UFC Sao Paulo Preview and Predictions
The UFC is taking the octagon to Sao Paulo, Brazil. The nation will be well-represented during the event as every fight features at least one Brazilian fighter. It is even more crucial that several of the country’s top prospects will be headlined during the main card.
Join Vendetta Sports Media as we preview and predict each fight on the UFC Sao Paulo main card. YOu can find our prediction records below.
James: 116-72-3
Garrett: 115-73-3
Anthony: 97-60-2
Jerry: 98-58-2
Rodolfo Vieira vs. Armen Petroysan–Middleweight Bout
James: UFC Sao Paulo features a middleweight bout between Rodolfo Vieira and Arman Petroysan. Vieira is a legend in the BJJ community and rightfully earned the nickname “The Black Belt Hunter.” In his switch to MMA, he has had mixed success while working to a 4-2 UFC record. In contrast, Petroysan has leveraged his kickboxing background to a 3-1 UFC record.
Vieira’s BJJ clearly headlines his skill set. Once he lands takedowns, he is great at hunting submissions from the top position. In addition, he implements ground-and-pound into his grappling to better adjust his skills for MMA. On the feet, he has quality offensive striking, but he runs into more problems in his defense.
Petroysan is a high-quality striker that manages range well. This allows him to pick opponents apart on the outside. At the same time, he can crash the distance and land hooks on the inside. Overall, he is a well-rounded and efficient striker.
This UFC Sao Paulo bout previews to be one of a classic striker versus grappler matchup. Despite being an underrated striker, Vieira should focus on landing takedowns and working towards submissions on top. Furthermore, he will need to accomplish that before he gasses out.
As far as a projection goes, I will take Vieira. I think he is making improvements and adjusting to MMA. I am also concerned that Petroysan will be unable to get up if Vieira lands a takedown. Those two factors led me to take Vieira by second-round submission.
Garrett: Vieira via submission
Anthony: Vieira via submission
Jerry: Petroysan via KO/TKO
Caio Borralho vs. Abus Magomedov–Middleweight Bout
James: At UFC Sao Paulo, Caio Borralho will fight Abus Magomedov. Borralho has started his UFC tenure with four consecutive wins which proved he he is one of the top prospects in the middleweight division.
Meanwhile, Magomedov looked good in his UFC debut, but he was then rushed to the middleweight rankings in his second fight. In that bout, Sean Strickland proved he was not ready for the rankings and finished him in the second round. This fight will allow each fighter to prove they are an elite prospect.
Borralho is a highly effective grappler with striking that seemingly improves every fight. It should be noted that he fights out of Fighting Nerds, one of the most impressive up-and-coming gyms. That provides some confidence that he will fight with a smart game plan.
Magomedov is an exciting striker with a good selection of boxing combinations and impressive kicks. That allows him to land powerful strikers from several different ranges.
This bout previews to be one of the most important fights at UFC Sao Paulo. I believe Borralho will be the fighter that gets the job done. I am expecting Nurmagomedov to come out hot and hunt the finish; however, that will lead to a cardio dump. If that occurs, Borralho could utilize his grappling and top control to find a submission win. I will take Borralho by second-round submission.
Garrett: Borralho via decision
Anthony: Borralho via decision
Jerry: Borralho via decision
Rodrigo Nascimento vs. Don’tale Mayes- Heavyweight Rematch
James: UFC Sao Paulo features a rematch between Rodrigo Nascimento and Don’tale Mayes. The pair first fought in 2021 which saw Nascimento land a second-round submission victory. That bout was Nascimento’s UFC debut which started his 3-1 promotional run. Meanwhile, Mayes has gone 3-3 in the UFC.
The most important part of Nascimento’s skill set is that he is fairly well-balanced. This begins with his boxing in the pocket and extends to decent offensive grappling. Mayes is a powerful striker who can finish fights with big punches. In addition, he has good kicks for the division.
I am not overly impressed with either fighter in this matchup. Although, I do lean toward Nascimento. I expect he will use his grappling to get to advantageous positions. That is how he won the first matchup. I will take Nascimento by decision.
Garrett: Nascimento via submission
Anthony: Mayes via KO/TKO
Jerry: Nascimento via decision
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Nicolas Dalby–Welterweight Bout
James: The UFC Sao Paulo co-main event features a welterweight bout between Gabriel Bonfim and Nicolas Dalby. Bonfim, the younger Bonfim brother, is a 26-year-old prospect who has impressed in his two UFC outings. In both fights, he walked away with first-round submission victories. In this bout, he will take on Dalby, a 38-year-old veteran with a 6-3-1 UFC record.
On the feet, Bonfim pressures with heavy punches. That allows him to find success on his feet; however, his grappling is his standout skill. Bonfim has an elite guillotine choke that he can use to finish a fight in seconds. On top of that, he can find success controlling positions. In comparison to his aforementioned older brother, he initiates grappling sequences much more often.
Dalby is a striker with a good amount of tools. His best weapons are his straight punches, but his ability to kick with both legs to all three levels is impressive. It is worth noting that his defense, cardio and durability are all important aspects of his skill set too.
I have a hard time seeing Dalby defend against Bonfim’s grappling. In striking exchanges, this could be competitive, but Bonfim should be able to swing the bout in his favor once he grapples. I will take Bonfim by first-round submission.
Garrett: Bonfim via submission
Anthony: Bonfim via decision
Jerry: Bonfim via submission
No. 9 Jailton Almeida vs. No. 10 Derrick Lewis–Heavyweight Bout
James: The UFC Sao Paulo main event features a heavyweight bout between Jailton Almeida and Derrick Lewis.
Almeida is an elite prospect in two divisions, but he has planted his flag at heavyweight. At 5-0 in the UFC, he has already reached the top ten. That has led him to the biggest fight of his career. Lewis, the UFC knockout king, is the most popular and highest-ranked fighter Almeida has fought. In his most recent fight, Lewis ended his three-fight skid and proved he is still an electric knockout artist.
Almeida is a small heavyweight, but his strength still gives him a physical presence. At the same time, he is much more athletic than the division’s average fighter. More importantly, he has highly technical grappling. In fights, he effortlessly lands takedowns, advances positions and creates submission opportunities.
Lewis is one of the best knockout artists in UFC history, and his lethal power is the largest aspect of that. In fights, his boxing presents serious danger, though he also has underrated kicks and knees.
The UFC Sao Paulo main event preview heavily favors Almeida because of his grappling prowess. If Lewis wants a chance in this bout, he needs to catch Almeida early or hope that Almeida’s heavy pace forces him to gas out. I do not foresee either of those outcomes happening. Instead, I imagine Alemdia lands an early takedown and dominates the grappling exchanges. I will take Almeida by first-round submission.
Garrett: Almeida via TKO
Anthony: Almeida via submission
Jerry: Almeida via submission
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