UFC Heavyweight Title Bout: Cain Velasquez vs. Bigfoot Silva
Odds: ( -800 Velasquez / +500 Silva )
Betting Pick: Velasquez in a Parlay Bet
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In the main event of UFC 160, Cain Velasquez will look to defend his newly-recaptured UFC Heavyweight Title against former Strikeforce kingpin Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva. These are two large, bruising Heavyweights who are both adept at hurting opponents with their striking and their grappling, so no matter how this plays out it has all the makings of a brutal and competitive main event.
Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva was one of Strikeforce’s top players at Heavyweight, and he has parlayed his Strikeforce success into an impressive UFC stint. The last time he squared off against Velasquez, in May of 2012, Silva was destroyed with strikes about midway through the first round. If he wants his second shot at the champion to end better, he is going to have to find a way to neutralize Velasquez’s striking and impose his own will on the fight. Velasquez is an accomplished wrestler and grappler, but if Silva can find a way to plant him on his back, he has all of the tools necessary to dominate Velasquez in top position. Silva is a punishing striker, but he lacks the accuracy and hand speed that make Velasquez so formidable. If he wants to leave a champion, he is going to have to find a way to force Velasquez into a disadvantageous position.
UFC Heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez earned his title back with a crushing, one-sided decision over Junior dos Santos, the man who originally defeated him to capture his title. Velasquez is one of the most formidable offensive fighters in the UFC Heavyweight division, and is equally dangerous when letting his hands go or using his wrestling to dictate the position of fights. Standing or on the ground, Velasquez is a constant threat to finish fights at all times. He’s already proven that his striking is going to be difficult for Silva to handle, so the most important thing here is for him to control his aggression and fight smart. Velasquez’s chin can be exploited, and if Silva can wind up one of his huge power punches, the champion could be in trouble. If he utilizes his speed, though, and refuses to allow Silva to secure takedowns, he will be in a great position to successfully defend his title.
As compelling a matchup as this is, I don’t see any real reason to expect it to end differently than their first fight. No one can doubt that Silva is a dangerous fighter with fight-ending potential standing and on the ground, but Velasquez is just better at everything and also substantially faster and lighter on his feet. I don’t see a way for Silva to avoid being beaten to the punch consistently and outworked on the feet. Eventually, Velasquez’s power will prove too much, and the champion will defend his title with a T/KO victory.
Prediction: Cain Velasquez by third round T/KO.
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