UFC 183 and the return of Anderson "The Spider" Silva is upon us. That in itself is enough to create a significant buzz throughout the MMA community. The fact that the Spider is taking on the enigmatic and popular Nick Diaz adds a touch more intrigue.
Does any fighter deliver better quotes than Diaz?
Don't be scared homie. #UFC183: Silva vs Diaz Saturday Jan.31 | LIVE on Pay-Per-View @NickDiaz209 pic.twitter.com/bl9TepfyuT
— UFC (@ufc) January 28, 2015
Both men are coming off a significant layoff. Silva is 39 years old and he has to wrestle with the potential mental effects left behind by his gruesome leg injury in his last bout.
With so many variables, it's hard to predict what will happen in this one. Were this fight taking place three years ago, my prediction would be swift and decisive. Silva's stand-up game would have been too diverse, and I would've said he is too athletic for Diaz.
Now it's hard to be sure.
Tentatively, I'll still pick Silva based on the same principles and because Diaz hasn't fought in two years himself. However, the confidence level of this pick isn't as high as it would have been if both men were active, and without baggage.
While I've given my prediction on the main event, I don't blame you if you still want to check out the show. Here's the vital viewing information, as well as the full fight card and my predictions for every bout.
| UFC Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. ET | ||
| Matchup | Weight Class | Prediction |
| Thiago Santos vs. Andy Enz | Middleweight | Santos by KO |
| Richardson Moreira vs. Ildemar Alcantara | Middleweight | Moreira by TKO |
| Diego Brandao vs. Jimy Hettes | Featherweight | Brandao by decision |
| Fox Sports Prelims at 8 p.m. ET | ||
| Matchup | Weight Class | Prediction |
| Rafael Natal vs. Tom Watson | Middleweight | Watson by decision |
| Ian McCall vs. John Lineker | Flyweight | Lineker by decision |
| Derek Brunson vs. Ed Herman | Middleweight | Brunson by KO |
| Miesha Tate vs. Sara McMann | Women's Bantamweight | McMann by TKO |
| PPV Main Card at 10 p.m. ET | ||
| Matchup | Weight Class | Prediction |
| Jordan Mein vs. Thiago Alves | Welterweight | Mein by TKO |
| Thales Leites vs. Tim Boetsch | Middleweight | Leites by submission |
| Joe Lauzon vs. Al Iaquinta | Lightweight | Iaquinta by decision |
| Tyron Woodley vs. Kelvin Gastelum | Welterweight | Woodley by TKO |
| Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz | Middleweight | Silva by decision |
Card from UFC.com, predictions by Mazique
Joe Lauzon vs. Al Iaquinta
The Al Iaquinta vs. Joe Lauzon bout has Fight of the Night written all over it. Lauzon has won the award six times in his UFC career. Only Frankie Edgar and Diego Sanchez have collected more.
Lauzon has also won 13 overall Fight Night bonuses which is the most in UFC history. He was the victim of a nasty head kick from Anthony Pettis back at UFC 144 in 2012. Pettis won KO of the Night for his performance. Basically, any time Lauzon fights, there's a good chance he and/or someone he faces is going to get a bonus.
Iaquinta's hard-charging style makes it seem likely that the trend could continue. He'll pressure Lauzon, but he must be careful. The 30-year-old veteran is one of the best submission artists in the sport.
Lauzon has captured 18 of his 24 wins by submission, and that has been Iaquinta's weakness thus far in his career. All three of his professional losses have come by tapout. Still, I'm having a hard time anointing Lauzon as the winner.
He's been in so many wars, it seems like just a matter of time before it catches up to him. Iaquinta is seemingly coming into his own. He's won his last two fights, and both wins came by stoppage.
At 27, this is his time to make a move up the lightweight ranks. Because of that, I'm going with Iaquinta, but this one would have a one next to it in a confidence pool.
Tyron Woodley vs. Kelvin Gastelum
There's no doubt Kelvin Gastelum will be a significant contender at welterweight for the next few years. However, he's not ready to take down Tyron Woodley. The latter is too explosive in the stand up, and too strong as a wrestler.
Gastelum has been able to use his size as a weapon against most of his opponents, but Woodley is the rare welterweight who is likely strong enough to prevent himself from being smothered. Woodley's ability to close distance with speed should also play a role.
Per this interview with MMA Fighting, Gastelum believes he'll give Woodley problems with his pace.
I'm expecting Woodley to counter that with leg kicks to disturb Gastelum's pursuit. In the second round, the speed and power from Woodley will deliver the strikes that set up a stoppage win.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
