UFC 142 Preview

Main Event

Featherweight Championship

Jose Aldo vs Chad Mendes

20-1 Record 11-0

25 Age 26

145 Weight 146

5'7 Height 5'6

70" Reach 66"

-245 Odds +200

Common opponents:
Cub Swanson
Aldo defeated by TKO 1st Round at WEC 41 6/7/09
Mendes defeated by Unanimous Decision at WEC 50 8/18/10

How they got here: Aldo is coming off his 2nd straight Featherweight title defense against Kenny Florian at UFC 136 which extended his total win streak to an impressive 13 straight fights.  The undefeated Mendes earned his title shot by defeated Rani Yahya by decision at UFC 133 which extended his UFC/WEC winning streak to 5 fights.

What to expect: If a fighters style were to defeat Featherweight champion one would have to think Chad Mendes has the tools to do so.  Mendes's excellent wrestling combined with his great conditioning could spell problems for Aldo if the fight gets to the later rounds.  That is a big if however as Aldo's aggressive style and improved takedown defense could see him open up and go for another highlight reel knockout.

My Prediction: Aldo by TKO 3rd Round

Vitor Belfort vs Anthony Johnson

20-9 Record 10-3

34 Age 27

185 Weight 171

6'0 Height 6'2

74" Reach 78"

 -140 Odds +110

Common opponents: none

How they got here: Belfort was in vintage form in his last fight against Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133 where he got the TKO win in the 1st Round.  Johnson is making his UFC Middleweight debut on a 2 fight win streak in the Welterweight division, the last being a TKO over Charlie Brenneman at UFC Live 6.

What to expect: A move to the middleweight division was thought to put the weight issues for Johnson behind but unfortunately medical concerns forced his weight cut short and he missed weight.  Belfort though never to back down to a fight elected to continue with the bout as long as Johnson weighed in under 205 on fight day (which he has).  Even without this issue it was thought Johnson may have issues keeping up with Belfort's hand speed and now it should be a glaring concern for Johnson.  One has to think being put in this situation and like his last fight against Dan Hardy Johnson may want to just get through this fight using his size by controlling Belfort on the ground.

My Prediction: Belfort by TKO 1st Round

Rousimar Palhares vs Mike Massenzio

13-3 Record 13-5

31 Age 29

 185 Weight 185

 5'8 Height 6'2

     71" Reach 73.5"

   -475 Odds +380

Common opponents:
Dan Miller
Palhares defeated by Decision at UFC 134 8/27/11
Massenzio defeated by Split Decision at RF 13 4/29/06

How they got here: Palhares is coming off his decision win over Dan Miller at UFC 134 which was his 2nd straight win.  Massenzio is coming off a win over Steve Cantwell at UFC 136 to even his career UFC record to 2-2.

What to expect: It's no secret what Palhares will be looking for and that is yet another submission.  We know what he wants to do but his recent bizarre behavior during fights makes it a little less easier to predict what will happen  but witht that aside this still should be his fight, Massenzio does have a decent ground game but Palhares is just that much better than him and perhaps the whole division as well.

My Prediction: Palhares by Submission 2nd Round

Erick Silva vs Carlo Prater

13-1 Record 29-10-1

27 Age 30

169 Weight 155

5'11 Height 6'0

N/A Reach 71"

-480 Odds +380

Common opponents: none

How they got here: Silva is coming off his impressive UFC debut at UFC 134 where he defeated Luis Ramos by KO in 40 seconds which extended his unbeaten streak to 10 fights.  The veteran Prater is finally making his UFC debut while currently on a 4 fight win streak.

What to expect: Prater's experience could come into play but Silva being one of the biggest prospects in any weight class for the UFC should be able come out aggressively and look for another quick KO.

My Prediction: Silva by TKO 1st Round

Edson Barboza vs Terry Etim

9-0 Record 15-3

25 Age 26

155 Weight 156

5'11 Height 6'1

75" Reach 73"

 -255 Odds +210

Common opponents: none

How they got here: Barboza extended his undefeated streak to 9 with a win over Ross Pearson at the last UFC event in Brazil UFC 134.  Etim returned to action after more than a year layoff at UFC 138 where he defeated Edward Faaloloto by submission.

What to expect: The front runner for Fight Of The Night should see a battle between these 2 tall Lightweights no matter where the fight may end up.

My Prediction: Barboza by TKO 2nd Round


Prelim Predictions:
Sam Stout vs Thiago Tavares- Stout by Decision
Gabriel Gonzaga vs Ednaldo Oliveira- Oliveira by TKO 1st Round
Yuri Alcantara vs Michihiro Omigawa- Alcantara by Decision
Ricardo Funch vs Mike Pyle- Pyle by Submission 2nd Round
Felipe Arantes vs Antonio Carvalho- Carvalho by Decision

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