The UFC is returning to Boston this Saturday with a thirteen-bout Pay-Per-View card featuring two belts on the line.

In the main event, reigning Bantamweight king Aljamain Sterling will face off with fan favorite Sean O’Malley, while Weili Zhang looks to defend her reclaimed Strawweight belt against Brazilian powerhouse Amanda Lemos.

---

Main Card

Aljamain Sterling (23-3) vs. Sean O’Malley (16-1) (BW Championship)

The hype is real for this one and with such an intirguing stylistic match, it’s not hard to see why. Sterling put together a terrific win streak to win the Bantamweight title and has defended it three times since, including a finish over TJ Dillashaw. Sterling is as well-rounded as they come with an lanky kickboxing game on the outside and an excellent BJJ pedigree, consistently dominating high-level grapplers like Henry Cejudo and Cody Stamann. O’Malley is an exciting striker with no shortage of high amplitude strikes and crazy spinning attacks, holding ten knockout wins to his name. While O’Malley has underrated grappling skillls, his last fight saw Petr Yan land six takedowns against him. I do think Aljo willl get Sean to the mat quickly and repeatedly, but I expect Sean’s range and submission defense to keep him safe through the first ten minutes but faltering through the second half I see Aljo controlling grappling exchanges for a late stoppage.

My Pick:Aljamain Sterling via Submission

Weili Zhang (23-3) vs. Amanda Lemos (13-2-1) (SW Championship)

After rebounding from consecutive losses to Thug Rose with a spinning backfist KO of Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Zhang submitted Carla Esparza to reclaim the Strawweight belt in her last outing. “Magnum” has a high pace on the feet with powerful Muay Thai and. adiverse striking arsenal, along with opressive top control. Lemos rebounded from a submission loss to Jessica Andrade with a submission of her own over Michelle Waterson, then knocked out Marina Rodriguez to earn the title shot. I see Zhang’s volume and constant output being the difference maker, as we’ve seen her hold up an incredibly high pace for five full rounds, though Lemos’ power will be live early. I expect Zhang to weather the early storm and pile up damage for a late stoppage or clear decision.

My Pick: Weili Zhang via Submission

Neil Magny (28-10) vs. Ian Machado Garry (12-0) (WW)

Neil Magny is stepping in here on short notice, coming off a June decision over Phil Rowe. The 30-fight UFC veteran is as well-rounded as they come with a solid pace, wrestling, and cardio for days, though he can be controlled on his back. Garry is on a five-fight win streak in the UFC, picking up a head kick KO over Daniel Rodriguez in Charlotte. I think Garry has the more damaging strikes here and better range control and I’m interested in seeing his ground game tested. I think Garry has the tools to deny takedowns and work his striking on the feet for a clear decision, though I see some finishing upside for Garry on the mat.

My Pick: Ian Machado Garry via Decision

Mario Bautista (12-2) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (14-5-1) (BW)

I’m excited for this bout, as I rate both quite highly. Bautista is coming off a four fight win streak including three straight first-round finishes, showcasing his aggressive ground attack in recent performances. Blackshear impressed UFC fans just last week scoring the third twister in UFC history. I think we’re in store for some fantastic grappling exchanges in this one, but I see Blackshear having the superior control and better wrestling, along with the reach advantage to work his offense from the outside. I see Blackshear winning an entertaining decision, though a finish on the mat would not surprise me.

My Pick: Da’Mon Blackshear via Decision

Marlon Vera (22-8-1) vs. Pedro Munhoz (20-7) (BW)

I’m excited for this battle of fan-friendly UFC vets. Vera has a constant offense with crazy finishing ability wherever the fight goes, though it takes some time for him to get his offense going. Munhoz has insane durability and a versatile offense on the feet with powerful leg kicks along with great jiu jitsu and an iron tight guillotine. I think Munhoz will have early success with Vera taking over late, but I see the output of Munhoz doing enough to get the judges’ nod with his durability keeping his upright in the face of Vera’s hellacious third round offense.

My Pick: Pedro Munhoz via Decision

Prelims

Chris Weidman (15-6) vs. Brad Tavares (19-8) (MW)

I’m more than hyped for the return of The Chris, who is admittedly a long time favorite of mine. He is coming off a two year layoff after suffering a catastrophic leg break in his last bout, but still brings the crisp boxing offense and high level All-American wrestling that won him the title. Tavares is a long time veteran but suffered a rough knockout loss in his last outing, struggling to put his boxing offense together on the feet. While Tavares could take advantage of Weidman’s durability concerns, I see the former champion getting this to the mat consistently for the decision win in his return.

My Pick: Chris Weidman via Decision

Gregory Rodrigues (13-5) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (11-7) (MW)

Rodrigues made a name in his first few Octagon appearances as an all-action brawler but also sports a high-level BJJ game. Tiuliulin is aggressive on the feet and loves a brawl, but is not the most defensively responsible, particularly on the mat, suffering submissions in both his UFC losses. If Rodrigues goes to the mat, this will be over very quickly, but he seems to enjoy standing and banging, which could present problems for his stationary chin. Regardless, I see him using his BJJ advantage to end this quick.

My Pick: Gregory Rodrigues via Submission

Gerald Meerschaert (35-16) vs. Andre Petroski (9-1) (MW)

We have a clash of two high-level grapplers here and I’m excited to see the grappling exchanges. Petroski has the wrestling advantage and should control where the fight goes, along with heavy hands and the sharper defense standing, though not by a large measure. I think the key to this bout is his cardio, as we have seen Petroski wane in even the second round and stick his neck in bad spots, which GM3 will exploit in an instant.

My Pick: Gerald Meerschaert via Submission

Andrea Lee (13-7) vs. Natalia Silva (15-5-1) (FLW)

Lee is on the heels of a two-fight losing streak, dropping a narrow split decision to Maycee Barber in her last outing. She has a high-volume attack on the feet and has shown an increased willingness to mix it up on the mat in recent years. Silva has really impressed in her three Octagon appearances, picking up knockouts in her last two. She has technical Muay Thai with a fantastic strike differential and solid defensive grappling. I see her denying takedowns and picking Lee apart on the feet for a decision.

My Pick: Natalia Silva via Decision

Maryna Moroz (11-4) vs. Karine Silva (16-4) (FLW)

Moroz put together three straight wins, displaying consistent improvement, before running into Jennifer Maia who beat her in a decision. After earning a contract on the Contender Series, Silva picked up two submissions in the UFC, highlighting her high-level BJJ, though her striking and wrestling have not caught up. Moroz will have a massive technical edge on the feet as well as superior defense and wrestling to control where the fight goes. I see her avoiding Silva’s world on the mat and picking her apart for a decision.

My Pick: Maryna Moroz via Decision

Austin Hubbard (15-6) vs. Kurt Holobaugh (19-7) (LW TUF Final)

Austin Hubbard had a 2-2 in the UFC before getting cut and scoring two victories before running through the TUF tournament. He mixes up his attack well and doesn’t mind trading blows on the feet or mixing in wrestling. After Holobaugh was cut from the UFC for a second time, he picked up two knockouts before continuing his finishing ways on TUF. I see these two throwing down on the feet and Hubbard winning out on volume, as Holobaugh’s lack of head movement leaves him open for way too many strikes.

My Pick: Austin Hubbard via Decision

Cody Gibson vs. Brad Katona (BW TUF Final)

Gibson impressed with two finishes in this tournament showcasing his fan-friendly style and expertise on the mat. Katona is looking to become the first two-time Ultimate Fighter winner after getting two decision victories in the house, showcasing his high fight IQ and well-rounded style, winning minutes on the cage when it counts. I think this fight will likely be either a Gibson finish or Katona taking home a decision, as he has the volume and more slick control, though Gibson could land takedowns and power shots on the feet. More likely, however, Katona works his leg kicks and crisp fundamentals for the decision nod.

My Pick: Brad Katona via Decision

---