UFC 216 predictions: Las Vegas gets 2 title fights

Prior to UFC 216 in Las Vegas on Saturday, theScore's Themistoklis Alexis makes his picks for the evening's main card.

Interim Lightweight Championship

Tony Ferguson (12-1 UFC, 22-3)
vs.
Kevin Lee (9-2 UFC, 16-2)

It's time Lee was properly introduced to the bogeyman.

The boisterous 25-year-old has made tremendous strides over his five-fight win streak, but he has yet to learn how to keep his foes on the end of his 77-inch reach, which doesn't bode well against a similarly long and unpredictable striker in the well-rounded "El Cucuy."

Lee himself has lamented the lack of sparring partners capable of mimicking Ferguson's unorthodox style and scrambles in training. That means he'll be in for a long night - especially if the fight stays upright.

THE PICK: Ferguson

Flyweight Championship

Demetrious Johnson (14-1-1 UFC, 26-2-1)
vs.
Ray Borg (5-2 UFC, 11-2)

A change in date will only delay the unenviable fate that awaits Borg.

The Jackson-Wink MMA product's ever-improving game made him an unlikely contender earlier this year, but his progress won't spare him the wrath of the indomitable Johnson, who's dead set on gaining sole possession of the UFC's title-defense record. Even if the best version of Borg shows up at T-Mobile Arena, there's little in his arsenal to keep a fighter with little-to-no glaring weaknesses from making history.

THE PICK: Johnson

Heavyweight

Fabricio Werdum (9-4 UFC, 21-7-1)
vs.
Derrick Lewis (9-3 UFC, 18-5)

Technique will foil power in this clash of heavyweights.

Werdum may not be able to put a man's lights out the way Lewis can, nor will the takedowns come easily against a man who flirts with 300 pounds - but he can exploit his fellow heavyweight's glaring lack of technique and footwork with the varied, calculated striking he rode to victories over Travis Browne and Cain Velasquez. As long as Werdum can control the range and keep Lewis' meathooks from finding his chin, he should get back in the win column with a lopsided decision.

THE PICK: Werdum

Women's Flyweight

Mara Romero Borella (0-0 UFC, 11-4)
vs.
Kalindra Faria (0-0 UFC, 18-5-1)

Faria's style isn't the prettiest, but that will serve her well against Borella, a technically savvy striker who'll look to keep this one standing.

Borella might be able to squeeze out a victory if she maintains distance and keeps her hips from Faria's clutches, but her fellow newcomer should counter her methodical ways with incessant pressure she'll look to translate into takedowns before long. The Italian's fate will be as good as sealed once her back hits the canvas, as Faria is a workhorse from top position.

Faria by early stoppage.

THE PICK: Faria

Lightweight

Beneil Dariush (8-3 UFC, 14-3)
vs.
Evan Dunham (11-6 UFC, 18-6)

Dunham's clashes with top-flight dance partners haven't gone swimmingly. Saturday's date with top-15 fixture Dariush won't either.

Volume is the name of Dunham's standup game, but Dariush is no slouch on the feet himself and is more than capable of keeping his fellow lightweight on the back foot by initiating the striking exchanges. Assuming the pair keep the fight upright out of respect for each other's first-rate ground games, expect Dariush to walk Dunham down and dish out the bulk of the leather for a win on points.

THE PICK: Dariush