UFC Orlando predictions: Can Emmett pull off another upset?

Prior to Saturday's UFC on FOX 28 in Orlando, theScore's Themistoklis Alexis makes his picks for the evening's noteworthy bouts.

Main Card

Featherweight

Josh Emmett (4-1 UFC, 13-1)
vs.
Jeremy Stephens (14-13 UFC, 27-14)

Jabs and low kicks, with some more jabs and low kicks sprinkled in for good measure.

Such is the formula Stephens will ride to his third straight W, as Emmett has proven he packs a deceptive punch in back-to-back victories over Felipe Arantes and Ricardo Lamas. Nearly 30 fights into his promotional stint, the 31-year-old Stephens' old habit of headhunting still rears its ugly head occasionally, but if he can set up his haymakers - as he did in his annihilation of Doo Ho Choi - he should put an end to Emmett's unexpected surge.

THE PICK: Stephens

Strawweight

Jessica Andrade (8-4 UFC, 17-6)
vs.
Tecia Torres (6-1 UFC, 10-1)

Torres' steady rise up the strawweight pecking order will end with Andrade.

Despite her penchant for walking foes down and teeing off on them against the fence, Andrade's cage-cutting remains a work in progress. Still, if Torres sits on her combinations - as she did in her win against Michelle Waterson - it shouldn't be long before the Brazilian buzzsaw gets a hold of her, dumps her to the canvas, and mercilessly blankets her while landing ground-and-pound. All she has to do is repeat the formula three times.

Andrade on points.

THE PICK: Andrade

Light Heavyweight

Ovince Saint Preux (10-5 UFC, 22-10)
vs.
Ilir Latifi (6-3 UFC, 13-5)

He'll have to stave off a few takedowns, but Saint Preux will leave his home state on a four-fight winning streak.

The results of the Strikeforce alum's clashes with wrestlers have been mixed, and the human anvil that is Latifi won't be easily subdued. That said, Saint Preux's edge in length will prove to be the difference - one that Latifi will look to nullify by wading in with looping punches. Sure, the flaws in Saint Preux's fundamentals remain plain as day, but if he can keep the action upright, he should time Latifi's entries and put him out with a power shot from his left side.

THE PICK: Saint Preux

Welterweight

Mike Perry (4-2 UFC, 11-2)
vs.
Max Griffin (1-2 UFC, 13-4)

Griffin wears his nickname better than most, albeit for the wrong reasons.

"Pain" might boast sneaky power in his mitts, but he's gotten far worse than he's given through three UFC appearances, and the going won't turn much sweeter opposite a rapidly maturing Perry. No longer fighting on just a glorified puncher's chance, the 26-year-old should ride the sound shot selection he flashed against Santiago Ponzinibbio to a late knockout in a more refined replay of his win over Danny Roberts.

THE PICK: Perry

Preliminaries

Bantamweight

Renan Barao (9-4 UFC, 34-5)
vs.
Brian Kelleher (2-1 UFC, 18-8)

Here's hoping a change of scenery will bring out at least a bit of the old Renan Barao.

As the most seasoned jiu-jitsu player Kelleher will have faced, the once indomitable ex-bantamweight champion - now training at American Top Team - would be wise to get this one to the mat in short order. Kelleher has tapped many a man with his patented guillotine choke, but if Barao can make it to the canvas without his head in a vise, expect him to gradually improve position and put the Long Islander away with a submission for a much-needed W.

THE PICK: Barao

Women's Bantamweight

Sara McMann (5-4 UFC, 11-4)
vs.
Marion Reneau (4-2-1 UFC, 8-3-1)

McMann's wrestling will prove to be the difference in this clash of fringe contenders.

In her last outing, the former title challenger was making easy work of Ketlen Vieira until she wasn't, and against a well-rounded vet in Reneau on Saturday, she can ill-afford to submit anything less than a three-round effort. Look for McMann to ride the improved boxing she flashed in her victory over Alexis Davis to set up her shots, and if she can stave off the triangle chokes Reneau loves throwing from her back, she should smother the 40-year-old en route to a decision.

THE PICK: McMann