Thiago Tavares recently finished serving a nine-month suspension. | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com
Lightweights
Thiago Tavares (17-5-1, 7-5-1 UFC) vs. Justin Salas (11-4, 2-1 UFC): Tavares returns from a nine-month suspension that resulted from a positive steroid test following a loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC on FX 7. In the past, the Brazilian has relied on conditioning and a skilled ground game, but his standup is improving. Salas’ success will depend on his ability to mix takedowns with punching and kicking combinations. Tavares wins by decision.Featherweights
Godofredo Castro (9-2, 1-2, UFC) vs. Sam Sicilia (11-3, 1-2 UFC): Sicilia was briefly deleted from UFC.com following a loss to Maximo Blanco at “The Ultimate Fighter 17” Finale, prompting speculation that the Season 15 competitor had been released from the promotion. Those rumors were quickly put to rest, but it cannot be a good sign that Sicilia was the source of such confusion to begin with. Like Sicilia, Castro has lost two of three in the Octagon, and he could very well be on the chopping block with another defeat. Castro wins by decision or submission.Middleweights
Omari Akmedov (11-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Thiago de Oliveira Perpetuo (9-1-1, 1-0 UFC): Like many Russians, Akmedov has a background in combat sambo. He also has an unblemished MMA record, with nine finishes via knockout, technical knockout or submission. Whether that translates into big-show success in hostile territory remains to be seen. Perpetuo, meanwhile, returns from an extended layoff after suffering a knee injury training to face Michael Kuiper in January. Akmedov has plenty of power in his hands and decent submission savvy, but he is not especially technical on the feet. Perpetuo is not the type to back down from a slugfest. Perpetuo takes this by TKO or submission in round three.Lightweights
Daron Cruickshank (13-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. Adriano Martins (24-6, 0-0 UFC): A veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter 15,” Cruickshank been able to blend flashy striking -- especially his kicks -- with competent wrestling to win three of four bouts in the Octagon. In his most recent victory, “The Detroit Superstar” displayed good conditioning and countered effectively to outpoint the well-traveled Yves Edwards at UFC on Fox 8. Martins, a former Jungle Fight champion, has not competed since beating Jorge Gurgel under the Strikeforce banner in January. Cruickshank keeps the fight at a safe range and captures a decision.Flyweights
Jose Maria Tome (33-4, 0-1 UFC) vs. Dustin Ortiz (11-2, 0-0 UFC): Tome faced a rough initiation in his UFC debut, falling to the heavy-handed John Lineker via second-round TKO in August. Even in defeat, “No Chance” showcased some explosive offense when he staggered Lineker with a spinning back kick in the first round and swarmed in pursuit of a finish that never came. Still, Tome’s ability to land unorthodox strikes makes him an interesting talent to watch. Anchored at Roufusport, Ortiz has already fought decent competition while competing for Strikeforce, Tachi Palace Fights and King of the Cage. Ortiz is capable of violent bursts of offense himself, making this an entertaining way to begin the card. Tome earns a decision.TRACKING TRISTEN 2013
Overall Record: 225-136Last Event (UFC Fight Night 31): 10-3
Best Event (Strikeforce “Marquardt vs. Saffiedine): 9-2
Worst Event (UFC 156/UFC on Fuel TV 8/UFC Fight Night 28): 5-6