Preliminary Card
Kevin Lee vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Trinaldo has been on a fantastic run recently and is currently on a seven fight winning streak. He is well-rounded but will be looking to strike here against Lee who you would expect to have the wrestling advantage.
Lee has youth on his side too and while he doesn’t have a very deep striking game he can do enough things well here to set up his takedowns against Trinaldo.
Prediction: Kevin Lee via Decision
Sergio Moraes vs. Davi Ramos
This is a Welterweight tussle between two of the most accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners in MMA today. Moraes, who is a former BJJ world champion, is more experienced in MMA, especially at the UFC level and as such you would expect him to have the more developed striking game.
Ramos is only 6-1 in MMA, he was focusing on jiu-jitsu up until relatively recently and became ADCC champion in 2015 with a flying armbar. I think Ramos has great potential, but coming in here on short notice I have to give the edge to Moraes.
Prediction: Sergio Moraes via Decision
Joe Soto vs. Rani Yahya
Soto had a rough start to his UFC career but has turned it around by getting submission victories in his last two outings. I give Soto the advantage in the striking between these two, but Yahya is a brilliant grappler. Once he gets on top he is very difficult to shift as he has brilliant top control.
This fight will come down to takedowns if Yahya can get them he will get the win, if not, Soto will be able to outpoint him on the feet.
Prediction: Rani Yahya via Decision
Josh Burkman vs. Michel Prazeres
Two well-rounded Lightweights clash here in a fight that may mean the end of Burkman’s UFC tenure if he ends up on the wrong side of the result. Burkman may be the more capable fighter on the feet in this one, but he has looked very poor recently, going 1-4 in his last five fights.
I fancy Prazeres to get the better of the grappling exchanges and win a tight decision.
Prediction: Michel Prazeres via Decision
