Preliminary Card
Jim Miller vs. Dustin Poirier
Two very exciting fighters opening the main card, expect fireworks in the match-up between Miller and Poirier. Both of these fighters are extremely well rounded but Miller’s game has a bit more emphasis on grappling while Poirier prefers to strike more.
Ultimately, Poirier has strong enough wrestling to dictate where this fight takes place and he will outland Miller throughout the fight with cleaner punching.
Prediction: Dustin Poirier via Decision
Randy Brown vs. Belal Muhammad
A fascinating match-up between two rising welterweight strikers! Muhammad burst on the scene with a short notice “Fight of the Night” scrap with Alan Jouban, while Brown made his way to the UFC through Dana White’s “Looking for a Fight” TV series.
Brown has started to use his reach more efficiently by pumping out a stiff jab which gives him an edge here. Muhammad is as tough as they come but he is fighting on short notice here, which won’t help.
Prediction: Randy Brown via Decision
Wilson Reis vs. Ulka Sasaki
This is a battle between two submission experts but the deciding factor is that Reis has a much more well-developed MMA game.
Reis is the much better wrestler which should allow him to dictate where the fight takes place. He is the better striker which will allow him to control things there, and he should win this.
Prediction: Reis via Submission
Nik Lentz vs. Islam Makhachev
Another battle of fighters with similar styles here, as two wrestlers face off. Lentz is a real grinder, he puts pressure on his opponents and uses a stifling top control game to open up opportunities for ground and pound and submissions.
Makhachev is similar but is a little slicker with his technique. It will be interesting to see who will end up on top when these two get into grappling exchanges, but I fancy the younger man, Makhachev to be sharper in the scrambles.
Prediction: Islam Makhachev via Decision
