The UFC’s quest for international markets will bear fruit this weekend in Rio de Janeiro’s HSBC Arena when the promotion returns, arguably, to the sport’s birthplace.
Long time MMA fans will recall the UFC wedged an event between its 17th and 18th galas back in 1998, when the banner wasn’t under Zuffa ownership. In lieu of the various brands since developed by the promotional outfit for their VS or Spike offerings, the event came to be referred to as UFC 17.5. For late comers, they’ll get their bearings if they look up the awesome Belfort finish of Wanderlei Silva. That lightning bolt struck in Sao Paulo.
Media coverage and enthusiasm for the mid-sized event (15 000 seat capacity) reached new heights, surfing on the wave of popularity ensuing from Anderson Silva’s now famous front-kick-to-the-face finish over Belfort last February. UFC honchos witnessed firsthand the fever pitch when yesterday’s weigh-ins gathered more fans than most Fight Night shows.
And to add to the frenzy near the Copa, Yushin Okami’s training partner, Chael Sonnen, has recently taken a liking to talking smack about Brasil. Here’s one guy who won’t be taking a tour of the city’s favelas. Ever.
The top three clashes promise to deliver on the hype, two of those expected to afford the fireworks traditionally associated with rematches (Okami v. Silva and Rua v. Griffin).
Odds for the headlining event, featuring the MW champion Anderson Silva (30-4), are unsurprising as the Spider will enter the Octagon the overwhelming favourite (-500) against his Japanese rival (+350). Following Silva’s near-miss against a dominant wrestler such as Sonnen, it appears odds makers forgot about the lanky athlete’s difficulty to stuff takedowns from capable opponents. This could very well be the champion’s biggest test to date, to quote Yogi Bera who paraphrased the larger lady who ends up singing at the conclusion of all worthwhile ordeals. 
Okami (26-5) is a very technically sound fighter who has learned a great deal since losing to Sonnen nearly two years ago. His fights against feted wrestler Mark Munoz and the not-so-shabby Nate Marquardt showed how much potential Okami possesses.
At +350, Okami constitutes a good buying option. Look for him to close the gap on Silva almost as soon as the opening bell rings, relentlessly pushing the pace and looking for takedowns. There is no other strategy to defeat the best pound-for-pound fighter the sport has seen to date.
The HW bout pitting Brendan Schaub (8-1) to BRA legend, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-6-1-1), remains the only fight on the whole card where the BRA fighter isn’t favoured to win. Somewhat justifiably, after losing two decisive bouts to Mir and current HW champ, Cain Velasquez, Big Nog’s stock dropped. He will be entering the cage the underdog +190 against the recently rebranded “legend slayer” that has become Schaub (-240).
Though Nog’s boxing is better than most, his lack of power will be the determining factor in what will likely end in a TKO or KO climax midway through the bout. Watch for a rare silent moment on the card when the crowd favourite gets felled like a tree. Look for the legend’s chances to improve if the fight drags on. This clash is a likely candidate for either KOTN or FOTN bonuses. 
Lastly, LHW Mauricio Rua (19-5) will face Forrest Griffin (18-6) and attempt to eradicate from recent memory last March’s demolition derby-like loss suffered to current LHW champ Jon Jones. Rua will look to reassert his place among the division’s cream of the crop and avenge the loss that marred his UFC debut, against the same Griffin at UFC 76. Lines have him favoured (-230) against Griffin (+180). Unless Shogun isn’t fully healed from previous injuries, the likelihood of witnessing a UD by the BRA fighter is accurately represented in those odds.
Lines by Betus.com
Picture from Sherdog.com
MMA Zu 