UFC Fight Night 38 Date: March 23, 2014 Arena: Ginasio Nelio Dias City: Natal, Brazil Middleweight bout: C.B. “The Doberman” Dolloway (+185) vs Cezar “Mutante” Ferreira (-200) Fight Breakdown: The co-main event for UFC Fight Night 38 will be a middleweight contest that pits together an American and a Brazilian, as Power MMA’s C.B. “The Doberman” Dollaway takes on Blackzilian product Cezar “Mutante” Ferreira. “The Doberman” is the underdog in this bout at +185 ($100 to win $185), with “Mutante” being the favorite at -200 ($200 to win 100) at Several Bookmakerss. Cezar “Mutante” Ferreira (7-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is set to make is fourth appearance inside the Octagon, following a split decision victory over Daniel Sarafian over four months ago. He displayed great fight IQ in the bout, opting to not trade many shots with the hard hitting Armenian-Brazilian, and instead using his size advantage to grapple and grind out a win. Now 3-0 in the UFC’s middleweight division, “Mutante” looks to climb further up the 185 pound ladder, and a win over “The Doberman” will do just that. Ferreira is an average striker who has solid Brazilian Jiu-Jits game. The biggest question mark for him is his chin. He was knocked out by Elvis Mutapcic on the regional circuit, and was rocked in his Octagon debut by Sergio Moraes. Ferreira displayed good recovery in the bout, but I think a more talented striker than Moraes would have put him out after hurting him. He generally has good cardio, so I expect him to be prepared for a 15 minute war with Dollaway, should the fight go the distance. C.B. “The Doberman” Dollaway (13-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) makes his return to the Octagon, following a controversial split decision loss against Tim Boetsch at UFC 166 five months ago. He feels he was robbed, and the loss did snap a two fight winning streak he had strung together by outpointing Jason “Mayhem” Miller and the aforementioned Daniel Sarafian. Dollaway is not a very good striker, and his wrestling skills are average at best. He is not exceptionally skilled in any area of mixed martial arts, so I have to say that his drive is his biggest asset. Much like with his opponent Ferreira, the main concern for “The Doberman” is his chin. He has been knocked out twice, and rocked many times in fights. Even one-legged “Mayhem” Miller was able rock him a couple of times during their scrap, as he was fighting with a very obvious injured knee. Dollaway’s cardio can be hit or miss, but it has held up in recent bouts, so I expect his conditioning to be in check as he gets ready for the second co-main event bout of his Octagon career. Gabe’s Prediction: I agree with most people that this is a close fight. On paper, anyway. I agree that “The Doberman” has a decent shot at being victorious for the second time in a co-main event in Brazil, but contrary to popular opinion, I don’t think he stands much of a chance at winning a decision. However, I do think he could catch “Mutante” with something during an exchange. On that same note, I think Ferreira could also catch Dollaway with something, and I would say the chances of that happening are more likely. So, I think both middleweights could finish each other, but it is more likely that Ferreira does, and if the fight goes the distance, I am confident the Brazilian will get the nod from the judges. That is why I am really liking a play on “Mutante” in this spot. Gabe’s Call: “Mutante” by TKO (strikes, 1:40 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Cezar Ferreira (-200) 4u to win 2u
