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Flyweights

John Dodson (13-5, 2-0 UFC) vs. Jussier da Silva (14-1, 0-0 UFC)

The Matchup: If the rumblings following UFC 152 are to be believed, this a No. 1 contender’s bout, with two of the Top 10 flyweights in the world going at it for a shot at newly crowned 125-pound champion Demetrious Johnson.

Once regarded as the No. 1 fighter in the world at his weight class, da Silva has been on a tear of late, winning his last five bouts -- including four straight via submission. The reigning Shooto South America 123-pound champion, da Silva’s only loss in 14 career outings came to current UFC talent Ian McCall in 2011.

After an impressive run on Season 14 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Dodson earned victories over T.J. Dillashaw and Tim Elliott in his first two Octagon appearances. The win over Elliott -- Dodson’s first UFC outing at flyweight -- was not a vintage performance, but the Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts representative did well considering he appeared to be hampered by an injured left hand. Without being able to fully unveil his entire arsenal, Dodson’s precision trumped Elliot’s wild aggression for a unanimous decision triumph.

There is little mystery as to the intentions of da Silva, who looks to take his opponent’s back with relentless persistence. “Formiga” has serviceable standup, but his striking skills often remain dormant as the Natal, Brazil, native looks to close distance quickly in hopes of forcing an extended grappling battle. Even McCall found himself fending off a rear-naked choke attempt from da Silva for the majority of the first round in their encounter at Tachi Palace Fights 8. While McCall survived -- and ultimately prevailed -- most da Silva foes who surrender such a position are not nearly as fortunate.

Thanks to a muscular frame, solid wrestling base and good balance, Dodson has a chance to duplicate McCall’s feat. While da Silva is not particularly large for a flyweight, Dodson cuts from around 160 pounds to make weight. Despite being big for his weight class, Dodson throws punches, kicks and combinations with lightning speed. He will have to be careful not to overextend himself when striking, however, or he will risk giving da Silva the opening he needs to secure a takedown. The Nova Uniao Kimura export has good instincts and timing on the feet, and he is more than capable of catching a Dodson kick and dumping him to the floor.

The Pick: If Dodson finds himself in the clutches of “Formiga” at any point in the fight -- and it is quite possible he will -- poise and patience are paramount. Becoming careless in a series of scrambles and transitions on the canvas is a sure recipe for disaster. However, da Silva’s power will not scare Dodson, and the “The Ultimate Fighter 14” winner has the tools necessary to keep the majority of the bout upright. Dodson wins by decision.

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