Rafael dos Anjos vs. Donald Cerrone
These two first face doff back in 2013 with dos Anjos picking up the win. Since that time, Anjos went on to lose to Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision but followed that up with three straight wins, including to KO victories, and then had a career defining performance in a decision win to capture the title. Cerrone picked up eight straight wins with five finishes. The biggest wins were over former champ Benson Henderson, Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez and formerly undefeated fighter Myles jury. Cerrone has the advantage standing, even if it did not show in the first fight, but the ground game is a tossup. Ultimately,y Cerrone is a bigger finisher too and one has to wonder who has the ability to finish one another. Cerrone by late TKO.
Junior dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem
Overeem is still the same fighter who was knocked out by Ben Rothwell while dos Santos has taken tons of punishment but not been finished. Santos has finished all but five fights where as 9 of 14 of Overeem’s losses are by knockout. Junior dos Santos by KO in the first
Michael Johnson vs. Nate Diaz
This fight is for Diaz to lose. Even though he has sat out for a while, he definitely has the reach advantage while and should have the striking advantage. Also, if Johnson takes it to the ground, then Diaz really has an advantage considering six of Johnson’s nine losses are by submission. Whereas Diaz has 11 of his 17 wins by submission. If Reza Madadi can submit him so can Nate. Nate by submission round 2.
Charles Olivera vs. Myles Jury
Oliveira has beat everyone he has faced at 145 outside of the top five. That is why his three losses come to the likes of Cub Swanson, Frankie Edgar and Max Holloway. Jury only has one loss and that was to the likes of Donald Cerrone, but he has not faced the level of competition that Oliveira has as well. Jury will ave to hold his own standing against the longer Oliveira and if he goes to the ground he will have to contend with his ground game. Oliveira by decision.
CB Dollaway vs. Nate Marquardt
At this point it comes down to who wants it more. Both of these fighters skillets are diminished over time, but Rollaway will most likely shoot for the takedown and ground Marquardt over the course of three rounds. Where Marquardt really hasn’t used his grappling game to any extent in a while and would have to win standing. Rollaway by decision.
Josh Samman vs. Tamdan McCrory
These are two of the more dangerous fighters in the division with being able to stop the fight at any point with a KO or even a submission. Samman has shown some weakness losing the first round to Eddie Gordon where McCrory has been a killer since returning. Still, McCrory is going to be bigger which is something Samman has to contended with yet and that could give him problems. McCrory by TKO in the third.