'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Henry Cejudo vs Sergio Pettis
Henry Cejudo seems to have improved his clinch striking since his loss to Demetrius Johnson.
On the other hand, Sergio Pettis has indeed made significant improvements to his overall MMA game as well. This matchup has the potential to be the fight of the night, and both fighters are well-matched, to the extent that the chances of this bout ending in a finish seem low.
Cejudo has the edge in striking, while Pettis has the grappling advantage. The safe bet would be Cejudo controlling Pettis on the mat to a safe decision win.
Prediction: Henry Cejudo def. Sergio Pettis via Decision
#4 Eddie Alvarez vs Justin Gaethje
One of the best UFC fights in 2017 comes in the form of Eddie Alvarez vs Justin Gaethje.
Although Alvarez is the better MMA fighter overall, Gaethje has fewer miles on his body and may have a fresher chin. Both fighters have great grappling, and while Alvarez prefers to stick to his technical boxing, he isn’t one to shy away from a phone booth fight.
With Gaethje having a slight advantage in the wrestling department, and their BJJ being even-steven, this fight would likely end up taking place on the feet… with the fresher fighter winning.
Prediction: Justin Gaethje def. Eddie Alvarez via TKO
#5 Tecia Torres vs Michelle Waterson
Michelle Waterson is perhaps one of the most underrated fighters in MMA history.
She entered the UFC a tad past her prime, and in a division where she finds herself undersized. A couple of years ago, Waterson would’ve easily dispatched Torres, but in 2017, Torres outworks the older fighter.
Both fighters have great technical striking and grappling, but the younger Torres is likely to outwork her older foe, en route to a clear-cut decision win.
Prediction: Tecia Torres def. Michelle Waterson via Decision
