UFC Fight Night ‘Bigfoot vs. Arlovski 2’ Preview

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Featherweights

Godofredo Castro (10-3, 2-3 UFC) vs. Dashon Johnson (9-1, 0-1 UFC): Coming off an awesome, job-saving flying-knee knockout over Noad Lahat, “Pepey” takes on Johnson, who will attempt to right the ship after a loss in which youngster Jake Matthews physically overpowered him for three rounds. “Pepey” is a grappler first, with a deadly guard and slick submissions in every position, but he lacks a wrestling game and his striking comes and goes. Johnson suffered from the atrocious competition he fought before reaching the UFC, but he is a plus athlete with solid takedown defense and real potential in the striking game. “Pepey” will likely be the favorite, but I like Johnson’s ability to keep this standing and outland the Brazilian to take a decision.

Welterweights

Igor Araujo (25-6, 2-0 UFC) vs. George Sullivan (15-3, 1-0 UFC): While this is not a particularly anticipated matchup, solid journeymen Araujo and Sullivan have seen a bit of success during their brief UFC careers. Sullivan, who beat hyped prospect Mike Rhodes in his debut, is a high-volume striker with excellent defensive wrestling. Araujo is mostly a ground specialist with decent wrestling and mediocre striking who can grind out fights in the clinch. The pick here has to be the American, who will enjoy substantial advantages in size and offensive output. Sullivan wins by decision.

Lightweights

Francisco Trinaldo (14-4, 4-3 UFC) vs. Leandro Silva (16-1, 0-1 UFC): Silva received his walking papers more than a year ago after a lackluster performance against Ildemar Alcantara, but he returns to face “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” Season 1 graduate Trinaldo on short notice. Silva is relatively well-rounded, with crisp if not powerful striking, mediocre wrestling and some skill on the ground. Trinaldo depends on his athleticism and vicious power to make his game function. Trinaldo has better skills and vastly superior physical tools, and he will exploit Silva’s porous takedown defense and work him over from top position to take a decision.

Welterweights

Paulo Thiago (15-7, 5-7 UFC) vs. Sean Spencer (11-3, 2-2 UFC): Considering his 2-6 record over the last four years, it was surprising that the UFC re-signed Thiago to a new deal. He has shown little improvement -- and perhaps even regression -- from the powerful if low-output striking and venomous submission grappling he employed earlier in his career. Spencer’s mixture of rugged takedown defense and high-volume kickboxing should be enough for him to take a unanimous decision and likely hand Thiago his walking papers.

Bantamweights

Rani Yahya (19-8, 4-2 UFC) vs. Johnny Bedford (19-11-1, 2-2 UFC): In a rematch of a fight that ended in a no-contest due to an accidental head butt after less than 40 seconds, Bedford and Yahya will give it another go here. Bedford is notable mostly for his size and work in the clinch, while Yahya is a truly outstanding grappler and fairly decent wrestler. The American lacks the outstanding grappling chops and submission defense necessary to hang with Yahya on the ground if he fails to keep it standing, and I doubt he can for all three rounds. The pick is Yahya by submission in the second round.

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