The UFC takes Australia by storm for the first time and fans will be treated to explosive matchups featuring two early Fight of The Year candidates. In the main event, a world heavyweight title shot is on the line when unbeaten Cain Velasquez takes on former UFC and PRIDE champion Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira. Plus, UK superstar Michael “The Count” Bisping hopes to spoil the middleweight debut of the legendary ‘Axe Murderer’, Wanderlei Silva.
Location: ACER Arena, Sidney, Australia.
Time: 10 PM ET
Date: February 20th
This will be the first time the Ultimate Fighting Championship travels to the Down under land and the fans couldn’t be more excited about it. This is a very expected match between two great fighters, the challenger a youngster dying to prove he is worth it against a made champ like Nogueira that has won in many countries and has a lot of experience.
Minotauro Nogueira at age 33 has proven to the World that he belongs in the ellite of UFC and MMA. Fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil he will travel to Australia to face a young fighter that in my opinion is still not mature enough for this kind of challenge. Nogueira best attributes are incredible stamina which means he really trains like the champ he is, awesome jiu-jitsu skills that usually help him win fights and to complete a well-rounded fighter superb boxing skills that are tough to match. Minotauro’s MMA record is 32-5-1 with 1 no contest and with those numbers it’s very hard to imagine a fair competition. Nogueira has won 3 of his last 4 fights against big names like Randy Couture, Tim Sylvia and Heath Herring so that could be considered a good message to Velazquez “watch the hands and better move quick”. Some ranks and titles Nogueira have held are Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. WEC Title in 1999, Rings 16 man tournament 2000, PRIDE Heavyweight Belt. Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo (received both in 1999).
Cain Velazquez still undefeated with a record of 7-0-0 fighting out of San Jose, California but born in Salinas, California represents Nogueira’s chance to be back in the spotlight since he will be fighting against an undefeated well rounded and younger fighter. Velazquez at age 27 has same weight as Minotauro but the reach will be a problem since Nogueira it’s a bit taller so the logic indicates a close fight body to body but Nogueira is too experienced for that so Velazquez will have to come up with something incredibly clever if he wants this match to go in his favor. The scenario is set and since Velazquez won 4 out of his last 5 fights by technical knockout there will be no surprise if he tries to do the same to Nogueira but he has to be careful not to put down his guard and let Nogueira get too close or it will be over for Velazquez by submission.
FIGHT ODDS
ANTONIO NOGUEIRA +105
CAIN VELAZQUEZ -125
The prediction could be a long fight with an unanimous decision, i don’t believe it will be a Ko since both fighters are in awesome shape and their skills won’t allow the opponent to get too close to be able to win by submission or TKO. In my opinion Nogueira has more experience and he has more skills in his side o the point here is how much punishment can Velazquez take. My pick will be Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira +105 to win by unanimous decision.
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