Pros Pick: Aldo vs. Faber

History will be made Saturday in Sacramento, Calif., as the WEC televises its first pay-per-view event. Headlining is a stellar featherweight bout between champion Jose Aldo and former champion Urijah Faber.

It’s the perfect style matchup between a powerful wrestler with insane cardio in Faber and a submission dynamo who has some of the smoothest and most dangerous striking in the sport in Aldo. Faber is determined to recapture the title, but Aldo has been tearing the 145-pound class asunder and currently stands as a 3-to-1 favorite in various sportsbooks.

Sherdog.com recently caught up with dozens of professional fighters and trainers brave enough to put their street cred on the line and predict a winner.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: I think Jose Aldo will impose his pace and get the knockout in the third round.

Benji Radach: Knowing Mikey Brown and the mental state he was in when he fought Aldo, I can see Faber having a lot bigger chance to take this fight than most people think. Aldo brings a lot to the table, but Urijah has what it takes to keep the pressure on and get the win as long as he doesn't decide to throw too much flash in the first round of the fight, (like a) spinning back elbow headbutt fist. I'm going to root for Uriah. I'm sure he's hungry and looking for some.

Mike Ciesnolevicz: After seeing Faber lose twice to Mike Brown and Aldo just destroyed Brown and everyone else they put in front of him, it’s hard to think Faber will win the fight. Maybe if he takes it to the later rounds he can outwork Aldo and score takedowns, maybe utilize the clinch and tire Aldo out. The smart money is on Aldo by TKO, round one or two.

Elvis Sinosic: I'm picking Aldo to win this one. It will be a late finish or a decision. Both guys are machines. This will be a great match to watch.

Tyron Woodley: I am torn in this matchup. I'm trying to look at it from a neutral standpoint. A part of me (wants) to say Aldo because he is so sick. Then I want to go with the wrestler. I think Aldo can do stuff no one should be able to do. He is like Bones (Jon Jones) on three Rockstars. But Urijah has lots of gas. Heart says Aldo, but I’m going with Urijah. That way if he has the belt, Brown can beat Aldo in a rematch and take the belt from Urijah again! Boo-ya!

Gabe Ruediger: Should be a good fight. Both guys come to fight, and it should be entertaining. No one has really been able to find an answer for Aldo. I don’t think Urijah will either. I’m going with Aldo by TKO. On a side note, I’m out training with Ben Henderson for the Cerrone fight right now, and I’m picking Ben to win the rematch.

Thiago Tavares: I think that Aldo is the more complete fighter and more dangerous nowadays. He will win by knockout.

Lee Mein: I think Aldo will win if he lands more punches, gets more takedowns and attempts more submissions.

Stephane Vigneault: Aldo by TKO. He is just too fast, too aggressive, too good. Aldo over Faber via TKO round two.


Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com


Aldo is a huge favorite.Pedro Rizzo: I think it ends in the second round. Aldo is well trained, confident. There’s no way for Faber to overcome him. Aldo by knockout or submission.

Jaime Fletcher: I think if Faber can turn this thing into a wild scrap on the feet and scramble fast on the ground, he can find a way to win. He's good at that, and his submission game is underrated. If Aldo stays in his comfort zone, I think his style is too precise and brutal. I pick the “California Kid” by submission in the later rounds of the fight. He knows he can't play games with Aldo, and I think he will be focused and serious.

Marcus Davis: Blazing speed, vicious strikes and cage control guide Aldo to a KO/TKO victory.

Tom Gavrilos: Aldo is a force, but Brown seemed beaten before he even got in. The explosiveness of Aldo is intimidating. Faber is hungry, tough and hard to intimidate. If any style matches up well with Aldo, I think it’s Faber’s. Faber by decision.

Vitor Miranda: Aldo is stronger in striking, and it is very hard to take him to the ground. I think he wins by knockout.

Robin Black: If anyone out there thinks this doesn’t have Fight of the Year written all over it, they’re bonkers. Both guys are insanely fast, both guys have explosive striking, both guys are in crazy condition. It may come down to Faber’s wrestling versus Aldo’s black belt level jiu-jitsu. On the other hand, either guy can KO the other if he makes the smallest mistake. Man, tough one to call. The only thing we do know is it’ll be exciting.

Nick Thompson: Derrick Noble and I are still taking a break from one another, so I will again have to go it alone in this Pros Pick. Maybe he will be less agitable after his fight on the 24th; he is just so moody. But I digress. Aldo has looked really, really good lately. But Faber is always very affable when I see him. Based on that analysis, I have Faber via unanimous decision.

Gustavo Machado: I think Aldo wins by knockout or submission. It won’t go to a judges’ decision. Aldo is in a great rhythm, very confident and better standing and on the ground.

Cristiano Marcello: I do not see major problems for Aldo in this fight. Being an athlete complete on the ground and standing, if he dictates the pace he's been putting in his training, I see an early end with a knockout or submission.

Matt Mitrione: Aldo is a beast, but I feel Urijah has something to prove again. I go with Urijah, but it’ll be a war.

Vitor Ribeiro: Aldo will block all takedown attempts and will finish the fight in the second round on the ground.

Carlos Barreto: It will be a big test for Aldo because Faber is a good athlete, has a strong and competitive game. I think Aldo will know how to impose his pace and will force Faber into his game of sharp and thundering strikes. Aldo by KO.

Chael Sonnen: I’ll be ringside for the match, and if you see me, don’t be afraid to send over a nacho (plate) and a Coke big enough to swim in. Faber (wins).

Pros who picked Aldo: 14
Pros who picked Faber: 7
Pros who couldn’t decide: 1

Matt Mitrione is a pro?

You have to be a pro if you expect to beat the great Kimbo Slice

The fact that he's probably going to lose to Kimbo Slice shows he has no place in this sport.

This idea hit me the other day: Wouldn't it be so much cooler if they kept Kimbo-Mitrione on the main card but broadcasted the fight in a random backyard in Miami instead of it taking place in the octagon?

meathead is just a dumb guy, but a decent fighter.


wolf is a pro scatter, he picks faber.

Scatological studies?

I actually think Meathead wins this one against Kimbo. Kimbo got knocked out by Seth Petruzelli for god sakes, Meathead hits alot harder, he KO'd Big Baby while moving backwards ala Chuck Lidell style.

As do I.

Can't believe u guys are talking about Meathead making picks in here, but Kimbo KO's Mitrione.

KingsOwn19 wrote:

Matt Mitrione is a pro?

At least we've heard of him. I had to Google some of those guys.

tolivendiewithLA wrote:

Can't believe u guys are talking about Meathead making picks in here, but Kimbo KO's Mitrione.

I agree Kimbo wins by KO.

All pro means is you get paid to fight.

faber by sexiness

Aldo's speed may look more human against Faber's. He looked less super human against Brown who, no excuses, just wasn't at the level he was against Faber that night by all reports and appearances. I just wish Faber would have practiced fighting a less dangerous and more defensive stance and hand positioning during his last fight though. He didn't respect Assuncao, but he better respect Aldo.

wolf what were you hearing about brown? I dont want to bad mouth a guy but I have a friend who trained in florida with him and there are some disturbing lifestyle choices by him

If Faber studied Aldo vs Brown he will see that when Aldo gets swinging he leaves himself wide open for counters. Faber could take a strategy like used in Manhoef vs Lawler but I think he will be turtling.

Such as? I heard the same basic story as in the pros pick, and that he was injured pretty seriously by Thiago Alves a week before the bout as well.

If Faber studied Aldo vs. Brown he learned that Aldo is hard as hell to take down and finsihed MTB like no one before

Man don't know if I want to go with Cerrone or Bendo

Cowboy FTW but Hendo seems more dedicated to winning.

I watched Carrone slam Jon Jones in some hype stuff for this. I'll take him via hypetrain. (also because he's been robbed in two different wec title fights and is due, jesus)

No he lost both

ARE U FUCKING KIDING ME???????????????????????????????????????????

You alright?