Zach Makovsky could be closing in on a title shot at 125 pounds. | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com
Flyweights
Jussier da Silva (16-3, 2-2 UFC) vs. Zach Makovsky (18-4, 2-0 UFC): The fact that May-Jordan is on the main card while this is buried on the prelims is somewhere between an annoyance and a travesty, as this is the fight most relevant to its division aside from the main event. “Formiga” was once in the conversation as one of the best flyweights in the world. Knockout losses to Joseph Benavidez and John Dodson put an end to that talk, but his venomous grappling chops make him a dangerous foe for the rising Makovsky. A former Bellator MMA champion, Makovsky’s strengths are his wrestling and ability to smoothly transition between striking and wrestling; “Formiga” is effectively limited to a bomb of a right hand at striking range. Makovsky’s diversity and athleticism will give him a unanimous decision.
Women’s Bantamweights
Sara McMann (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Lauren Murphy (8-0, 0-0 UFC): This is another fight that merited inclusion on the main card. Murphy, the former Invicta Fighting Championships bantamweight titleholder, is a fantastic athlete and vicious bomber from top position with decent takedown skills and a basic but developing striking game. While Murphy has the talent and the physical tools to eventually reach the peak of the division, McMann’s Olympic silver medal in wrestling and even more overpowering athleticism and strength make her a nightmarish matchup for the UFC newcomer. McMann takes a unanimous decision in a grinding fight.
Middleweights
Tom Watson (16-7, 1-3 UFC) vs. Sam Alvey (23-5, 0-0 UFC): This should be a crackling matchup between two tough, high-output fighters. Alvey was a cast member on “The Ultimate Fighter 16,” but the cut to welterweight visibly diminished his substantial abilities; now at middleweight, Alvey faces the durable Watson in a last-ditch effort for the Englishman to keep his job in the UFC. Both are capable strikers and inside fighters, but Alvey has better power and more well-rounded skills. Alvey wins by unanimous decision in an exciting scrap.
Bantamweights
Nolan Ticman (4-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Frankie Saenz (8-2, 0-0 UFC): Two unheralded bantamweights make their UFC debuts in the opener. Both have a wrestling background, Ticman at Cal State Fullerton and Saenz at Arizona State. Saenz is probably the better striker and Ticman the better grappler, while the latter is an excellent athlete with a ton of raw potential. Given the lack of available information on both fighters, this is a shot in the dark, but Ticman taking it by unanimous decision seems most likely on the basis of his youth, physical tools and ability to shut down Saenz’s wrestling game.