UFC Sao Paulo predictions: Late ‘Prelims’ undercard preview | Almeida vs. Lewis

The inimitable Derrick Lewis answers the call this Saturday (Nov. 4, 2023) when he battles seemingly unstoppable Heavyweight prospect, Jailton Almeida, on quick discover. Sao Paulo’s Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Brazil additionally performs host to a traditional “Striker vs. Grappler” matchup pitting Armen Petrosyan in opposition to Rodolfo Vieira and Ismael Bonfim’s try to bounce again in opposition to Vinc Pichel.

We’ve obtained three extra UFC Sao Paulo “Prelims” undercard bouts to look at (checkout the first batch here) and no time to waste. Let’s dig in …

155 lbs.: Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics

Elves Brener (15-3) defied large odds to beat Zubaira Tukhugov by controversial cut up choice in his UFC debut. He was a equally lopsided underdog in opposition to Guram Kutateladze his subsequent day trip, however survived critical early injury to cease Kutateladze and declare “Combat of the Evening.”

He’ll take pleasure in a three-inch attain benefit over “El Gringo.”

Esteban Ribovics (12-1) wanted simply 90 seconds to flatten Thomas Paull on Contender Sequence and earn a UFC contract. Although he misplaced his undefeated file to late alternative Loik Radzhabov in his UFC debut, he bounced again to overpower Kamuela Kirk 4 months later.

That win marked his first by choice, as he’d knocked out six opponents and submitted one other 5.

I wrote off Brener as one among Chute Boxe’s weaker merchandise forward of his UFC debut and didn’t change my opinion after he inexplicably walked away with the choice, however he confirmed sudden grit, offensive prowess, and wrestling abilities to intestine his well past Kutateladze. Whereas I’m nonetheless not completely bought on him being a contender, I’ll admit that he’s higher than I gave him credit score for.

I nonetheless favor Ribovics right here, although. “El Gringo” has the heavier arms and the stronger chin of the 2, to not point out a wonderful fuel tank to keep away from reenacting Kutateladze’s late meltdown. He’ll overpower Brener in protracted exchanges and might use his patented kimura sweep to get off his again if Brener tries to lean on his wrestling. In the long run, count on a “Combat of the Evening”-type slugfest with Ribovics’ superior firepower carrying the day.

Prediction: Ribovics through second spherical technical knockout

135 lbs.: Victor Hugo vs. Daniel Marcos

After spending two years on the sidelines, Victor Hugo (24-4) returned to motion with three straight finishes. His efforts introduced him to Contender Sequence, the place a slick kneebar end of Eduardo Torres Caut earned him a contract.

“Striker” steps in for Daniel Santos on round 4 weeks’ discover.

Daniel Marcos (15-0) adopted his spectacular Contender Sequence victory over Brandon Lewis by stopping Saimon Oliveira in his UFC debut. “Soncora” entered his sophomore bout with Davey Grant as a slight favourite, however wound up needing a extremely controversial cut up choice to maintain his undefeated file intact.

All eight of his skilled finishes have come through (technical) knockout.

If Marcos retains his foot on this fuel, that is his combat to lose. Certainly, 28 skilled fights have did not sharpen Hugo’s hanging past looping punches and poorly-timed spinning assaults. Marcos can have an enormous edge on the toes and, if his defensive wrestling showcase in opposition to Lewis was any indication, the means to maintain it there.

Once more, that’s assuming Marcos doesn’t sleepwalk by means of the combat like he did in opposition to Grant. Hugo is greater than aggressive sufficient to out-work him if given the possibility. I’ll be an optimist and say Marcos will get his act collectively, shutting down Hugo’s wrestling and touchdown the heavier blows to safe a large choice.

Prediction: Marcos through unanimous choice

170 lbs.: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos’ (24-7) beatdown of Benoit Saint-Denis upped his file to 9-2 in his earlier 11 fights, just for a United States Anti-Doping Company (USADA) suspension to halt his momentum in its monitor. He returned to motion in June 2023, when he edged out Abubakar Nurmagomedov within the fourth cut up choice of his UFC profession.

“Capoeira” provides up one inch every of peak and attain to “Gladiator.”

Rinat Fakhretdinov (21-1) punched his UFC ticket with a one-punch knockout of Octagon veteran Eric Spicely, then kicked off his Octagon tenure with two straight selections. His newest bout proved his most spectacular but, as he clubbed-and-subbed Kevin Lee in lower than one minute.

His skilled finishes are cut up 11:7 between knockouts and submissions.

I used to be a doubter forward of Fakhretdinov’s UFC debut and remained one after he grinded out the very, very restricted Andreas Michailidis. Now, although, I’m beginning to imagine. His mixture of cardio, overpowering wrestling and more and more potent punching seems to be like an actual downside for the division.

On the very least, it’s sufficient to hold him previous “Capoeira.” Fearsome as Zaleski dos Santos will be, his solely dominant efficiency in 4.5 years got here in opposition to a Light-weight in Saint-Denis. I don’t belief him to beat a much bigger, stronger, extra targeted grappler in Fakhretdinov; nevertheless, Zaleski dos Santos did sprawl-and-brawl successfully in opposition to Nurmagomedov, Fakhretdinov is each a greater athlete than Nurmagomedov and way more harmful on the toes, which can go a great distance in direction of opening up his wrestling. In brief, Fakhretdinov’s aggression muzzles Zaleski dos Santos’ offense as he racks up fixed takedowns to comb the scorecards.

Prediction: Fakhretdinov through unanimous choice

“Brazil vs. The World” is at all times a enjoyable theme and this one seems to be prefer it might be memorable. See you Saturday, Maniacs.

Present Prediction Report for 2023: 161-85-1 (4 NC)

Keep in mind that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of all the UFC Sao Paulo combat card proper here, beginning with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, that are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining most important card stability (additionally on ESPN+) at 9 p.m. ET.

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