For the first time since 1998, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Brazil for UFC 134:

Silva vs. Okami. The night’s main UFC Betting event features Brazilian Middleweight Champion, Anderson “The Spider” Silva, as he looks to defend his belt for a record ninth-time against the last man to ever defeat him, Yushin “Thunder” Okami.

Every fight on the main card features a native Brazilian which will have fans at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, buzzing. All of the Pay-Per-View fun starts at 9:00 ET with hard hitting action also coming in the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight and Lightweight divisions with names and former champions like Minotauro Nogueira, Shogun Rua and Forrest Griffin all scheduled to step into the octagon. 

Middleweight Championship Bout: Anderson “The Spider” Silva (28-4) vs. Yushin “Thunder” Okami (27-5)

It’s been over five years since Anderson Silva last lost a MMA gambling bout; coincidently enough, it came at the hands of Yushin Okami. Though there was, and is still, controversy surrounding Okami’s victory (due to Silva being DQ’ed following an illegal kick), the longest Middleweight Champion in UFC history will now have a shot at revenge in his home country of Brazil, where he has not fought since 2003. Silva (-500) is the best striker in the world and holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jude and Taekwondo; 17 of his 30 wins have come by way of knockout and he’s finished 12 of the men he’s faced in compiling a 14 fight win streak.

Though Okami is a strong grappler with a big gas tank and the ability to finish, all of the cards are stacked against him in this fight; the crowd alone should be able to score Silva the victory. If by some chance Okami (+350) wins, even by decision, it could very well be the biggest upset (and disappointment) in UFC history.

Prediction: Silva by KO (1st Round)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (19-5) vs. Forrest Griffin (18-6)

This is another wonderful rematch set up by Dana White and Joe Silva as Shogun (-200), another native Brazilian, makes his return to the octagon following his brutal loss of the Light Heavyweight title to Jon Jones back in March. Though Rua is just 3-3 in his UFC career, the former Pride Champion is lethal with his strikes, scoring 16 of his 19 victories by knockout.

Griffin (+160), who was once the Light Heavyweight Champion as well, defeated Shogun by rear naked choke in the Brazilian’s UFC debut, and enters off of back to back wins over Tito Ortiz and Rich Franklin respectively. Griffin is never one to back away from a slug fest and this war has “Fight of the Night” written all over it!  

Prediction: Rua by TKO (2nd Round)

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira (32-6-1, 1NC) vs. Brendan “The Hybrid” Schaub (9-1)

Having never been knocked out in his first 35 UFC gambling contests, Minotauro Nogueira, an MMA legend, has been KO’d in two of his last three fights. Though just 35, Minotauro has taken a lot of damage recently and his career (at least in the UFC) could be in jeopardy if he suffers another vicious loss.

And sadly, that could be the case as Brendan Schaub enters the biggest fight of his career. Schaub (-200) has incredible stamina, determination and most importantly, power, with all but one of his victories coming by knockout. Though Big-Nog (+160) will be fighting in his own backyard, the 28 year-old American could easily steal the show.

Prediction: Schaub by TKO (3rd Round)

Lightweight Bout: Edson “Junior” Barboza (8-0) vs. Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson (14-4)

Edson Barboza has been extremely impressive since making his UFC debut last November. Six of Junior’s eight wins have been stoppages and he’s shown ridiculous striking ability with his legs since competing on the world’s biggest MMA betting stage; now he’ll look to do the same in his home country.

England’s Pearson likes to get inside and if the fight goes to the mat, he’s shown he can finish with an array of submissions. The Brit needs to press if he hopes to negate Barboza’s striking, but don’t be surprised to see Junior do just enough to stay undefeated.

Prediction: Barboza by Decision

Light Heavyweight Bout: Luiz “Banha” Cane (12-3-1) vs. Stanislav Nedkov (11-0)

Though Luiz Cane has a BJJ black belt, he’s recorded just one career victory by submission. Banha likes to throw his hands, but recently its cost him, losing two of his last three fights by KO; he does enter off of a KO win, however.

The Brazilian will be opposed by undefeated Bulgarian, Stanislav Nedkov, who is making his long awaited UFC debut. Nedkov can win with strikes, submissions and/or stamina, but he’s yet to face someone as aggressive as Cane. This should be a wonderful way to kick start the Pay-Per-View MMA gambling card!

Prediction: Cane by TKO (3rd Round)

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The next marquee UFC event is set for Saturday, July 2nd. UFC 132 will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. There will be five bouts on the preliminary lineup prior to the main card of five fights.

Bantamweight Championship Fight: Urijah Faber (+105) vs. Dominick Cruz (-135)

In the marquee match of the night, a title belt will be on the line. Faber (25-4 MMA record) will be making just his second appearance in a UFC event. The 32-year-old won his UFC debut against Eddie Wineland in March. With just a 4-3 mark in his last seven fights, Faber will try to get back on track against an opponent he has defeated in the past. Four years ago in Las Vegas, Faber stopped Cruz (17-1) to defend his WEC Featherweight Championship. Now, the 25-year-old Cruz will be seeking revenge for his lone pro setback as the current UFC Bantamweight Champion. In the rematch, the younger fighter prevails.

Middleweight Fight: Chris Leben (+145) vs. Wanderlei Silva (-175)

Leben (25-7), a former WEC Middleweight Champion, is just 6-5 in his 11 bouts heading into this matchup. The 30-year-old fell to Brian Stann in his last outing at UFC 125. Silva (33-10-1) has also had some struggles in his recent fights. The 34-year-old has dropped five of his last seven matches. In a tight battle, Silva comes out on top.

Welterweight Fight: Carlos Condit (-110) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (-120)

Condit (26-5) has won 11 of his last 12 bouts heading into UFC 132. The 27-year-old is a former WEC Welterweight Champion. Kim (14-0-1) has yet to lose in his brief MMA pro career. The 29-year-old South Korean came away with a unanimous decision in his last fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 125. In a mild upset, Condit gets a victory in this one.

Light Heavyweight Fight: Tito Ortiz (+350) vs. Ryan Bader (-500)

While Ortiz (15-8-1) is one of the biggest names in the sport, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion has failed to win any of his last five matches dating back to 2006. At 36, age appears to have caught up to Ortiz. The younger Bader (12-1) suffered his first pro setback in his last fight against Jon Jones at UFC 126. In a mismatch, Bader takes care of Ortiz.

Lightweight Fight: Shane Roller (+220) vs. Melvin Guillard (-300)

Roller (10-3) will be making his debut at a marquee UFC event. The 31-year-old was an All-American wrestler in college at Oklahoma State. Guillard (27-8-2) became an MMA fighter after a brief boxing career. The 28-year-old has won seven of his last eight bouts heading into the matchup against Roller. The favorite rolls in this fight.

Lightweight Fight: Matt Wiman (+105) vs. Dennis Siver (-135)

Wiman (13-5) has won his last three outings heading into this bout. The 27-year-old has a fighting style that is based in wrestling. The 32-year-old Siver (18-7) has also won his last three fights. In a tight battle, Wiman pulls a mild upset against Siver.

Heavyweight Bout: Junior Dos Santos (12-1) vs. Shane Carwin (12-1) (UFC 131 Odds)

The winner will get a shot at UFC champion Cain Velasquez, so expect an all out war featuring the most dangerous strikers in the heavyweight division. Dos Santos and Carwin have 26 MMA gambling fights between them; only three of those fights have gone outside of the first round and neither fighter has been knocked out (each fighter’s loss has come by submission) and both pack heavy hands. The biggest question will be if Carwin’s motor has improved since his loss to Brock Lesnar last July. Carwin’s durability will also be in question as the American striker underwent neck surgery last November. Regardless, with Lesnar out of commission, you could not have asked for a better replacement.

Prediction: Dos Santos by TKO (1st Round)

Featherweight Bout: Kenny “KenFlo” Florian (15-5) vs. Diego “The Gun” Nunes (16-1) (UFC 131 Odds)

Though Diego Nunes has just one loss to his name, he has never fought anyone as talented and versatile as Kenny Florian. Florian’s combination of power, striking efficiency and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu make him extremely unpredictable, and his cardio is amongst the best in the world. Nunes, who has gone the distance in his last six fights, has never been knocked out or submitted, but that could very well change on Saturday.

Prediction: Florian via Decision

Heavyweight Bout: Jon Olav Einemo “The Viking” (7-1-0) vs. Dave “Pee Wee” Herman (20-2-0) (UFC 131 Odds)

Originally slated to face Carwin on this card, “The Viking,” Jon Olav Einemo now gets fellow UFC newcomer, Dave “Pee Wee” Herman, who has collected 14 of his 20 MMA gambling wins via knockout. Herman’s fight style drastically differs from that of The Viking, who has six submission victories to his credit, along with the 2003 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship; Einemo is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that should continue his streak of tap-outs.

Prediction: Einemo via Submission (2nd Round – Arm Bar).

Middleweight Bout: Demian Maia (14-2-0) vs. Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Munoz (10-2-0) (UFC 131 Odds)

Demian Maia has captured a UFC record, four, Submission of the Night honors in his career; despite losing unanimously, the fourth-degree BJJ black belt has also gone the distance with champion, Anderson Silva. Mark Munoz is a former Division I National Champion wrestler who packs heavy hands; half of his wins have come via knockout. Expect this fight to go to the mat, and perhaps, stay there through all three rounds.

Prediction: Maia via Submission (3rd Round – Rear Naked Choke).

Lightweight Bout: Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (14-3-0, 1 NC) vs. Vagner Rocha (6-1-0) (UFC 131 Odds)

17 MMA gambling matches between the two and only a single knockout. Donald Cerrone, who was originally slated to face Mac Danzig, is Muy Thai kickboxer that has wicked submission skills; his new opponent, however, promotional newcomer, Vagner Rocha, is a BJJ black belt. The Cowboy still has more experience; look for him to ride out a victory on the mat.

Prediction: Cerrone via Decision