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Who wins the Bigfoot Silva vs. Andrei Arlovski headliner at UFC Fight Night 51, and how?
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST
If the Andrei Arlovski who fought Brendan Schaub turns up on Saturday night, this one is a pretty easy pick in favour of Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva. Arlovski looked slow, methodical, and well past his best. I’m not a big fan of Bigfoot but he’s got too much size, strength and power for Arlovski to handle. Big Foot hasn’t truly dominated anyone in his last six fights, and that includes his wins over Travis Browne and Alistair Overeem, which both came after periods when Bigfoot was on the verge of defeat.
If Arlovski can start fast and be aggressive he could have an outside chance. If he doesn’t it won’t take too long for Big Foot to start influencing the direction of the fight. I really hope this fight ends fairly quickly and doesn’t go past the first or second round. Fights involving guys this big rarely look good for the entire duration, and this one could be horrible if it goes on too long. Bigfoot will win this one via TKO early in the second round.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think both guys come out and look to make a statement. I think this leads to Arlovski catching Bigfoot and getting the TKO finish. I'm sure there's a lot of hope mixed in there as well, maybe too much, but I have to believe that this fight won't suck. I've got my fingers crossed that this fight is at least somewhat good. I'm predicting an Arlovski TKO, but I could see a Bigfoot TKO win as well. I think it's more likely that Arlovski gets it done, though.
KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Arlovski was one of my favorites back in the day when he fought Tim Sylvia, but I don't think he has enough gas in the tank to take on a guy like Bigfoot who is still somewhat in the prime of his career. I like Bigfoot to win via stoppage.
TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
Andrei Arlovski and Antonio Silva should be counting their lucky stars to be given the headline fight for UFC Fight Night 51.
Arlovski is coming into the fight on the back of a controversial split decision win over Brandan Schaub, when he made his return to the UFC after six years away from the promotion. That was also one of the worst fights I've ever had the displeasure of watching over the last few years!
His opponent Bigfoot Silva should also be very thankful; though he was in one of the best fights of the year when he fought Mark Hunt at UFC Fight Night 33, the fight ended in a majority draw, and he was later popped for elevated levels of testosterone above his TRT regimen after the fight.
He would not only forfeit his $50,000 "Fight of the Night" bonus, he would also be handed a nine month suspension from the sport.
Silva holds a win over Arlovski from when the pair met in 2008, as he took a unanimous decision. Though Arlovski has kept himself busy over the last year or so, he also has his return fight out of his system now, and is riding a three fight winning streak.
Silva's inactivity due to his own stupidity might be the key to his very own downfall.
I'm picking the underdog Arlovski to win here.
Prediction: Arlovski TKO RD1.
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