Lightweights
Jeremy Larsen (8-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Joe Proctor (7-1, 0-0 UFC): Larsen, the last pick by Dominick Cruz on Season 15, was outwrestled and outmaneuvered on the mat in a loss to Mike Chiesa on the reality show. Proctor is primarily a jiu-jitsu specialist and will look to close distance and take his foe to the mat. Proctor is not afraid to throw leather, and he will land just enough to get a takedown and submit Larsen in round two.
Bantamweights
John Albert (7-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Erik Perez (10-4, 0-0 UFC): Albert is coming off a wildly entertaining bout with Ivan Menvijar in which he displayed aggressive standup and an active submission game before falling via rear-naked choke. Perez owns a five-fight winning streak that includes victories in the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts and Shark Fights promotions. While Albert is the more known commodity, Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts fighters generally tend to raise their games when they step on the big stage. Perez wins by decision in a mild upset.
Lightweights
Cristiano Marcello (12-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Sam Sicilia (10-1, 0-0 UFC): Marcello entered “The Ultimate Fighter” house as one of the reality show’s more intriguing competitors, thanks in part to his status as the former jiu-jitsu coach for the Chute Boxe Academy. Sicilia blends solid athleticism with conditioning and wrestling but is also capable of ending a fight with one punch. A well-rounded performance earns Sicilia a decision victory.
Lightweights
Justin Lawrence (3-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. John Cofer (7-1, 0-0 UFC): Lawrence (Pictured above, File Photo) was regarded as one of the favorites on the show, and he did not disappoint by stopping James Krause and Marcello in his first two bouts. While his run was halted by Chiesa, he appears to have a bright future at just 21 years old. Cofer would prefer to ground the onetime Strikeforce competitor to limit his creative standup arsenal. Lawrence wins by knockout in round two.
Lightweights
Daron Cruickshank (10-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Chris Tickle (7-4, 0-0 UFC): A Mash Fight Team product, Cruickshank possesses a versatile striking repertoire that includes a variety of kicks from all angles. An ill-conceived shot resulted in him eating a knee against James Vick on Season 15; he will have to work on his timing in that area. Tickle was perhaps the most maligned cast member, consistently drawing criticism from Cruz. That said, he has decent hands and figures to be a game opponent. Cruickshank wears down his foe and wins by third-round stoppage.
Lightweights
Myles Jury (9-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Chris Saunders (9-2, 0-0 UFC): Jury came up just short in a preliminary bout against Al Iaquinta, an entertaining affair that required a sudden-victory round to settle things. Meanwhile, Saunders took a hard-fought split decision against Sicilia before dropping a majority decision to Vinc Pincel in the show’s quarterfinals. Look for Jury to pressure Saunders relentlessly and take a decision.