By Dwight Wakabayashi
The undisputed greatest mixed martial artist of our time, Anderson Silva is in action this weekend at UFC 162 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Silva will face Chris Weidman, whom many feel is the toughest challenger Silva has ever faced for his middleweight championship belt. Main event aside, the entire card is stacked from top-to-bottom with fights that are relevant to the championship pecking order.
The preliminary portion of the night can be seen on Sportsnet and is highlighted by brawler Chris (The Crippler) Leben in middleweight action, and lightning fast Brazilian striker Edson Barbosa. Barbosa was originally slated to take on Canadian prospect John Makdessi, but Makdessi injured himself in training and will be replaced by Rafaello Oliveira.
Programming alert: Catch coverage of the prelims of UFC 162 on Sportsnet at 8 p.m. Saturday | TV schedule
Here is a complete preliminary card breakdown and my picks for each fight
Chris Leben (22-9) vs. Andrew Craig (8-1) – middleweight
Leben will headline the preliminary portion of the card and is coming off a suspension followed by a loss and must get his career back on track with a win over Craig. Craig lost to Ronny Markes in January to suffer the first loss of his career and will be hungry for a bounce back as well.
It is no secret that Leben looks to end it with the right hand at all times and has a granite chin. The question is whether or not Craig can be drawn in to a brawl. He may try to use his kicks or his jiu jitsu as his key to victory and that may leave Leben on his back or swinging at air all night long.
Craig via decision
Norman Parke (17-2) vs. Kazuki Tokudome (12-3-1) – lightweight
TUF: Smashes lightweight winner Norman Parke will get his contract underway against Japanese Pancrase veteran Kazuki Tokudome in his second fight in the UFC. Parke used a good variety of skills to win the finale, and take downs and elite ground skills are the hallmark of his game.
Tokudome is a star lightweight in Japan and he made a successful UFC debut against Cristiano Marcello in Japan in March. Tokudome will be fighting in North America for the first time of his career. Japanese fighters have historically struggled to perform on this side of the globe and we will see if he can get over the jitters. Tokudome is good at everything but not really elite anywhere, and Parke should be able to dominate the fight in his world.
Parke via TKO, Rd 2
Gabriel Gonzaga (14-7) vs. Dave Herman (21-5) – heavyweight
The big boys will have one slot on the entire card, with bubble fighter Dave Herman taking on injury replacement Gabriel Gonzaga. Herman is on a three-fight losing streak in the UFC with two failed drug tests on his resume to boot. He needs this win to keep his job so he better look more interested than he has in recent fights if he wants to beat Gonzaga. Herman’s losses are a bit deceiving because they are against some of the best in the division. Herman has fairly good hands and feet.
Gonzaga comes in off a loss and takes this fight on short notice, which always gets you in the UFC good books. Taking this fight could be a great business decision as well because, in my opinion, Herman is just simply not a very good fighter. Gonzaga should be able to get the win using his jiu jitsu or his legs in this one
Gonzaga via decision
Edson Barbosa (11-1) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (16-5) – lightweight
This fight had a Canadian flavour and my favorite match up on the card until John Makdessi had to pull out due to injury. Oliveira steps up and in with a 1-2 record in the UFC. Barbosa is an electric athlete, one of the best in the UFC and his lightning fast kicks are always a threat to end the fight in an instant. Barbosa is a sure fire future contender in the division and he should be able to steam roll Oliveira.
Barbosa via KO, Rd 1
Seth Baczynski (18-9) vs. Brian Melancon (6-2) – welterweight
Baczynski comes to the cage off a loss and Melancon is a former Strikeforce fighter making his UFC debut and I have to think that both these men are on thin ice in the very deep and competitive welterweight division. Baczynski has been very good in his time in the UFC and needs to use his transitions to dominate and finish his less experienced opponent.
Melancon lost a close split decision to a very tough Isaac Valle Flagge a couple years ago and is the best UFC measuring stick fight he has had to date. His game is going to be tested like it never has before and his power may be his saving grace.
Baczynski via submission, Rd 2
Mike Pierce (16-5) vs. David Mitchell (12-2) – welterweight
The opening bout of the evening will feature the underrated Mike Pierce in a showcase fight to try and get himself back in with the contenders of the division. Pierce has only lost to Jon Fitch, Johny Hendricks and a razor this decision to Josh Koscheck in eleven fights in the UFC. He is on a three-fight winning streak since that loss to Koscheck and had the decision gone his way, he would have had an undefeated 4-0 record in 2012. He should be fighting a bigger name in the division but must make a statement on Mitchell for that to happen in 2013.
After two losses out of the UFC gate, Mitchell finally got in the win column with a decision over Simeon Thoreson in January. He may be better than Pierce on the ground and he will have to get the fight there as soon as possible if he wants any chance at all for a victory.
Pierce via decision
