With the TUF16 Finale fast approaching, it’s time for some final picks of the winners of tonight’s main card.
Headlining the card is TUF 10 winner Roy Nelson fighting the also-ran from the season (but still very talented) Matt Mitrione. Nelson was originally slated to face rival coach Shane Carwin, though Carwin ultimately withdrew from the fight following a serious knee injury. This opened the door for Mitrione to return to the UFC after a year’s hiatus due to a slew of injuries.
Past Nelson vs. Mitrione is a downright amazing card filled with solid fighters that total, perhaps, the best card on FX or Fuel to this point in the UFC’s deal with Fox.
The co-main event is a bout between TUF 16 finalists Colton Smith and Mike Ricci. This is, in fact, the only bout featuring fighters from the season, as the less-than-exciting bouts infuriated White into abandoning precedent and filling out the rest of the card with prospects obtained outside this season of TUF.
A matchup between heavyweight kickboxers Shane del Rosario and Pat Barry almost guarantees explosions. Another matchup between strong lightweight strikers, Jamie Varner and Melvin Guillard, is another bout to really look forward to. Topping it all off is former TUF winner Jonathan Brookins fighting featherweight up-and-comer Dustin Poirier.
It’s a downright great card that I am lucky enough to make predictions on. Keep reading to find out my picks!