The UFC returns to New Jersey for the promotion’s annual Super Bowl weekend event and kicks off their first pay-per-view show of 2014.
Before Renan Barao and Jose Aldo defend their titles on the main card, here is a look at all the preliminary action that can be seen live this Saturday at 8 p.m. EST on Sportsnet 360.
John Makdessi vs. Alan Patrick
Montreal native Makdessi looks to push his winning streak to four straight when he takes on undefeated Brazilian Patrick. The Tristar fighter is coming off a highlight reel knockout over Renee Forte back at UFC 165 in Toronto and no doubt a win would propel the 28-year-old up the 155-pound ladder. Meanwhile the Bitetti Combat veteran Patrick turned some heads in his UFC debut when he finished Garrett Whitely in the first-round back at UFC Fight Night 29. It’s no secret both fighters will look to keep this contest on the feet and go for the knockout. Even with Patrick having a four-inch reach advantage, I give the slight edge to Makdessi due to his Octagon experience. Neither fighter has ever been knocked out in their career, which is why I see this one heading to the judges’ scorecards.
Prediction: Makdessi via unanimous decision.
Chris Cariaso vs. Danny Martinez
With Kyoji Horiguchi bowing out due to injury, TUF 18 competitor Martinez stepped up to the plate to face Cariaso in this flyweight tilt. The 28-year-old Martinez lost his TUF elimination fight via second-round armbar to tournament finalist Davey Grant. Since the loss, the Alliance MMA pupil hasn’t competed and no doubt will be facing an element of ring rust in his UFC debut. The 32-year old Cariaso meanwhile is coming off an impressive win over Illiarde Santos at UFC Fight Night 29 where he knocked out the Brazilian in the second round. Martinez comes into this fight with a three-inch height and two-inch reach advantage but it won’t be enough. With Cariaso being the more active fighter, he should emerge victorious.
Prediction: Cariaso via unanimous decision.
Nick Catone vs. Tom Watson
After a failed bid in the welterweight division, Catone returns to middleweight for the first time since 2011 against former BAMMA 185-pound champion Watson. The hometown favourite Catone went 3-2 as a UFC middleweight, including a win over Costa Phillipou and competitive outings against Mark Munoz and Chris Camozzi. The 32-year-old hasn’t competed since December 2012 and was scratched from his UFC 159 bout back in April as he was hospitalized for dehydration due to weight cutting. Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Watson was dominated in his last fight by Thales Leites at UFC 163 and has dropped two of his last three-fights. Despite being the favourite, Watson has struggled recently with his takedown defence and Catone is a former NCAA Division 1 wrestler. Because of this, I’m picking the underdog for the upset as Catone should control his English foe over three rounds for the decision win.
Prediction: Catone via unanimous decision
Al Iaquinta vs. Kevin Lee
New York native Iaquinta aims for his third straight victory when he’s paired up with UFC newcomer Lee. Iaquinta bounced back from his TUF 15 Finale loss to Michael Chiesa by defeating Ryan Couture and Piotr Hallmann. The Michigan native Lee is undefeated and heads into this contest with three straight submission victories. If the 21-year old Lee can get this fight to the mat, it’s possible he could land a submission for the win. However, the 26-year-old Iaquinta has seen significant improvements of his last two outings and he’ll likely continue that Saturday night. The Serra-Longo trained Iaquntia should overwhelm his opponent over three-rounds and spoil Lee’s UFC debut.
Prediction: Iaquinta via unanimous decision
Clint Hester vs. Andy Enz
Matching up in a middleweight encounter are two TUF 17 cast members, as 27-year-old Hester matches up with the undefeated Enz. After being eliminated from his season of TUF, Hester made the most of his second chance with the UFC, winning back to back bouts over Bristol Marunde and Dylan Andrews. His opponent meanwhile was also ousted from TUF 17 as he lost his opening elimination fight to Uriah Hall via unanimous decision. Since that exhibition loss, the Alaska native has racked up three straight first-round submission victories, with his last win lasting just 58 seconds. This is a classic standup versus submission artist affair, with Hester having the advantage on the feet and Enz having the edge on the mat. With Enz being just 22 years old and having potential jitters in his UFC debut, you have to give the edge in this fight to Hester.
Prediction: Hester via unanimous decision.
Tony Martin vs. Rashid Magomedov
Two promotional newcomers go to war in the lightweight division as former M-1 Global welterweight champion Magomedov faces off with unbeaten American Martin. The Minnesota native Martin pushed his record to 8-0 as he recorded three victories last year including a triumph over TUF 8 finalist Phillipe Nover. His strength clearly is on the mat, where six of his eight victories have come by way of submission. His opponent Saturday is the 29-year-old Magomedov, who is also riding an eight-fight win streak. In fact, his last defeat was back in 2010, a split decision loss to Bellator Season 8 featherweight tournament winner Frodo Khasbulaev. Despite being the smaller fighter and potential ring rust issues—he hasn’t competed since late 2012—Magomedov should emerge victorious. The Russian’s experience and speed will serve him well as he should outpoint his opponent for a unanimous decision victory.
Prediction: Magomedov via unanimous decision.
Neil Magny vs. Gasan Umalatov
A welterweight affair kicks off the evening as TUF 16 contestant Magny faces off with promotional newcomer Umalantov. The 26-year-old Magny is no doubt fighting for his future employment Saturday night as back-to-back losses against Sergio Moraes and Seth Baczynski have pitted the American on the first two-fight losing streak of his career. The 31-year-old Umalatov has won eight of his last nine bouts and trains with Bellator heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov and fellow UFC 169 participant Ali Bagautinov. Through his 16-fight career, Umalatov has lost just twice, both by split decision. While the Grudge Training Center product Magny has a four-inch height advantage, Umalatov is arguably the better grappler, with seven of his wins coming via submission. Expect Umalatov to get this fight to the mat where he’ll sink in his fight ending submission for his first UFC victory.
Prediction: Umalatov via second-round submission.
Agree or disagree with my predictions? Hit me up on Twitter @LynchOnSports and tell me your picks.
