UFC 210 predictions: Will 'Rumble' get his revenge?

Prior to UFC 210 in Buffalo, N.Y. on Saturday, theScore's Themistoklis Alexis and Alexander K. Lee give their predictions on the evening's main card bouts.

Light Heavyweight Championship

Daniel Cormier (7-1 UFC, 18-1)
vs.
Anthony Johnson (13-5 UFC, 22-5)

Themistoklis Alexis: Oddsmakers may have thrown caution to the wind out of respect for Anthony Johnson's fearsome knockout power, but the challenger's second shot at Daniel Cormier will prove just as fruitless as the first.

Aside from the blistering overhand right he ate early, the defending champ submitted a dominant performance in his first dance with Johnson, neutralizing his foe's striking and grinding away at his spirit with a wrestling-reliant attack before submitting "Rumble" in the third round.

With a knockout being Johnson's only path to victory, odds are the rematch plays out exactly the same way. Look for Cormier to weather an early storm and repeatedly take Johnson down before exploiting his subpar conditioning for a late finish.

THE PICK: Cormier

Alexander K. Lee: Don't let Johnson's seductive highlight reel fool you, his strengths and weakness remain the same since his first dance with Cormier.

As scary as Johnson is when he's throwing haymakers (and make no mistake, he is very, very scary), he is still reliant on getting a finish in the early rounds. If that doesn't happen, he's in big trouble against the resilient Cormier. Unless Johnson has made a major overhaul to his aggressive mindset or he's received a lung transplant from Cain Velasquez, he will fade in the later rounds.

And once he does, "DC" will take over with his elite wrestling and either pound Johnson out on the mat or defeat him by submission once again.

THE PICK: Cormier

Middleweight

Chris Weidman (9-2 UFC, 13-2)
vs.
Gegard Mousasi (8-3 UFC, 41-6-2)

Lee: One word of advice for Chris Weidman: wrestle.

The former middleweight champion is a vastly improved striker since his days as a raw grappler eight years ago, but that doesn't mean he should be testing his stand-up against the gifted Gegard Mousasi. If Weidman tries to exchange with the Dutchman on the feet, Mousasi will pick him apart with ease for three rounds.

Though he'll need to be patient, Weidman should use a steady diet of takedowns to frustrate the stoic Mousasi. His back is to the wall here after suffering losses in his last two fights, so Weidman needs to take this win however he can get it, even if it's an ugly one.

THE PICK: Weidman

Alexis: Weidman and Mousasi have headed in opposite directions of late, and "The Dreamcatcher" has too many ways to win for his rise to reverse course.

Mousasi is notoriously methodical, and his anticipation of Weidman's efforts to take the fight to the ground will keep his inner-tactician in charge. The 31-year-old should work primarily from range, keep his jab active and his lower body from reaching Weidman's clutches. Should the fight make it to the ground, look for Mousasi to frustrate Weidman with hands and upkicks from his back or resurrect his dormant - but dangerous - submission skills.

If the former champ doesn't gift him the wee window of error he needs for a finish, expect Mousasi to ride a calculated performance to a sweep of the scorecards.

THE PICK: Mousasi

Strawweight

Cynthia Calvillo (1-0 UFC, 4-0)
vs.
Pearl Gonzalez (0-0 UFC, 6-1)

Alexis: Clashes between submission artists usually yield three-rounds of mediocre striking, but this pair of UFC neophytes will bring fireworks wherever their dance takes place.

Cynthia Calvillo made a statement with a quick tapout in her promotional debut at UFC 209 last month, and while Pearl Gonzalez is no slouch on the mat herself, she'll be ending a near year-long layoff on Saturday. The win won't come easy, as Gonzalez has finished five of six pro conquests, but Calvillo's greasier gears should give her enough of an edge to eke out a decision.

THE PICK: Calvillo

Lee: Calvillo looked great in her UFC debut, submitting Amanda Cooper with a first-round rear-naked choke. Against Gonzalez, she'll have a much tougher go dealing with an opponent who can match her ground skills.

Despite their similar-looking records, Gonzalez actually has four more years of experience than Calvillo and that will make a huge difference if this one turns into a grinding affair. Even if Gonzalez doesn't add to her collection of armbar victories, her active submission game will be enough to outpoint Calvillo.

THE PICK: Gonzalez

Welterweight

Thiago Alves (13-8 UFC, 21-11)
vs.
Patrick Cote (10-10 UFC, 23-10)

Lee: You can't blame Thiago Alves for at least trying to transition to lightweight. For years, the stout Brazilian has dealt with a size disadvantage while competing with the best fighters at 170 pounds and he'll be in tough again as he faces Patrick Cote, a former middleweight contender.

Heading into his 33rd fight, Alves just isn't the explosive striker he once was, and he'll have problems with the methodical Cote. The 37-year-old French Canadian has excelled at fights that go past a round and he'll take advantage of a fading Alves en route to a late finish or decision victory.

THE PICK: Cote

Alexis: Fight fans will be treated to a blast from the past in more ways then one when two UFC mainstays meet, and smart money says the fresher, bigger fighter gets his hand raised.

Granted, Alves' last fight came in November - five months after Cote's - but his failed move to lightweight was preceded by an 18-month layoff, while "The Predator" has fought twice in each of the past three years and picked up his last win just over a year ago. Add in a converted middleweight's punching power and edge in size, and there isn't a whole lot standing in the way of Cote's fourth victory in his last five fights.

THE PICK: Cote

Lightweight

Will Brooks (1-1 UFC, 18-2)
vs.
Charles Oliveira (9-7 UFC, 21-7)

Alexis: As long as Will Brooks doesn't make any glaring gaffes, he should leave Buffalo with a win, as no fighter makes a better foil for Charles Oliveira than Charles Oliveira.

Time and again, "Do Bronx" has shown glimpses of championship-caliber talent, but his inability to consistently make featherweight and infuriating decision-making have kept him pigeonholed as a fringe contender. The going won't get easier at lightweight, where a well-rounded prospect in Brooks awaits. Should Oliveira miraculously keep from doing himself in, expect "Ill Will" to ride volume striking and well-timed takedowns to a decision.

THE PICK: Brooks

Lee: Brooks is a tough, versatile fighter, but his lack of an A+ skill could prove costly against the deadly Oliveira. In Brooks' two UFC appearances, the former Bellator champion hasn't shown that he's ready to be an elite lightweight inside the Octagon.

That gives the unpredictable Oliveira the edge here even if he'll be giving up a few pounds to Brooks. Freed of the stresses of cutting to 145 pounds, Do Bronx should look healthier and more comfortable than he has in the past, allowing him to focus on getting this one down to the mat where he'll have a distinct advantage over Brooks.

THE PICK: Oliveira