Prior to every UFC event, theScore's Kyle Smith and Ali Dar give their predictions on all the main-card fights. Unfortunately, we're Dar-less this week.
Vitor Belfort vs. Dan Henderson
Does Henderson have enough left in the tank? Sure, Hendo's legendary chin is starting to crumble, and he hasn't relied on his wrestling in what feels like decades, but he can still violently send anyone into dreamland with a patented "H-Bomb." That said, Belfort is faster, less shopworn, and has more avenues to victory. Pick: Belfort
Glover Teixeira vs. Patrick Cummins
Cummins better pray his strategy of "wrestle, control, wrestle, control ... rinse, repeat" works against Teixeira, because if it doesn't, "Durkin" is going to sleep. A more well-rounded fighter, Teixeira has enough grappling chops to avoid Cummins' suffocating wrestling, and the kind of one-hit-quit power to end the former barista's night in devastating fashion. Pick: Teixeira
Thomas Almeida vs. Anthony Birchak
Almeida-Brichak is sure to deliver ultraviolence. An aggressive finisher with ample power, Brichak is venomous in the clinch, from top control, and - although he isn't the most technical striker - can reduce someone to dust with a vicious combination. Unfortunately for Birchak, Almeida has a larger bag of violent tricks. A better overall fighter, Almeida can piece together devastating, more technical combinations, and is equally dangerous in the clinch. The pick is Almeida after some delightfully fierce exchanges. Pick: Almeida
Alex Oliveira vs. Piotr Hallmann
It's a tale of two styles. Hallman will relentlessly hunt for a takedown, and once on the floor, will try to ride it out with suffocating top-control and a steady stream of elbows and punches. Conversely, the more athletic Oliveira will attempt to keep the fight in the middle of the cage, where he can unleash heavy combinations. It'll be tough, but Oliveira will do just enough to squeak by. Pick: Oliveira
Gilbert Burns vs. Rashid Magomedov
Burns better hope he can drag Magomedov to the floor, otherwise this could be a long night for the Brazilian. A lights-out grappler, Burns, though powerful, struggles in the striking game. This is good news for Magomedov - a technically gifted, smooth, volume striker - who can do some serious work in the clinch. Pick: Magomedov
Fabio Maldonado vs. Corey Anderson
If Maldonado has his way, he and Anderson will engage in a live-action version of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. Maldonado lives to brawl, and isn't afraid to take three punches to land one. Unfortunately for Maldonado, all Anderson needs to do, however, is land one takedown per round. Once there, the fantastically nicknamed "Beastin 25/8" will unleash punishment from top-control. Pick: Anderson
