UFC 188: Velasquez vs Werdum - Preview and Predictions

Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (22-4-0) vs Eddie Alvarez (25-4-0)

Gilbert Melendez versus Eddie Alvarez

There is a general feeling that this fight might make away with the Fight of the Night honours, given how evenly matched up these two fighters are. Melendez is a former Strikeforce Champion and Alvarez a former Bellator Lightweight Champion, with both of them are fighting to make a lasting impression on the UFC landscape and remain relevant in the title picture.

Expect an evenly contested fight, both in the stand-up and ground departments. Alvarez perhaps has the edge with striking but Melendez has been in wars before, and does not mind standing up with his opponent and throwing, even if it means he is in the firing line.

Also, expect some decent BJJ from both fighters when the fight goes to the ground. This match could come down to who wants it more at the end of the day as both fighters are well-rounded and equally accomplished.

Prediction: Melendez via Decision

Cain Velasquez (13-1-0) vs Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (19-5-1)

Who will be crowned the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion?

Cain Velasquez has never been much of a talker but is undisputedly “the man” in the UFC right now. Having exposed Lesnar’s glass chin, out-classed Bigfoot twice and brushed away Dos Santos, Velasquez is considered to be in a league of his own in the heavyweight category in the UFC currently. Fabricio Werdum is on a 5 match winning streak and has fought twice in the time that Velasquez was out injured.

The possibility of Velasquez experiencing ring-rust renders this fight slightly more tricky to call, and Werdum wasted no time in highlighting that. Reluctantly almost, Werdum has indulged in sub-standard smack-talking against Velasquez for the purpose of creating hype surrounding the fight, but reports emanating from the Mexican-American’s camp is that instead of getting into his head, Velasquez has been rubbed the wrong way.

Stylistically it is the ridiculously well-rounded Velasquez up against the finest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu exponent he has faced till now in Werdum. Expect Velasquez to have a distinct advantage in striking when standing up, so much so that Werdum has to force a takedown. Despite Werdum knocking out Mark Hunt with a flying knee in his previous fight, I really don’t think his striking game is on the same level as Velasquez, nor do I expect Velasquez to give him the opening that Hunt offered.Expect Werdum to neutralise Velasquez by attempting to take him down and look for a submission, for he has to take the fight to the ground to stand any chance. Velasquez on the other hand, can choose to either keep the fight standing or look for the ground and pound.

In a perfect world Velasquez should win this fight, but if one recalls how Werdum beat Fedor Emilianenko, he took immense punishment on his back, before looking for an armbar that transitioned into a triangle choke to finish the match. Velasquez cannot afford to let his guard slip, even when Werdum is on his back, and has to look to put him away at the first opportunity. This is clearly Velasquez’s fight to lose.

Prediction: Velasquez via TKO, Round 4