Prior to every UFC event, theScore's Kyle Smith, Paul Gazzola, and Ali Dar give their predictions on all the main-card fights.
Frank Mir vs. Todd Duffee
Kyle Smith: Hmm, do I go with the physical specimen with Herculean strength and knockout power? Or do I go with the future Hall of Famer who isn't opposed to breaking limbs with vicious submissions? Although he's a grappling wizard who packs plenty of power in his hands, Mir doesn't have much tread left on the old tires, and the mostly unproven Duffee will violently exploit his opponent's advancing age with a first-round knockout. Pick: Duffee
Paul Gazzola: Mir may be past his prime, but the 36-year-old former heavyweight champion still has much to prove. He was once in the upper echelon of heavyweights, capable of submitting opponents in debilitating fashion - or knocking them out - but he’s been unable to withstand the division’s best recently. Duffee, 29, is scary when he’s healthy, but is relatively young and inexperienced. His right hand - by nature - is extremely powerful, and his 1-2 often flusters fighters by pure strength and relentlessness. However, Mir’s Octagon intelligence and awareness will show he can still compete. Pick: Mir
Ali Dar: Mir's well past his prime and against a power puncher like Duffee, his best bet will be to take the fight to the ground. If he gets it there, he's in his domain, though it's tough to know how good Duffee's ground game is given his lack of in-fight experience there. The more likely outcome is that Duffee keeps the fight standing and eventually blitzes Mir to land a knockout punch early. Pick: Duffee
Josh Thomson vs. Tony Ferguson
Dar: It's been a long time since we've seen Thomson in the Octagon, whereas Ferguson has been active and dominant. His striking is coming together quite well and his jiu-jitsu is some of the best in the UFC. It's tough to choose Thomson with his lengthy layoff, though he has the veteran savvy to win any fight. But I think Feruson's time is now and he'll pull off a convincing victory wherever he decides to take the fight. Pick: Ferguson
Gazzola: Ferguson is on an impressive five-fight win streak in the lightweight division, ending all but one of those contests in either the first or second round. The Team Death Clutch member circles the Octagon well, remains active, and picks his shots from the outside with his lanky range. A veteran of the trade, Thomson has an impressive resume and needs a win to put him back in the top mix among the grouping. Despite facing higher-quality opponents, Thomson comes in desperate, and it will be difficult for him to cease Ferguson’s ascent. Pick: Ferguson
Smith: Ferguson is hoping Thomson will usher him into the upper echelon of the lightweight division. A crafty vet, Thomson is the very definition of a well-rounded mixed martial artist, having the ability to string together crisp combinations on the feet, while sporting an above average wrestling game. Unfortunately for "The Punk," Ferguson is bigger, stronger, faster, and has less mileage on his body, and at this point in his career, has more offensive weapons at his disposal. Pick: Ferguson
Holly Holm vs. Marion Reneau
Gazzola: A quick and powerful professional boxer, while also an amateur kickboxer, Holm has remained perfect in her MMA career. Despite her boxing proficiency, Holm’s ability to end fights are primarily through her kicks, which could be troublesome for Marion Reneau - but nothing she can’t handle. Reneau seems to improve after each Octagon appearance, and her well-rounded MMA game could overcome "The Preacher’s Daughter." Pick: Reneau
Dar: Holm has been mentioned as someone who may one day give Ronda Rousey her toughest test, but I don't see it. She looked downright scared in her first UFC fight, which is understandable, but it negatively affected her performance. She's a great striker, but questions surround her ground game. Reneau has been doubted time and again. It's happening again against Holm, but I think she'll take the fight to the ground and frustrate Holm. As long as she isn't on the receiving end of a head kick, Reneau secures the upset. Pick: Reneau
Smith: I smell an upset brewing. Despite completely underwhelming in her UFC debut, former professional boxing champion Holm is an excellent kickboxer, and has all the tools on the feet to compete with anyone in the women's bantamweight division. That said, Reneau has a slick ground game, and if she can drag this bout to the floor, she could submit the hyped-up Holm. It's a tough call, but I'm looking for Reneau to upset the apple cart. Pick: Reneau
Scott Jorgensen vs. Manny Gamburyan
Dar: Both fighters are as game as they come, but Jorgensen will be in tough in this fight. Gamburyan will be the much bigger fighter once they step into the Octagon and this will let him take advantage of his power takedowns and ability to grind out fights. This fight won't be pretty but that won't matter much to the Armenian. Pick: Gamburyan
Smith: It's all about the grind. In a battle of middling bantamweights, the bigger, stronger Gamburyan has power in his hands, and has the ability to toss Jorgensen on his dome from the clinch. Sure, Jorgensen owns a cleaner, more technical striking game, but that won't matter if Gamburyan hulks up and lands a fight-altering anvil. Pick: Gamburyan
Gazzola: The two bantamweight fighters rank in the lower stands of the division, and desperately need a win to remain relevant. Jorgensen has only won two fights out of his last eight, making one believe his time could be up with the promotion should he fall again. Gamburyan, on the other hand, hasn’t fared much better - winning three of his last eight, with one no-contest. But he does have anvil-like knockout power and strong judo. He should be able to outplay Jorgensen. Pick: Gamburyan
Kevin Lee vs. James Moontasri
Dar: Lee is an absolute physical specimen and is a likely lightweight contender in the distant future. Against Moontasri, expect Lee to use his excellent wrestling game. Couple Lee's grappling with his natural strength and Moontasri won't have much of a chance of beating the Detroit native. Pick: Lee
Gazzola: “Moonwalker” Moontasri boasts a strong base, an effective counter game, and can stand and bang. Lee’s wrestling and clinch are his strong suits, delivering vicious knees when locked in the arms of his opponent. The one issue with Lee is that although he’s known as a wrestler, his takedown percentage is a scant 38.24 percent, and Moontasri’s core strength could mitigate the threat of a takedown. Expect Moonwalker to outperform Lee via decision. Pick: Moontasri
Smith: In what could devolve into a classic striker-versus-wrestler battle, I'm betting on Lee's vaunted wrestling to win out over Moontasri's unorthodox striking. Sure, Moontasri has excellent defensive wrestling, and the kind of skills on the feet to light Lee up, but the more likely scenario involves the stronger Lee dumping Moonwalker on his back over and over again for 15 minutes. Pick: Lee
Alan Jouban vs. Matt Dwyer
Gazzola: The two strikers live for exchanging fisticuffs, as evidenced by their 16 total knockouts. Each has eight finishes by KO, so expect fireworks in this one. The Canadian Dwyer doesn’t have the cleanest stand-up game, but his chin is seemingly made of iron. However, Jouban’s striking is deadly, and paired with his strong clinch, that could very well be the difference in this one. Pick: Jouban
Smith: In what could very well turn into a violent game of fist-chicken, Dwyer is just far too hittable to stand and trade with Jouban. Both men will likely be content to just sit in the pocket and wing punches, and, although Jouban isn't the most defensively gifted fighter, Dwyer`s defense is essentially non-existent. Pick: Jouban
Dar: This fight will likely culminate in one of these fighters sleeping on the canvas. Jouban loves getting into brawls and will likely push forward going for it all. Dwyer could counter Jouban when he attempts to rush in, ending his night early. But the more likely scenario is that Jouban's pressure will result in the fight ending before the bell for Dwyer. Pick: Jouban
