Sherdog PreviewsBantamweights
Pedro Falcao (16-3) vs. Victor Hugo Silva (24-4)Advertisement
Brazilian newcomers square off here. Victor Hugo Silva earned a UFC contract with a kneebar on the Contender Series last October, providing more evidence that his "Striker" nickname is a bit of a misnomer; Hugo Silva can throw a bit, but it's mostly in the name of getting to a wrestling game predicated on control until the point that Hugo Silva tries to spring for a submission. As a powerful athlete with over a dozen years of pro experience at this point, Hugo Silva's comfortable enough with his approach to stay patient and look for his moments, though it's unclear how well that will translate to the UFC level. A late opponent change leads to Hugo Silva facing countryman Pedro Falcao on less than a week's notice, and Falcao is essentially in the same spot.
Another fighter that made his professional debut in 2011, Falcao was a 2021 participant on the Contender Series and was passed over for a contract. Falcao did score the late finish, but his approach wasn't particularly urgent and took a while to heat up in a fight that was a bit of a slog. After a two year layoff, Falcao looked much sharper in scoring the submission win over TUF alum Leonardo Morales last November, and this fight should waste little time in turning into an ugly wrestling battle. Hugo Silva's physicality and the late-notice nature of the bout could give him an advantage, but Falcao's much better at finding moments of offense in a heavy grind, which seems more dependable in terms of winning rounds. The pick is Falcao via decision.
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