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Dileno Lopes has excelled on the regional scene. | Photo: Marcelo Alonso/Sherdog.com

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: M. Alonso/Sherdog.com

Vieira shines on the ground.

‘The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4’ Bantamweight Final
Reginaldo Vieira (12-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Dileno Lopes (18-1, 0-0 UFC)

THE MATCHUP: Sao Paulo’s Vieira takes on Nova Uniao product and former top prospect Lopes in an excellent bantamweight final, at least by the somewhat diminished standards of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Lopes was thought to be the top flyweight prospect in the world several years ago, but a knockout loss to Rony Mariano Bezerra in the opening round of the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” sent him back to the regionals for another long stint, and it is now or never to realize his potential. Vieira is less touted, but his 12-3 record is misleading. All three of his losses have come against legitimate competition, including current UFC fighters Bezerra and Pedro Munhoz.

Vieira is a talented athlete with authoritative takedowns and a pathologically aggressive submission game. His striking is willing but limited, with a preference for winging head-body combinations and punching his way into his shots or the clinch. Lopes is a well-rounded and dangerous fighter. The southpaw has a good feel for the counter and throws nice blitzing combinations with real power, but he is handicapped by his lack of height and reach. The real meat of his game lies in his powerful takedowns, smooth scrambling ability and his nose for the submission.

BETTING ODDS: Lopes (-300), Vieira (+250)

THE PICK: This should be a fun fight, because the aggressive Vieira will be perfectly willing to engage the more cautious Lopes in the pocket, the clinch and on the mat. I think Lopes’ counter combinations and smoother, more diverse wrestling and grappling game should be the difference. The pick is Lopes by submission in the second round.

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