Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Henderson vs. Thatch’

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FEATHERWEIGHTS

Nik Lentz (25-6-2, 9-3-1 UFC) vs. Levan Makashvili (8-1, 0-0 UFC): Veteran competitor Lentz draws debuting late-notice replacement Makashvili. A powerful and skilled sprawl-and-brawler with good takedown defense and a sharp kicking game backed up with hard punches, Makashvili has a tendency to lapse into periods of relative inactivity. Lentz is the consummate grinder who relies on relentless pressure, chained takedown attempts against the fence and control from top position, although he has drastically improved his striking since moving to American Top Team. Makashvili is a solid fighter with real potential, but this is a brutal matchup for him, especially on short notice. If Makashvili can get his hands going, he could make it interesting, but the safer pick is Lentz by decision.

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Efrain Escudero (22-9, 3-5 UFC) vs. Rodrigo Goiana de Lima (8-2-1, 0-1 UFC): A grizzled veteran and winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 8,” Escudero gets what likely amounts to one final shot to remain in the UFC against Lima, who dropped his UFC debut to Neil Magny in New Zealand in June. Escudero is essentially the same fighter he has always been, a well-rounded mixture of striking, basic wrestling and decent grappling. “Monstro” is a grappling specialist with suffocating top control and dangerous submissions, but he is more relentless than skilled as a wrestler. While he throws with power, he lacks much in the way of technique. This is a coin-flip fight, but I favor de Lima’s consistent improvement, youth and athleticism here. The pick is “Monstro” by submission in the second round.

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Chas Skelly (13-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Jim Alers (13-1, 1-0 UFC): This is an outstanding matchup between a pair of up-and-coming featherweights. Skelly rebounded from a decision loss to Mirsad Bektic in his debut to defeat Tom Niinimaki and Sean Soriano in a two-week stretch. Alers, the longtime Cage Warriors Fighting Championship featherweight titleholder, took a competitive decision from Alan Omer in his debut. Skelly is a physically imposing and reasonably athletic wrestle-grappler. He is no more than an average striker but really shines when he can get his hands on his opponent in the clinch to work his dirty boxing and trip game, and he excels at forcing scrambles and getting to the back on the mat. Alers is more well-rounded, with a crisp combination boxing game punctuated by the occasional kick, explosive and well-finished shot takedowns and a punishing top game that features heavy ground strikes, slick passes and the occasional submission. Although the oddsmakers have pegged him as the underdog, I like Alers’ more diverse skills and especially his superior striking in this matchup. The pick is Alers by close decision.

FLYWEIGHTS

Zach Makovsky (18-5, 2-1 UFC) vs. Tim Elliott (10-5-1, 2-3 UFC): This is an outstanding matchup of talented flyweights. Makovsky, the former Bellator MMA bantamweight champion, won his first two fights at 125 pounds in the UFC with relative ease but dropped a decision to Jussier da Silva in August. Elliott might be on the chopping block here, having dropped two in a row to Joseph Benavidez and Ali Bagautinov. Makovsky is essentially a wrestle-grappler, although he throws a nice darting left hand from his southpaw stance and excels at finding angles. He chains together his takedowns nicely and prefers a strong single-leg. Elliott prefers weird, broken-rhythm movement at range and a hands-down style that relies on his exceptional durability; he throws constant volume and wrestles quite well. This is an even-money fight, but I think Makovsky’s slight edge in technical wrestling will give him the advantage. Makovsky by decision is the pick.

LIGHTWEIGHTS

James Moontasri (7-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Cody Pfister (11-3-1, 0-0 UFC): Black House product Moontasri gets debutante Pfister on late notice after his original opponent, Jake Lindsey, pulled out several weeks ahead of the bout. Moontasri can do a bit of everything but is really a striker -- and a pretty good one -- by trade. He comes from a traditional martial arts background and spices up his punching combinations and round kicks with spinning strikes and backs it up with a solid defensive wrestling game and good-enough grappling. There is not much available on Pfister, but he can wrestle and scramble fairly well and has professional kickboxing experience, to boot. The pick here is Moontasri by decision.

Follow Sherdog.com preview expert Patrick Wyman on Twitter.