Demetrious Johnson vs. Chris Cariaso: A Full Head-to-Toe Breakdown

UFC 178 is headlined by a UFC flyweight championship tilt. Champion Demetrious Johnson defends against the No. 8-ranked contender Chris Cariaso.

Cariaso enters as a massive underdog, as much as plus-900 on some books. The UFC has seen huge upsets in title fights before, but can Cariaso defeat the No. 4-ranked pound-for-pound fighter on the planet?

Johnson defends the title for the fifth time. He has not dropped a bout since 2011 when he unsuccessfully challenged for the UFC bantamweight strap. Cariaso's three-fight win streak was good enough for a title shot in a shallow division that Johnson has tormented.

Does Cariaso stand a chance, or will Johnson continue to dominate his division?

This is your UFC 178 main event breakdown.

Striking

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Cariaso is a skilled striker who has some nice tools to work with, but Johnson is next level.

Under Matt Hume's tutelage, Johnson has developed into one of the best technical strikers on the UFC's roster. He has amazing movement, top-notch head movement and deceptive power.

Johnson finally got to show his power against Joseph Benavidez. He corked Benavidez in the first round of their rematch and pounced with more quick shots before the referee had a chance to stop the bout. The speed and technique takes opponents out of their element.

Cariaso is a fine talent, but Johnson will either shut him down on knock him out. Whatever he chooses to do.

Striking: Johnson

Grappling

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Johnson was already a good grappler, but his striking evolution has only made him better.

Cariaso is not the best wrestler. He only posts a 41 percent takedown percentage inside the Octagon. Johnson should not have much issue in taking him down in this fight.

Johnson's level changes are picture perfect. Once on the ground, Cariaso is fairly good at popping back to his feet. However, getting back up to his feet doesn't score points.

This is not a matchup that bodes well for Cariaso.

Edge: Johnson

Submissions

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Cariaso attempts more submissions than Johnson but has not submitted anyone since 2009.

Johnson only has two since 2010 himself, but he has done it against stiffer competition. His fifth-round submission over John Moraga was particularly impressive.

With his grappling edge, Johnson will consistently be in better positions to find submissions. Cariaso will have to threaten off his back, and it will take a serious mental error on Johnson's part to get caught. Johnson has the advantage everywhere in this fight.

Mighty Mouse is the better submission stylist and will be in better positions throughout to find a finish.

Edge: Johnson

X-Factors

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Cariaso's X-Factor: Unpredictability

The best shot Cariaso has to win is to be unpredictable. He needs to throw different techniques in the hopes that they will land.

Johnson will shut down standard striking.

Cariaso has to get creative on Saturday.

Johnson's X-Factor: Overlooking Cariaso

The only conceivable way Mighty Mouse loses this fight is if he doesn't take Cariaso seriously.

There is little chance of that happening. Johnson is too smart to allow that to happen, and he is a supremely talented fighter. Johnson at 75 percent can defeat Cariaso at 100 percent. This is a big mismatch.

Johnson would have to sleepwalk during this fight to lose.

Prediction

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Cariaso only has the proverbial puncher's chance in this fight. That is not going to get it done against Johnson.

Cariaso has lost two of his last five fights. Both times he has fought upper-echelon competition he has dropped the fight. Johnson isn't upper-echelon—he's elite. The elite of the elite. A very good case could be made for him being the pound-for-pound best in the world.

Johnson will dominate from the very first second of this fight, but it will take a bit of work to get a finish. Cariaso is tough. Johnson will eventually get a submission once Cariaso starts to suck wind.

This fight is still worth a watch if you love top level fighters. Johnson is mesmerizing. Mighty Mouse's performances are a lot of fun to watch, and UFC 178 will not be any different.

Prediction: Johnson defeats Cariaso via submission in the third round