#10 Ovince St. Preux (OSP) (16-6-0) has a chance to knock off one of legends of mixed martial arts tomorrow night in his own country.
Smarting off a unanimous decision loss to Ryan Bader that exposed cardio issues, he is anxious to show he’s learned.
#9 Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (22-9-0) has been fighting forever, but he’s 32-years-old, a year older than OSP. He has three losses in his last four fights. You can see why OSP is licking his lips.
Which Shogun Rua will show up tonight?
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman is away, so Kenai Andrews checks in to share his thoughts on the main card matchups.
Courtesy UFC/Zuffa LLC
JULIANA “HU THAI” LIMA (6-2-0) VS NINA ANSAROFF (6-3-0)
Opponents Juliana Lima and Nina Ansaroff face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh in at Sabiazinho Gymnasium on November 7, 2014 in Uberlandia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Andrews: Carneiro is 5 years older than Ansaroff and has a UFC fight under her belt. She’s also faced some decent composition in Invicta, losing to current champion Katja Kankaanpaa. She should be able to work out a decision win. Ansaroff comes in from a long 11-month layoff with a nice win streak and is more powerful, but the UFC jitters will slow her down.
Andrews Prediction: JULIANA “HU THAI” LIMA VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
CLAUDIO “HANNIBAL” SILVA (10-1-0) VS LEON “ROCKY” EDWARDS (8-1-0)
Opponents Claudio Silva of Brazil and Leon Edwards of England face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Sabiazinho Gymnasium on November 7, 2014 in Uberlandia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Andrews: The classic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace against a BAMMA striker with submissions. This is Edwards first fight in the big dance, and he’s flying to Brazil to face a guy with UFC experience. I think Silva will take Edwards down and grind him before Edwards can pile up the points striking.
Andrews Prediction: Claudio “Hannibal” Smith Silva via unanimous decision.
WARLLEY ALVES (8-0-0) VS ALAN “BRAHMA” JOUBAN (10-2-0)
Opponents Warlley Alves and Alan Jouban face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Sabiazinho Gymnasium on November 7, 2014 in Uberlandia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Andrews: Alves is the TUF 3 Brazil winner with a decent ground game. Jouban is coming off an impressive win over Seth Baczynski and needs to keep the fight on the feet to win. Jouban will stay off the ground long enough to pile up the points.
Andrews Prediction: Alan “Brahma” Jouban via split-decision.
#3 IAN “UNCLE CREEPY” MCCALL (13-4-1) VS #6 “HANDS OF STONE” JOHN LINEKER (24-7-0)
NOTE: FIGHT IS CANCELLED DUE TO MCCALL TAKING ILL AFTER THE WEIGH-INS
MAIN EVENT
MAURICIO “SHOGUN” RUA (22-9-0) VS #10 OVINCE SAINT PREUX (16-6-0)
Opponents Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua of Brazil and Ovince Saint Preux of the United States face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Sabiazinho Gymnasium on November 7, 2014 in Uberlandia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Andrews: The question is: Which version of these fighters will show up tonight? Rua tends to perform better in Brazil, yet OSP is motivated to redeem himself for his last fight. A motivated Rua can still beat anyone, but I think his cardio will be his Achilles heel tonight. OSP will outlast Shogun and grind out a less-than-impessive win.
Andrews Prediction: Ovince St. Preux via unanimous decision.
