ProMMAnow.com UFC 112 staff picks

The ProMMAnow.com staff comes together once again to give you our predictions for “UFC 112: Invincible“, which takes place Saturday, April 10, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This should be a fun card, with three high-profile fights.

Can Anderson Silva maintain his dominance against arguably the UFC’s and possibly MMA’s most dangerous submission specialist in Demian Maia?

Can the greatest 155 lbs. fighter on the planet keep his legacy in tact against the number one contender who not only dominated the previous lightweight champion, Sean Sherk, but has beaten some of the most respected fighters in the division?

UFC welterweight legend Matt Hughes returns to the Octagon to face another legend, the original PRIDE fighter, Renzo Gracie. Can Renzo take revenge for his cousin Royce and prove Gracie jiu–jitsu is still alive and well inside the Octagon?

Anderson Silva (25-4) vs. Demian Maia (12-1)

BRIAN FURBY – The question everyone is asking is whether Maia can get the fight to the ground where he’ll have a chance. I think the answer is no. Silva realizes Maia is dangerous with submissions and won’t toy with him like he did with Cote and Leites. Fans will again be impressed with Silva as they were in his fight against Griffin. Silva by TKO in Round 2.

RICHARD MANN – Demian Maia has a legitimate shot of winning the title in this fight. His dynamic ground game could give Silva trouble. While Silva isn’t lost on the floor his submission game is mostly offensive. With that being said all fights start on the feet, and we have seen what happens when power punchers are able to connect with Maia’s head. Silva by TKO.

JACK BRATCHER – Can Maia dethrone the Spider? I say no. As dangerous as Maia is on the ground, I think he is going to get wrecked trying to get the fight there. As a black belt himself, and training daily with Black House, should be enough to keep him from getting submitted. I agree, he won’t be toying with Maia like he has with some of his other opponents, although I’m sure he’s going to pull off something that will make people go, “Damn!” Anderson Silva by first round TKO.

B.J. Penn (15-5-1) vs. Frankie Edgar (11-1)

BRIAN FURBY – Edgar is a solid fighter for sure, but BJ Penn is at the height of his dominance. Look for Edgar to make a good showing, but for BJ to be dominant overall. Edgar will be able to withstand Penn’s striking better than Diego Sanchez did, but will ultimately fall in a long fight. Penn by unanimous decision.

RICHARD MANN – Frankie Edgar has put together quite a streak to earn his title shot. However, in his last fight he was picked up and slammed almost immediately by Matt Veach. Look for the two fighters to exchange on the feet for the first few rounds. After that, Penn will score a takedown and finish by choke. Penn by Submission.

JACK BRATCHER – Edgar’s lone loss is a unanimous decision to Gray Maynard. He has more decision wins than anything. Wrestlers don’t fare well against Penn unless their name is GSP. I see Edgar trying to test Penn on the feet and getting hammered to death. Penn will display those fast hands and ultimately finish Edgar with a fifth round TKO.

Matt Hughes (43-7) vs. Renzo Gracie (13-6-1)

BRIAN FURBY – Hughes is a favorite on paper but I like Gracie for the upset. Although Hughes will see a strength and power advantage over Gracie, and will probably throw Gracie around a little bit, Renzo is going to end up showing why Gracie Jiu Jitsu allows a smaller fighter to overtake a larger one. Granted, we’re in MMA and not a grappling match, but Gracie will eventually catch Hughes making a mistake and make him pay for it. Gracie by submission in Round 2.

RICHARD MANN – If I was still afforded the luxury of looking at MMA like a fan, I would say that I was clearly rooting for Renzo Gracie. The man has a natural likability, and this will be his seventh fight against a UFC or Pride FC belt champion. Putting aside my sentimental love for Gracie, Matt Hughes should be able to avoid submission and ride top position to a decision. Hughes by decision.

JACK BRATCHER – Who doesn’t love Renzo? He’s such a class act and will be fighting in front of many friends in Abu Dhabi. It’s kind of funny to think of good ol’ country boy Matt Hughes in Abu Dhabi. Having said that, I think his wrestling and ground skills are still superior to even Gracie 2.0 (or Gracie 1.5 – may be more correct). Gracie will not submit Hughes. It’s been proven that Dennis Hallman and GSP are the only people who will submit Matt Hughes in a fight. And although Renzo defeated Hughes’ long-time coach Pat Miletich via submission, it won’t happen here. In fact, Hughes may submit Renzo. More than likely though it will be a second round TKO for Hughes by ground and pound.

Kendall Grove (11-6) vs. Mark Munoz (7-1)

BRIAN FURBY – Grove’s reach will initially cause Munoz some problems as Grove will look to stay on the outside and pick away at Munoz. But Munoz’s superior wrestling will allow him to take the fight to the ground repeatedly once he gets inside on Grove. Once the fight hits the ground, Munoz will be able to dominate en route to a decision. Munoz wins via Unanimous Decision.

RICHARD MANN – In his last fight against Jake Rosholt, Kendall Grove was getting worked over on the ground until he caught a submission. Lightning will not strike twice. Look for Mark Munoz to push a physical game and land on Grove’s suspect chin. In the process Munoz will get one back for his fellow Oklahoma State Cowboy. Munoz by TKO.

JACK BRATCHER – Grove will be susceptible to Munoz’s takedowns. The superior wrestler will win this one as Munoz puts Grove on his back and pounds out a decision.

Terry Etim (14-2) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (13-4)

BRIAN FURBY – I like this fight for Fight of the Night. Etim has excellent submissions but dos Anjos should be able to defend against what most of what Etim will throw at him. Both guys have solid striking games, and this fight has all indications of being a three-round war fought out on both the feet and the ground, all over the cage. However, Etim should be able to gain a slight advantage on both the feet and the ground and pull out a close decision win. Etim wins via Split Decision.

RICHARD MANN – Look for Terry Etim to keep his distance using solid footwork. On the feet, he should be able to easily pick apart Rafael dos Anjos. Some might say that dos Anjos will have an advantage on the ground. However, since his fight will Rich Clementi, Etim has been rather tough to take down. Also, dos Anjos isn’t exactly Dan Gable. Etim by TKO.

JACK BRATCHER – In 14 victories, Etim went the distance only once. Almost half of dos Anjos’ wins are by decision. Etim is a finisher and a great grappler. dos Anjos’ ground game should keep him from getting submitted but Etim’s wirey frame is going to give dos Anjos’ problems on the feet. Etim should take this one via TKO in the third.