important tool in his game planning as he either uses his takedowns to control his opponents grinding them from the top, or simply intimidates his opponents who prefer to strike making them cautious not to get to comfortable and always wait for the shoot that never comes, and he also uses his wrestling as a defensive measure at times to neutralize another wrestler attempting to take him down or to take down his opponent who is dominating the stand up. Game plans will be simple to predict with Silva looking to keep the fight standing at all times prepared to utilize his submission game if it does go to the ground, while Okami will look to take Silva down and grind him the same way Sonnen had. Having trained with Sonnen leading up to this bout, Okami may have the mental support knowing that he has the tools needed to dominate the champion who has dominated the UFC for five years. With one of the most dominant striking games in the the sport and a submission game that can catch any opponent at any time, Silva will be the strong favorite coming into this bout. While the underdog, Okami is seen as being capable of grinding out a decision if he can stick close to Silva and be smart playing defense even while controlling the champion. This is one bout where an upset will not be as surprising as many would think.

Griffin vs Rua II
The co-main event will pit two former Light Heavyweight champions in a rematch that fans have been waiting for when a longtime UFC star takes on a former PrideFC star that some would consider the face of the now defunct promotion. This bout will pit TUF1 winner and former division champion Forrest Griffin against former PrideFC Middle Weight Grand Prix winner and fellow former division champion Mauricio Rua. Griffin will come into this bout on a two fight win streak with a Split Decision over fellow former division champ Tito Ortiz at UFC 106: Ortiz vs Griffin II and a Unanimous Decision over former Middleweight champ Rich Franklin at UFC 126: Silva vs Belfort. Rua will come into this bout after losing his title to current champion Jon Jones with a Rnd3 TKO loss at UFC 128: Shogun vs Jones. The original meeting pitted Griffin the rising contender against Rua who was making his promotional debut coming out of PrideFC. Considered the favorite and the #1 Light Heavyweight at the time, Rua had difficulty matching Griffin's size. Even after receiving a serious cut that cutman Jacob "Stitch" Duran was shockingly able to stop and many analysts say saved the fight from being stopped. After dominating much of the fight, Griffin sunk in a Rear Naked Choke in Rnd3 that earned him Submission of the Night, and became the #1 contender that came with the opportunity to coach opposite of then champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. The favorite in this fight will be Griffin having already defeated Rua before, though Rua will be the overwhelming crowd favorite fighting in his homeland. In the stand up, both fighters have different styles that give any other opponent a difficult time. Griffin's stand up while primarily a mixed kickboxing style, is seen as a freestyle approach. Rua on the other hand is a well known Muay Thai specialist with some of the most vicious leg kicks and devastating combinations with every strike he can throw. With conflicting stand up styles that are difficult at times to accurately predict, picking a favorite in the stand up is hard to say. In the ground game, the advantage may go the way of Griffin. With a black belt in BJJ and training his wrestling with the likes of UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, Griffin has learned to utilize his size to his advantage laying his whole weight atop opponents and having his submission skills ready. While Rua is a dangerous BJJ black belt himself, his submission game is rarely seen with only one submission victory to his record and a strong preference to showcase his renowned striking. With these factors and the previous fight in mind, many analysts will be picking Griffin as the strong favorite in this bout. An "X" factor that many analysts and fans are taking into consideration is the question "which Shogun will show up", which has been a common question asked since his debut in the UFC. It has been no secret since his days in PrideFC that Rua had been dealing with serious ongoing injuries and problems with his knees that have repeatedly hindered his ability to train at his fullest. This fact appeared to be apparent the most in his title fight with Jones when he was coming in not having fought in ten months, having come off a much needed knee surgery, and did not appear to be in his best shape, which all added up to many fans suggesting that Jones did not fight Rua at his best. With these added factors, the question will be on the mind of fans and analysts leading up to this bout with the winner moving within range of fighting for the title once again.

Nogueira vs Schaub
In the midway bout on the card, a true test will be showcased that could be yet another signal that there is a changing of the guard in MMA, or that experience outweighs talent and momentum. This Heavyweight bout will pit highly decorated veteran Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, with a resume that includes becoming the first PrideFC Heavyweight champ/Interim champ and becoming the UFC Interim Heavyweight champ as well as becoming the only fighter in MMA history to have held championship titles in both PrideFC and the UFC, against TUF10 runner-up Brendan Schaub. Nogueira comes into this bout off only the second (T)KO loss of his career in a #1 contenders bout when he received a Rnd1 KO loss to future champ Cain Velasquez at UFC 110: Nogueira vs Velasquez just over twenty months ago and has been sidelined with injuries and surgeries that required a lengthy recovery time. Schaub comes into this bout on a four fight win streak since being handed his first professional defeat when losing in the TUF10 finals that includes a dominant Unanimous Decision over well-rounded veteran and former contender Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 121: Lesnar vs Velasquez and a Rnd3 KO over former PrideFC 2006 Open-Weight Grand Prix winner Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic at UFC 128: Shogun vs Jones. Leading up to this bout UFC President Dana White mentioned that the winner of this bout  moves within range to challenge for the division title. With the classic match up of veteran vs prospect, this should prove to be an entertaining bout added to an already hyped up card. In the stand up, the younger faster Schaub may be the favorite to control in this aspect of the fight. Nogueira is known for a boxing game that has held its ground against dangerous strikers in the Heavyweight division, though his plan was always to get the fight to the ground where his world class BJJ skills would take the fight to his comfort zone. Schaub uses a heavy-handed boxing style with well timed shots that have earned six of his seven (T)KO wins by way of punches. With the faster hands and what many expect to be a more diverse striking arsenal coming into the bout, the favorite in the stand up will be Schaub. When it comes to the ground game, the overwhelming favorite will be Nogueira with his highly recognized black belt BJJ game that has lured in many opponents before. With a black belt in BJJ and twenty submission wins to his record including victories over former UFC champion Tim Sylvia, Heath Herring, Mirko Cro Cop, former PrideFC Middleweight/Welterweight and current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion Dan Henderson, the first UFC Heavyweight champ Mark Coleman and more, Nogueira is one of the most feared grapplers in the division. However, with Schaub training at wrestling heavy gyms like Jackson's Submission Fighting and Grudge Training Center, he very well could learn how to neutralize the guard of Nogueira. With experience being a key factor in the grappling aspect of this bout, Nogueira will be the favorite at any point the fight hits the ground, though some analysts are not counting out the possible wrestling game that Schaub may use to upset this aspect in the fight. With these factors, Schaub will be seen as the favorite in the stand up and Nogueira will be the favorite in grappling. An "X" factor that could affect this fight the most is the twenty month long layoff that has prevented Nogueira from even training for much of that layoff. With "cage-rust" being a key factor that most analysts take into consideration, it may not be a surprise to see Nogueira having difficulty with timing and moving slower than usual. This alone could shift the overall advantage in this bout to Schaub.

Pearson vs Barboza
The second bout on the main card will be a Lightweight bout when two rising young prospects look to make a statement in one of the more crowded divisions in the UFC. This bout will pit British TUF9 Lightweight winner and strong striker Ross Pearson against undefeated Brazilian Muay Thai striker Edson Barboza in what should be a stand up only affair. Pearson comes in off a Unanimous Decision win over UFC veteran Spencer Fisher at UFC 127: Penn vs Fitch. Barboza comes into the bout on an undefeated eight fight win streak which includes his promotional debut with a Rnd3 TKO win over Mike Lullo at UFC 123: Rampage vs Machida where he let loose with his devastating leg kicks that repeatedly sent Lullo falling to the mat, and a Fight of the Night performance when he went to a decision for the first time against Anthony Njokuani at UFC: 128: Shogun vs Jones where both Muay Thai strikers exchanged precision strikes. With both competitors primarily being stand up fighters, picking a favorite requires evaluating their styles. Pearson is a classic British fighter whose preference in striking is primarily boxing combined with his skills in Taekwondo with a black belt. Barboza is a young but experienced Muay Thai striker who likes to utilize his kicks to pick apart opponents and look for fast head-kicks. With a lot of momentum riding an undefeated record and strong performances against Lullo and Njokuani, Barboza will be the favorite in the stand up. With not much ground game seen from either fighter in their bouts in the UFC, casual fans will not be able to pick a clear favorite in the grappling aspect of the fight. With more submission victories to his record, Pearson may be  seen as the slight favorite should the fight hit the ground. While Barboza is a purple belt in BJJ, he is primarily a striker who refrains from going to the ground. With no clear cut favorite, Pearson may be seen as the favorite in grappling. Overall, Barvoza will be the favorite in this bout with plenty of hype and momentum as well as feeding off the crowd when he will be representing his homeland in this bout.

Cane vs Nedkov
The first bout on the main card will pit two Light Heavyweights in a fight where the victor will earn some recognition and relevance. This bout will pit Brazilian striker Luiz Cane against the debuting well rounded Bulgarian Stanislav Nedkov. Cane comes in off a Rnd1 TKO win over late replacement Eliot Marshall at UFC 128: Shogun vs Jones. Nedkov will come into the bout on an undefeated eleven fight win streak that includes a Split Decision over former UFC Heavyweight champ Kevin Randleman at Sengoku 11 and a Rnd1 submission over Augustin Helgiu at BMMAF Warriors 13. With Cane still needing to earn recognition in the UFC following a two fight losing streak and unknown Nedkov making his promotional debut, there is no clear favorite in this bout. In the stand up Cane will be seen as a favorite with nine (T)KO wins to his record and a dangerous Muay Thai style, while Nedkov is seen as a dangerous striker himself with an aggressive boxing game with five (T)KO wins to his own record. With both fighters possessing an aggressive approach where both are known to keep coming forward, they very well could be even in the stand up. When it comes to the ground game, both fighters come in with black belts in BJJ that could neutralize each other. Cane is one of many skilled Brazilian Muay Thai strikers that while possessing a background in BJJ, would much prefer to stand and showcase their striking. Nedkov on the other hand is a well rounded fighter who alternates between standing and grappling. With a greater willingness to go to the ground, Nedkov may be seen as the favorite in the grappling aspect of the fight. With these factors, Nedkov may be picked as the favorite in both the stand up and the ground game.

With all five bouts expected to deliver and each one pitting a native of Brazil against opponents from four other countries just on the main card alone, UFC RIO/134: Silva vs Okami II has the potential to be Card of the Year. On the card alone there are two high profile rematches, a highly anticipated title bout, and two bouts that will have major implications in deciding who could be the next title contenders in their own divisions. The main event itself is well anticipated with a rematch die hard fans have been waiting for when reigning Middleweight champion for almost five years Anderson Silva looks to avenge the last loss on his record he claims was a mistake and also looks to clear one of the final contenders in the division to solidify his place as the greatest Middleweight in all of MMA. Okami will look to make UFC history when he steps into the cage intent on handing Silva his first loss in the promotion, set the record straight in looking past the controversial disqualification win, and become the first ever Japanese champion in the promotion's eighteen years of existence. In the co-main event, a win for either fighter will propel them back into title contention to reclaim the belt they once held. In this rematch, Griffin will look prove that he bested Rua the first time and can do it a second time around. For Rua, a win for him avenges his first UFC loss that was unfortunately his first fight in the promotion, even the score between him and Griffin, and jump back into the hunt for the title. In the midway bout a win for either fighter makes the case for them to potentially challenge for the title or need just one more win to do so. A win for Nogueira brings him back into the title hunt and shoots down criticism that he should retire. For Schaub, a win for him earns him his third straight win over an elite veteran of the sport, earns him the highest profile win in his short three year career, and makes him a legitimate contender in the Heavyweight division. In the second bout of the night, a win for either prospect earns them great relevance just for being on this monumental card. A win for Pearson helps bring him back in the light with a victory over a high profile prospect like Barboza. A win for Barboza over a TUF winner adds more to the hype that has followed after just two solid performances in the UFC and possibly earns him the chance to start fighting top twenty opponents in one of the most populated divisions in the sport. Finally for the first bout on the main card, a win for either fighter will earn them relevance and recognition. A win for Cane brings him back into relevance once being considered a top fifteen fighter in the division on the edge of entering the top ten until Antonio Rogerio Nogueira halted his rise. A win for Nedkov brings him into the spotlight extending his undefeated record with his first win in the world's biggest MMA promotion and in a division stacked with talent. This event alone carries great significance for the UFC returning to the homeland of the sport that started it all. Though this event will be missing the expected and demanded presence of a member of the Gracie family on the card, this is made up for with three of the biggest names in Brazilian MMA scheduled to showcase their own talents in their native country. With the legitimacy of MMA growing worldwide, a return to Brazil is just one step for the UFC to pay homage to the sport's history, and with this trip checked off their list, it is no surprise that a planned to trip to Japan as the homeland of the famous Pride Fighting Championship is tentatively scheduled for the first quarter of 2012.