Pre-Fight UFC 112: Bone Snapping Action, Two Title Bouts, And Insurmountable Odds? Anything Can Happen

Share on Facebook posted 04-09-10 by Jerry Del Priore

Diehard MMA fans, including myself, will finally get what they have been craving for at 112 INVINCIBLE on Saturday, April 10 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: two title bouts in one night. But let’s face it, neither of the championship fights are going to be classic matches, with unproven challengers facing insurmountable odds all night long — and possibly great losses of blood. Middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva will take on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Demian Maia in the Main Event. Vitor Belfort was scheduled to face Silva for the Middleweight Championship. However, Belfort injured his shoulder during training, forcing him to miss the event. UFC was hoping Chael Sonnen could step in and fight Silva but he couldn’t due to a large cut suffered at UFC 109 thus setting up the present match-up. In the Co-Main Event, Lightweight champion BJ “The Prodigy” Penn will defend his strap against New Jersey wrestler Frankie “The Answer” Edgar. If that isn’t enough to satisfy UFC fans’ bloodlust, two MMA greats will clash for the first time when future UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes battles mat fighting master Renzo Gracie.

Anderson “The Spider” Silva vs. Demian Maia

Silva (25-4-0) is a phenomenal striker, probably one of the best in the sport, and should be able to use that ability to keep Maia, who is a submission specialist, from taking the fight to the ground. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Spiderman-loving fighter sends his opponent sprawling to the mat in the first few minutes of the first round, ending it before a reasonable amount of crimson juice gets a chance to decorate the canvas.

However, if Maia (12-1-0) is able to survive Silva’s upright onslaught and the battle does wind up on the mat, the 185-pound Silva is a more than capable grappler. I don’t think he will spend any significant time on his back or stomach. He holds a lot more experience over Maia, and is too smart and determined to let that happen.

Winner: Silva

BJ “The Prodigy” Penn vs. Frankie “The Answer” Edgar

Penn (15-5-1) is a proven competitor, and is arguably the best lightweight in the world at the moment. The Hawaiian is one of the most accomplished Jiu-Jitsu athletes in America and the first non-Brazilian to win the world crown at the black belt level, a monumental feat he achieved at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 2000. Penn should be able to author a victory over Edgar, using his exceptional submission skills to force his adversary to eventually tap out.

Penn has captured two championships at two different weight classes, snatching the Welterweight title from the heavily-favored Hughes in 2004 at UFC 46 with a rear naked choke hold at the four-minute mark of the first round. This win is clear evidence of his superior submission abilities, and that he can send any opponent off to dreamland at any point in a match.

Edgar (11-1-0) is relatively a newcomer to MMA, with just a year and a half of competition under his belt. Although he’s steadily improving, it makes me scratch my cranium and wonder why he has a title shot at this juncture of his young career. Is it because the UFC’s lightweight division is thin at the moment? Perhaps, but anything can happen on any given night in the confines of the hellacious Octagon. We’ll see.

Winner: Penn

Matt Hughes takes on Renzo Gracie

In my opinion, this will be the fight to eyeball. Unlike the two championship bouts, which favor the champions, Hughes and Gracie are more evenly matched.

Hughes (44-7-0) is a pure beast, with a freakishly amount of physical strength and power packed into his 170-pound frame. He also possesses incredible technical fighting skills, and is well-schooled in takedowns and wrestling (he was a four-time collegiate All-American at Lincoln Community College and Eastern Illinois University). At 36 Hughes has the youth advantage over the 43-year old Gracie. But MMA competitors are known for defying father time (see Randy Couture). Hughes, however, has won two UFC World Welterweight Championships, while Gracie hasn’t.

On the positive side for Gracie (13-6-1, 1 NC), he’s very difficult to take to the ground, and that’s where his adversary shines, as I stated earlier. He’s also incredible on the canvas, with a dazzling array of submission moves. Plus, he’s tough as a week-old steak left out in the dessert sun to bake. It also speaks volumes that he comes from the legendary Gracie family, who is credited by many martial art experts for pioneering the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu movement. His father is Robson Gracie, and uncle is Rolls Gracie.

In the end, though, Hughes’ physical prowess will help him prevail over Gracie.

Winner: Hughes

UFC…Bone-snapping action. Blood-splattering fun at its best!

Note: Due to the time zone difference in Abu Dhabi, UFC 112 will air live on PPV in the United States at 1PM ET (10AM PT), with a replay at the regular time of 10PM ET (7PM PT).