Danilo Marques vs Jailton Almeida – 205 pounds – Light Heavyweight

Jailton is the guy I am watching here. He is a former DWCS alum, and has finished all his pro fights. The majority of those by submission. He looks super strong, and athletic. Jailton could be a real problem at 205, I am curious to see how he looks against UFC competition. He has a favourable style matchup in Danilo Marques, who has a similar style, but does not look to have the same physical gifts Jailton does.

Malcolm Gordon vs Denys Bondar – 125 pounds – Flyweight

I gotta give some love to the only flyweight fight on the card. This is a battle of two fighters who will come to the fight with a grapple first approach.

I do think Malcolm Gordon is better than he has showed in the UFC, and he is taking on a UFC newcomer who does not have nearly the same level of experience against top pro fighters – these are often fights where betting on the UFC vet can be very tempting. But – Denys Bondar, despite the experience gap, does look like to have some very serious skills. Anyone can look good crushing cans, but there is potentially something there.

This fight is great matchmaking. I am really curious to see how both these guys perform.

Julian Erosa vs Steven Peterson – 145 pounds – Featherweight

This will be a fun one. A couple of fun action fighters going at it!

But – I think these two are on different levels. And the betting line is saying the same. Juicy J is a legitimate UFC fighter, he has beat and stopped, a bunch of really good fighters in the octagon. Whereas Peterson has been around for a bit now, but has not been nearly as successful, and against worse competition.

But they gotta play the game! We’ll see how it goes. But my guess is the betting lines got it right on this one.

Tresean Gore vs Bryan Battle – 185 pounds – Middleweight

This was supposed to be the TUF final! But Gore got hurt. Interesting that they are running it back and trying to find the true winner of that season!

I am not sold that either of these guys are real threats to the top of the 185 pound division. But let’s let them battle it out and prove they are!

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