UFC 142: The Head Kick Legend Staff Picks

Mike Pyle vs. Ricardo Funch

Rainer - Funch hasn’t had much to offer in previous Octagon appearances, and that he’s coming in on short notice this time will only emphasize his lack of seasoning. Pyle all the way. Pyle, Submission, Round 2.

Earl - Funch is exactly the type of fighter Pyle should manhandle. Pyle, Submission, Round 1.

Chad - Mike Pyle should win this fight decisively. After the tough loss to Macdonald, he has a lot to prove, and I don’t see Funch offering much offense. But to his credit, Funch survived three rounds against Hendricks, so I wouldn’t expect a finish here. Pyle, Unanimous Decision.

Chris - I don’t know anything about Funch, so I’m gonna go with the crowd. Pyle by Submission

Cory - Earl the Pearl stole my line almost word for word. So here it is. Funch is exactly the type of fighter Pyle should manhandle. Pyle, Submission, Round 1.

Thiago Tavares vs. Sam Stout

Rainer - When confronted with a grappler vs. striker match-up, I tend to put greater faith in mat work. However, both Tavares and Stout have managed to shore up their weaknesses a bit. Muddying waters further are the intangibles at play: Tavares’ recent, uneven performances, and the recent loss of friend and trainer Shawn Tompkins suffered by Stout. I’ll guess that on home soil Tavares works doggedly, and succesfully, for top control. Tavares, Split-Decision.

Earl - Maybe I am still buzzing from that sickening KO on Yves Edwards, but I think Stout has got a sequel in store for us here. He needs about 3 more of those to truly be "Hands of Stone" and I think he gets one of those here. Sam Stout, KO, Round 1.

Chad - This is a very even match up, and I’m not confident in picking either fighter. Stout has the power to end it at any point, but I see Tavares mixing up his strikes with some effective takedowns, controlling the majority of the fight. Tavares, Unanimous Decision.

Chris - I’ve been a Sam Stout fan for a long time now and always rooting for him. He’s always in fun fights and I just don’t see Tavares having what it takes to get past him. Stout by Decision

Cory - I think Stout is a live dog and will be able to grind out a decision. Stout by Split Decision

Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim

Rainer - Barboza’s recent, surprisingly competitive fight with underdog Ross Pearson has cast the Brazilian in a slightly dimmer light. However, I don’t think Etim possesses Pearson’s speed or accuracy on the feet, and I doubt he’ll be able to take bring the fight to the mat where the Brit has snagged most of his finishes. Barboza, Unanimous Decision

Earl - Edson is going to be far too active on the feet in this fight and I think he makes Terry pay everytime he tries to close the distance and get the fight to the floor. Barboza, TKO, Round 3.

Chad - Besides maybe Sam Stout, Etim has yet to face a striker like Barboza. Unless he’s able to secure an early submission, it could be a long night for Etim. Barboza, Unanimous Decision.

Chris - I really like both of these guys as rising contenders in the Lightweight division. But I have to agree with Chad on this one. Barboza’s striking is sharp enough that he should be able to manage the distance and keep Etim from taking him to the ground. Barboza by Decision

Cory - I’ll be the ornery guy again. I think Etim is wily enough to latch onto a limb or neck and turn it in ways it shouldn’t go. Etim, Submission, round 2

Erick Silva vs. Carlo Prater

Rainer - We didn’t get to see much of Silva in his last appearance, as he put away Luis Ramos in under a minute, but, you know, one gets the impression that he’s hell on wheels. Prater enjoyed a resurgence in 2011, going 4-0-0, but you can’t ignore the fact that all of those victories came at lightweight. Though he has an edge in experience, I believe Prater will be at a loss against the bigger Silva. Silva, TKO, Round 2.

Earl - It is great to see Carlo in the UFC but Silva is an absolute savage. Erick should impress once more. Silva, TKO, Round 2.

Chad - Silva may have some serious hype behind him, but Prater is a veteran and shouldn’t be underestimated. I expect Silva to finish the fight in impressive fashion, but wouldn’t be surprised if Prater manages to pull of f the submission. Silva, TKO, Round 3.

Chris - Silva looked incredible against Ramos, so I’m jumping on that hype train. Silva by KO, Round 1

Cory - Same reason as Chris, Silva looked incredible against Ramos, so I’m jumping on that hype train. Silva by KO, Round 1

Michihiro Omigawa vs. Yuri Alcantara

Rainer - On the one hand, you have Omigawa, a quality competitor with a dispiriting record thanks to over-ambitious matchmaking early in his career. On the other hand is Alcantara, whose record is great, though most of it was composed on the regional circuit. Upon closer examination, however, it becomes apparent that though Alcantara wasn’t fighting international world-beaters, he was indeed putting away some journeymen of respectable record and superior experience. I’ll be pulling for the durable Omigawa, but Alcantara is the real deal. Alcantara, Unanimous Decision.

Earl - I can’t pick against Omigawa. Michihiro Omigawa, Unanimous Decision.

Cory - I think Omigawa manages to break out of his half-funk and wins a close one here. Michihiro Omigawa, Decision.

Chad - Alcantara has looked spectacular, and I don’t have much confidence in Omigawa. Alcantara, Unanimous Decision.


Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Edinaldo Oliveira

Rainer - Gonzaga has never reacted well to getting hit, but hitting things extremely hard just happens to be Oliveira’s forte. Oliveira, KO, Round 1.

Earl - I am very happy to see Gonzaga back in the big show but I hope it is in better form than when he left. I think it is going to be a horrendously ugly fight but "Napao" will grab an arm late. Gabriel Gonzaga, Submission, Round 3.

Chad - Rainer pretty much summed it up. Oliveria, KO, Round 1.

Chris - Gonzaga didn’t look great toward the end of his first run in the UFC. I think the time off will remind him that he’s a grappler first and not a kickboxer. Gonzaga by Submission

Cory - Oliveira looked about as doughy as I’ve seen since Roy Nelson. That said, he still packs a punch and Gonzaga gets packed by punches. Do Brooklyn by TKO


Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio

Rainer - When it comes to striking, Massenzio might be a little more eager and confident, but the threat of a takedown will likely cause some hesitation. That leaves the grappling, where Palhares has a distinct edge. Palhares, Submission, Round 2.

Earl - Massenzio is a solid fighter who looked very good against Steve Cantwell in his last outing. Unfortunately for him, Rousimar is a human dismembering, scatterbrained tree stump and he will add another appendage to his collection here. Palhares, Submission, Round 2.

Chad - Massenzio is a decent grappler, but he’s not prepared for what Palhares brings to the table. Palhares, Submission, Round 1

Chris - Palhares by Submission. ‘Nuff said.

Cory - If Paul Harris doesn’t take home a limb here, I’ll consider eating my hat on live cam. - Miniature Ape by _CL destroying submission


Felipe Arantes vs. Antonio Carvalho

Rainer - I can’t say I have much direct knowledge regarding either of these featherweights. However, I expect that Arantes’ edge in Octagon experience will be offset by Carvalho’s long-standing position among the upper levels of the division. Carvalho, Unanimous Decision.

Earl - I will pick Carvalho in this one and hope for the best. Carvalho, Unanimous Decision.

Chad - Both fighters have identical records, and are the same height, but Arantes is much younger. Hopefully youth prevails. Arantes, Split Decision.

Cory - I don’t have too much to go on here, so let’s coin flip and go with Arentes by TKO.