The UFC heads to Fortaleza, Brazil in collaboration with ESPN for Fight Night 144.
A quality card is headlined by the great Jose Aldo vs Renato Moicano and Batamweight contenders Raphael Assuncao and Marlon Moraes.
Arguably one of the greatest fighters of his era, Jose Aldo has indicated he will retire at the end of this year. He has ruled out a tilt at a 3rd Featherweight title attempt but looks to continue his legacy against his dangerous countryman.
Moicano looks to be a tough challenge. Both fighters poses elite kickboxing skills. Watch for damaging leg kicks and the potential for brutal finishes on the feet. Aldo will look to take advantage of superior Jiu-jitsu and wrestling defence abilities.
Interestingly, Moraes poses a similar range and boxing skills that saw Connor McGregor destroy Aldo in their infamous Featherweight title bout.
Prediction: Aldo by decision.
The main event of the card sees two Brazilian superstars go toe-to-toe in their homeland.
Moraes will look to avenge his controversial loss against Assuncao in his UFC debut.
Assuncao held the striking advantage for the majority of their last encounter, Moraes’ power gives him real knockdown potential. In his previous two fights he has only landed 14 significant strikes but has completed 3 knockdowns from those attacks, which include two brilliant finishes.
Prediction: Moraes TKO 3rd round.
