UFC Vegas 81: Yusuff vs. Barboza

Chris Gutierrez vs. Alatengheli

Gutierrez is coming off a loss while Alatengheli is coming off two wins, he last fought a year ago. Gutierrez was supposed to fight the last card against Montel Jackson and Alatengheli is coming in on short notice. Gutierrez has leg kicks and will push the pace in this fight. Alatengheli is nice on the feet but the striking defense is sketchy. It has been a year as I stated above since we have seen Alatengheli which worries me a ton. I like Gutierrez here.

Terrance Mckinney vs Brendon Marotte

Mckinney is now fighting Marotte after Duncan had visa issues. Marotte is making his UFC debut and has nice stances on the feet with his boxing. Mckinney will push the pace with his huge knockout striking. Mckinney though has no defense on the feet. Marotte will have to work around the power in order to knockout get clipped. Mckinney should win this fight in all ease.

Tainara Lisboa vs. Ravena Oliveira

In a female fight, we have Tainara as the heavy favorite on a winning streak. Ravena is making her UFC debut. Lisboa is all over the place with her striking and is wild on her feet. Lisboa has power on the feet but the striking defense is not great. Ravena has not fought the greatest fighters but has decent striking with cardio. I don't mind Lisboa here.

Darren Elkins vs. TJ Brown

Brown is the slight favorite. Brown and Elkins virtually have the same with two wins, loss, win, and loss. Elkins is very tough and we know he loves to see blood. Elkins has good wrestling and striking overall. Brown loves to push the pace and will shoot for the takedowns nonstop. I do like Brown here where he can find the submission win.

Ashley Yoder vs. Emily Ducote

Ducote is coming off of two losses and is the huge favorite. Yoder is coming off two losses against highly respectable opponents where it has been two years since we last saw her. Yoder overall has skills everywhere but is tough in the cage. Ducote has good defense overall and will push the striking offense. I do like Ducote here to handle business who has the better tools and younger fighter.

Irina Alekseeva vs. Melissa Dixon

Dixon is making her UFC debut and is the favorite in this matchup. Irina is coming off her UFC debut win. Irina is wild on the feet and will push the striking in Dixon's face. Dixon is powerful on the feet and has a nice striking output overall. Dixon will try to control the cage to work the grappling. Dixon should win this fight and have a striking output at will but she needs to avoid the ground.

Michel Pereira vs. Andre Petroski

Both of these fighters have been on a lengthy winning streak. Petroski is stepping in on short notice. Pereira is wild at will on the feet with his striking. He has nice power and can shoot for takedowns nonstop. Petroski is a legend in the cage and has excellent grappling with power. The cardio and short notice worries me for Petroski in this fight. I like Pereira.

Edgar Chairez vs. Daniel Lacerda

We have a rematch after we saw a premature stoppage in this fight with Edgar as the huge favorite. Edgar made Lacerda's arm go limp during the last fight. Edgar will be able to take down Lacerda at will and this is his fight to win. I do not like Lacerda in this fight at all.

Christian Rodriguez vs. Cameron Saaiman

Rodriguez is coming off two wins and is the slight favorite. Saaiman is on a winning streak. Rodriguez is nice on the feet and can try to out-grapple Saaiman. The striking is nice and leg kicks are there for Saaiman. This fight is super close overall. I like Saaiman by a hair.

Jonathan Martinez vs. Adrian Yanez

This fight is a coin flip with the odds while Martinez is on a winning streak with Yanez coming off a loss. Martinez has nice takedowns and the striking isn't bad at all. The defense is his main weapon. Yanez has bomb hands and the knockout power works up. The striking defense is worrisome though. I like Martinez by a hair.

Jennifer Maia vs. Viviane Araujo

The co-main event with Maia coming off two wins and is the favorite. Araujo is coming off two losses. Maia should win this fight at will in all formats. Maia is simply the better fighter with her grappling and boxing on the feet.

Sodiq Yusuff vs. Edson Barboza

The main event! Yusuff is the favorite and is coming off two wins that last fight was almost a year ago. Barboza is coming off a win. Yusuff has massive power with his striking. Barboza is a veteran in the game and has fought the best of the best. He is fast on the ground and feet. Barboza has a nice submission game on the ground. I do like Yusuff here.