Yuri Villefort, 22, remains one of MMA’s most promising welterweight prospects. | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com
Welterweights
Sean Spencer (9-2, 0-1) vs. Yuri Villefort (6-2, 0-1 UFC): After falling to the aforementioned Natal in his first UFC appearance as an undersized middleweight, Spencer returns to 170 pounds for his sophomore outing with the organization. The Dallas native will have to do a better job remaining upright against Villefort, who will likely look to take him down and hunt for submissions. Villefort notches a decision.
Featherweights
Felipe Arantes (15-5-1, 2-1-1 UFC) vs. Edimilson Souza (13-3, 0-0 UFC): Arantes, who stopped Godofredo Castro in his last outing at UFC on Fuel TV 10, is an accurate striker capable of changing levels with his attacks while landing in combination. Souza, meanwhile, carries seven-fight winning streak into his Octagon debut, with each of those victories having come by KO or TKO. He finds the going tougher on the big stage, as Arantes captures a decision.
Welterweights
Elias Silverio (8-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Joao Zeferino (13-5, 0-1 UFC): Zeferino held his own against Rafael Natal in his promotional debut until fatigue set in, connecting with overhand rights and threatening with heel hooks in the first round. Zeferino is a versatile submission specialist with serviceable standup; if he gets Silverio down, he will work ground-and-pound while attempting to improve his position. A Jungle Fight veteran, Silverio serves as a replacement for the injured Kenny Robertson. Zeferino wins by submission or decision.
Bantamweights
Lucas Martins (13-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ramiro Hernandez (13-4, 0-0 UFC): After a rough introduction to the UFC against Edson Barboza, Martins rallied from two rounds down to knock out Jeremy Larsen in his sophomore effort with the promotion. Hernandez, a Miletich Fighting Systems export, figures to be difficult to put away. If he can set the tone early and put Martins on the defensive, things will get interesting. Hernandez takes it by decision.
Welterweights
Ivan Jorge (24-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Keith Wisniewski (28-14-1, 0-3 UFC): Jorge, yet another UFC debutante on the card, enters the bout having won six straight fights via submission, including five via rear-naked choke. Wisniewski has not fought since UFC 145, where he dropped a split decision to Chris Clements. The long layoff, coupled with fighting on Brazilian soil could be a bad combination for “The Polish Connection.” Jorge wins by submission in round two or three.