Darren Elkins is 7-2 over his past nine appearances. | Photo: Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Darren Elkins (18-4, 7-3 UFC) vs. Hacran Dias (21-3-1, 1-2 UFC): This is a potentially interesting battle of two featherweight grinders. After a 5-0 start to his featherweight career, Elkins has gone 2-2 in his last four, while Dias lost a razor-thin decision to Ricardo Lamas in June after a long layoff. Elkins is at his best when he can push his opponents against the cage and work them with pressure, takedown attempts and pitter-patter punches, although he can strike and grapple a bit, as well. Dias, a Nova Uniao product, is a very good wrestler and grappler whose kickboxing has come a long way. This is a terrible matchup for Elkins; I expect Dias to eat him up in the striking exchanges, keep it close in the clinch and generally beat up the American for a dominant decision victory.LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Marcos Rogerio de Lima (12-2-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Igor Pokrajac (25-11, 4-6 UFC): Former top prospect and “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3” contestant de Lima makes his second appearance in the UFC against Pokrajac, who has dropped his last four fights -- though one loss was overturned by the UFC -- and is somehow still in the organization. De Lima is a big, strong and athletic muay Thai specialist with solid ancillary skill sets and big power in all his strikes, while Pokrajac is essentially a sprawl-and-brawler. This should be an easy win for the Brazilian, who is probably better everywhere in addition to being a superior physical specimen. I see him knocking out Pokrajac in the first round.MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Daniel Sarafian (8-5, 1-3 UFC) vs. Antonio dos Santos Jr. (6-1, 0-0 UFC): “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” finalist Sarafian gets one more shot after dropping three of four in the UFC, as he takes on the debuting dos Santos Jr. -- a late-notice replacement for Dan Miller. Sarafian is a solid striker, although his lack of height handicaps him at range. He really shines when exploding into a double-leg and working his brutal top game, which is replete with topside submissions, passes and ground strikes. Dos Santos Jr. is a physical specimen with great size, strength and explosiveness, and he packs vicious power in his muay Thai arsenal and strikes from the top. Sarafian looked like death in his sole outing at 170 pounds, but that should be less of a problem back at middleweight. He should have a substantial advantage if he can get dos Santos Jr. on his back. Sarafian by decision is the pick.BANTAMWEIGHTS
Leandro Issa (12-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Yuta Sasaki (18-1-2, 1-0 UFC): Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Issa gets highly touted Japanese prospect Sasaki in a bantamweight barnburner. Issa is mostly a grappler, although his training at Evolve MMA in Singapore has given him a solid if not outstanding striking repertoire and decent takedowns. Sasaki is also an outstanding grappler, but he complements it with a sneaky clinch and wrestling game and an unorthodox striking repertoire. I like Sasaki’s athletic potential and consistent learning curve to give him a decision over a game Issa.WELTERWEIGHTS
Marcio Alexandre Jr. (12-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Tim Means (21-6-1, 3-3 UFC): Alexandre Jr., a karate specialist who lost to Warlley Alves in the middleweight final of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3,” takes on American veteran Means. Alexandre Jr. prefers in-and-out movement, blitzing punches and quick kicks but is lacking in essentially every other area. Means is also mostly a striker, with long front kicks and a nasty clinch game, but he can do enough of everything else to mostly survive. Alexandre Jr. will likely own the fringes of striking distance, but if Means can pin him against the fence, he should be able to work over the Brazilian. Means by decision is the pick.MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Vitor Miranda (9-4, 0-1 UFC) vs. Jake Collier (8-1, 0-0 UFC): Miranda wound up on the losing end of the “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3” heavyweight tournament final and looks to bounce back against a Resurrection Fighting Alliance champion in Collier. The American has an unorthodox game that focuses on high-output kickboxing and decent wrestling and grappling, all of which is made more effective by his plus athleticism. Miranda, a decorated kickboxer, is only mediocre as a wrestler and grappler but has slick technical skills on the feet. Collier’s youth, output, athleticism and more diverse game should allow him to take a decision here.Follow Sherdog.com preview expert Patrick Wyman on Twitter.