José Aldo vs. Conor McGregor
This is an interesting fight as Aldo has had notoriously hard weight cuts and now he does not have the use of an IV. McGregor not he other hand has professed an interest in going to Lightweight as well, but he has not shown he fatigue that Aldo has in the past. Aldo is a competent striker, but I am not sure he is on the level of dynamic power that McGregor has shown as he obliterated most of his opponents. But can he knockout Aldo who has never been knocked out, or will Aldo take it to the ground where we have seen McGregor have some challenges in his ground game. Ultimately, this fight may come down to a drag out brawl which no one is sure of McGregor’s capabilities in a fight that goes deep into five rounds where Aldo has seen to win all fights so far. Aldo by TKO in round five.
Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold
Weidman and Rockhold have had a bit of verbal sparring, but it will be interesting to see how their actual fisticuffs will go down. Weidman obviously has power, but he uses mostly his hands where Rockhold is much more dynamic with all of his striking. Also, Weidman has the advantage on the ground in terms of pressure, but Rockhold has an amazing submission game that is very dynamic. I think even if Rockhold frustrates Weidman standing up his BJJ is good enough to submit him on the ground if it goes there. Rochelle by submission round three.
Ronaldo Souza vs. Yoel Romero
Romero is a great standup fighter with excellent takedown defense, but he has never faced someone like Souza. Tim Kennedy was beating Souza and tiring him out toward the end of their fight until his corner prolonged his break in between rounds. Souza will not make this mistakes and will finish this fight. Souza by submission round one.
Demian Maia vs. Gunnar Nelson
The only thing that concerns me about Maia is his gas tank, because honestly, I do not believe that Nelson can sub him or control him on the ground. We have seen Maia lose to the likes of Jake Shields and Rory MacDonald but he was beating them before he tired. Plus, he just went three round with Ryan Laflare and beat him along with a win over Jon Fitch before he fell off the face off the earth in WSOF. Maia is a 4th degree black belt. This means he has been a black belt for almost 12 years which is about as long as Nelson has been training. Maia via decision.
Max Holloway vs. Jeremy Stephens
Stephens did not look great in his last fight as he was losing to Dennis Bermudez but pulled out a finish in the last round. He is a power striker who is going up against a fighter with nearly eight inches of reach more than Stephens. Holloway is a tough fighter and we have seen Stephens lose multiple times to people who can keep him out of range from Donald Cerrone to Cub Swanson. Holloway by TKO in the third.
Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Saenz
Faber was looking for a fight and only Saenz would take it which is great for him, but I do not think he has much to offer Faber. Of course, Faber lost his first fight outside of a title fight against Frankie Edgar, but that was not even at 135 where he currently fights. These fighters are both great wrestlers, but ultimately, he is only a blue belt in BJJ against Faber’s high level ground game. Faber by submission.