UFC Fight Night 36 Main Card Predictions
Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 36 is all about the night’s main card and more importantly the final two bouts. The two middleweight fights slotted in co-main and main event could determine the next fighter in line for a title shot or set up a potential number one contenders bout between the two winners.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida will make his second appearance as a middleweight when he faces off against the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi in the night’s main event. Mousasi hasn’t fought at middleweight in a long time but when he did he was considered to be one of the best in the world.
The UFC Fight Night 36 co-main event will feature Ronaldo Souza making his third UFC appearance against Francis Carmont, who is 6-0 in the UFC. Souza has been running through his opponents of late, scoring four consecutive first round finishes and will look to earn a potential title shot with another win.
UFC fight Night 36 will take place at the Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The main card will feature five bouts and will air live on FOX Sports 1 starting at 7:30pm PT / 10:30pm ET. Here is a look at the night’s main card along with my predictions for the bouts.
Main Card:
145 lbs.: Andy Ogle vs. Charles Oliveira – Charles Oliveira
- On paper this fight looks to be a mis-match in favor of Oliveria but we cannot forget about the heart and grit of Andy Ogle. Ogle is just 1-2 in the UFC but in all three of those bouts he’s forced his opponent off their game plan and if Oliveira cannot adapt he’ll be in for a long night. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Andy Ogle grind out a split decision but Oliveira needs a win badly in front of his countrymen. ogle will show lots of heart but in the end Charles Oliveira will lock on a submission in the second round.
170 lbs.: Viscardi Andrade vs. Nicholas Musoke – Viscardi Andrade
- Tough match-up here as both fighters look to improve to 2-0 inside the Octagon. Don’t overlook this bout because the names might not jump out at you. Andrade might have a slight advantage on the ground but I don’t see either fighter locking in a submission. Should the fight remain standing the power that Andrade has could hand Musoke his first knockout. Look for Musoka to try to take the fight to the ground right away, which will either get stuffed or Andrade will quickly get back to his feet. Viscardi Andrade could end this fight by TKO off a failed takedown attempt but decision is more likely.
170 lbs.: Takenori Sato vs. Erick Silva – Erick Silva
- Silva hasn’t fared well of late inside the Octagon, going just 2-3 in his last five bouts. Fighting again in his home country, he’ll face the UFC newcomer Takenori Sato. While Sato hasn’t lost in nearly four years the matchup favors the Brazilian. Silva has the clear advantage in the bout, with the better ground game and heavier hands. With that being said I don’t see a finish but a one-sided decision for Erick Silva.
185 lbs.: Francis Carmont vs. Ronaldo Souza – Ronaldo Souza
- Since moving over with the Strikeforce merger Ronaldo Souza has looked incredible. His first round TKO of former title contender Yushin Okami in his last bout has vaulted him into title contention. Carmont is no slouch though and is undefeated (6-0) in the UFC and is riding an 11 fight winning streak. Carmont does not want to go to the ground with Jacare, even if he’s the one on top. His best chances to win this fight will be an early knockout or earn another close decision. Souza has been on fire and I cannot see the fight going the distance, Ronaldo Souza wins via Submission.
185 lbs.: Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi – Lyoto Machida
- This fight has major potential to be a letdown following the UFC Fight Night 36 co-main event. Mousasi is an enigma, having looked so dominate during his DREAM days but over his last five Strikeforce/UFC he’s looked average. The former UFC light heavyweight champion (Machida) though looked very impressive in his middleweight debut by destroying Mark Munoz. Unless Mousasi can channel his old self I don’t see many outs for him to win. Look for a slow fight early on before Machida begins to dictate the action and eventually winning via TKO in the later rounds.
The UFC Fight night 36 preliminary card will air live on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET). The card will feature seven bouts and here are the matchups:
155 lbs.: Cristiano Marcello vs. Joe Proctor
155 lbs.: Rodrigo Damm vs. Ivan Jorge
155 lbs.: Jesse Ronson vs. Francisco Trinaldo
135 lbs.: Yuri Alcantara vs. Wilson Reis
145 lbs.: Felipe Arantes vs. Maximo Blanco
170 lbs.: Ildemar Alcantara vs. Albert Tumenov
145 lbs.: Douglas de Andrade vs. Zubair Tuhugov
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