This weekend the UFC returns to Newark, New Jersey for an afternoon display of fights. The action kicks off from the Prudential Center at 12 PM Eastern time, and is full of intriguing matchups. The event is headlined by a Welterweight showdown that could determine the next title challenger. While the co-main event pits two of the best to ever do it at Lightweight. Be sure and tune in for this Saturday, and feel free to leave your predictions below!

Prelims
Women’s Flyweight: Hannah Goldy (5-0) vs Miranda Granger (6-0)- Goldy Split Decision

Welterweight: Claudio Silva (13-1) vs Cole Williams (11-1)- Silva Submission

Women’s Flyweight: Lauren Murphy (10-4) vs Mara Borella (12-5)- Borella Unanimous Decision

Flyweight: Jordan Espinosa (14-5) vs Matt Schnell (13-4)- Schnell Submission

Women’s Flyweight: Antonina Shevchenko (7-1) vs Lucie Pudilova (8-4)- Shevchenko TKO

Welterweight: Mickey Gall (5-2) vs Salim Touahri (10-3)- Touahri Split Decision

Main
Light Heavyweight: Darko Stosic (13-2) vs Kennedy Nzechukwu (6-1)- Nzechukwu TKO
Both Stosic and Nzechukwu are hard hitters who prefer to mix it up on the feet. Stosic likes to use takedowns a little bit more, and is built like a tank. Nzechukwu is much leaner, and uses his frame to strike from the outside. I really think this comes down to who is able to incorporate their striking game in this fight. I am leaning towards Nzechukwu, I believe he will use his length and reach to catch Stosic with big shots.

Lightweight: Scott Holtzman (12-3) vs Dong Hyun Ma (16-9-2)- Holtzman TKO
Holtzman is a fearless striker who puts his combinations together well, and also holds a brown belt rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Holtzman has had major issues against strong wrestlers who refuse to give him range to strike. Ma is a well-rounded fighter who mixes it up, and holds a 1st degree black belt in Judo. Ma would be wise to use his takedowns, because the majority of his losses have come by knockout. I have Holtzman finishing this fight on the feet. I just feel he is on a different level than Ma, and will be able to avoid his takedown attempts.

Middleweight: Trevin Giles (11-1) vs Gerald Meerschaert (28-11)- Giles Unanimous Decision
Giles is a talented prospect out of Texas, who is coming off his first professional loss against Zak Cummings. Giles is a balanced fighter who has power on the feet, but can use his takedowns/submission game to control the fight. Meerschaert is a very experienced fighter who fought on the regional scene before the UFC. Gerald is known for being a tricky grappler with a knack for submission finishes. He has improved his striking, but tends to fight better on the mat. The majority of his losses have come against top level competition, and he is actually coming off a controversial decision loss to Kevin Holland. This is a tough fight to call, but I am going to lean towards Giles. I believe he can use his takedown defense to keep the fight standing, and use his striking to outwork Meerschaert. A win over a veteran would do wonders for the career of Giles, and put him right back in the mix at Middleweight.

Lightweight: Joaquim Silva (11-1) vs Nasrat Haqparast (10-2)- Haqparast Unanimous Decision
Silva is a talented striker out of Brazil with legit knockout power. Silva is not afraid to go to the ground with his black belt rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His lone loss came against Vinc Pichel who was able to take him down, and control him on the mat. Haqparast has looked very impressive in his last two fights. After losing his UFC debut, Nasrat has shown techincal boxing, and elite level cardio breaking his opponents. Haqparast is very smooth on the feet, but has had issues in the past with grapplers. I see this fight taking place on the feet from start to finish. Silva in my opinion has more one punch power, but Haqparast has the advantage in terms of pace and technical striking. I see Nasrat using his slick boxing and pressure to beat Silva by way of decision.

Lightweight: Jim Miller (30-13) vs Clay Guida (35-18)- Miller Submission
Clay Guida is already in the UFC Hall of Fame, and it is likely that Jim Miller will join him soon. Miller the longtime UFC fighter out of New Jersey continues to defy “father time” and win fights. Miller has always been a great wrestler and was one of the first American’s to show high level grappling in the UFC. Miller is also underrated on the feet, and can surprise opponents with his boxing. He will get an opportunity to represent his home state against “The Carpenter”. Guida has been a fan favorite for his entire career. Guida is extremely tough, resiliant, and has amazing cardio that allows him to push the pace. Guida is a solid offensive wrestler with vicious ground and pound, and has improved his striking like Miller. Both of these guys are at the twilight of their careers, and are trying to prove they can still compete until the end. I have to go with Miller because I feel he is a better all-around fighter. He has the superior boxing, wrestling, and grappling skills in this fight. However, Miller has had issues with his chin, and if Guida lands clean this could be his undoing. I believe this will be the fight of the night, and will end up in Miller’s favor.

Welterweight: Colby Covington (14-1) vs Robbie Lawler (28-13)- Covington Unanimous Decision
Covington is very brash and likes to talk a heavy amount of trash. So far, he has backed up his talk by winning the UFC Interim Welterweight Championship. Covington has improved his striking game, and has elite level cardio to match his pressure style. Covington is also a great wrestler who was an all-american at the University of Oregon State. We have also seen Covington use his ground and pound to force opponents into submission. Covington has only suffered one defeat by way of guillotine against Warlley Alves. He is a former training partner of Robbie Lawler, and does not have much nice to say about his past teammate. Lawler is truly a throwback fighter who just shows up and shows out more times than not. The former UFC Welterweight champion has the power to finish a fight at any second. He is a superb striker who can finish the fight with his hands or kicks. Lawler is extremely durable, and is almost impossible to put away with strikes. Lawler however, has in the past struggled against offensive wrestlers and grapplers. This is a very intriguing matchup, and the winner of this fight could be next in line for a title shot. For Covington, he needs to use his pressure to wear Lawler down, and use his wrestling to ground the striker. For Lawler, he needs to keep the fight standing, and use his power to hurt or finish Colby on the feet. This fight could go either way, but I have to pick Colby in this fight. I believe he will use his forward pressure and wrestling to break Lawler. I also believe his cardio will be key in order to grind out a five round decision. Covington has to be careful not to put himself in danger on the feet, but also be wary of shooting for takedowns out of wrestling range. I feel Colby is motivated to earn a shot at Kamaru Usman, and will use that as fuel to beat the dangerous Robbie Lawler in this fight.

Photo Credit: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/07/ufc-on-espn-5-newark-colby-covington-robbie-lawler-reader-predictions-picks