Many see Sergio Pettis as a potential superstar. | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com
Bantamweights
Alex Caceres (9-5, 4-3 UFC) vs. Sergio Pettis (10-0, 1-0 UFC): Pettis displayed the multi-faceted striking arsenal one would expect from a fighter with his last name in outpointing Will Campuzano in his promotional debut at UFC 167. Pettis might be better suited for 125 pounds, but for now it appears that he will remain at bantamweight. Caceres, with his reach and creative array of strikes, will make for an interesting matchup. The Campuzano win was impressive for Pettis, but it was also a short-notice fight for his opponent. Caceres wins by decision.Bantamweights
Eddie Wineland (20-9-1, 2-3 UFC) vs. Yves Jabouin (19-8, 4-2 UFC): Raw power meets finesse here, as Wineland will attempt to land the knockout blow against the flashy standup of Jabouin. Wineland, who is coming off a knockout loss to bantamweight champion Renan Barao, will make it difficult for Jabouin to maintain distance. Wineland is not especially versatile, but his sprawl-and-brawl approach will be enough to get the job done, as he wins via KO or TKO in round two.Bantamweights
Chico Camus (13-4, 2-1 UFC) vs. Yaotzin Meza (20-8, 1-1 UFC): After a rough short-notice introduction against Chad Mendes, Meza bounced back in his second UFC outing, submitting John Albert at UFC on Fox 8. Camus, meanwhile, earned a narrow victory over Kyung Ho Kang in front of his hometown at UFC 164. Meza has a five-inch reach advantage and an active ground game, so expect Camus’ defensive grappling to be tested. Meza takes this by decision or submission.Bantamweights
Hugo Viana (7-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Ramiro Hernandez (13-5, 0-1 UFC): Viana’s loss to T.J. Dillashaw proved he was not ready for the upper echelon of the division. His hand speed and countering ability have proven to be his greatest assets in the cage, and he will look to land with regularity against Hernandez, who was submitted by Lucas Martins in his Octagon debut. Expect Viana to attack with intensity early in an attempt to get his foe to wilt. Hernandez is a capable kickboxer, however, and having previously competed at as heavy as 155 pounds, is a decent-sized bantamweight. Hernandez wins by decision.Lightweights
Daron Cruickshank (13-4, 3-2 UFC) vs. Mike Rio (9-3, 1-2 UFC): A pair of “The Ultimate Fighter 15” alums square off here, but a defeat could mean the end of the line for Rio, who has lost two straight. His path to victory seems relatively simple: ground Cruickshank early and often. “The Detroit Superstar” probably has solid enough takedown defense to thwart this game plan, and Rio lacks the standup to keep his foe off-balance. Cruickshank wins by KO or TKO inside two rounds.Welterweights
George Sullivan (14-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Mike Rhodes (6-1, 0-0 UFC): Rhodes, a Roufusport product whose only loss as a pro came to the highly regarded Brandon Thatch, is probably the better overall prospect. Rhodes has championship experience, capturing the Resurrection Fighting Alliance 170-pound strap with a five-round verdict over Alan Jouban in October. Sullivan is probably best known for being featured in a controversial piece by the New Jersey Star-Ledger highlighting the dangers of MMA. Rhodes walks away with a decision.Heavyweights
Walt Harris (5-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Nikita Krylov (15-3, 0-1 UFC): Harris held his own in defeat against three-time NCAA All-American wrestler Jared Rosholt at “The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale, landing some solid punches in round one and managing to stay upright for the majority of the contest. The 21-year-old Krylov, meanwhile, was on the losing end of a forgettable encounter against Soa Palelei in which both men were sloppy and fatigued by the bout’s end. Harris wins by TKO in round one or two.***
TRACKING TRISTEN
2014 Record: 14-8
Career Record: 281-166-1
Last Event (UFC Fight Night 35): 8-4
Best Event (“The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale): 9-1
Worst Event (UFC Fight Night 33): 4-5-1