UFC 185 Preliminary Card Predictions

The UFC returns to pay-per-view this weekend, as UFC 185 comes to you live Saturday night. Headlined by two title bouts, the card is deep, hosting a bevy of top fighters and some interesting prospects. 

Anthony Pettis defends his lightweight title against Rafael dos Anjos, while Carla Esparza defends her strawweight title against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. It's a great main card, but it should not overshadow some great prelims.

My recent inconsistency continued after a strong opening to 2015. UFC 184 saw me go 3-2, so we will try to have a stronger showing here.

With that, let's take a look at the prelims and make some predictions.

2015 Riley's Record: 27-15

Last Event: UFC 184 (3-2)

Larissa Pacheco vs. Germaine De Randamie

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Kicking off the card on Fight Pass will be the ladies, as Brazilian youngster Larissa Pacheco looks to earn her first UFC victory against muay thai stylist Germaine de Randamie.

Pacheco, who is just 20 years old, is a well-rounded fighter with her best days ahead of her. In addition to being a skilled submission artist, she is a good power striker on the feet, throwing heavy punches that aim for unconsciousness consistently.

Her UFC debut was disappointing, as she took a short-notice fight against Jessica Andrade and was choked out for her efforts. That loss reversed an impressive upbringing in Brazil, which even saw her decimate newly minted Mexican star Irene Aldana in her best performance to date.

As for de Randamie, the champion muay thai kickboxer has been working with some of the great wrestlers at American Kickboxing Academy to tighten up her grappling game. It is her Achilles' heel, as the Dutch fighter is comfortable on the feet and powerful in the striking phase.

After snagging a split verdict over Julie Kedzie in her UFC premiere, she was utterly decimated by Amanda Nunes on the ground en route to a first-round TKO loss. She will need to stay off her back in this bout, as Pacheco can do the same thing.

The takedown defense of de Randamie is the big question here. Not many can strike with her and the world-class skills she possesses. However, Pacheco is a scrapper in her own right and will take a few shots to achieve a takedown, where she'll finish the fight eventually. 

Prediction: Pacheco def. de Randamie via submission

Joseph Duffy vs. Jake Lindsey

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Moving forward, we head to the lightweight division, as Irish newcomer Joseph Duffy looks to make a good first impression against Jake Lindsey.

Duffy is one of the handful of Irish MMA prospects who are exploding on the scene right now. A well-rounded fighter, he has won most of his fights via submission, though he has shown some good striking along the way. Not only that, but he owns a key victory over UFC superstar Conor McGregor earlier in their careers. 

Duffy was actually a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter 12 but failed to make the house. Since then, he has taken some time off but came back in 2014 to earn stoppages in Cage Warriors against Damien Lapilus and Julien Boussuge, the latter of which was a highlight-reel knockout.

He takes on Lindsey, a tough-as-nails boxer with good power and underrated clinch work. However, his ground game is something of concern, as both of his losses saw him get exploited on the mat.

Lindsey is fighting for his job here. After he opened his UFC career by tapping to heel strikes on the ground against Jon Tuck, Olivier Aubin-Mercier put him away with an amazing inverted triangle kimura.

Lindsey seems to be the sacrificial lamb here, as Duffy represents another Irish star the UFC can build upon. Duffy is legit too, which is why he should pass this test with flying colors.  

Prediction: Duffy def. Lindsey via TKO

Sergio Pettis vs. Ryan Benoit

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Capping off the Fight Pass bouts is an exciting flyweight affair, as Texas native Ryan Benoit competes for the first time in more than a year on his home turf against top prospect Sergio Pettis.

Benoit is a striker who possesses good kicks and dynamite-packed punches. He is a good ground fighter but relies on top position, as he struggles when put on his back.

He was successful as a part of the Legacy FC roster, a company that has put forward more than a few UFC fighters. However, his UFC debut didn't go to plan, as Josh Sampo outwrestled and submitted him.

As for Pettis, the brother of the UFC lightweight champion is a striker in his own right, using good quickness and technical striking to get points on the scorecard. He is just 21 years old and already owns a 12-1 record, showing his promise as a high-level fighter.

He makes the drop to 125 pounds after four UFC fights in the bantamweight division. Despite a hiccup to Alex Caceres in his sophomore effort, Sergio has earned decision wins over Will Campuzano, Yaotzin Meza and Matt Hobar.

This should be a fun stand-up fight between two guys who like to throw heat. Benoit needs to be aggressive with Pettis; otherwise, Pettis will stick and move, outpointing him in the process. Nevertheless, that's what Pettis will actually do come Saturday night.

Prediction: Pettis def. Benoit via decision

Jared Rosholt vs. Josh Copeland

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Moving to the Fox Sports 1 portion of the card, we check out the heavyweights, as Jared Rosholt collides with Josh Copeland. One of these men will be attempting to aggressively move up the heavyweight ladder.

Copeland, a representative of Grudge Training Center, is a former RFA champion with heavy striking and immense toughness. He can take a good amount of punishment, but he certainly dishes it out as well with his powerful punching ability.

Copeland's UFC debut came in a losing effort, as he lost to Ruslan Magomedov on the scorecards. It was the first blemish of his career, reversing an undefeated record that saw him defeat the likes of Jan Jorgensen and eight others.

Rosholt is a wrestler who uses striking to set up takedowns, which he achieves with great proficiency.

Rosholt enjoyed a three-fight winning streak upon entry to the UFC, where he earned decisions over Walt Harris, Daniel Omielanczuk and Soa Palelei. However, in his most recent outing, Alexey Oliynyk flattened him via brutal knockout.

When it comes down to it, Rosholt's wrestling is the key aspect of this fight. He may never be an elite heavyweight, but his wrestling will give guys lower on the ladder a big problem. 

Prediction: Rosholt def. Copeland via decision

Daron Cruickshank vs. Beneil Dariush

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Next up are the lightweights, as Daron Cruickshank and Beneil Dariush look to move up the 155-pound ladder in hopes of jumping into contention.

Cruickshank is a well-rounded fighter with a striking background, as well as a collegiate wrestling background. He's athletic and nimble, making him hard to pin down and completely control in the cage.

Since being on TUF 15, Cruickshank has gone 6-3 in the UFC with three wins via head kick against Henry Martinez, Mike Rio and Erik Koch. He was likely winning his most recent bout against KJ Noons before an accidental eye poke made the bout a no-contest.

Dariush is a grappler with good submissions and improved striking. He has improved his on-the-feet prowess with Kings MMA, where he has been putting in the work to round out his MMA game.

Other than a setback to Ramsey Nijem in his sophomore outing, Dariush has looked impressive. In addition to earning a decision over Carlos Diego Ferreira in his most recent fight, he has choked out Tony Martin and Charlie Brenneman during his time in the UFC.

When it comes down to it, Cruickshank is more well-rounded than Dariush. His striking is better, and his counterwrestling is sufficient enough to fend off Dariush's takedowns, which should allow him to swing freely on the feet.

Prediction: Cruickshank def. Dariush via decision

Elias Theodorou vs. Roger Narvaez

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The middleweights will compete in the cage next, as TUF Nations winner Elias Theodorou looks to keep his perfect record intact against Texas native Roger Narvaez. 

Narvaez is a Legacy FC fight vet with a good ground game, which he uses frequently. He is most comfortable when he is stalking opponents and gaining top position, where he has good ground-and-pound and some underrated submissions.

His UFC debut came on short notice in the light heavyweight division in a losing effort to Patrick Cummins. However, he got back into the win column upon dropping back to 185 pounds, as he edged Luke Barnatt to gain his first UFC win.

As for Theodorou, he is a grinder in his own right, though his striking is likely more refined than Narvaez. He also thrives in top position and is a physical specimen, owning great strength that helps him outmuscle opponents.

He is 10-0 as a pro, including a 2-0 run in the UFC thus far. After finishing Sheldon Westcott in his debut, he bested Bruno Santos in his follow-up bout, displaying his potential.

This will be a battle of attrition, and given what we've seen in the past, that will favor Theodorou. It won't be the most exciting fight, but it will play in the favor of the Canadian.

Prediction: Theodorou def. Narvaez via decision

Ross Pearson vs. Sam Stout

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Capping off the prelims will be a barnburner in the lightweight division, as Ross Pearson and Sam Stout will slug it out to delight the fans. 

Stout, a member of the UFC since 2006, has been a staple of the 155-pound division. A striker, he is a technical stand-up artist with underrated power, though most of his wins have come by methodical decision.

His UFC record currently stands at 9-9, showing that he has been inconsistent in his UFC tenure. He has alternated wins and losses in his last five fights, besting Caros Fodor and Cody McKenzie while getting finished by James Krause and KJ Noons.

As for Pearson, the TUF 9 winner is similarly a striker, which is why this fight should be entertaining. He probably owns the power edge, which gives him more of a chance at ending the fight.

The Brit has been in the UFC since 2009, showing he has had longevity with the company as well. He has sandwiched a win between two losses in his last three, though his win over Gray Maynard likely overshadows the losses due to the pure brutality.

There is no doubt this has a chance to be Fight of the Night. That said, Pearson has more wind in his sails these days, so he should have no problem defeating the Canadian.

Prediction: Pearson def. Stout via decision