Lightweight Bout: Al Iaquinta (13-4-1) vs. Kevin Lee (17-3)
Nolan Howell: There isn’t really an area where I see Iaquinta as undoubtedly better than Lee going into this fight. Lee has the distinct advantage of being able to determine where the fight takes place with his wrestling. Lee is likely the sharper of the two standing up, with a more versatile and quicker striking game. In all, it just seems more like a matter of how Lee wins than who wins. Kevin Lee by third-round TKO.
Lightweight Bout: Dan Hooker (17-7) vs. Edson Barboza (19-6)
Nolan: While Hooker has the pressure that makes me wonder if he can trouble Barboza, Hooker also showed a tendency to be caught coming in against a similarly kick-heavy fighter in Yair Rodriguez. Though Hooker has demonstrated slicker striking since against middling strikers, the trouble is Barboza has better hands than Rodriguez and Hooker won’t be able to press Barboza for long enough to not get hit with a fight-changing strike. Edson Barboza by second-round KO.
Bantamweight Bout: Rob Font (15-4) vs. Sergio Pettis (17-4)
Nolan: I like Font to be able to keep Pettis on the ends of his punches throughout and stop him from getting any rhythm in establishing striking range with his kicks or trying to scramble. Rob Font by unanimous decision.
Lightweight Bout: Charles Oliveira (24-8) vs. Jim Miller (29-12)
Nolan: Oliveira, though inconsistent, isn’t quite washed yet and Jim Miller (most recent win aside) only seems to look good against fighters almost as shopworn as he is. Oliveira shouldn’t be as troubled as he was by Miller eight years ago. Charles Oliveira by unanimous decision.
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