UFC on FX 8 Preview

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Featherweights

Nik Lentz (23-5-2, 7-2-1, UFC) vs. Hacran Dias (21-1-1, 1-0 UFC): An injury forced Dias from a proposed meeting with Chad Mendes at UFC on FX 6. The Brazilian has not competed since June, when he used takedowns and ground-and-pound to earn a unanimous verdict over Iuri Alcantara at UFC 147. The Nova Uniao product is at his best when he can methodically advance position on the mat. Meanwhile, Lentz is 2-0 since dropping from lightweight, most recently topping Diego Nunes in January. Lentz will struggle to impose his will through takedowns here, as Dias wins a close decision.

Lightweights

Mike Rio (9-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (12-2, 2-1 UFC): A three-time national champion wrestler in college, Rio relied on his heavy top game before submitting John Cofer in December. Trinaldo rebounded from a competitive showing against Octagon veteran Gleison Tibau to submit C.J. Keith with an arm-triangle choke in his most recent outing. “Massaranduba” rocks Rio on the feet and then finishes with strikes or a submission on the floor in the second round.

Lightweights

Gleison Tibau (26-9, 10-6 UFC) vs. John Cholish (8-2, 1-1 UFC): Tibau has lost two of three, gradually running out of gas against Evan Dunham at UFC 156 in his last Octagon appearance. The Brazilian is one of the division’s most powerful lightweights, known for controlling fights with takedowns and clinch work. A Renzo Gracie protégé, Cholish is capable of threatening with a multitude of submission attempts, but he must avoid being tentative on the feet, as he was in losing to Danny Castillo at UFC on Fox 3. Tibau wins by decision.

Welterweights

Paulo Thiago (14-5, 4-5 UFC) vs. Michel Richard dos Prazeres (16-0, 0-0 UFC): It has never been an easy road for Thiago since leaving the Jungle Fight circuit for the UFC in 2009. The Brazilian debuted against Josh Koscheck, got Jon Fitch in his next bout and has faced the likes of Martin Kampmann, Diego Sanchez and Dong Hyun Kim along the way. Thiago, who has lost four of five, was overwhelmed by Kim for three rounds in November. He looks to get back on track against Prazeres, who is unbeaten and owns a triumph over Anderson Silva -- no, not that one -- during a career that began in 2000. Thiago takes this by submission or decision.

Bantamweights

Iuri Alcantara (27-4, 2-1 UFC) vs. Iliarde Santos (27-6-1, 0-0 UFC): A former Jungle Fight champion, Alcantara is an aggressive southpaw striker with accurate punches and solid ground skills. Although his last bout against Pedro Nobre resulted in a no contest due to illegal strikes to the back of the head, “Marajo” appeared to be on his way to victory before the fouls. Santos has been extremely active of late, fighting 13 times combined in 2011 and 2012, including a split decision loss to UFC flyweight talent John Lineker. Alcantara wins by KO or TKO in round two.

Light Heavyweights

Fabio Maldonado (18-6, 1-3 UFC) vs. Roger Hollett (13-4, 0-1 UFC): Maldonado absorbed a brutal beating at the hands of Glover Teixeira at UFC 153, his third consecutive loss within the Las Vegas-based promotion. His boxing skills, including an uncanny ability to work the body, and toughness make for exciting fights, but he could be on the verge of receiving his walking papers. Hollett, meanwhile, dropped a unanimous verdict to Matt Hamill in his UFC debut in September. If Hollett can make this a grinding affair and limit Maldonado’s output, he wins via decision.

Flyweights

Azamat Gashimov (7-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. John Lineker (20-6, 1-1 UFC): In splitting a pair of UFC appearances, Lineker has demonstrated an aggressive style. He will attempt to set a rapid pace and land a high volume of strikes against Gashimov, who was submitted by Ivan Menjivar in his promotional debut. Gashimov needs to ground Lineker repeatedly or risk defending against a barrage of powerful strikes to the head and body. Lineker captures a decision.

Flyweights

Chris Cariaso (14-4, 4-2 UFC) vs. Jussier da Silva (14-2, 0-1 UFC): Cariaso was doing well mixing in various kicks and punching combinations against John Moraga before succumbing to a third-round guillotine choke in their UFC 155 matchup, losing out on a potential meeting with 125-pound champ Demetrious Johnson as a result. Once regarded by many as the No. 1 flyweight in the world, da Silva was felled by the mighty left hand of John Dodson in October. “Formiga” is able to close distance and drag the fight to the canvas, where he wins via submission in round two.

Lightweights

Jeremy Larsen (8-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Lucas Martins (12-1, 0-1 UFC): A member of “The Ultimate Fighter 15” cast, Larsen suffered a first-round TKO defeat to housemate Joe Proctor at the show’s finale in June. Martins was given a rude welcome to the Octagon by Edson Barboza, as he tapped out to punches in the opening frame at UFC on FX 7. Martins finds the striking matchup battle more to his liking here, winning by KO or TKO in round one.

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TRACKING TRISTEN 2013

Overall Record: 94-54
Last Event (UFC 159): 7-4
Best Event (Strikeforce “Marquardt vs. Saffiedine): 9-2
Worst Event (UFC 156/UFC on Fuel TV 8): 5-6