Here are my picks for the Abu Dhabi supercard. Going to stick with the main card seeing as how the undercard requires a ton of research and I am already late with this post to begin with. So lets get to it.

Middleweight

Mark Munoz vs Kendall Grove

This has been a difficult fight for me to pick because of all the interviews of Mike Munoz I have seen. He seems to be a really nice guy I have a hard time picking against him. When Grove last faced a bullying wrestler he submitted the guy lickity split with a via slick triangle. Even with the 6′6 frame Kendall can be bullied, coupled with Munoz’s particularly devastating ground and pound (in his last fight, he literally looked like he was playing the bongos with his fist on his opponents head) I do have sound reasoning for choosing the Philipino Wrecking Machine. But with Groves dangerous bjj off his back I have to consider it a ticking time bomb to counter Marks most dangerous weapon, his dominant top control and g’n'p. Going to bite the bullet and go with the Black House representative.

- Munoz via UD

Lightweight

Terry Etim vs. Rafael Dos Anjos

I’ve seen Dos Anjos on both sides of a one sided ass kicking. And I am pretty sure he will be on the recieving end of one today. Etim may not be willing or able to submit Anjos right out the gate, I still think he can once he softens him up. Both fighters also possess good leg kick techniques but Rafael uses them as a rangefinder while Etim uses them to finish off combos.

- Etim via TKO

Welterweight/Legends League

Matt Hughes vs. Renzo Gracie

2 pioneering legends of the sport clash in battle of genuflecting adjectives. Smugness aside this is one of those fights that in a parallel universe has already taken place when both fighters were in their prime. But since we live in the real world where the best possible matchups don’t always take place due to a multitude of variables, we get the overdue version.

With both fighters in the sublime orange-purple twilight of their respective careers, the fight boils down to who has more still left in their back of tricks & if said tricks are still operable. Matt Hughes barely grinded out a decision over Renzo’s Long Island disciple Matt Serra last year. And with Renzo’s three year gap from his last professional bout, I expect Hughes to do it again. Even though I would be happy as hell for one of the craziest Gracie to ever compete were to pull off a flash sub and have a win in the UFC. Alas, pesky logic dictates otherwise.

- Hughes via Split Decision or late round tko

Lightweight Championship

B.J. Penn Champ vs. Frankie Edgar Challenger

I like Frankie Edgar, the kid is the very definition of pugnacious and scrappy. But he is going up against one of the best fighters in the world/UFC/history of the sport in Baby Jay Penn. I would like to say Edgar can set a blazing pace and try to eke out a decision. But with Penn’s eyes focused on going up in weight to face his white whale yet again. I just hope BJ makes it quick since he doesn’t have to prove anything by toying with opponents for rounds on end to show of his cardio. Frankie’s decent boxing, head movement and wrestling will only be delaying the in inevitable, which will get him a Fight of The Night bonus if he can get to round 3. But I don’t see that happening, at least the getting to round 3 part.

- The Prodigy via calculated savagery….War Edgar either way.

Main Event

Middleweight Championship

Anderson Silva Champ vs. Demian Maia Challenger

Now I can go on and wax poetic about Anderson Silva’s comparable “weakness” on the ground and how a bjj demi god like Demian Maia has a probable avenue to victory should he get and keep it the fight on said ground. And while Silva has shown that he isn’t in possession of awesome takedown defense he has shown the ability to stay out of trouble and go on the offensive off his back.

But I will digress and say that no belt is exchanging hands at UFC 112. If Maia has improved his wrestling and begins the fight by shooting across the octagon like a man possessed he does have chance. But this is Anderson Silva we are talking about here. I would be happy to see Silva lose just to have him destroy his way through the 185lbs. division back to his belt. He may find himself in compromising positions but in the end The Spider will prevail.

- Silva via TKO

I will also be hoping that Mr. Wondeful, Johnson, Kelly and Madsen come out with wins today also. I am also anxious to see how the first outdoor event will go down and if it has an effect on the fighters.We will be on twitter doing a blow by blow for the event. And since the event will be happening at 1 p.m. eastern time. I will do my damnedest to remain unspoiled until later tonight.