UFC Fight Night 29 is coming live from Brazil tonight, and just like other Brazilian cards, it features a number of athletes from that country. However, there are four fights in particular featuring native Brazilians that are worth watching, not because they are expected to be exciting bouts, but because they are very important within their respective weight classes. For these athletes, winning these bouts could place them in the top ten of their weight classes, or even on the next contenders list.
Mike Pierce and Rousimar Palhares are due to do battle in the welterweight division in a fight pitting two very dangerous style match-ups against each other.
Pierce is an anomaly within the weight class, as he is not a top 10 fighter, but is a tough out for anyone within the welterweight division. He’s lost three times in the Octagon — decision defeats to Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, and Johny Hendricks — three names that stay among the highest rankings in the weight class. If he can put away Palhares and do so with a highlight reel knockout finish, it would be hard to deny him placement among the top ten of the weight class.
With two straight defeats on his ledger, Palhares needs this win, or he could find himself on the way out of the UFC. Moving down to 170, “Toquinho” has a tough test in front of him, because Pierce has the wrestling ability to stifle his BJJ attacks. In most of his fights, everyone knows Palhares’s game plan of going for leg locks, but he’s so good in that position that it’s often hard to stop him. One quick scramble on the mat can open up the positioning needed to coax the tap out. However, Pierce has shown the ability to be smart in these positions in the past.
T.J. Dillashaw and Raphael Assuncao could be fighting for a shot at Renan Barao when they meet tonight. Both competitors are riding four-fight win streaks and are finishing opponents along the way.
The Team Alpha Male standout Dillashaw has knocked out two opponents in a row while submitting the opponent before that. Since his 2011 defeat to John Dodson, he’s grown into a fighter worth watching in the bantamweight division. The addition to Duane Ludwig to the TAM camp has made that group more dangerous with their hands, and Dillashaw has proven that in his two 2013 outings.
Assuncao has quietly climbed the ladder at 135, though he’s finished two of his last four opponents. His last defeat came at featherweight, to Erik Koch at UFC 128, where he fell to an aggressive fighter who can put power shots together. Dillashaw will likely be the underdog going into this fight, but he has the tools and the instructor to take advantage of Assuncao’s main weakness.
Erick Silva vs. Dong Hyun Kim is the co-main event of the card, and the first of two bouts featuring four accomplished grapplers.
While most appreciate Silva for his high-level striking, which he will most likely employ against the Korean standout, he also has the ground abilities to survive on the mat against Kim’s Judo attack. Kim has been very consistent in the welterweight division since 2008, but he has never been recognized as a potential title challenger. He recently defeated another dangerous striker in Siyar Bahadurzada, and has shown that he can deal with opponents who like to bring pressure on the feet.
Silva has to be careful not to be controlled like he was against Fitch back at UFC 153. The wrestler was able to apply the pressure that wore the Brazilian down in the second and third rounds of the contest. Expect Silva to come out quickly with the intention of ending this fight in the first round, because the longer it goes, the more it plays into Kim’s game plan. A win for either fighter can place him on the short list of welterweight contenders.
Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields is a grappling fan’s fantasy in the main event. While this has all the makings to be a slow fight that is contested on the ground, the level of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that is set to be on display will excite many who enjoy that aspect of mixed martial arts.
What’s important to note is that in fights like this, the striking game tends to come into play, as both athletes will have the skills to stifle their opponent’s ground attacks. If that occurs, Maia holds the advantage, as his striking has consistently improved over the years. While he has re-dedicated himself to his grappling roots since moving down to 170, do not be surprised if Maia shows his kickboxing skills against Shields, who has often struggled on the feet.
A clear cut victory for Maia can position him as the next contender for the winner of the Hendricks vs. Georges St. Pierre matchup later this year.
UFC Fight Night 29 is a very solid card featuring some main card bouts worth paying attention to. Each one of the fighters mentioned are close to key ranking positions within their weight classes, so walking out of the Octagon tonight with wins under their respective belts has become that much more important. Whether or not these contests will be exciting to watch at all times, all of them are worth paying attention to.
**********
UFC Fight Night 29: Maia vs. Shields is due to take place on October 9, 2013 at the Ginasio Poliesportivo Jose Correa in Barueri, Brazil.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 29 will be.
