The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale: B/R Main Card Staff Predictions

Regardless of ratings, The Ultimate Fighter 20 gave the reality series meaning it hasn't had in years.

On Friday, the season will wrap up with a strawweight title fight between Carla Esparza and Rose Namajunas. Esparza earned her place in the finals with a decision win over friend Jessica Penne, while Namajunas moved on by submitting Randa Markos.

With another UFC event approaching, it's time to look at some main card predictions. As usual, Riley Kontek, Craig Amos, James MacDonald, Scott Harris and Sean Smith are at your service.

2014 Standings

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Craig Amos, Riley Kontek and James MacDonald are going to battle to the bitter end.

Me? Well, I'm just looking to avoid a collapse that would allow Scott Harris to put me back into last place.

Here are the current standings:

Craig Amos: 140-76-1

Riley Kontek: 139-77-1

James MacDonald: 138-78-1

Sean Smith: 132-84-1

Scott Harris: 125-91-1

Jessica Penne vs. Randa Markos

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Riley Kontek

Two semifinalists meet in what should be an interesting matchup. Markos is a wrestler, while Penne is a boxer and jiu-jitsu fighter. Penne showed that she could be taken down by Carla Esparza, but Markos isn't the wrestler that Esparza is. Penne will be superior on the feet, which should help her edge the dark horse of the tournament.

Penne, Unanimous decision

Craig Amos

Markos could take Penne down in her sleep. The real problem is, What does she do after she gets the takedown? Penne is a marvelously efficacious grappler with immense talent, mind-bending flexibility and dexterity in her legs that few people have in their arms. While Markos can get the fight to the mat, Penne has the potential to make her pay for it. Whether Penne gets the submission or Markos prevents it for 15 minutes is the question I'm pondering.

Penne, Submission, Rd. 2

James MacDonald

Stylistically, this matchup is similar to the final. We have a wrestler going up against a good striker who is active on the ground. However, Markos isn't quite as accomplished as Esparza is and won't be able to secure takedowns on Penne as consistently. I expect Penne to win this fight from the outside, but I wouldn't be shocked if Markos pulled off another upset.

Penne, Unanimous decision

Scott Harris

Markos was great on the show as a surprisingly powerful force, particularly as a wrestler. Penne is a dynamic athlete, but Markos will literally be the stronger fighter, keeping away from Penne's slick stuff and pound on Penne in the horizontal phase.  Here's another upset for the Canadian.

Markos, Unanimous decision

Sean Smith

Markos surprised a lot of people with her run to the semifinals on TUF20, but this is a rough matchup. Penne can beat Markos with her reach when standing. She can also counter Markos' wrestling with some of the best
jiu-jitsu in the division.

Penne, Submission, Rd. 1

Joe Proctor vs. Yancy Medeiros

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Riley Kontek

Yancy Medeiros has been an underrated fighter in his time with the UFC. Sure, he doesn't have the most sparkly record, but he's fought some tough competition. Proctor is tough as nails and has stayed in the UFC longer than one would expect. Expect Medeiros to cruise.

Medeiros, TKO, Rd. 1

Craig Amos

Medeiros is far more talented than his UFC record suggests. He owns a well-rounded game that hasn't of yet allowed him to knock off any high-profile opponents, but it should enable him to turn back Proctor on Friday night. Proctor is coming off an impressive win of his own, but I still don't like the way he matches up with Medeiros from a talent perspective.

Medeiros, TKO, Rd. 2

James MacDonald

Proctor is a tough out, but the perennially underrated Medeiros is a rough matchup for him. Look for Medeiros to finish it on the feet late.

Medeiros, TKO, Rd. 3

Scott Harris

This is a fairly vanilla matchup. Proctor is a good submission grappler but doesn't have irresistible takedowns. Medeiros should be able to keep this fight standing until he lands a big shot, which shouldn't take too long given the Hawaiian's power.

Medeiros, TKO, Rd. 2

Sean Smith

I had a tough time picking between these two fighters. Proctor has a solid ground game and is tough as nails, but Medeiros has only been submitted by Jim Miller. Medeiros can earn a close decision win as long as he doesn't spend too much time on the canvas.

Medeiros, Unanimous decision

KJ Noons vs. Daron Cruickshank

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Riley Kontek

This should be an exciting fight. Both guys are flashy on the feet, although Cruickshank has wrestling in his back pocket. Noons has an impressive resume, no doubt, but if Cruickshank uses said wrestling, he could steal this one. I'll take Cruickshank in what I would assume is an upset.

Cruickshank, Unanimous decision

Craig Amos

Cruickshank has a wider range of tools on the feet and has evolved to make better use of his wrestling. Wrestling is Noons' kryptonite, so that addition should prove valuable for Cruickshank. He'll win his third straight.

Cruickshank, Unanimous decision

James MacDonald

This is another interesting fight. Noons largely relies on his boxing, and Cruickshank largely relies on his kicking ability, so the clash of striking styles is intriguing. That being said, Cruickshank is the more dynamic fighter and should have a little too much on the feet for Noons.

Cruickshank, Unanimous decision

Scott Harris

Noons has some excellent boxing, but that's about it. Even if he can lure Cruickshank into a brawl (and away from the mat), Cruickshank can still use his feet to strike from the perimeter and keep Noons off balance. This one could be Fight of the Night.

Cruickshank, Unanimous decision

Sean Smith

Noons and Cruickshank will both be looking to put on a stand-up show. While Noons is a very good boxer, Cruickshank is the more well-rounded striker and can also steal some rounds with takedowns in this matchup.

Cruickshank, Unanimous decision

Jeremy Stephens vs. Charles Oliveira

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Riley Kontek

This should be a fun matchup. Jeremy Stephens is definitely a fun fighter who loves to brawl and punch heads into the front row. Oliveira is underrated in the stand-up department, but a slugfest with Stephens is not smart. If he can get him down, he will dominate. However, he won't and will get caught with a haymaker.

Stephens, TKO, Rd. 2

Craig Amos

Perhaps Oliveira is starting to make full use of his ample skill set? Then again, maybe not. It's always been difficult to tell with him. I expect him to beat Stephens though, as he is more agile on the feet and far more dangerous on the floor.

Oliveira, Unanimous decision

James MacDonald

This should be an outstanding fight. Oliveira has so much potential and arguably hasn't really lived up to it. Unfortunately, his chin has occasionally looked vulnerable, and he's going up against a fighter who hits like a truck. If Stephens lands one of his haymakers, it could be lights out for the Brazilian.

Stephens, TKO, Rd. 1

Scott Harris

I always pick against Stephens, and then I get burned for it. So not this time. Oliveira has a great all-around game, especially his jiu-jitsu. But with Stephens, it only takes one of those monstrous right hands to end the show.

Stephens, KO, Rd. 2

Sean Smith

This should be an exciting matchup no matter how it plays out. Stephens has the defensive wrestling to avoid going to the ground where Oliveira is most dangerous. He also has the punching power to stop anybody at 145 pounds.

Stephens, KO, Rd. 1

Carla Esparza vs. Rose Namajunas

UFC.com

Riley Kontek

Rose Namajunas has been the most impressive fighter on this season of the show. Her finishing and all-around skills have propelled her into star status and will continue to make her more popular. That said, there's something about wrestling on this season that has worked like a charm. Esparza is aggressive and explosive on the takedown, so if she's able to avoid crazy kicks and submissions, she will be crowned champion.

Esparza, Unanimous decision

Craig Amos

Esparza's wrestling edge should have an impact, but two things I saw on The Ultimate Fighter make me pause to pick her. The first is how gassed she was after the Torres fight; the second is how she shelled up, going all-out defensively when she took Penne down in the semis. Namajunas will have an edge on the feet and is too active off her back to allow Esparza to do much with her takedowns.

Namajunas, Submission, Rd. 3

James MacDonald

Namajunas is by far the most improved fighter on TUF20. She has been a revelation. However, Esparza is a tough matchup for Pat Barry's better half. Whether Namajunas wins may come down to whether she can catch Esparza from the bottom. She is certainly capable, but the top seed is the safe bet here.

Esparza, Unanimous decision

Scott Harris

There's just something about Namajunas. She's been the best fighter on the show all season (and maybe the last couple of seasons). Esparza's wrestling is dangerous, but she hasn't been dominant. Namajunas will be more aggressive and will have a big advantage when the fight is in space, though I wager to say she'd have the edge just about anywhere.

Namajunas, Unanimous decision

Sean Smith

Heading into TUF20, I believed Invicta FC champion Esparza would remain the best in the strawweight class. She's very close to doing that, but Namajunas looked better than ever on the show. She has that Ronda Rousey mean streak that will make her the best in the 115-pound division. 

Namajunas, Submission, Rd. 2