Chad Mendes remains one of the sport’s premier featherweights. | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com
Featherweights
Chad Mendes (13-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Darren Elkins (16-2, 6-1 UFC): Elkins has emerged as one of the sport’s most underrated 145-pound talents, notching five consecutive victories inside the Octagon, including a first-round technical knockout of Antonio Carvalho at UFC 158 -- his first finish during that streak. Elkins can establish himself as a legitimate title threat with a victory over Mendes, a former No. 1 contender himself. Mendes, after a couple of first-round stoppages against overmatched opponents, stifles Elkins’ wrestling and grinds out a decision triumph.
Middleweights
Lorenz Larkin (13-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Francis Carmont (20-7, 4-0 UFC): Carmont was probably fortunate to capture a split verdict against Tom Lawlor in his most recent outing. “Limitless” should employ a strategy similar to the one Muhammed Lawal utilized against Larkin at Strikeforce “Rockhold vs. Jardine,” which means punishing Larkin with takedowns and ground-and-pound. Of course, that came at 205 pounds and was later overturned after “King Mo” failed a post-fight drug screen. If Larkin can keep his feet -- no simple task -- he can outgun Carmont with a diverse striking arsenal. Carmont is capable of using punches and kicks to close the distance, and he outwrestles Larkin to take a narrow decision.
Lightweights
Myles Jury (11-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Ramsey Nijem (7-2, 3-1 UFC): Jury authored a surprisingly one-sided victory over Michael Johnson at UFC 155, grounding the Blackzilians member repeatedly and punishing him with ground-and-pound. Nijem has reeled off three straight wins since falling to Tony Ferguson at “The Ultimate Fighter 13” Finale. Nijem will pressure Jury and win the majority of scrambles on the ground to earn a decision.
Flyweights
Joseph Benavidez (17-3, 4-1 UFC) vs. Darren Uyenoyama (8-3, 2-0 UFC): Benavidez reminded everyone that he is still one of the world’s top flyweights by defeating Ian McCall at UFC 156; a win over Uyenoyama could earned the Team Alpha Male member another shot at Demetrious Johnson somewhere down the road. Uyenoyama is known for his grappling acumen, but he will be hard-pressed to match his opponent’s pace, both standing and on the floor. Benavidez wins by TKO or submission in the second round.
Lightweights
Tim Means (18-3-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Jorge Masvidal (23-7, 0-0 UFC): An unfortunate sauna mishap forced Means out of a proposed meeting with Abel Trujillo in December, but now the FIT NHB representative gets what is potentially an even tougher matchup in Masvidal, a well-traveled veteran who once challenged for the Strikeforce title. “Gamebred” is a versatile adversary capable of mixing his strikes and landing takedowns against the deceptively powerful Means. Masvidal takes this by decision.
Bantamweights
T.J. Dillashaw (7-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Hugo Viana (7-0, 2-0 UFC): Dillashaw replaces the injured Francisco Rivera in this 135-pound tilt. The Team Alpha Male product has earned three consecutive one-sided victories over Issei Tamura, Walel Watson and Vaughan Lee in his last three outings. After winning four of his previous six fights by decision -- including his Octagon debut against John Teixeira da Conceicao -- Viana showcased a powerful overhand right in a first-round knockout of Rueben Duran at “The Ultimate Fighter 16” Finale. Dillashaw grounds his adversary repeatedly and wins via TKO or submission in round two.
Lightweights
Roger Bowling (11-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Anthony Njokuani (15-7, 2-3 UFC): Perhaps best known for his trilogy with Bobby Voelker in Strikeforce, Bowling places a premium on putting on exciting fights. He will have to navigate the seven-inch reach advantage and kickboxing skills of Njokuani while making the cut from 170 to 155 pounds. Njokuani uses kicks to keep Bowling at a safe range before eventually catching his foe as he attempts to close distance for a TKO victory in the third round.
Middleweights
Yoel Romero Palacio (4-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Clifford Starks (8-1, 1-1 UFC): Palacio makes his UFC debut on the heels of a knockout loss to Rafael Cavalcante in Strikeforce. It has been a year and a half since the 35-year-old suffered that defeat. Starks, a former wrestler at Arizona State University, was submitted by Ed Herman in his last appearance at UFC 143. Starks mixes power punches with takedowns to take a decision.
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TRACKING TRISTEN 2013
Overall Record: 78-47
Last Event (“The Ultimate Fighter 17” Finale): 8-4
Best Event (Strikeforce “Marquardt vs. Saffiedine): 9-2
Worst Event (UFC 156/UFC on Fuel TV 8): 5-6