UFC 168 ‘Weidman vs. Silva 2’ Preview

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Lightweights

Gleison Tibau (28-9, 13-7 UFC) vs. Michael Johnson (13-8, 5-4 UFC): When he is on his game, Johnson looks like he could contend for a title someday. Unfortunately, the Blackzilians member tends to run hot and cold with his fight-night performances. Johnson will have to land quick combinations while moving in and out or risk getting dragged into the typical Tibau grinder. Johnson’s takedown defense is normally very good, but there have been times -- see his UFC 155 encounter with Myles Jury -- where he has been overwhelmed on the mat. Tibau takes this by decision or late submission.

Middleweights

Uriah Hall (7-4, 0-2 UFC) vs. Chris Leben (22-10, 12-9 UFC): Hall is perhaps one loss away from being remembered as a reality show flash in the pan and receiving his UFC walking papers. As dominant as he was on “The Ultimate Fighter 17,” he has been equally underwhelming in losses to Kelvin Gastelum and John Howard. Still, the physical tools seem to be there; Hall just needs to find the right frame of mind. Leben, meanwhile, has lost four of five and seems to be showing the wear and tear of a straightforward, brawling style. Couple that with his battles with substance abuse, and it would seem that Leben’s best days are in the past, although it only takes one timely left hand to change perceptions. Hall wins by decision.

Featherweights

Dennis Siver (21-8, 10-6 UFC) vs. Manny Gamburyan (13-7, 4-5 UFC): Siver struggled against the superior speed of Cub Swanson in a third-round TKO loss at UFC 162. He should be able to better implement his versatile kickboxing arsenal against Gamburyan, who was fortunate to defeat Cole Miller in his last outing after nearly being finished in round one. The stocky Armenian will not be able to outmuscle Siver, which will force him to engage in risky exchanges. Siver wins via decision or TKO.

Welterweights

Siyar Bahadurzada (21-5-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. John Howard (21-8, 5-3 UFC): Bahadurzada has numbing knockout power, which he displayed in a spectacular 42-second stoppage of Paulo Thiago in his promotional debut, but his defensive wrestling needs work. The Afghan fighter was exposed in a lopsided decision loss to Dong Hyun Kim at UFC on Fuel TV 8, where he was held on his back for the majority of the bout. While Howard is not averse to a slugfest, he certainly has the ability to take down Bahadurzada, as evidenced by his 3.16 takedown per 15 minute average. When Bahadurzada’s headhunting fails, his options are limited. Howard earns a decision.

Welterweights

Bobby Voelker (24-10, 0-2 UFC) vs. William Macario (6-1, 0-1 UFC): Prior to his UFC debut, Macario had established a track record for quick finishes, stopping all six of his foes -- including five inside of a round. That came to a halt against the more-seasoned Leonardo Santos, who submitted his “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” Season 2 counterpart with a second-round arm triangle at UFC on Fuel TV 10. Voelker has the edge in experience, but he will be more likely to stand and trade with Macario. This one could end early; it is just a matter of who is going to land the tide-turning blow. Voelker wins by KO or TKO in round one or two.

Featherweights

Estevan Payan (14-4, 0-1 UFC) vs. Robbie Peralta (16-4, 2-1 UFC): Payan left pools of blood on the Octagon floor in absorbing a three-round beating against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 160. Peralta, meanwhile, is coming off a six-month suspension for a positive marijuana test following a decision loss to Akira Corassani at UFC on Fuel TV 9. These two will be trading early and often, with Peralta taking it by KO or TKO in round one.

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TRACKING TRISTEN

Overall Record: 259-155-1
Last Event (UFC on Fox 9): 6-5
Best Event (“The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale): 9-1
Worst Event (UFC Fight Night 33): 4-5-1