This weekend the UFC heads to Connecticut for UFC Fight Night 50 where Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza takes on Gegard Mousasi for a potential shot at the middleweight title.
The main event of UFC Fight Night 50 is a rematch six years in the making, because Mousasi has a win over Jacare with an up-kick back in the no defunct promotion Dream. See who we think wins this rematch and the rest of the big matches on this coming weekend’s card.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Ronaldo Souza
A lot has changed in the last six years, and Souza is a more complete fighter after having double the experience since the last time he face Mousasi. Souza earned two knockouts in his last five fights showing that he has been working on his hands. Meanwhile, Mousasi has been his normal self taking out almost all of those in front of him. Machida was the only man to best him in the last four years but Machida is a tough nut to crack for anyone. This fight ultimately comes down to cardio. Unless someone gets caught it will be a war of attrition with whoever having the better cardio coming out on top. Mousasi takes the decision at UFC Fight Night 50 after Souza tires out from winging power punches and shooting for takedowns.
Alistair Overeem vs. Ben Rothwell
The Greg Jackson built Overeem is supposed to come in and be the fighter that destroyed everyone on his way to the Octagon. Whether that happens remains to be seen, but he has the perfect opponent in Rothwell to display his abilities. Unfortunately, Overeem will not be able to show that. His cardio issues have always been a problem and Rothwell is not easy to knockout, just ask Mark Hunt. Look for Rothwell to finish Overeem in the third after getting battered for the first two rounds at UFC Fight Night 50.
Matt Mitrione vs. Derrick Lewis
Lewis has not made it past the first round in his UFC career so far, and has over half his wins in the first round. Mitrione is a decent fighter, but he has gaps that Lewis can expose. The Black Beast has age, strength and explosiveness on his side. Look for Lewis to pick up his third straight win at UFC Fight Night 50 after hurting and stopping Mitrione in the first round.
Joe Lauzon vs. Michael Chiesa
This fight comes down to who can be in the dominant position on the ground. Both of them have over 75% of their wins by submission, but Lauzon is a little more battle tested on the ground. The one things Chiesa has going for him is his size, because at 6’1” his is a tall Lightweight. A ground fighter who knows how to use his size is a trouble for anyone. I think Lauzon is smart enough to stay out of trouble, but Chiesa has the ability to take this fight by decision at UFC Fight Night 50.
Nik Lentz vs. Charles Olivera
Lentz professes to not be serious about fighting the first time he faced off with Olivera, but it is hard to take that sentiment serious when he went unbeaten his first seven fights int he UFC. The problem Lentz faces is that he is a grinder, but Olivera has the style to put wrestlers down just ask Darren Elkins. Look for Olivera to lock in another nasty submission for a Performance of the Night award at UFC Fight Night 50 and his second win over Lentz at UFC Fight Night 50.
John Moraga vs. Justin Scoggins
Moraga was cheated in his fight with John Dodson, not saying he was winning but the stoppage was a very bad one in recent memory. Scoggins is a legit prospect, but Dustin Ortiz should his current kryptonite is wrestlers that can control him. That is not good considering Moraga is a former D1 wrestler wit excellent submissions. Look for Moraga to escape losing two in a row by taking Scoggins to the ground early and often for a decision win at UFC Fight Night 50.
Rafael Natal vs. Chris Camozzi
Natal is a good fighter, but he has been seen to have trouble with fighters that can outmuscle him. The Ed Herman fight is the perfect example, because even though Natal is technically a better fighter, Herman turned it into a grinding fight and stole the decision. At 6’3” Camozzi has size on a lot of fighter at Middleweight. Camozzi just needs to keep this fight on the feet, avoid the ground game, and turn it into a grinding fight. If he can do that he will get his hand raised and be able to continue fighting in the Octagon past UFC Fight Night 50.