Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Bigfoot vs. Mir’

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WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTS

Jessica Andrade (12-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. Marion Reneau (5-1, 1-0 UFC): Rock ’em sock ’em robot Andrade gets an interesting matchup in relative newcomer Reneau, who won her Octagon debut a little over a month ago at UFC 182. Andrade fights like a female John Lineker, dropping a steady stream of powerful head-body punching combinations but with the added wrinkle of slick trips and throws from the clinch and a solid top game. Despite being substantially older than the average prospect at 37, Reneau is an awesome athlete, with quick hands, good balance and plus power. She wrestles fairly well and boasts a strong top game, to boot. Despite Reneau’s physical gifts and power, I like Andrade’s experience and consistent offensive output here. Andrade by decision is the pick.

WELTERWEIGHTS

William Macario (7-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Matt Dwyer (7-2, 0-1 UFC): “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2” finalist Macario gets a bounce-back opportunity after a loss to the rising Neil Magny, drawing Canadian banger Dwyer in a probable loser-leaves-town matchup. Macario is mostly a boxer, and when he finds a good rhythm, he unleashes a steady stream of straight rights and left hooks with more than a little pop behind them. He defends takedowns reasonably well and can bomb away from top position, though he is fairly raw. Dwyer is freakishly long for a welterweight at 6-foot-4 but prefers to brawl with punching combinations and in the clinch; he is dangerous offensively, but defense is nothing more than an afterthought. If Macario can make it through the Canadian’s reach -- and he should be to unless Dwyer has fundamentally changed his game -- the Brazilian will put serious leather on Dwyer’s dome. Macario by knockout in the second round is the pick.

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Tiago dos Santos e Silva (19-4-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Mike de la Torre (12-4, 0-1 UFC): Team Nogueira product “Trator” takes on de la Torre, who is likely on the chopping block after dropping his UFC debut and having a second loss turned to a no-contest because of Brian Ortega’s positive post-UFC on Fox 12 steroid test. “Trator” is a powerful and athletic youngster just coming into his prime, and he combines a solid striking game with decent wrestling and a strong base in jiu-jitsu. De la Torre is an aggressive sprawl-and-brawler with a high-output headhunting game, and he defends takedowns fairly well. This will probably be a striking battle, and in that scenario, I favor the Brazilian’s power and proven ability to counter over de la Torre’s swarming style. The pick is Silva by entertaining decision.

WELTERWEIGHTS

Wendell de Oliveira Marques (24-8, 0-1 UFC) vs. T.J. Waldburger (16-9, 4-4 UFC): This is likely the last chance for both Marques, who dropped his UFC debut to Santiago Ponzinibbio in September, and Waldburger, who has lost two in a row by knockout. Marques is a bricked-up guy who is every bit as powerful as he appears, whipping low kicks and vicious punching combinations with some skill on the counter. Waldburger is pretty solid from a skill perspective -- he can sling punching combinations on the feet, wrestle fairly well and hunts for submissions on the ground -- but he is handicapped by his abysmal defense and suspect chin. The most likely outcome involves the Brazilian putting heavy leather on Waldburger and stopping him, so the pick is Marques by knockout in the first round.

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Douglas Silva de Andrade (22-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Cody Gibson (12-5, 1-2 UFC): American wrestler Gibson takes on de Andrade in a potentially entertaining bantamweight scrap. The Brazilian debuted as a featherweight against Zubaira Tukhugov a year ago and lost a competitive decision, while Gibson walked himself into a Manny Gamburyan guillotine in his most recent fight. A potent striker with decent wrestling and grappling skills, de Andrade is an incredible natural talent with great speed, strength and power. Gibson relies on his scramble-based takedown and top control games, though he, too, has some pop in his hands. I think the American can impose his offensive wrestling, and if so, Gibson should win a clear decision.

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Ivan Jorge (25-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Josh Shockley (11-3, 0-1 UFC): Brazilian grinder Jorge meets American Shockley in a last-chance matchup for both fighters. Jorge beat Keith Wisniewski in his debut but dropped a decision to Rodrigo Damm a year ago, while Shockley was submitted in the first round by Canadian Jason Saggo in June. The Brazilian is relatively well-rounded but lacks a terribly dangerous skill set, and his wrestling, in particular, is more relentless than proficient. If he can get into the clinch or get on top, however, he excels at grinding away. Shockley is decent to below average everywhere, but he can snag the occasional submission in transition. Neither fighter is exactly what you would call awesome, but Jorge should be able to impose his grinding approach and wear down Shockley. The pick is Jorge by submission in the second round.

Follow Sherdog.com preview expert Patrick Wyman on Twitter.

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