UFC 183 emanates live Saturday, January 31, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Last Word on Sports brings you their fight picks and analysis for the event.
Anderson “The Spider” Silva vs. Nick Diaz
James Carlucci, Trent Dozier, Todd Parkinson: Silva
Daniel Richeson: Diaz
“Nick Diaz does nothing but come forward, chin in the air; content to take a shot (or six) to give one. Anderson Silva etched his name in the record books by adding fighters like Diaz to his highlight reel. Couple that with the fact that Diaz is coming off of back-to-back losses and hasn’t won since October 2011, and it’s easy to see why the UFC booked him as the other half of “The Spider’s” comeback. This bout is tailor-made for Silva. If he can’t win this, don’t expect him to win a bout of significance ever again.” – Carlucci
Tyron Woodley vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Carlucci: Gastelum
Dozier, Richeson, Parkinson: Woodley
“Kelvin Gastelum is scrappy as hell, and a perfect 10-0 so far in his career. He’s the kind of fighter that will capitalize if you have one second of inactivity. Tyron Woodley has been known to suffer from bouts of inactivity in his fights, and if that happens versus Gastelum, he’ll get choked out. On the feet Gastelum is more technical than Woodley, but Woodley hits like a runaway train. Gastelum will have an advantage on the ground if he can get it there, but Woodley is a stud wrestler who has only been taken down twice in his career and Gastelum is only successful on 50% of his takedown attempts. Gastelum has shown a rock solid chin, but I think Woodley’s other-worldly power will be the first one to crack it. Woodley by knockout.” – Dozier
Joe Lauzon vs. Al Iaquinta
Carlucci, Richeson: Lauzon
Dozier, Parkinson: Iaquinta
“I think Iaquinta is a great fighter and could easily win this but Lauzon has finally seemed to pull it together since Pettis knocked him out years ago. Although he has lost a few times since then, they’ve been fairly close decisions. Lauzon will press the action and eventually wrap up some sort of submission, maybe even netting him his fourteenth post-fight award!” – Richeson
Thales Leites vs. “The Barbarian” Tim Boetsch
Carlucci, Dozier, Parkinson: Leites
Dozier: Boetsch
“At 33, Leites finally appears to be hitting his peak as a fighter, going 4-0 since his return to the UFC. He’ll have a massive advantage on the ground over Boetsch, plus Boetsch appears to be petering out. You can never count “The Barbarian” out of a fight based on his power, but Leites is just better than him right now. Look for Leites to put his jiu-jitsu on display and pick up a submission win.” – Dozier
Jordan “Young Gun” Mein vs. “The Pitbull” Thiago Alves
Carlucci, Parkinson: Alves
Dozier, Richeson: Mein
“This scrap is going to feature two fighters that are lethal strikers and incessantly pursue the finish. Alves looked as sharp as ever in his last fight and still possesses some of the best leg-kicks in the division. Mein TKO’d his last opponent and is riding a wave of confidence. He also possesses better straight punches and their ground game is even, but I feel it will be Alves’ leg kicks that will be the deciding factor and win him the decision.” – Parkinson
Undercard Bout to Watch For:
Carlucci, Dozier: Ian McCall vs. John Lineker
Richeson, Parkinson: Miesha Tate vs. Sara McMann
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