UFC 138 is set to take place in Birmingham, England at the LG Arena. The 2nd of 4 straight weekends of UFC action this event is headlined by the first non title 5 round fight between Chris Leben and Mark Munoz. Although according to some this event lacks in star power but it shouldn't lack in action as the matchups have potential stoppage wins in many of the bouts.
Chris Leben vs Mark Munoz
31 Age 33
185 Weight 186
5'11 Height 6'0
70.5" Reach 71"
+180 Odds -220
Common opponents: Aaron Simpson- Munoz defeated by decision UFC 123
Leben defeated by TKO 2nd Round TUF 11 Finale
How they got here: Leben is coming off perhaps his biggest win of his career when he knocked out Wanderlei Silva in 27 seconds at UFC 132. Munoz is coming off his win over Demian Maia at UFC 131 and has won 3 fights in a row.
What to expect: Ironically the first 5 round non title fight will most likely not need the extra 2 rounds to decide a winner. There is no reason to think that Leben won't come into this fight as he always does and that is looking for the KO and always come forward. Leben has faced a good wrestler lately in Simpson but in no way does Simpson have the same power in his hands that Munoz processes. Munoz, if it's worth the risk does have the ability to KO Leben standing, on the flip side if Munoz was able to get Leben on his back Leben is capable of pulling off a submission like he did against Akiyama. Now that it's been established that either fighter could potentially win in their opponents strength the actual outcome of this fight will most likely be decided on the feet.
My Prediction: Munoz by TKO 3rd Round
Renan Barao vs Brad Pickett
26-1 Record 20-5
24 Age 33
135 Weight 136
5'6 Height 5'6
70" Reach 68"
-130 Odds +105
Common opponents: none
How they got here: Barao is coming off his UFC debut at UFC 130 where he defeated Cole Escovedo and has won an incredible 26 fights in a row after losing his first career fight. Pickett was also scheduled to make his UFC debut at UFC 130 but an injury forced him out of his bout against Miguel Torres. His last bout was at WEC 53 where he defeated Ivan Menjivar by decision.
What to expect: Barao is most likely facing the best striker of his career and Pickett literally has "One Punch" power as his nick name tells us so. The ground game is definitely the key for a Barao victory as a Nova Uniao black belt he is more than capable of submitting just about anyone in the Bantamweight division. Pickett to his credit has a competent ground to go along with his KO power but if either fighter plays too long in their opponents strength they could find them self in serious trouble.
My Prediction: Barao by Submission 2nd Round
Terry Etim vs Edward Faaloloto
14-3 Record 2-2
25 Age 26
154 Weight 155
6'1 Height 5'9
Reach 70"
-600 Odds +420
Common opponents: none
How they got here: Etim makes his return to the UFC after battling injuries the last year, his last bout was a submission loss to Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 112. Faaloloto is coming off his UFC debut at UFC Live 4 where he fell to Michael Johnson by TKO which increased his losing streak to 2.
What to expect: Etim pretty much has the advantage in this fight no matter where it ends up. Getting am early stoppage win either by TKO or submission is not out of the question at all for Etim.
My Prediction: Etim by TKO 1st Round
Thiago Alves vs Papy Abedi
18-8 Record 8-0
28 Age 33
170 Weight 170
5'9 Height 5'11
70" Reach N/A
-335 Odds +275
Common opponents: none
How they got here: Alves is coming off his upset loss to Rick Story at UFC 130. The undefeated Abedi is making his UFC debut having won 7 of his 8 bouts by stoppage including 6 straight.
What to expect: Alves who again had trouble making weight for this fight will be looking to keep this fight standing where he will have the advantage with his deadly muay thai attack. Abedi's chance lies in just how much of a drain the weight cut took out on Alves, regardless of Alves's state though Abedi is the better conditioned fighter who's takedowns could really wear on Alves.
My Prediction: Alves by TKO 2nd Round
Anthony Perosh vs Cyrille Diabate
17-7-1 Record 11-6
39 Age 38
205 Weight 205
6'3 Height 6'6
75" Reach 81.5"
+300 Odds -450
Common opponents: none
How they got here: Diabate is coming off his decision win over Steve Cantwell at UFC Live 3. Perosh is coming off a submission win over Tom Blackledge at UFC 127.
What to expect: Look for Diabate to take full advantage of his reach advantage which will allow him to strike from the outside on Perosh and avoid being taken down. That is the most likely scenario but if Perosh does manage to get Diabate down he could be the one with his hand raised.
My Prediction: Diabate by TKO 1st Round
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