UFC 156: Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva Preview

By Eric Carlisle
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most anticipated fight cards so far this year will take place this weekend on Saturday at UFC 156 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card is stacked with main event type fighters and of a couple former champions.

The headline fight is Frankie Edger challenging Jose Aldo for the Featherweight Title, but I think the fight I’m looking forward to the most is Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva. The heavyweights will possibly be battling it out for the next shot at the champion Cain Velasquez and I can’t wait to see the big guys go at it.

Silva who has a professional record of 17-4 is a huge underdog going into the fight and many experts are giving him absolutely no chance to take out the massive Overeem who has a record of 36-11-1. Silva has great hands and some serious knockout potential, but I agree with mostly everyone and give him little to no shot at beating Ovreem on Saturday night.

It will be interesting to see how big Overeem looks come Friday at the weigh-ins after he was busted a year ago for an elevated testosterone count, but I expect to see him in great shape as always. On top of his size he possesses great kickboxing skills and is a skilled grappler which should give him an advantage in this fight.

Both men have great standup ability and both end fights with their hands, but I would have to give the edge to Overeem in that category. On the ground I also would have to give the advantage to Overeem because of his days back in Pride where he was a submission expert. Silva only has one submission victory so this was an easy decision.

I look for this fight to stay standing at the beginning as they feel each other out, but I think Overeem will eventually take Silva down and mount him to do some serious damage with some ground and pound. I anticipate this fight to be rather quick and extremely one sided slanting towards Overeem.

My prediction is a first round technical knockout by Overeem. This should be a great night of fights hopefully with some great finishes.

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