By TXMMA Staff | Photo: Josh Hedges / Zuffa via Getty Images
Middleweights Lyoto Machida and Gegard Mousasi headline UFC FN 36; Ronaldo Jacare faces Francis Cormont in co-main event
February 14, 2014 – The UFC is headed south (way south) this weekend for UFC Fight Night 36, scheduled for the Arena Jaragua in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The event features two pivotal middleweight contender matches up top with Lyoto “Dragon” Machida taking on “Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi for a potential future shot at the middleweight title. Meanwhile Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza continues to climb the middleweight ladder as well and will take on fellow contender Francis Carmont with their goals hinged on climbing the rankings as well.
UFC Fight Night 36 also includes prospects like Charles Oliviera and Erick Silva along with a few other emerging talents so this card should be an exciting one on FOX Sports 1.
Let’s break down every fight on tap for UFC Fight Night 36 in further detail.
UFC Fight night 36 – Main Card Preview and Predictions
185 lbs.: Lyoto Machida (20-4) vs. Gegard Mousasi (34-3-2)
Dutchman Gegard Mousasi has been out for nearly a year since besting Ilir Latifi in his UFC debut. He’s also fought sparingly since 2011 so many people forget who he is and what he accomplished earlier on in his career fighting primarily in Japan. This fight against a streaking Lyoto Machida would be just what he needs if he wants to re-cement himself as a contender.
Speaking on “The Dragon.” He’ll be looking to continue on with his momentum after starching Mark Munoz with a head kick knockout in his time out. A win here could put him next in line for the middleweight title currently held by Chris Weidman.
When it comes to styles, these two are both strikers but the way they do things is different. Mousasi is definitely a kickboxer and a strong one at that training by way of the Netherlands. He’s an aggressive but patient fighter and doesn’t like to over commit. Against Machida he’ll be facing another counter-striker so how it plays out will be interesting and who wins could depend on who finds their timing faster in order to exploit the other’s defenses. With a body of work that has been much more impressive overall and specifically as of later, Lyoto would seem to have the head up here but this fight might prove to be closer than most people think.
Prediction: Lyoto Machida over Gegard Mousasi by decision.
185 lbs.: Ronaldo Jacare Souza (19-3) vs. Francis Carmont (22-7)
Any previous doubt that Ronaldo Jacare Souza might not be a legit contender were erased in his last outing when he dispatched former #1 contender Yushin Okami in short fashion. I mean, he literally ran through him for the first round TKO. It’s his second such win using his striking with Derek Brunson also falling victim to the ever-improving Brazilian. As for his opponent, Francis Carmont has also looked impressive lately and dominated Costas Philippou for the decision in his last bout. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to handle Jacare like he did Costas. Jacare is on a whole different plane when it comes to grappling. Couple that with the fact that a win here can put him in top 3 contender status in the division and a motivated Souza won’t have any problems winning this fight.
Prediction: Ronaldo Jacare Souza over Francis Carmont by submission.
170 lbs.: Takenori Sato (17-8) vs. Erick Silva (15-4)
Once looked at as a ‘can’t miss’ future star, Erick Silva is now in comeback mode following his last fight, a big KO loss to “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim. He’ll be facing an opponent who hasn’t lost in 10 fight in JMMA vet and current Pancrase champion Takenori Sato. Despite his impressive win streak, Sato shouldn’t pose too many problems for the the dynamic Brazilian. Expect him to land the win in his home turf.
Prediction: Erick Silva over Takenori Sato by TKO.
170 lbs.: Viscardi Andrade (17-5) vs. Nicholas Musoke (11-2)
The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2 alum Viscardi Andrade takes on Nico Musoke in a battle of two guys looking to establish their careers in the UFC. Both are pretty evenly matched on paper but this seems to be one of those fights where we won’t know who’s got the upper hand until we see it play out. With the varied offenses of both men this fight can literally happen anywhere. Not the most surefire bet but we’re leaning on Andrade for the win.
Prediction: Viscardi Andrade over Nicholas Musoke by decision.
145 lbs.: Andy Ogle (9-3) vs. Charles Oliveira (16-4)
Finally Charles Oliveira gets a little respite from top competition after some tough losses to Cub Swanson and Frankie Edgar. Not that Andy Ogle is a cypcake but he’s likely not on the level those other two were. “do Bronx” should have the advantage here no matter where the fight goes (striking or ground). He has decent takedown defense as well so this fight should be his as long as he doesn’t make any glaring errors and get grinded for three rounds.
Prediction: Charles Oliveira over Andy Ogle by TKO.
UFC Fight night 36 – Prelim Undercard Preview and Predictions
155 lbs.: Cristiano Marcello (13-5) vs. Joe Proctor (8-2)
The BJJ coach for the once-formidable Chute Boxe squad since before the Pride FC days, Cristiano Marcello arrived into the UFC by way of TUF not too long ago but he’s definitely on the ‘winding down’ side of his career. Meanwhile Joe Proctor is still a young prospect on his way up. As long as he can keep this standing them he should be able to cruise to the decision.
Prediction: Joe Proctor over Cristiano Marcello by decision.
155 lbs.: Rodrigo Damm (11-6) vs. Ivan Jorge (25-3)
Rodrigo Damm enters this bout with less bouts than his opponent still somehow looks like the more weary fighter compared to his opponent. Ivan Jorge is a submission specialist with 11 victories by submission so he’s dangerous too. Could be a close fight. Could also be a snoozer.
Prediction: Ivan Jorge over Rodrigo Damm by decision.
155 lbs.: Francisco Trinaldo (13-3) vs. Jesse Ronson (13-3)
Francisco Trinaldo is coming off a submission loss to Piotr Hallmann and looking to redeem himself while Jesse Ronson is is looking to do the same after getting outgrappled by Michel Richard dos Prazeres. Francisco should have the strength advantage here. If he can hang out cardio-wise for three rounds then this fight should be his.
Prediction: Francisco Trinaldo over Jesse Ronson by TKO.
135 lbs.: Iuri Alcantara (28-5) vs. Wilson Reis (17-4)
Two veterans colliding here with Wilson Reis coming in to take on Iuri Alcantara, Both guys are great grapplers. Reis might be the better pure BJJ guy but Alcantara is the more well-rounded mixed martial artist and has KO power as well, knocking out recent title challenger Ricardo Lamas with one punch while both were in WEC. He’s also 2 inches taller than Reis so I expect this one to go in his favor.
Prediction: Iuri Alcantara over Wilson Reis by TKO.
145 lbs.: Felipe Arantes (15-6-1) vs. Maximo Blanco (9-5-1)
This is another bout pitting an aging vet in Maximo Blanco against a younger fighter in Felipe Arantes. Those that have followed him for awhile know that Blanco has the talent to do well in MMA but he’s also prone to mental lapses that make him do things like illegally kneeing Akura Corassani in the head to cause him a loss. Talent-wise he should win this fight but who knows, he might beat himself yet again.
Prediction: Maximo Blanco over Felipe Arantes by TKO.
170 lbs.: Ildemar Alcantara (19-6) vs. Albert Tumenov (12-1)
22-year-old Albert Tumenov arrives into the UFC after winning 8 straight fights in Russia / Eastern Europe. Rumor has it that he’s a beast on his feet and should be looked at as one of the better prospects to come along in awhile, much in the same mold as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Rustam khabilov, Meanwhile, his opponent Ildemar Alcantara is coming off a loss to Igor Araujo late last year but won 13 out of 14 before that. Always hard to predict fights involving guys coming in for their octagon debuts but we’ll buy the hype on Tumenov for now.
Prediction: Albert Tumenov over Ildemar Alcantara by TKO.
145 lbs.: Douglas Silva de Andrade (22-0) vs. Zubair Tuhugov (15-3)
Douglas Silva will be stepping in on short notice for this one after an injury to veteran Thiago Tavares. The Jungle Fight vet Is an impressive 22-0 heading in so he might be one to watch. Meanwhile Zubair Tuhugov is also debuting and has won his last 6 so he might be the one to make an impact too. This one could come down to a coinflip but we’ll cautiously go with the Chechan Tuhugov for the win.
Prediction: Zubair Tuhugov over Douglas Silva by TKO.