UFC 211

UFC Heavyweight Championship: Stipe Miocic (C) vs. Junior dos Santos

Did you see their first encounter? If not, please do yourself a favor and satiate the fight connoisseur inside and take in that 25 minute classic. It sells the rematch on its own. While they were both impressive in regards to the amount of punishment each could inflict - and receive - it would be wise for both men to avoid rounds 6-10 of that grinder. Since that fight, dos Santos has gone 1-1 while Miocic has risen to the top of the sport. So their paths cross now...

Miocic wins if he's better defensively. Large, strong athletes winging small gloves at one another usually lends itself to knockouts. While both have proven track records of durability, the ability to "weather the storm" and absorb punishment isn't a reward, and it isn't everlasting. Interestingly, Miocic implemented his wrestling during their first dance but was only 1/18 on takedown attempts. While it didn't set the world ablaze it added an additional element to his attack that dos Anjos had to prepare for. As this bout moves into the later stages - if it makes past the first three rounds - I feel he will mix in some grappling but I find myself increasingly convinced that he'll want to make this a striking affair.

JDS wins if his footwork reverts to its previous form. One of his early trademarks was his ability to glide around the cage as if he were a light heavyweight or middleweight even. He possessed agility, he was precise and swift on his feet yet rather recently he's been plodding which has made him stationary - and easier to hit. I'm wary of the damage he took in the latter two battles with Cain Velasquez.

One could argue that all the time off (with surgeries included) could serve to replenish him physically, mentally and emotionally. It's possible. A counter argument exists that states he left too much of himself in the Octagon after battling Velasquez and this is the diminished model; dos Santos 2.0...with 150,000 hard miles and frequent stops to the mechanic just to get on the road.

I'll be looking closely at the number he hits on the scale. Personally I think he could do himself a tremendous favor by fighting closer to 240 than 250. The reigning champion is lean for such a massive athlete and I feel JDS should replicate that formula and get to a weight that doesn't compromise his punching power and stamina.

UFC Strawweight Championship: Joanna Jedrzejczyk (C) vs. Jessica Andrade

Jedrzejczyk wins if she remains aggressive and accurate in her striking, primarily her kickboxing base. Her volume and speed set her apart from many of her contemporaries in the entire sport. I'm interested in whether she'll move forward or backward because her opponent likes to walk her opponents down. Kicking is going to prove monumental to keep Andrade at safe distance here. If Andrade can bully her way into close quarters, I want to see the champion's clinch work at display. The stout Brazilian will walk into shots in order to brawl but wading into a dangerous clinch could end her evening.

While Jedrzejczyk has been stellar as the champion, over her last two fights, she has been hurt. That's no slight to her as she should be pushed - especially since the UFC touts itself as the pinnacle of mixed martial arts - but it's noteworthy to mention. I was asked recently by someone who knows I write about MMA, if she's peaked already. I don't think so. Competition comes her way and she meets the challenge, she fights, she overcomes tough moments...and makes successful title defenses. Even though defending belts is pure nonsense at this point, right?

Andrade wins if she muscles her way into grappling range while also initiating great defense to mitigate Jedrzejczyk's punching power and accuracy. She reminds me of Claudia Gadelha but she seems to be more powerful. One thing that's paramount will be her cardio. She has never competed in a five round fight; not once. I want to see how fresh she'll be in a fight that I think will go the distance. If she's taking too much damage on the feet will she opt to engage in a grappling match?

Demian Maia vs. Jorge Masvidal

Maia wins if he can stay glued to his opponent. The human boa constrictor sucks the air out of his opponents' attacks - and their bodies - as long as he can grab an appendage. He has great defense - only absorbing 13 strikes in his last FOUR fights - so the damage he's taken is minimal. It's funny considering Maia's plan of attack because the world knows his playbook. He's deliberately marching forward, calculating the possibilities depending on cage placement, and luring his opponents into inevitable doom. He will put out a jab or a low kick, more as a defensive technique just to begin the assault on his opponent's consciousness. The more time the fight's in the clinch, or grappling where Masvidal can't put together fluid combinations...it's only a matter of time before Maia's hand is raised.

Masvidal wins if he can survive the clinching exchanges and not by simply resorting to hand fighting. Against the cage, his wizard has to be quick and he must shift his base to get his back free of the cage in order to make his way safely to the center of the Octagon. He has the skill to stop Maia and/or win on points but he has to stay clear of the cage. Jabs, uppercuts and knees, especially the latter, could create a massive opportunity for him.

It's a pure battle of two opposing styles. The striker facing off against the grappler with clear advantages for both respectively. Masvidal's level of aggression will be a fantastic subplot. Will he chain combinations together? Will he play it safe and throw one strike at a time? His discipline will directly tied to how successful he will - or won't - be in the crucial middleweight bout.

Picks: Miocic, Jedrzejczyk, Maia, Edgar, Branch and...Alvarez?