UFC Fight Night 29 comes to you this Wednesday evening from Brazil, and thus it’s not surprising the card features the typical Brazilian vs. non-Brazilian matchups we’ve all become accustomed to watching UFC cards in Brazil.
In the main event, Brazilian Demian Maia takes on American Jake Shields in what should be a terrific five-round fight between two of the division’s biggest fighters, not to mention two of the best jiu-jitsu players in the entire world of mixed martial arts.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Watch UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields Wednesday on Sportsnet 360with preliminary action starting at 5:00 p.m. ET and the main card at 7:00 p.m. ET
Outside of that fight, there are five other intriguing matchups scheduled. Here is a breakdown and predictions for all six main card fights:
Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields
Maia is 3-0 since dropping down to the 170-pound division and, if he gets a win over a former title challenger in Shields, look for him to be in line for a title shot.
This is a fairly even matchup on paper between two fighters whose primary strength is their ground game, but fights don’t always play out like they do on paper. Although Shields has been relatively hard to get to the ground during his UFC career, I believe Maia is the guy to get the takedowns on him and I think he’ll be able to do it over the course of five rounds to pull off a clear-cut unanimous decision win.
Prediction: Maia via decision
Erick Silva vs. Dong Hyun Kim
The co-main event is an excellent welterweight bout between rising contenders Silva and Kim. The UFC welterweight division is stacked, but look for the winner of this fight to jump into the top 10. And with so much on the line between both fighters, I expect a great showing from each.
Although Silva is dangerous in every facet of the game, I believe Kim’s heavy top game is going to be too much for him. As Silva showed in his fight against Jon Fitch, if he does have any weakness it is his wrestling and Kim possesses great ability in that facet of the game. So look for Kim to get the takedowns, hold Silva on the mat, and steal a decision win in Silva’s native Brazil.
Prediction: Kim via decision
Thiago Silva vs. Matt Hamill
This will be Hamill’s first fight in over a year since last competing at UFC 152 against Roger Hollett, but it’s not an easy fight at all as Silva has proven he’s among the best the division has to offer.
Although he missed weight by two pounds, I still think Silva is going to be too much for Hamill to handle. Look for Silva to stuff Hamill’s takedowns, keep this fight on the feet, and out-strike “The Hammer” en route to a decision victory.
Prediction: Silva via decision
Fabio Maldonado vs. Joey Beltran
The light-heavyweight bout between Maldonado and Beltran is a fight featuring two of the hardest-headed fighters in the entire sport.
This is an awesome fight on paper if both guys choose to stand and bang it out, but look for Beltran to play it safe and try to get the takedowns on Maldonado and pull off a mild upset against the hometown hero.
Prediction: Beltran via decision
Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Pierce
This fight will mark Palhares’ first bout at 170 pounds, while Pierce is currently riding a four-fight win streak. Pierce is one of the most underrated welterweights in the UFC. Look for him to run through Palhares on Wednesday night and make it known that he is a dark horse contender for the belt at 170 pounds.
Prediction: Pierce via TKO
Raphael Assuncao vs. TJ Dillashaw
In the opening bout of the main card, Assuncao battles Dillashaw in a matchup between two of the top-ranked bantamweights in the world. With both fighters aiming for their fifth-straight win in the Octagon, look for the winner to emerge as a legit title contender.
This is actually one of the trickiest matchups on the card to predict, but for me it all comes down to experience and Assuncao has fought a who’s who in the world of MMA. He’s been there, he’s done that, and on Wednesday night I see him upsetting Dillashaw and moving into the bantamweight division’s elite.
Prediction: Assuncao via TKO
