Raphael Assunção V Marlon Moraes: What will go down:

The Muay Thai expert faces an experienced UFC welcoming party.

A big Bantamweight meeting takes place this weekend at UFC 212 in Brazil, as hometown favourites Raphael Assunção and spectacular striker Marlon Moraes headline the card's prelims. Both compatriots are regarded as two of the best 135lb players in the entire world, and with the classic grappler versus striker matchup a certainty, expect a game of chess to ensue.

Submission specialist Assunçåo has a vast knowledge of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, using his black belt status to submit the likes of Joe Lauzon and Vaughan Lee, while other noticeable victories over former division champ T.J. Dillashaw, Bryan Caraway, Jorge Masvidal and most recently Aljamian Sterling also find themselves nestled onto the Recife native's résumé.

Making his promotion bow this weekend, Marlon Moraes is unquestionably one of the most dangerous and highly regarded Muay Thai practitioners in all of mixed-martial arts today, with the Ricardo Almeida BJJ product a Black prajid in the striking art. 29 year-old Moraes was as dominant as they come in MMA during his time in the now defunct World Series of Fighting organisation, claiming the inaugural WSOF Bantamweight crown back in 2014, before defending the gold an incredible five times as part of in his unbeaten spell in the promotion. With vicious striking at both feet and hand, Moraes has stopped both top prospects Carson Beebe and Tyson Nam, after securing a decision win over the recently retired former WEC king Miguel Torres.

Expect Assunção to shoot for an early takedown or pull guard from the clinch  in an attempt to utilise his superior BJJ, while Moraes can strike from any angle, similarly to Edson Barboza, both men have finished contests via leg kick TKO. Raphael's main keys to success would see him avoid an aggressive striking style and clever use of the clinch, seeing him take the affair to the ground at all costs, while Moraes must display his famed footwork and striking prowess to overload the experienced Assunção, but I certainly don't envision any judge involvement in this one.

Marlon Moraes via knockout.

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Ross