UFC 141 Predictions: Final Prediction for Jacob Volkmann vs. Efrain Escudero

In the third fight on the UFC 141 preliminary card, Jacob Volkmann will face off against the returning Efrain Escudero.

Volkmann comes into the fight on a four-fight winning streak since dropping to lightweight. All his wins are decisions over increasingly better opposition.

Unfortunately, Volkmann didn't get the fight against Obama that he wanted.

Overall, Volkmann is 13-2 in his career, and the two losses came from Martin Kampmann and Paulo Thiago while Volkmann was still a welterweight.

Escudero will be making his return to the UFC in this fight, as he was cut after his loss to Charles Oliveira, in a fight where he also missed weight.

However, since that time, Escudero has gone 5-1, with three submissions and two decisions. His lone loss came to Fabrício Camões, who is also back in the UFC.

This lightweight matchup will feature two of the lower-level guys, but guys with all the talent in the world to take the leap to the next level.

Escudero was the season eight winner of The Ultimate Fighter and Volkmann, as mentioned earlier, is undefeated at lightweight.

Both of these guys will be looking to get "in the mix" in the stacked lightweight division. A win tonight for either would put them one step closer.

Unfortunately for Escudero, his return will likely be spoiled, as we can expect Jacob Volkmann to pull off the unanimous decision victory.

Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow me on twitter @tmt2393.