UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders (Preview & Predictions)

Lyoto ‘The Dragon’ Machida takes on dangerous prospect Eryk Anders in the main event of UFC Fight Night 125.

Additionally, former UFC Women’s Bantamweight title challenger drops down to Flyweight to take on Priscila Cachoeira. The card which takes place in Belem, Brazil also features several other intriguing matchups.

So, without further ado, here are the complete predictions and preview for UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders—

Indian fans can watch UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders on Sunday, February 4th from 6:30 am onward Live & Exclusive on SONY SIX.

#Main Card (FOX Sports 1)

#1 Lyoto Machida vs. Eryk Anders

Lyoto Machida suffered a brutal stoppage loss to Derek Brunson by way of strikes in his previous Octagon outing.

Machida seems to be well past his prime right now, and the biggest thing to have affected his game is his athletic ability. Gone are the days when ‘The Dragon’ used to slither into range like a swift serpent and land his fast hands to deliver devastating KOs on his foes.

Machida’s reflexes and overall speed have slowed down considerably, while Anders, on the other hand, is in his athletic prime. The former football player is a phenomenal athlete, and undefeated thus far.

Fans can expect Anders to use his speed and athleticism to blitz Machida early on, and given the Dragon’s slowed reflexes, he may miscalculate the former’s entry into range. Anders is likely to stun Machida on the feet, before finishing matters on the ground.

Prediction: Eryk Anders def. Lyoto Machida via TKO

#2 John Dodson vs. Pedro Munhoz

John Dodson carries significant KO power in both hands

John Dodson is one of the most dangerous strikers in the UFC, however, he often ends up on the wrong end of the judges’ scorecards in the fights that go the distance.

Dodson’s complacency has time and again impeded his progress, however, against someone like Munhoz he’s likely to find the mark en route to a dominant decision win.

Dodson is likely to start off Round 1 at a slow pace, before getting his rhythm and timing down. The second and third stanzas could bring more action as Dodson out-classes Munhoz on the feet, while also dominating the grappling scrambles.

Prediction: John Dodson def. Pedro Munhoz via Decision

#3 Valentina Shevchenko vs. Priscila Cachoeira

Valentina Shevchenko could arguably have won the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship off Amanda Nunes, however, the judges seemed to favor the latter in the matchup.

Shevchenko has stated that she’d like to pursue a match with Nunes again, however, first intends to win the belt in the newly created UFC Women’s Flyweight Division. Valentina has world-class striking skills coupled with excellent grappling.

Nevertheless, Cachoeira is tough as nails and isn’t going to be finished easily. Expect this one to be a clear-cut decision victory for Valentina Shevchenko.

Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko def. Priscila Cachoeira via Decision

#4 Michel Prazeres vs. Desmond Green

Desmond Green is perhaps one of the more underrated talents on the UFC roster today.

Green possesses good striking, however, doesn’t seem to let his hands go, particularly when faced with an aggressive opponent. Regardless, against Prazeres, Green is likely to establish the rhythm with his jab.

Green may be able to step on the gas late in the fight; stunning Prazeres on the feet and securing a takedown. From there onwards, Green’s grappling skills shall help him seal the deal; likely with a rear-naked choke.

Prediction: Desmond Green def. Michel Prazeres via Submission

#5 Timothy Johnson vs. Marcelo Golm

Timothy Johnson may not be the most athletic Heavyweight on the UFC roster, however, he possesses a great chin.

Johnson seems to be a typical MMA scrapper, with his striking skills being the biggest chink in his armour. On the other hand, Golm isn’t the most dangerous striker in MMA today, and has a few holes in his grappling and clinch game as well.

Expect Johnson to make this fight ugly, and use a grapple-heavy approach in order to best Golm en route to a decision victory.

Prediction: Timothy Johnson def. Marcelo Golm via Decision

#6 Thiago Santos vs. Anthony Smith

Thiago Santos is one of the best kickers in the UFC right now.

Santos has also been working on improving his boxing skills, after getting out-classed by Gegard Mousasi at UFC 200. Against Smith, Santos’ improved boxing will show.

Expect Santos to gauge the distance with pawing strikes, following which he’s likely to set up Smith for the right leg roundhouse head kick. Once Santos connects on his signature strike, it’s lights out for Smith.

Prediction: Thiago Santos def. Anthony Smith via KO

#Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1)

#1 Sergio Moraes vs. Tim Means

Tim Means is a fighter who, despite possessing excellent Muay Thai skills, never seems to break that glass ceiling.

Means has consistently underperformed in big fights, however, Moraes has a porous striking defense. And against a striker as dangerous as Means, that’s bad news.

Means can be expected to tag Moraes and light up the latter on the feet. While Moraes is tough, his defense leaves a ton to be desired, and Means is likely to overwhelm him with a barrage of strikes in the second or third round.

Prediction: Tim Means def. Sergio Moraes via TKO

#2 Alan Patrick vs. Damir Hadzovic

Both Alan Patrick and Damir Hadzovic have decently well-rounded MMA games.

Patrick seems to have a slight advantage on the feet, while Hadzovic possesses a small edge on the mat. This fight may not feature a ton of action, as both fighters have the tendency to freeze up in the standup.

Patrick is likely to walk away the victor in this one, as Hadzovic may not be able to secure the takedown if he shoots from long range. Patrick is smart enough to keep his foe at bay and jab his way to a clear-cut decision victory.

Prediction: Alan Patrick def. Damir Hadzovic via Decision

#3 Douglas Silva de Andrade vs. Marlon Vera

De Andrade’s overall MMA game may be taking a huge hit owing to his apparent lack of technique on the striking front.

While Marlon Vera isn’t a world-class striker either, De Andrade has a dangerous tendency of planting his feet and swinging for the fences in almost every exchange. Nevertheless, De Andrade has good grappling, which is likely to help him befuddle Vera.

De Andrade’s rhythm may be off-putting as well, and Vera may have trouble reading the former’s patterns. De Andrade is likely to out-point Vera in a grinding performance en route to a decision victory.

Prediction: Douglas Silva de Andrade def. Marlon Vera via Decision

#4 Iuri Alcantara vs. Joe Soto

Iuri Alcantara went from highly regarded prospect to a fading veteran over the past few years.

Regardless, against Joe Soto, Alcantara may not have as much trouble. The latter is likely to wade into range with overhands throughout the matchup, however, Soto is tough enough to eat the shots.

Soto has been finished on more than one occasion owing to defensive lapses in his striking, however, against Alcantara he’s likely to be knocked down rather than going out completely. Alcantara can be expected to rock, drop, and submit Soto in the second or third stanzas of this matchup.

Prediction: Iuri Alcantara def. Joe Soto via Submission

#Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

#1 Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Morales

Morales is a high-risk high-reward kind of fighter

Figueiredo and Morales are pretty evenly matched, particularly considering the fact that neither fighter pays much attention to angles and timing while throwing down in the centre of the cage.

Morales is likely to emerge as the better combatant in this matchup, as Figueiredo doesn’t seem to comprehend when to pull out from a striking exchange. Morales, on the other hand, has decent fight IQ and is likely to impress the judges in a close decision win.

Prediction: Joseph Morales def. Deiveson Figueiredo via Decision

#2 Maia Stevenson vs. Polyana Viana

Maia Stevenson is the much more polished fighter in this matchup.

Stevenson is likely to out-point Viana on the feet, however, the ground scrambles may, in fact, see both fighters stall the action to a certain extent. Stevenson is likely to edge this one, as Viana doesn’t have the striking prowess to do battle with her on the feet.

Nevertheless, despite being able to tag Viana over long stretches of time on the feet, Stevenson lacks KO power in her strikes. Resultantly, this fight is likely to go the distance.

Prediction: Maia Stevenson def. Polyana Viana via Decision