UFC 147 ‘Silva vs. Franklin 2’ Preview
The Prelims
Featherweights
John Teixeira da Conceicao (13-0-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Hugo Viana (5-0, 0-0 UFC): A professional for just two years, Viana has yet to find his killer instinct, as he has five decision victories in as many appearances. However, he did score a knockout of Alexandre Ramos in an elimination-round bout on the reality show. Teixeira, who suffered a split-decision setback to Rodrigo Damm in the quarterfinals, has finished nine of his 13 victims by submission. Teixeira wins by third-round submission.
Featherweights
Felipe Arantes (14-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Miltin Viera (13-7-1, 0-0 UFC): Viera is often credited as the innovator of the anaconda choke and has previously claimed to know 32 variations of the hold. Arantes was solid in defeating Shooto vet Antonio Carvalho at UFC 142, as he rallied from giving up full mount in the opening round to take a unanimous verdict. Arantes will prove to be too creative on the mat, as he wins by submission in round two.
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Middleweights
Francisco Drinaldo (10-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Delson Heleno (23-6, 0-0 UFC): One of Sherdog.com’s top prospects of 2010, Drinaldo captured the Jungle Fight lightweight championship with a victory over Dream veteran Adriano Martins last year. Heleno, meanwhile, was one of the most experienced contestants on “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil,” with victories over the likes of Jorge Patino, Jake Ellenberger and Tyler Stinson over the course of a career that began in 2001. A natural lightweight, “Massaranduba” will struggle to win positional battles against a veteran opponent. Heleno wins by decision.
Middleweights
Leonardo Mafra Texeira (5-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Thiago de Oliveira Perpetuo (8-1-1, 0-0 UFC): Perpetuo bullied opponents on the show, using his size advantage to wear them down with ground-and-pound before a high kick from Cezar “Mutante” ended his run. Teixeira, meanwhile, has scored first-round stoppages in his last two official fights and put forth a game effort against “Mutante.” Perpetuo’s size edge will prove to be too much, as he wears down Teixeira to earn a third-round TKO.
Featherweights
Marcos Vinicius (19-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Wagner Campos (11-3, 0-0 UFC): Pancini received a second chance when Rodrigo Damm was unable to compete in the semifinals against Godofredo de Oliveira. Though he lost to “Pepey” via armbar, Pancini displayed a resilient attitude throughout the bout in battling through multiple submission attempts. Campos, while possibly nursing an undisclosed injury, failed to mount enough offense to get past de Oliveira in the quarterfinals. Pancini wins by decision.
Featherweights
Rodrigo Damm (9-5, 0-0 UFC) vs. Anistavio Medeiros de Figueiredo (15-7, 0-0 UFC): One of the best-known competitors on the show due to his time with Strikeforce and Sengoku, Damm was forced to withdraw from the competition after suffering kidney damage from dehydration. “Gasparzinho” emerged as one of the biggest characters of the season, but it should be noted that he also has displayed wicked submission skills over the course of his career, earning 12 of his 15 victories via tapout. Damm earns a closely contested decision victory.
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