Breaking Down UFC 158: St-Pierre Vs Diaz: Prelims

UFC 158: St-Pierre Vs Diaz takes place this Saturday night, and as always the UFC will be streaming the first few fights on facebook and youtube, and the rest on the FX network in the states. There is plenty to breakdown on the UFC 158 prelims, so take a look at how they all stack up and stay tuned to Fighters.com for the Main Card predictions.

Reuben Duran Vs George Roop (Bantamweight)

Roop has been as streaky as they come in the UFC featherweight and bantamweight divisions, but is capable of lighting up an opponent in spectacular fashion. Both Roop and Duran are likely fighting for their contracts, as Duran is ls also coming off of a knockout loss, but Duran seems to be a perfect opponent for Roop. I see Roop overwhelming Duran early with strikes early in the fight.

George Roop via technical knockout, round 1

T.J. Dillashaw Vs Issei Tamura (Bantamweights)

Tamura is going to have an uphill battle in this one against a grappler like Dillashaw. Tamura will likely have a hard time landing anything besides his jab, including his overhand right, and will spend a lot of time fighting underneath the Team Alpha Male member. If Dillashaw feels that things are going his way on the feet, he may chose to exchange with Tamura, but I expect him to either ride this out in half guard to get the win or earn a submission late in the fight.

T.J. Dillashaw via unanimous decision

Rick Story Vs Quinn Mulhern (Welterweights)

Mulhern is a Strikeforce import who is riding a three fight winning streak. Mulhern was riding a seven fight win streak when he fought Jason High in his first Strikeforce bout, and has won all three of his fights since. He steps in on short notice to fight Story who is coming off a painful looking neck crank loss to Demian Maia at UFC 153.  Expect the bjj black-belt Mulhern to control the fight early and into the second round, but Story really turning it around in the bout for some late fight heroics and rattling the ground fighter with strikes.

Rick Story via technical knockout, round 3

Daron Cruickshank Vs John Makdessi (Lightweights)

Cruickshank lost an exhibition bout on TUF, but he hasn’t lost a professional bout since 2011, and he has rattled off 6 straight wins. He has been able to use his striking to finish opponents, and out point them. Makdessi is looking to continue the momentum after snapping a losing streak, which included his first professional loss, when he won over Sam Stout at UFC 154. This is a fight of the night candidate, and if Makdessi can focus on his technical kickoxing background he can out point Daron much like he did to Stout.

John Makdessi via unanimous decision

Dan Miller Vs Jordan Mein (Welterweights)

Miller is going to do whatever he has to do to slow down this fight. Mein is going to come forward in a hurry looking to put Miller’s lights out, and Miller can not let him get comfortable in the octagon on Saturday night. Miller will close the distance, and smother Mein until he gets the submission late in the  second round.

Dan Miller via submission, round 2

Darren Elkins Vs Antonio Carvalho (Featherweights)

Elkins is riding a four fight decision streak in the featherweight division while Carvalho has a two fight winning streak of his own going. Carvalho is no slouch on the ground, and that is exactly where Elkins wants this fight to take place, but chances are Elkins will be slick enough to avoid any submissions he may attempt. Elkins decision train keeps rolling him toward an eventual title shot and  gets the ud.

Daren Elkins via unanimous decision

Bobby Voelker Vs Patrick Cote  (Welterweights)

This is Cote’s welterweight debut, and a big part of the  outcome in this one is about how this will affect the 33 year old Canadian. Voelker will be making his UFC debut after winning his last three in Strikeforce. Voelker will take the fight to Cote from the second the bell rings looking to test the weight advantage Cote will have supposedly gained. Look for clubbing right hands from Voelker that will catch Cote late in the second round to finish off the preliminary card.

Bobby Voelker via technical knockout, round 2