UFC Fight Night 81 Predictions: Will Cruz take back his belt?

Prior to every UFC event, theScore's Alexander K. Lee gives you his predictions for all the main-card fights.

Bantamweight Championship Bout: T.J. Dillashaw (8-2 UFC, 12-2) vs. Dominick Cruz (3-0 UFC, 20-1)

Where you stand on this matchup depends on how wide you think the gap is between Cruz and Dillashaw when it comes to their use of movement. Cruz may be the innovator of using perpetual motion to win fights, but nobody has been able to combine that strategy with Dillashaw's level of output.

Dillashaw has become a striking machine over the past few years, simply overwhelming his opponents with a gorgeous array of combinations. Twice he dominated Renan Barao, who was considered one of the ten best fighters at any weight class. However, as Cruz is quick to remind everyone, Dillashaw hasn't faced anyone who can match his movements.

Cruz has always been labeled a point fighter in a thinly veiled insult aimed at his many decision wins. Even if he does fight safe, he does it better than almost anyone in the world, and if Dillashaw gets frustrated, Cruz will pick him apart with ease.

Keep in mind, Cruz hasn't actually lost a fight since 2007, and he doesn't see himself as the challenger. In a fight where the two competitors are so evenly matched, that mental edge will be the difference.

The pick: Cruz

Lightweight Bout: Anthony Pettis (6-2 UFC, 18-3) v. Eddie Alvarez (1-1 UFC, 26-4)

For Pettis, the game plan is usually to get in and out of the cage with minimal damage. Unfortunately for him, Alvarez is unlikely to cooperate. The former Bellator lightweight champion has a propensity for drawing his opponents into prolonged duels, and he stands a good chance of toppling Pettis if a back-and-forth scenario unfolds Sunday.

Forcing the action against Pettis might seem like a good idea, but plenty in the past have tried and paid the price. While Clay Guida and Rafael dos Anjos were able to neutralize Pettis, other top lightweights like Benson Henderson, Donald Cerrone, and Joe Lauzon found themselves finished inside of the first round. Alvarez's best chance is to wear down Pettis in the clinch. The trick is getting there.

Cliche as it may sounds, expect Pettis' back-to-basics approach to pay dividends. He just has too many different methods of attack for Alvarez's pit-bull style to be effective.

The pick: Pettis

Heavyweight Bout: Travis Browne (8-3-1 UFC, 17-3-1) v. Matt Mitrione (9-4 UFC, 9-4)

One thing Browne must avoid is replicating his last performance against Andrei Arlovski. The two men engaged in a terrifying first-round brouhaha that might have earned Browne a Fight of the Night bonus, but also ended in a loss. A brawl is a more promising proposition for Mitrione, opening up the possibility of a flash knockout that Browne can ill afford if he's serious about being a contender.

Mitrione's biggest weakness is his submission defense. Should Browne choose to forgo the striking game and take this to the ground, he has the jiu-jitsu acumen needed to submit Mitrione. Look for Browne to finish this one in the first, whether it’s via knockout or tapout.

The pick: Browne

Lightweight Bout: Ross Pearson (10-6 UFC, 18-9) v. Francisco Trinaldo (8-3 UFC, 18-4)

The always aggressive "Massaranduba" will have his hands full with the tactical striking of Pearson. "The Real Deal" excels at controlling distance and avoiding takedowns, which limits Trinaldo's options. However, the Brazilian's stand-up has looked sharper during his five-fight win streak. He has the punching power to threaten Pearson, who's proven susceptible to taking damage in KO losses to Cub Swanson and Al Iaquinta.

It might be a stylistic challenge for Trinaldo, but he'll eventually make his way inside to land some hard shots and take a decision win.

The pick: Trinaldo