Featherweights
Diego Brandao (14-7, 1-0 UFC) vs. Darren Elkins (13-2, 3-1 UFC): Elkins, a tough, well-rounded competitor, was resourceful in escaping multiple guillotine attempts from Tiequan Zhang at UFC 136. The Indiana native will attempt to use his seven-inch reach advantage to keep the ultra-aggressive Brandao at bay. The 145-pound champion of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 14, Brandao earned a harrowing submission win over Dennis Bermudez in his UFC debut. The Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts product’s tendency to get overexcited could lead to his downfall, but not here. Brandao wins by knockout in round two.
Lightweights
Edson Barboza (10-0, 4-0 UFC) vs. Jamie Varner (16-7, 1-1 UFC): With Barboza, the spectacular is never far away, as evidenced by his highlight-reel spinning wheel kick knockout of Terry Etim at UFC 142. Originally scheduled to face Evan Dunham, the Brazilian instead gets Varner, a former WEC lightweight king who has won three of four on the regional circuit. Barboza stifles Varner’s wrestling with nasty leg kicks en route to a decision triumph.
Dave Mandel
Brandao has been thrilling so far
in his UFC tenure.
Middleweights
Jason Miller (23-8, 1 NC, 0-2 UFC) vs. C.B. Dollaway (11-4, 5-4 UFC): After gassing badly in his loss to Michael Bisping at the “The Ultimate Fighter 14” Finale, Miller has plenty to prove here. In Dolloway, he faces an excellent wrestler with average standup. Look for Miller to be in much better shape, as he does good work in the clinch and on the mat before submitting the Power MMA Team product in round three.
Lightweights
Paul Sass (12-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Jacob Volkmann (14-2, 5-2 UFC): A three-time NCAA All-American wrestler at the University of Minnesota, Volkman’s approach is no secret: he is going to look for clinches and takedowns early and often. He will have to be cautious against Sass, who tirelessly works for submissions from guard. However, Sass has not proven he can implement his offense against a top-notch wrestler. Volkmann wins by decision.
Welterweights
Dan Hardy (23-10, 4-4 UFC) vs. Duane Ludwig (21-12, 4-3 UFC): This is the type of bout that will prime the audience for the rest of the card, as both Hardy and Ludwig figure to bring plenty of standup fireworks to the cage for this preliminary contest. With little threat of a takedown from either man, expect plenty of back-and-forth exchanges, with a slightly more well-rounded attack carrying Ludwig to an entertaining decision.
Light Heavyweights
Kyle Kingsbury (11-3, 4-2 UFC) vs. Glover Teixeira (17-2, 0-0 UFC): Teixeira was long considered to be one of the best light heavyweights outside of the Zuffa LLC umbrella. The Brazilian was 5-0 in 2011, finishing all of his fights by knockout or submission. He will have a game foe in Kingsbury, who possesses solid athleticism and power. The American Kickboxing Academy rep’s major weakness -- grappling -- came to light in his one-sided loss to Stephan Bonnar at UFC 139. Teixeira would rather stand, however, and he will do enough to earn a hard-fought decision over “Kingsbu.”
Featherweights
Mike Thomas Brown (25-8, 1-3 UFC) vs. Daniel Pineda (17-7, 2-0 UFC): At his best, Brown is a powerful 145-pounder with a big right hand and solid wrestling. He has mostly struggled since his heyday in the WEC, and here he gets what looks to be an up-and-comer in Pineda. The former two-division Legacy Fighting Championship titleholder has looked impressive in notching submission wins in his first two Octagon appearances. Brown battles through some tough moments to earn a third-round submission.