UFC Gdansk predictions: Cerrone looks to snap first career skid

Prior to UFC Fight Night 118 in Gdansk, Poland on Saturday, theScore's Themistoklis Alexis makes his picks for the afternoon's main card.

Welterweight

Donald Cerrone (19-6 UFC, 32-9)
vs.
Darren Till (3-0-1 UFC, 15-0-1)

Till will leave Cerrone no choice but to remind us all just how deadly he is on the mat.

Those clamoring for a five-round kickboxing fest may be left wanting more from Saturday's main event, as Cerrone has shouldered quite the risk - while on a two-fight losing streak, no less - against the promising, yet comparatively unheralded striking specialist that is Till. Now 34 and competing in a division with more contenders than the matchmakers know what to do with, don't be surprised if Cerrone takes the safer route against a fighter he's admitted he'd never heard of until the matchup was offered.

Experienced as he is, "Cowboy" doesn't react well to pressure, so expect him to neutralize Till's striking by taking him to the ground and angling for his 17th career tapout victory.

THE PICK: Cerrone

Strawweight

Karolina Kowalkiewicz (3-2 UFC, 10-2)
vs.
Jodie Esquibel (0-0 UFC, 6-2)

Kowalkiewicz couldn't have asked for a more suitable dance partner to get back in the win column.

Esquibel is no can, but to say her boxing base accommodates Kowalkiewicz's Muay Thai tendencies would be an understatement. Now riding the first skid of her career, look for Kowalkiewicz to stage a striking clinic at the newcomer's expense, deploy every trick in her arsenal to keep Esquibel honest, and rebound with a sweep of the scorecards.

THE PICK: Kowalkiewicz

Light Heavyweight

Jan Blachowicz (2-4 UFC, 19-7)
vs.
Devin Clark (2-1 UFC, 8-1)

Consider Blachowicz the next stepping stone in the Devin Clark project.

The former KSW champ is easily the most technically proficient and decorated foe of Clark's 10-fight career. That being said, the still developing Clark's wrestling will be the difference in this one, as Alexander Gustafsson and Corey Anderson proved Blachowicz can be neutralized with a steady diet of takedowns.

Assuming his skills are still on pace to match his athleticism, Clark should set up his shots with improved striking and keep Blachowicz's back pinned to the canvas en route to his third straight win on points.

THE PICK: Clark

Middleweight

Oskar Piechota (0-0 UFC, 9-0-1)
vs.
Jonathan Wilson (1-2 UFC, 7-2)

In last year's dance with Ion Cutelaba, Wilson betrayed a reluctance to let his hands fly. Expect Piechota to make him pay for it.

With the exception of a 2013 split draw, the undefeated Pole has dispatched nine men inside the distance. While not a particularly clean striker, Piechota does boast the power to put many a man on his hind parts, and should the dangerous, albeit raw Wilson's mitts get too cozy with his dome, look for Piechota to ride his grappling and take the fight to the ground, where he'll have the advantage.

Piechota by submission.

THE PICK: Piechota