UFC 142 Preview: The Main Card
Silva vs. Prater
Erick Silva, one of Brazil’s most promising exports, last tasted
defeat in 2006. | Photo: Sherdog.com
Welterweights
Erick Silva (13-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Carlo Prater (29-10-1, 0-0 UFC)
The Matchup: For the second time in two UFC appearances, Silva will be facing a short-notice opponent. Originally scheduled to face Mike Swick at UFC 134, the Brazilian prospect instead made short work of countryman Luis Ramos. Silva displayed dangerous striking in the brief outing, dropping Ramos with an overhand right before finishing the contest on the ground with a flurry of strikes in just 40 seconds.
Now, he gets Carlo Prater, a former challenger for the World Extreme Cagefighting 170-pound strap. The 30-year-old Prater had a productive 2011, winning four bouts in various promotions to earn his first shot at the UFC. With wins over the likes of Melvin Guillard, Carlos Condit and Spencer Fisher early in his career, Prater has plenty of experience against top-notch competition and should be able to test Silva in ways that Ramos could not.
A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Prater is not likely end a fight with a highlight-reel knockout, but his transitions and slick submissions on the ground have finished many a fight. While Silva has earned seven of his 13 career victories via tapout, as well, he will likely want to utilize his nearly five-inch reach advantage to keep the fight standing. Prater is plenty durable, however, and will be a tough out there.
The Pick: Training with Team Nogueira is bound to keep a fighter’s ground game sharp, and that will be the greatest threat Silva faces from Prater. If he negates Prater’s skills there, his striking will be enough to get the nod from the judges after three competitive rounds.
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