Ronys Torres has rattled off 11 consecutive victories. | Photo: Alan Oliveira/Sherdog.com
Lightweights
Ronys Torres (25-4) vs. Brian Cobb (19-7): Since his exit from the UFC in 2010, Torres has been on a tear. Starting with a triumph over Anderson Smith on Oct. 30, 2010, the 26-year-old Brazilian has reeled off 11 straight victories, all of them in his home country. Beware the fighter who accumulates a gaudy record competing exclusively in the South American nation, however. Cobb is a seasoned veteran who will use his wrestling and grappling skills to earn a hard-fought decision.
Welterweights
Gerald Harris (21-4) vs. Josh Burkman (23-9): Harris, who was released from the UFC after a loss to Maiquel Jose Falcao Goncalves despite a 3-1 record within the promotion, has compiled a four-fight winning streak while competing for various promotions since his ouster. Burkman, meanwhile, has not fought for the world’s largest MMA promotion since 2008; he has been victorious in five of his six outings since then. Both men will attempt to impose their will through wrestling, but look for Harris to emerge from a grinder with a three-round verdict in hand.
Middleweights
David Branch (10-3) vs. Dustin Jacoby (8-2): The parade of UFC alums continues as Branch, who was 2-2 during his tenure with the promotion, locks horns with Jacoby, who fell to Clifford Starks and Chris Camozzi in two Octagon outings. Branch, a Renzo Gracie pupil, is a talented grappler with solid athleticism, while Jacoby has struggled when planted on his back. Branch wins by submission in round three.
Welterweights
Steve Carl (18-3) vs. Ramico Blackmon (8-1): A four-time Bellator veteran, Carl has notched 13 of his career triumphs by way of submission. Blackmon, meanwhile, has gone the distance five times in victory. Carl, who trains at Hard Drive MMA, forces a tap from the 40-year-old Colorado Fight Factory export in round one.
Lightweights
Gesias Cavalcante (16-6-1) vs. T.J. O’Brien (18-5): After back-to-back upset defeats in his last two outings, Cavalcante is beginning to sport the look of a faded fighter. Known as a durable and resilient competitor, the Brazilian was knocked out for the first time in his career by Luis Palomino in June. Losses to Paul Kelly and Cole Miller resulted in O’Brien’s exit from the UFC last year, but the Iowan has rebounded with consecutive wins under the Midwest Cage Championship banner. O’Brien will not be able to submit Cavalcante, and he will get busted up on the feet en route to a late stoppage or decision victory for “JZ.”
Featherweights
Waylon Lowe (13-4) vs. Fabio Mello (11-6): Lowe, an American Top Team product, enters this bout on a three-fight winning streak, with all three victories coming via KO or TKO. Mello has not lost since 2008, and he once went the distance with current UFC featherweight ruler Jose Aldo at a Top Fighting Championships card in Brazil. The 37-year-old Mello is sturdy, with plenty of solid experience under his belt. He wins via decision or late submission.