UFC Fortaleza Predictions: Assuncao vs. Moraes 2

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The UFC makes its first trip of the year to Brazil with a bantamweight main event featuring the long-awaited rematch between Raphael Assuncao and Marlon Moraes.

In the co-main event, former UFC featherweight champion and future hall of famer, Jose Aldo, takes on a top contender Renato Moicano. Brazil is a fighting mecca and is sure to show out as they do each and every time the UFC stops in their second home. With many talented fighters hailing from Brazil, these cards are always filled with high-end talent.

The card will be shown on ESPN+ with the prelims starting at 3:00pm MT and the main card kicking off at 6:00pm MT. Check out our staff predictions for UFC Fortaleza below:

Livinha Souza vs Sarah Frota (Strawweight)

Hiram: This is kind of a pick ’em fight for me, but I have to lean more towards Souza.

Livinha Souza def. Sarah Frota via split decision.

Connor: If you do not know who Sarah Frota is, you will be the end of the night. Frota has KO power for a Strawweight, which is not very common for the division. She won her fight on DWTNCS Brazil in dominant fashion, and did not show much of her skill set other than she hits hard… really hard. It is difficult to tell how she will fair without the experience, but she could win this fight going away.

Sarah Frota def. Livinha Souza via TKO in round 1.

Johnny Walker vs Justin Ledet (Light Heavyweight)

Hiram: Anyone who receives a contract from Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series will always have eyes on them. This is Walker’s chance to definitely put on a show. As for Justin Ledet, he needs to show up and kill the hype behind this young fighter.

Johnny Walker def. Justin Ledet via unanimous decision.

Connor: Another winner from DWTNCS, Johnny Walker was able to show off his skill set, and his showmanship. Walker is young, hungry, and flashy. He could be a future super star in the UFC, but he has a long way to go before that. Ledet will look to bounce back after his first loss as a professional back in July.

Johnny Walker def. Justin Ledet via TKO in round 2.

Charles Oliveira vs David Teymur (Lightweight)

Hiram: Oliveira is one of the most dangerous grapplers in the game, Charles is always on his game and always ready for a great challenge. Since moving back up to Lightweight, he is looking to get a winning streak going. As for David, this is the highest profile fighter he has gotten and he need to take advantage of his opportunity. These are the fights that put you on the map as a contender in the division.

Charles Oliveira def. David Teymur via submission in round 3.

Connor: Teymur is undefeated in the UFC and is on an 8-fight win streak, since losing his professional debut. This will be the biggest test for Teymur as Oliveira is one of the best submission artists in MMA with 17 submission victories on his resume. Oliveira almost forces people to be one-dimensional fighter because there is no way you want to be on the ground with this guy.

Charles Oliveira def. David Teymur via submission in round 2.

Demian Maia (8) vs Lyman Good (Welterweight)

Hiram: Considered one of the best grapplers to ever lace up a pair of gloves, Maia is always dangerous, although he has fallen short in his last few fights. Maia is always on his game and always dangerous. For Lyman this is a great opportunity to beat a top contender and set himself up as a new contender.

Demian Maia def. Lyman Good via submission in round 2.

Connor: Maia is on a bit of a slid as of late, but is always dangerous on the ground. He will look to re-enter his name at the top to earn a shot at the title. Good has been up and down in the UFC but was able to defeat another submission specialist in Ben Saunders in his last time out. If he can produce a similar result this time around, he could shoot into the top-10 and establish himself as a future contender.

Lyman Good def. Demian Maia via TKO in round 1.

Jose Aldo (#2) vs Renato Moicano (#4) (Featherweight)

Hiram: Both men are coming of great performances and great finishes. Jose had his first win since UFC 200 when he took on Jeremy Stephens and finished Stephens via TKO with a liver shot. Renato is also coming off big win and finish when he took on Cub Swanson, knocked him down with a jab, then finished him with a rear naked choke. This was not easy but I have to go with the young lion.

Renato Moicano def. Jose Aldo via submission in round 3.

Connor: This could be a fight of the night candidate. Jose Aldo has been at the top of MMA and featherweight, now he looks to get back to the top. With losses to only Conor McGregor, and Max Holloway, the current champion, he will look to show that he is still a great. Moicano could be the next to challenge Holloway with a win in this fight. Moicano was making headway towards a title fight before being derailed by Brian Ortega, in a fight that he was winning until he fell victim to Ortega’s submission skills. It is hard to give Aldo another shot at the belt after losing to Holloway twice, but with a win over Moicano he reestablishes himself at the top of the division without question.

Jose Aldo def. Renato Moicano via unanimous decision.

Raphael Assuncao (#3) vs Marlon Moraes (#4) (Bantamweight)

Hiram: The first fight was such a close one between these men, and the judges gave the edge to Assuncao last time. I just feel Moraes has improved more. He is coming off two big finishes of Aljamain Sterling and Jimmie Rivera, and with a title shot on the line you better expect both fighters to bring their A game.

Marlon Moraes def. Raphael Assuncao via unanimous decision.

Connor: This is an exciting fight to decide who should be next in line for a title shot at bantamweight. The future is a little unclear with the building rivalry between Henry Cejudo and TJ Dillashaw, but the winner of this fight should be next in line. Moraes is on a 3-fight win streak with his last loss being to Assuncao via decision. While Assuncao has already faced the champion before, he looks to prove he has also grown and is a better fighter than his last championship showing.

Marlon Moraes def. Raphael Assuncao via unanimous decision.

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Follow our writers Connor Rogowsky (@rogowskyc) and Hiram Alvarado (@hiramwritesmma).



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