In the main event at UFC on FX 5, Travis Browne (13-0-1 MMA; 4-0-1 UFC) faces Antonio Silva (16-4 MMA; 0-1 UFC). This Heavyweight fight closes the four fight main card. The USA TODAY / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings have Browne as the #10 Heavyweight in the world, and Bigfoot just above him at #9. The UFC on FX 5 shows airs live on FX Friday night October 5 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
Those rankings tell the big story of this fight. Here, you have two fighters on the edge of the top team, very evenly matched, both looking to move forward. Both men are considered to have a lot of potential, but both also have recent underwhelming performances they are looking to distance themselves from. This is a close fight with a lot on the line, and an all around great main event.
How do these two stack up?
Browne: 30 years old | 6’7″ | 78″ reach
Silva: 33 years old | 6’4″ | 82″ reach
What have these two done recently?
Browne: W – Chad Griggs (Sub) | W – Rob Broughton (UD) | W – Stefan Struve (KO)
Silva: L – Cain Velasquez (TKO) | L – Daniel Cormier (KO) | W – Fedor Emelianenko (TKO)
How did these two get here?
Travis “Hapa” Browne came to the UFC in 2010 with a perfect 9-0 record. He was quickly moved up the ranks, taking on Heavyweight gatekeeper Cheick Kongo in just his 2nd UFC fight, and taking Kongo to a draw. Since then, Browne has gone 3-0, keeping his undefeated streak alive. His momentum cooled a bit at UFC 135, where his fight with Rob Broughton was pretty bad, though he came back strong against Chad Griggs. A Greg Jackson product, Browne has always been on the receiving end of a tremendous amount of hype, largely from Dana White. He’s yet to really live up to that potential, but could do just that here.
Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva bounced around such doomed organizations as Hero’s, Sengoku, and EliteXC before settling in Strikeforce in 2009. He lost his Strikeforce debut against Fabricio Werdum, but then rattled off three straight wins, including his huge upset victory over Fedor in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. But he’s failed to follow up on that momentum, losing back to back fights since, including his UFC debut where Cain Velasquez left him a bloody mess. With his huge size, power, and serious jiu jitsu credentials, he makes a unique challenger in the Heavyweight division. But on a two fight losing streak, he needs a win here badly.
Why should you care?
Like I said, this is a super close fight, with the winner taking a big step up. It does have a bit of a danger of being dull, but it makes a great free TV headliner.
More UFC on FX 5 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow:
Breaking News: Jeremy Stephens arrested – Chris Hall
UFC on FX 5 Fight Card – Mookie Alexander
Travis Browne vs. Antonio Bigfoot Silva Dissection – Dallas WinstonJake Ellenberger vs. Jay Hieron Dissection – Dallas Winston
Jussier Formiga da Silva vs. John Dodson Dissection – Dallas Winston
Josh Neer vs. Justin Edwards Dissection – Dallas Winston
Fuel TV Preliminary Card Dissections – Dallas Winston
Bloody Elbow staff picks and predictions
UFC on FX 5 weigh in video and coverage – Tim Burke
UFC on FX 5 betting lines – Tim Burke
Dennis Hallman misses weight, fight cancelled – Brent Brookhouse
Michael Johnson prepared for a 3 round war – Steph Daniels
Why is the UFC not promoting the Flyweights? – Mookie Alexander
Jake Ellenberger Says Hieron ‘More Dangerous’ Than Koscheck – Nate Wilcox
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