Khabib Nurmagomedov has the look of a future title contender. | Photo: Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com
Lightweights
Rafael dos Anjos (20-6, 9-4 UFC) vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov (21-0, 5-0 UFC): Nurmagomedov is at the forefront of the sport’s “Russian” invasion, a Dagestani combat sambo world champion whom UFC President Dana White has claimed no one wants to face. Nurmagomedov has won five straight fights since debuting with the promotion in 2012, most recently outpointing Pat Healy at UFC 165. Dos Anjos, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with underrated standup, has won his last five fights in the Octagon, as well, including a triumph over Donald Cerrone in August. The winner of this bout could be close to a 155-pound title shot. Nurmagomedov will be able to hold his own in the standup while getting the better of grappling exchanges to win a decision.Welterweights
Thiago Alves (19-9, 11-6 UFC) vs. Seth Baczynski (19-10, 5-3 UFC): A series of injuries has sidelined Alves for more than two years, as the former welterweight title challenger has not competed since a submission loss to Martin Kampmann at UFC on FX 2. Perhaps the greatest question for Alves will be his ability to complete what was always a draining weight cut after such an extended absence. Otherwise, “The Pitbull” should be able to handle Baczynski. Alves wins by KO or TKO in round two.Lightweights
Jorge Masvidal (25-8, 2-1 UFC) vs. Pat Healy (29-18, 0-3 UFC): A pair of former Strikeforce alums square off, with Healy still in search of his first official UFC win. While Healy would prefer to grind down his opponent, Masvidal is well-rounded enough to fend off Healy’s clinch and takedown offerings. On the feet, the versatile “Gamebred” blends punches and kicks well while countering effectively. Masvidal takes this by decision.Featherweights
Alex White (9-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Estevan Payan (14-5, 0-2 UFC): Other than possibly winning the first two rounds against Robbie Peralta before being stopped in the third frame, Payan has not looked UFC-ready in his first two appearances. White, who is unbeaten as a professional and as an amateur, is primarily a striker with experience in both muay Thai and boxing. Although his record is gaudy, White has not faced the most difficult of competition, but he does have potential and a matchup against Payan is a good debut for him. Payan will not hesitate to brawl with the newcomer, which could be a mistake because White has flashed power in previous bouts. White wins by KO or TKO in round two or three.Middleweights
Caio Magalhaes (7-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Luke Zachrich (13-2, 0-0 UFC): A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Magalhaes relied on superior conditioning to outlast Nick Ring in his most recent outing at UFC Fight Night 33. The Brazilian’s gas tank has aided him greatly since falling to Buddy Roberts in his debut; his ability to implement takedowns and grappling as the bout progresses could be a key against an Octagon rookie. Zachrich, meanwhile, was a member of “The Ultimate Fighter 7” cast, falling to Dan Cramer in a preliminary bout. The Ronin Training Center product will likely try to engage his foe in the clinch, and from there it will be a matter of which fighter can gain top control and put his jiu-jitsu to work, as neither is especially dynamic in the striking department. Give Magalhaes a slight nod thanks to conditioning and experience. He wins via decision or late submission.Welterweights
Jordan Mein (27-9, 1-1 UFC) vs. Hernani Perpetuo (17-3, 0-0 UFC): Mein has flown under the radar. He lost via second-round TKO to the red-hot Matt Brown in a wildly entertaining bout at UFC on Fox 7 in April 2013, but the 24-year-old Canadian remains a prospect to watch. While Mein struggled somewhat with Brown’s in-your-face style, he still had his moments, hurting “The Immortal” with a left hook to the body in round one and swarming for the finish. In his Octagon debut, Mein absolutely overwhelmed durable veteran Dan Miller with punches to the head and body at UFC 158. While Mein has a varied arsenal on the feet, his takedown defense could still use some work, although he does have an active guard. By virtue of training with the acclaimed Nova Uniao camp alone, Perpetuo is going to generate some interest. The former Shooto champion prefers to strike, relying on his jab and leg kicks while throwing in the occasional spinning attack -- a mix of skills that should make for an entertaining bout. Mein takes it by decision or TKO.Flyweights
Ray Borg (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Dustin Ortiz (12-3, 1-1 UFC): Borg earned his call-up to the UFC with a surprisingly dominant performance against highly touted Jackson-Wink MMA flyweight prospect Nick Urso under the Legacy Fighting Championship banner just two weeks prior. The FIT NHB member is a powerful wrestler and grappler with heavy hands and dangerous chokes, but he will have his hands full with Ortiz, who gave former No. 1 contender John Moraga all he could handle before falling via split decision at UFC Fight Night 35. Ortiz possesses above-average athleticism, improving standup and aggressive ground-and-pound. While well-rounded, Ortiz does not necessarily excel in any one area, but he is still more battle-tested against the division’s best than his opponent. Given Ortiz’s wealth of experience and Borg’s short camp, this looks like a tall order for a talented newcomer. Borg makes a good showing, but Ortiz holds on for a decision.Featherweights
Chas Skelly (11-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Mirsad Bektic (7-0, 0-0 UFC): Anchored at Team Takedown, Skelly is a former NAIA All-American who relies heavily on his wrestling base to succeed. He is heavy on top, and while his ground-and-pound is not of the fight-ending variety, Skelly is skilled at moving to his opponent’s back. His standup has room for improvement. As talented as Skelly appears to be, Bektic has been touted by some as the No. 1 prospect in the sport. He is the more explosive athlete in this matchup and transitions well between the various elements of MMA. However, Skelly’s wrestling could give the Bosnian-born fighter some problems. In the end, Bektic will be too dynamic overall -- especially in striking exchanges -- to be denied. Bektic finishes the fight within two rounds.Heavyweights
Jack May (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Derrick Lewis (9-2, 0-0 UFC): Lewis has recently established himself as a knockout artist, stopping eight of his nine opponents by KO or TKO, including notable triumphs over current UFC talent Jared Rosholt and Bellator MMA veteran Ryan Martinez. May, meanwhile, is a former college basketball player with some K-1 experience. He has been dominant against lower-level competition, but Lewis figures to be a step up, particularly if the bout advances past the opening five minutes. Lewis takes it by KO or TKO in round two.***
TRACKING TRISTEN
2014 Record: 73-46-1Career Record: 340-204-2
Last Event (“The Ultimate Fighter Nations” Finale): 10-3
Best Event (UFC Fight Night 40): 7-0
Worst Event (UFC Fight Night 39): 1-9-1