UFC Fight Night ‘MacDonald vs. Saffiedine’ Preview

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LIGHTWEIGHTS

Daron Cruickshank (15-5, 5-3 UFC) vs. Anthony Njokuani (16-8, 3-4 UFC): This profiles as an action fight between two residents of the lightweight division’s middle tier. Cruickshank complements his unorthodox, tae kwon do-based kickboxing with a solid wrestling game, though he generally prefers to strike, while Njokuani boasts a fairly traditional muay Thai repertoire that relies on rangy punches and kicks from the outside. Njokuani would likely be the favorite in a pure striking matchup, but I like Cruickshank’s ability to mix his striking with the occasional takedown to take an exciting decision victory.

WELTERWEIGHTS

Nordine Taleb (9-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Jingliang Li (9-2, 1-0 UFC): China’s Li took a competitive decision from David Michaud in his debut at UFC 173, while Taleb finally got his shot with a victory over Vik Grujic following two unsuccessful stints on “The Ultimate Fighter.” Li is at least competent everywhere, but his best skill set consists of his sharp counter game. Taleb has the well-rounded ability one expects from a Tristar Gym fighter and has particular skill in the clinch. Li is talented and improving, but Taleb is the better fighter right now and will take a decision on the basis of his superior wrestling and infighting skills.

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Olivier Aubin-Mercier (4-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Jake Lindsey (9-1, 0-1 UFC): Aubin-Mercier makes his return after losing “The Ultimate Fighter Nations” final to Chad Laprise. The Quebecois is a physical specimen with great athleticism, brutal strength and an outstanding clinch game, but he remains raw and untutored elsewhere. Lindsey, a hard puncher with a great inside game, dropped his UFC debut to Jon Tuck in June and looks to get back on track in this likely loser-leaves-town matchup. Lindsey is more polished and diverse, but the Canadian is big, strong and developing quickly at the Tristar Gym. Aubin-Mercier winning by decision is the pick in a competitive, back-and-forth fight.

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Jason Saggo (10-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Paul Felder (8-0m 0-0 UFC): Well-rounded Canadian Saggo takes on UFC debutante and Renzo Gracie student Felder in an interesting lightweight matchup. Saggo, a promising fighter, is a slick grappler and solid wrestler with professional muay Thai experience, as well. Felder is a capable and powerful sprawl-and-brawler with a diverse array of round and spinning kicks in his arsenal. While output could be a problem for the American, I lean slightly in his direction on the basis of his slick striking and ability to keep the fight standing. Felder taking a decision is the pick.

WELTERWEIGHTS

Albert Tumenov (13-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Matt Dwyer (7-1, 0-0 UFC): Dwyer is a freakishly long welterweight at 6-foot-4 with more toughness and grit than good sense or defensive skills, but he is a willing brawler with dangerous kickboxing at range and a solid clinch game. That combination bodes poorly against Tumenov, who is an excellent all-around fighter with a particularly deadly counter game on the feet. This one will not see the final bell: Dwyer is particularly vulnerable to counters due to his loose, hands-down style and lack of head movement, while Tumenov throws them well. Tumenov wins by knockout in the second round.

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Pedro Munhoz (11-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jerrod Sanders (14-2, 0-1 UFC): Sanders drops two weight classes following a short-notice loss to Yosdenis Cedeno in his Octagon debut. The decorated wrestler -- he was an NCAA All-American at Oklahoma State University and a competitive freestyler on the national circuit -- lacks much in the way of ancillary skills, and he faces a stiff test in blue-chip prospect Munhoz. The Brazilian is a product of Black House and Kings MMA, and boasts a rugged wrestling game of his own to complement his ever-slicker striking and dangerous, high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This is Munhoz’s fight to lose, and as long as the enormous Sanders does not completely overpower him in the opening frame, which is a real possibility, I like the Brazilian by submission in the second round.

Follow Sherdog.com preview expert Patrick Wyman on Twitter.