The UFC 178 main event may not make people turn back flips, but as a complete card, the schedule of fights could produce one of the best events this year.
UFC flyweight champion Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson looks to be a cut above Chris Cariaso, so many aren't expecting a lot from the featured bout. However, five fights on the card could qualify as the main event of a Fight Night show. That's pretty impressive.
Superstars Dominick Cruz and Cat Zingano are returning from injury, and important scraps like Tim Kennedy vs. Yoel Romero and Donald Cerrone vs. Eddie Alvarez will determine who gets vital positioning in the divisional rankings. Take a look at this slate, and I dare you not to be intrigued.
Just below the chart is a closer look at the top three fights of the night.
| UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. ET | ||
| Matchup | Weight Class | Prediction |
| Jon Tuck vs. Kevin Lee | Lightweight | Tuck by decision |
| Manny Gamburyan vs. Cody Gibson | Bantamweight | Gibson by submission |
| Fox Sports Prelims at 8 p.m. ET | ||
| Dominick Cruz vs. Takeya Mizugaki | Bantamweight | Cruz by TKO |
| Jorge Masvidal vs. James Krause | Lightweight | Masvidal by decision |
| Patrick Cote vs. Stephen Thompson | Welterweight | Thompson by KO |
| John Howard vs. Brian Ebersole | Welterweight | Howard by TKO |
| Main Card at 10 p.m. ET on PPV | ||
| Cat Zingano vs. Amanda Nunes | Women's Bantamweight | Nunes by TKO |
| Tim Kennedy vs. Yoel Romero | Middleweight | Romero by TKO |
| Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor | Featherweight | Poirier by submission |
| Donald Cerrone vs. Eddie Alvarez | Lightweight | Cerrone by submission |
| Demetrious Johnson vs Chris Cariaso | Flyweight | Johnson by decision |
info from UFC.com, predictions per B.Mazique
The Diamond Will Outshine the Notorious
Chances are you either can't stand Conor McGregor, or you love him. With a personality like his, there's usually no middle ground. It's a polarizing quality that makes superstars who they are.
McGregor talks a big game, and he backs it up.
He's undefeated since joining the UFC, and he's finished two of this three opponents. On Saturday, he'll face a skilled and versatile Dustin "The Diamond" Poirier. The latter is intent upon shutting McGregor up.
Here's why The Diamond will be successful.
Countdown to UFC 178: Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor http://t.co/tbtA6lxkJs
— Joe Ferraro (@ShowdownJoe) September 22, 2014
McGregor is almost exclusively a stand-up fighter. He's been so tough because he's been able to avoid every takedown attempt (100 percent takedown defense) that has come his way in the UFC. His explosiveness and toughness in the stand-up game have kept him from having to prove himself on the mat up to now with the promotion.
Poirier is a cerebral fighter. He understands how to attack opponents and take advantage of their weaknesses. He knows McGregor's two previous losses came by way of submission.
While Poirier doesn't boast a staggering takedown accuracy rate (31 percent), he is adept at locking on submissions once the fight goes to the ground, whether he's on the bottom or the top.
It's easy to see a scenario where McGregor's aggression gains him top position, but against Poirier, he'll still be in danger. Six of The Diamond's 16 wins have come by submission. His seventh will give McGregor his first blemish in the UFC.
Welcome to the UFC
Leave it to Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone to deliver a rude welcome to UFC newcomer Eddie Alvarez. Long thought to be one of the last truly elite fighters outside the UFC, Alvarez is set to make his debut against one of the hottest fighters in the world.
Come one week from today I promise to give the Fans everything I got! #100% pic.twitter.com/HLXahRBwFe
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) September 21, 2014
Cerrone has been mowing down opponents over the last year. He's won four fights in a row, and each victory has come by stoppage.
Alvarez is known for his all-around game, but he likes to finish opponents with strikes. Of his 25 wins, 14 have come by knockout.
Can he stop the Cowboy? Nope.
Cerrone's muay thai, underrated defense and toughness make him one of the hardest outs in the lightweight division. Look for him to do damage with one of his lethal kicks to the midsection or head and pounce on Alvarez with a rear-naked choke to close the deal.
Mighty Mouse All Day
To put it plainly, Johnson is too fast, skilled and good for Cariaso. That's no disrespect to the challenger. The only fighter at 125 pounds who looks to be in Johnson's league is John Dodson.
While we wait for the rematch between Johnson and Dodson, the champion has to stay active, and that means taking fights like this one against Cariaso.
Speed will be the biggest factor in this one—as it usually is in Johnson's bouts. His lightning-quick hands, feet and reflexes are only augmented by his impeccable technique. He probably won't stop Cariaso, but the champ should retain with an easy unanimous-decision victory.
All stats per FightMetric.com.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
