UFC 203 predictions: The beginning (and end?) of the CM Punk era

Prior to UFC 203, theScore's Themistoklis Alexis and Alexander K. Lee give their predictions on the evening's main-card bouts.

Heavyweight Championship Bout

Stipe Miocic (9-2 UFC, 15-2)
vs.
Alistair Overeem (6-3 UFC, 41-14)

Alexander K. Lee: Almost five years into his MMA career, Alistair Overeem is ready to capture UFC gold.

It won't be easy by any means. Stipe Miocic is one of the most fundamentally sound fighters in the heavyweight division, and one of its deadliest finishers. In a straightforward boxing match, he'll lay Overeem out.

But even when Overeem was running roughshod over subpar competition in Japan, he didn't look as good as he does now. He's shown incredible growth and maturity, most notably in his sterling knockout win over Junior dos Santos last December. Overeem waited almost two full rounds before unleashing the perfect punch that put Dos Santos away.

The fans may not love it, but if Overeem employs the same strategy against Miocic, he could get the same results. Even if that opening never comes, Overeem's elite kickboxing will allow him to repeatedly score from distance and take a decision.

THE PICK: Overeem

Themistoklis Alexis: Overeem won't best Miocic with his world-class kickboxing, but with his long-dormant ground game.

The Dutchman does boast the more diverse striking arsenal, but Miocic will make their fight a five-round slugfest if need be, as he did against the division's best boxer in Dos Santos. Overeem's been KO'd in nine of his 14 losses, so he'll fight smart and take the fight to the ground if the Golden Gloves veteran gets too acquainted with his chin.

"The Reem" hasn't made an opponent tap since 2009, but those unfamiliar with his early runs in Rings and Pride FC will be surprised to learn his submission victories narrowly outnumber his knockouts. He'll dip back into the old well and dethrone Miocic for his 20th-career submission win.

THE PICK: Overeem

Heavyweight Bout

Fabricio Werdum (7-3 UFC, 19-6-1)
vs.
Travis Browne (9-4-1 UFC, 18-4-1)

Alexis: Fabricio Werdum has Travis Browne's number.

As was the case in their first fight, which Werdum took by unanimous decision, the Brazilian will nullify Browne's edge in pure athleticism with his experience and technical savvy. "Vai Cavalo" showed his ground game was light years ahead of Browne's in their first clash, getting him down at will.

Should they keep the fight standing again, Werdum will throw the Muay Thai kitchen sink at the big-bodied Browne, using a bevy of combinations to keep him guessing and earn another decision.

THE PICK: Werdum

Lee: As harsh as it sounds, there isn't much reason to believe this rematch will go any differently for Browne.

If anything, it's Werdum who has looked like the improved fighter since the pair fought two years ago, adding a dynamic striking game to his formidable jiu-jitsu mastery. The physical gifts of Browne mean he always has a puncher's chance to catch Werdum off guard, and it's difficult to see him winning any other way.

The only change might be that Werdum finishes Browne this time.

THE PICK: Werdum

Welterweight Bout

CM Punk (0-0 UFC, 0-0)
vs.
Mickey Gall (1-0 UFC, 2-0)

Lee: Picking CM Punk to defeat Mickey Gall is the most fun pick one could possibly make. However, it wouldn't be the smartest.

At 37 years of age with zero competitive combat-sports experience, its nearly impossible to predict how Punk will perform when he finally steps into the Octagon. Will he make the most of his limited jiu-jitsu background? Will the showy kicks and knees he employed in the WWE carry over to the UFC? Will his experience performing in front of large crowds give him a mental advantage?

One thing we do know is that his opponent can definitely fight. Even if he's nothing more than a mid-level prospect, Gall has shown a level of competency in his two career bouts that will be tough for a neophyte like Punk to match. Punk isn't wrong when he says that he's winning just by making the walk to the Octagon, but it's Gall who will get the 'W' in the record books.

THE PICK: Gall

Alexis: Punk will rue the day he chose to try his hand at MMA.

Despite setting up camp with striking guru Duke Roufus, few if any mortals can successfully transition to the sport with just two years of training and no amateur fights in a single one of its disciplines.

Gall knows a loss to a former pro wrestler would render him a laughing stock, but at 24, he already boasts four times the experience Punk does. He also trains with the Miller brothers, two durable submission artists, so expect Punk's debut to end with him tapping. Early.

THE PICK: Gall

Bantamweight Bout

Urijah Faber (9-5 UFC, 33-9)
vs.
Jimmie Rivera (3-0 UFC, 19-1)

Alexis: Jimmie Rivera hasn't lost in eight years, but his resume lacks an opponent as well-rounded as Urijah Faber.

Judging by his most recent fight against Iuri Alcantara, Rivera will take the center of the cage, push the pace, and look to draw first blood. Faber excels at nearly every facet of the sport, but he'll have to take the fight to ground in order to deter Rivera's motor.

With 14 of his 20 fights going to the scorecards, the durable New Jersey native will likely go the distance with Faber, but "The California Kid" will take the decision with his bag of Brazilian jiu-jitsu tricks.

THE PICK: Faber

Lee: Faber might finally let one through the gate on Saturday.

The 37-year-old bantamweight standout has made a habit out of tripping up younger fighters looking to use him as a stepping stone to a title shot, but the streaking Rivera has the skills to actually make the most of his first PPV opportunity. He's a deft striker with strong counter-grappling, which is exactly the formula needed to solve Faber.

Look for "El Terror" to follow the example of fellow Jersey boy Frankie Edgar and pick apart Faber en route to a unanimous decision.

THE PICK: Rivera

Strawweight Bout

Jessica Andrade (5-3 UFC, 14-5)
vs.
Joanne Calderwood (3-1 UFC, 11-1)

Lee: It's tempting to pick the hyper-aggressive Jessica Andrade here. She looked like a completely different fighter in her debut at 115 pounds, demolishing one-time title challenger Jessica Penne.

That said, Joanne Calderwood is one of the top strikers in the division, and she won't be overwhelmed by Andrade. The Scotswoman is an expert at using her length to back opponents off, which is going to give Andrade some major headaches. Once Andrade's defenses open up, Calderwood will employ combinations to race ahead on the scorecards and possibly get a finish.

THE PICK: Calderwood

Alexis: Calderwood could not have asked for a more suitable opponent.

Andrade has the edge over Calderwood on the ground, but she'll likely keep the fight standing, just like she did in her TKO of Penne. "JoJo" took some time to get cooking in her win over Cortney Casey, but her ability to rally from some early flurries bodes well against Andrade, who'll look to stalk her against the cage and throw bombs.

Expect a resilient Calderwood to rely on the clinch and dirty boxing, periodically breaking to land harder shots en route to a decision.

THE PICK: Calderwood

For more coverage, check out theScore's preview of UFC 203