Middleweights
Brad Tavares (7-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Dongi Yang (10-2, 1-2 UFC): Injuries have kept Tavares out of action since July, when he suffered the first loss of his career to Aaron Simpson at UFC 132. The Hawaiian would prefer to keep the fight standing, so he can avoid energy-draining clinch battles and employ his favored brawling style. Yang, a Korean Top Team product, has an aggressive but sometimes wild striking style. Yang is capable of scoring the spectacular knockout, but look for Tavares to avoid any glaring mistakes and get the decision.
Lightweights
T.J. Grant (17-5, 4-3 UFC) vs. Carlo Prater (30-10-1, 1-0 UFC): Prater did not achieve victory the way one would want in a UFC debut, as he was blitzed by Erick Silva but won the fight because it was deemed that Silva landed too many punches to the back of his opponent’s head. Grant is a submission specialist with a good butterfly guard and decent standup. Prater is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, but Grant’s more well-rounded skill set allows the Canadian to win a decision.
Lightweights
Rafael dos Anjos (15-6, 4-4 UFC) vs. Kamal Shalorus (7-2-2, 0-2 UFC): Shalorus throws every combination with ill-intent, but the downside to that is he often expends too much energy if nothing significant lands. Dos Anjos is known primarily for his grappling, but he demonstrated one-shot power in his UFC 132 knockout of George Sotiropoulos. Despite an impressive wrestling pedigree, Shalorus uses those skills primarily to keep his fights standing. Look for dos Anjos to wear down the Iranian and score a late submission.
Bantamweights
Jeff Curran (33-14-1, 0-2 UFC) vs. Johnny Eduardo (25-9, 0-1 UFC): Eduardo had his 11-fight winning streak stopped at UFC 134, as Rafael Assuncao nullified his standup en route to a unanimous decision victory. Curran, who is coming off a loss to Scott Jorgensen, brings a wealth of experience to this matchup. “Big Frog” has a solid chin, which will allow him to absorb some shots as he closes distance and attempts to implement his grappling game. Curran wins by submission in round two.
Lightweights
Cody McKenzie (12-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Marcus LeVesseur (21-5, 0-0 UFC): Originally scheduled to face well-traveled Aaron Riley, McKenzie now gets LeVesseur, a product of the Minnesota Fight Factory who has won six of his last seven bouts. After winning 10 fights in a row -- including his UFC debut -- with his patented guillotine, McKenzie has lost his two bouts. “The Ultimate Fighter 12” alum gets back on track here, forcing LeVesseur to tap in the first.
Bantamweights
Alex Soto (6-1-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Francisco Rivera (7-2, 0-1 UFC): Rivera steps in on less than two weeks’ notice after Azamat Gashimov withdrew from the bout. “Cisco” has been impressive lately, scoring spectacular knockouts in his last two outings under the Tachi Palace Fights banner. Soto had a tough draw in his Octagon debut, falling to Michael McDonald by knockout in 56 seconds. If Soto comes out carelessly, Rivera has the type of power to capitalize with a well-placed counter. Rivera wins by technical knockout in round two.