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UFC Fight Night 70 Staff Predictions: Can Machida right the ship against Romero?

Prior to every UFC event, theScore's Kyle Smith, Paul Gazzola, and Ali Dar give their predictions on all the main-card fights.

Lyoto Machida vs. Yoel Romero

Kyle Smith: Machida may be biting off more than he can chew with this quick turnaround. With a lopsided loss to Luke Rockhold fresh in his rearview, "The Dragon" faces yet another top-ten fighter in a middleweight division that's starting to look more like a terrifying, chummed-up shark tank. Romero is an excellent grappler with face-mangling power, but his gas tank has the potential to horrifically fail him against the elusive, technically marvelous Machida. If this bout goes beyond 10 minutes, it's Machida's to lose, though Romero could change everything with one heavy strike. Pick: Machida

Ali Dar: For Machida, this fight will let us know whether the "The Dragon" is still a viable contender. For Romero, it'll tell us if he can hang with the middleweight division elite. Romero is a very good wrestler and has major power, but he's going to have a few problems with Machida. The first issue for Romero will be the distance Machida keeps against fighters and how it will affect the Cuban's wrestling. The second - and bigger - issue, is Romero's terrible gas tank. If Machida pushes the fight past 15 minutes, Romero won't stand a chance. Machida's elusiveness, takedown defense, and experience in five-round fights will be enough to put Romero away as long as he doesn't get clipped early. Pick: Machida

Paul Gazzola: The two late-30s combatants are going to prove they still belong in the Octagon. Romero is sloppy at times, unlike Machida’s calculated, methodical approach, which could be the difference. Luke Rockhold’s submission of "The Dragon" just two months ago begs the question in choosing Machida: is two months enough of a rest before another big fight? Regardless, stylistically, Machida has the advantage. Pick: Machida

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Lorenz Larkin

Dar: Larkin's move to welterweight looked like it paid off when he demolished John Howard in his last fight. He was putting together impressive combinations with increased speed and he retained his middleweight power. I expect to see the same type of exhibition from him against Ponzinibbio. His Brazilian opponent loves to stand and bang, but doesn't do so with the refined skill that Larkin does. Larkin's going to capitalize on a Ponzinibbio mistake and have him take a nap on the Octagon canvas. Pick: Larkin

Gazzola: "Gente Boa" comes in on a two-fight UFC winning streak, while Larkin has been experimenting with different weight classes. "The Monsoon" looked deadly in his most recent bout against John Howard, finishing him via first-round knockout and displaying comfort at 170 pounds. The Millennia MMA member, with his Strikeforce experience and new weight realization, should be able to win. Pick: Larkin

Smith: Larkin's move to welterweight likely saved his MMA career. Losing none of the fight-ending power he displayed at 185 pounds, Larkin is faster and will look to punctuate slick combinations with a gigantic anvil to Ponzinibbio's jaw. Although not as technically sound, Ponzinibbio - a BJJ black belt - has some prodigious power of his own, and could try to transform this into an all-out slugfest. Larkin is the more polished striker, so, slugfest or not, he should emerge victorious. Pick: Larkin

Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Eddie Gordon

Gazzola: “Truck” Gordon hasn’t been able to find his footing among the UFC. The Ultimate Fighter winner looked promising as a middleweight throughout his tenure on the show, winning each of his bouts, but hasn’t been able to transfer that success to the promotion. If he doesn’t win this contest, his UFC career could be in jeopardy. In that sense, Gordon must grind, push the pace, outscore "Cara de Sapato," and suppress his jiu-jitsu. Pick: Gordon

Smith: A loser of two straight, this is quite possibly a pink-slip derby for Gordon. The former Ultimate Fighter winner has some decent power and will look to keep this fight from entering Carlos Junior's realm on the ground. A submission specialist, Carlos Junior's strategy will involve dragging the "Truck" to the floor and tying him in knots with his vaunted grappling. This is a tough call, but I think Carlos Junior will do just enough to pick up the win. Pick: Carlos Junior

Dar: Carlos Junior is a legitimate jiu-jitsu blackbelt and a real threat on the ground at snatching a limb or applying a choke. Gordon has had some good moments in the Octagon with decent boxing and good wrestling. For Carlos Junior to be effective, he will need to stay off his back. Like Patrick Cummins before him, Gordon's best chance at a win would be to take Carlos Junior down and keep him occupied with ground and pound. The problem for Gordon is he's nowhere near the wrestler Cummins is and he'll have a hard time dealing with Carlos Juniors' grappling, which will lead the Brazilian to a victory. Pick: Carlos Junior

Thiago Santos vs. Steve Bosse

Gazzola: The fireworks will start early, as Santos and Bosse share a mutual love for bombing opponents with their fists. The assumption is fitting, as they have 14 combined knockouts in their professional careers. Bosse ends fights with the sheer vigor of his striking, while Santos keeps opponents hesitant by deploying tactful combinations. It’s highly unlikely this one doesn’t end early, and either fighter has a chance, but Santos has my bet. Pick: Santos

Dar: It's tough knowing what type of Bosse we're going to get in this fight. He's been out of the fight game for two years and is on the wrong side of 30, dropping down to middleweight for the first time in his career. This alone makes me weary of Bosse. Santos won't ever be a contender for the belt but he's a solid fighter. He's a decent grappler but excels when he can illustrate his Muay Thai skills. If he can weather the Bosse storm early, he shouldn't have much trouble putting him away. Pick: Santos

Smith: A former hockey player, Bosse's only hope is to separate Santos from his consciousness with an early kill-shot. Bosse has serious power, but lacks the clean technical skill of Thiago Santos, who has the ability to light Bosse up at range with vicious kicks to the body. Santos is the sharper fighter, and, should he survive an early flurry, win this one in a walk. Pick: Santos

Hacran Dias vs. Levan Makashvili

Dar: Makashvili walks into this fight on short notice, which is what will cost him the fight. Dias is a very good grappler who can ward off Makashvili's good - but not great - wrestling by threatening with submissions. If the fight remains standing, Dias is the more capable fighter, with the ability to land a few two- or three-strike combinations. Makashvili's striking is elementary with a one and done approach, but he does have the power to end fights, which Dias will have to be weary of. Could Makashvili beat Dias? Sure, but I just don't see it happening on such short notice against an experience grappler. Pick: Dias

Smith: Dias isn't a world beater at 145 pounds, but he certainly has enough tools to topple Makashvili on short notice. Diaz has a more complete attack on the feet, and once he drags the bout to the floor, can unleash his slick grappling wizardry. A decent wrestler, Makashvili likely won't be able to do any damage from top control, allowing Dias to dictate the pace on the floor. Pick: Dias

Gazzola: Credit “The Hornet” Makashvili for taking this fight on short notice. He went all three rounds against Mark Eddiva in May, outscoring him for the split-decision victory, and it’s evident he wants to build off that. “Barnabe” Dias can use that to his advantage over "The Hornet." Barnabe has been training for the fight for six months, so coming in fresh is pivotal. The Brazilian already faced tougher opponents at the UFC level, while Makashvili can’t admit the same. Stronger grappling and submission ability by Dias will be the difference. Pick: Dias

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