UFC 173 ‘Barao vs. Dillashaw’ Preview

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Lightweights

Michael Chiesa (10-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (14-3, 4-2 UFC): As always, Chiesa would like to make this a frantic battle of scrambles and transitions on the mat. The more of those that happen, the more likely “The Ultimate Fighter 15” winner is to secure one of his trademark rear-naked chokes. The stocky Trinaldo is the more powerful of the two and has shown an inclination to muscle his foes against the fence before slamming them to the mat. However, conditioning has proven to be an issue at times for the Brazilian. Assuming he does not tire too much down the stretch, “Massanduraba” is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt capable of fending off Chiesa’s chokes and punishing him on the feet and with ground-and-pound. Trinaldo takes it by TKO in round two or three.

Lightweights

Tony Ferguson (14-3, 4-1 UFC) vs. Katsunori Kikuno (22-5-2, 1-0 UFC): Outside of a loss to the talented Michael Johnson, Ferguson has looked impressive during his five-bout Octagon tenure. With his blend of boxing, wrestling and reach, “El Cucuy” could be poised to make a run at 155 pounds. Kikuno, meanwhile, was not overwhelming in outpointing Quinn Mulhern in his promotional debut, but the karateka does possess a versatile enough offensive arsenal to keep Ferguson guessing. Still, Ferguson is relentless, and he will batter his Japanese foe with vicious strikes in close quarters. Ferguson wins by decision or TKO.

Bantamweights

Chris Holdsworth (5-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Chico Camus (14-4, 3-1 UFC): The winner of the overlooked men’s side of “The Ultimate Fighter 18,” Holdsworth looks for his second Octagon triumph after submitting Davey Grant at the reality show finale in November. The 5-foot-11 Team Alpha Male product’s standup has proven sufficient thus far, but it is his ability to land takedowns from the clinch and work on the ground is his staple. Camus is battle-tested and might be skilled enough defensively to limit Holdsworth’s submission opportunities. While Holdsworth is accustomed to finishing his work inside of a round, Camus is no stranger to back-and-forth battles in the Octagon. Camus wins by decision.

Lightweights

Mitch Clarke (10-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Al Iaquinta (8-2-1, 3-1 UFC): Iaquinta has been on a roll since falling to Michael Chiesa at “The Ultimate Fighter 15” Finale, earning unanimous verdicts against Ryan Couture, Piotr Hallmann and Kevin Lee in his last three outings. While he has yet to earn a signature knockout, the Serra-Longo Fight Team member has done a good job landing punches in combination and countering effectively during his winning streak. It is worth noting that Iaquinta has dropped both Hallmann and Lee in recent outings, so a stoppage could be on the horizon. Clarke would like to make this more of a grappling-based affair, but he lacks the athleticism to do so. Iaquinta takes it by TKO.

Lightweights

Anthony Njokuani (16-7, 3-3 UFC) vs. Vinc Pichel (8-1, 1-1 UFC): Pichel remains best known for absorbing a trio of Rustam Khabilov suplexes, but “The Ultimate Fighter 15” alum has since earned his first Octagon triumph by outpointing Garrett Whiteley in January. Pichel has power in his hands, but he relied on takedowns and ground-and-pound to get the best of Whiteley -- something he might want to do again against the versatile striking of Njokuani. Pichel does not have the wrestling to make this work consistently. Njokuani earns a decision.

Featherweights

Sam Sicilia (12-4, 2-3 UFC) vs. Aaron Phillips (5-0, 0-0 UFC): Sicilia has not done a lot to distinguish himself during his five-bout UFC run, but his right hand remains dangerous enough to alter the course of a fight if it lands. Phillips, who replaces Doo Ho Choi, will struggle to fend off his opponent’s overall aggression. Sicilia wins by KO or TKO.

Welterweights

David Michaud (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Jingliang Li (8-2, 0-0 UFC): A cast member of “The Ultimate Fighter 16,” Michaud steps in for Danny Mitchell against Li. “The Leech” lives up to his nickname through his grappling and wrestling, but he lacks much of a standup game to help him close the distance. Michaud does his best work on the inside even though he might be undersized for 170 pounds. Li uses advantages in size and strength to win via decision.

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TRACKING TRISTEN

2014 Record: 96-59-1
Career Record: 363-217-2
Last Event (UFC Fight Night “Brown vs. Silva”): 6-7
Best Event (UFC Fight Night “Minotauro vs. Nelson”): 7-0
Worst Event (UFC Fight Night “Shogun vs. Henderson 2”): 1-9-1