TUF 25 finale predictions: Will Johnson give Gaethje a rude UFC welcome?

Prior to The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale in Las Vegas on Friday, theScore's Themistoklis Alexis and Alexander K. Lee give their predictions for the evening's main-card bouts.

Lightweight

Michael Johnson (9-7 UFC, 17-11)
vs.
Justin Gaethje (0-0 UFC, 17-0)

Lee: Johnson has never been knocked out in MMA competition. However, he's probably never fought anyone who hits as hard as Gaethje.

And while Johnson has typically been able to ground elite strikers and avoid prolonged stand-up exchanges, that won't be easy against Gaethje, an opponent with sturdy takedown defense.

If Johnson has to throw hands with Gaethje for three rounds, it won't end well for him. And even if he avoids absorbing a one-hitter quitter, "The Menace" will find himself constantly backing up en route to a decision loss.

THE PICK: Gaethje

Alexis: Gaethje's UFC debut will be one to remember.

True to his moniker, "The Highlight" loves a good scrap, and Johnson is just the man to oblige him. Gaethje is known to defend strikes with his head, which doesn't bode well against Johnson's laser-sighted hands, but he can always resort to his NCAA D-I wrestling base if his foe's mitts get too close for comfort.

Expect Johnson to tag Gaethje early, only to be thrown to the canvas and treated to a hellacious beatdown - and flashbacks of his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov - by the newcomer.

THE PICK: Gaethje

Welterweight

Jesse Taylor (0-1 UFC, 30-15)
vs.
Dhiego Lima (1-3 UFC, 12-5)

Alexis: The means won't be the prettiest, but they'll be enough to put a bow on Taylor's road to redemption.

Even after 45 pro fights in a litany of promotions, "JT Money" remains a bit of a one-trick pony, but his wrestling and submission game was enough to put a cerebral, technically proficient James Krause to sleep in the tourney semis. Now Taylor gets a similarly versatile foe in Lima - a converted middleweight who'll give him all he can handle.

Expect Taylor to push the pace and put Lima through three grueling rounds of top control and ground-and-pound to take the tourney and head home $250K richer.

THE PICK: Taylor

Lee: His first four fights in the UFC were too much, too soon for Lima. Now that he's a little older and a little wiser, it's time for him to get back in the Octagon where he belongs.

That journey will start anew on Friday when he topples Taylor, a hard-working fighter with a limited MMA vocabulary. If Taylor aims to lay-and-pray his way to victory, he'll discover that Lima is tough to pin down. The former's strong submission game will also be rendered ineffective by the slippery Lima.

This will turn out to be a striking affair - the worst possible outcome for Taylor. The older, slower fighter will be picked apart and won't make it out of the first round.

THE PICK: Lima

Lightweight

Marc Diakiese (3-0 UFC, 12-0)
vs.
Drakkar Klose (1-0 UFC, 7-0-1)

Lee: The slow build of Diakiese should continue without issue when he takes on Klose. Just 24 years old, Diakiese is being hyped as the next big English star, and he's only looked better with every appearance.

Though Klose is a fine pressure fighter, he'll have trouble cornering the frighteningly quick Diakiese. "Bonecrusher" has also shown he's capable of point fighting should a bout not develop into a free-flowing affair, so don't expect him to get frustrated if Klose tries to muddy this one up early.

Diakiese by TKO.

THE PICK: Diakiese

Alexis: Diakiese is no Devin Powell, which spells bad news for the "0" on Klose's record.

Klose dominated Powell while making his UFC debut earlier this year, but his first conquest in the Octagon doesn't hold a candle to Diakiese's varied striking arsenal or his downright freaky athleticism. The brash Brit won't waste any time putting Klose on his back foot and teeing off on him against the cage, and he won't stop until he's improved to a perfect 4-0 in the Octagon.

THE PICK: Diakiese

Light Heavyweight

Jared Cannonier (2-2 UFC, 9-2)
vs.
Nick Roehrick (0-0 UFC, 7-0)

Alexis: Roehrick won't be reveling in his first trip to the big stage for long.

In Steve Bosse's stead, the undefeated newcomer faces Cannonier on just three days' notice, and while Roehrick's record is nothing to sneeze at, his tape displays a work in progress, especially in the striking department. He stands a chance if he can get Cannonier on his back and keep him there, but smart money says Cannonier fends off whatever the debutant throws his way and comfortably outstrikes him en route to a win on points.

THE PICK: Cannonier

Lee: Cannonier has shown enough potential in his brief UFC career that a short-notice opponent like Roehrick shouldn't give him too much trouble. Consider that he managed to go three rounds with one-time title contender Glover Teixiera in his last outing, and his odds look even better.

Roehrick would already be considered an underdog given the gap in Octagon experience, but factor in his limited preparation time and Cannonier is the easy pick.

THE PICK: Cannonier

Middleweight

Brad Tavares (9-4 UFC, 14-4)
vs.
Elias Theodorou (5-1 UFC, 13-1)

Lee: In a middleweight contest that's destined to go to the scorecards, it's the more versatile Theodorou that has the edge.

"The Spartan" rarely shows off his kickboxing background, and that weapon is likely to stay in the holster if Tavares gets the slightest advantage on the feet. Theodorou has a strong clinch game, which is usually enough to frustrate his opponents whether he can complete takedowns or not. He'll use the same strategy that's brought him five wins in six Octagon appearances to eke out another victory.

THE PICK: Theodorou

Alexis: Consider this matchup between a pillow-fisted vet and a prospect who barely meets the competence bar in every facet of the game a 15-minute recess.

By the time you've re-upped on snacks, taken an extended bathroom break, or completed your thesis, Theodorou will have thrown a handful of head-scratchers, worn Tavares down against the cage, and stolen every round with a late, fruitless takedown for his third straight win. You're welcome.

THE PICK: Theodorou

Light Heavyweight

Jordan Johnson (1-0 UFC, 7-0)
vs.
Marcel Fortuna (1-0 UFC, 9-1)

Alexis: Fortuna's shocking KO of Anthony Hamilton may have him brimming with confidence that he can bang out a win over Johnson without going to the mat, but he won't be upright for long.

In his UFC debut, Johnson relied on his wrestling to stifle a reckless - albeit lethal - Henrique da Silva, and with Fortuna owning the advantage in the jiu-jitsu department, expect the prospect to use his striking to set up takedowns and repeat the formula until he's earned a lopsided decision.

THE PICK: Johnson

Lee: Now that he's back at his regular weight class, Fortuna should have an easier time implementing his skilled grappling. In his UFC debut, he picked up an unlikely knockout against the much larger Anthony Hamilton, but don't expect him to stand for long with Johnson.

This fight will inevitably go to the ground, where Fortuna will tie Johnson up and either catch him with an early submission or use superior positioning to secure a decision win.

THE PICK: Fortuna