UFC 182 Preliminary Card Predictions

It's a new year, but it's the same old predictions. Yes, I return in 2015 with the preliminary card predictions.

First up is UFC 182, which is headlined by bitter rivals Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones. It is a stacked card with big names, but there are some interesting prospects on the undercard.

Let's not waste any time here. Let's delve right into the picks for UFC 182.

Alexis Dufresne vs. Marion Reneau

USA TODAY Sports

Kicking off the card on Fight Pass will be the female bantamweights, as Marion Reneau looks to make a successful UFC debut against Alexis Dufresne.

Dufresne is a top-game grappler who relies on her size, strength and skills on the ground to overwhelm opponents. That being said, despite her excellent top game on the ground, she has experienced weight issues in the past, including her UFC debut, where she didn’t even get close to hitting the mark.

Dufresne entered the UFC as an undefeated prospect but was outhustled by Sarah Moras in her debut. That reversed a 5-0 start to her career, where she earned all stoppages in the first round. 

As for Reneau, she makes her UFC debut after her Invicta bout with Irene Aldana was canceled in December. It was a highly anticipated debut, as she is a top 135-pound prospect coming into the UFC.

Reneau is just 4-1 in her career and has only fought twice since 2013. However, the striker has improved greatly and has earned wins over Maureen Riordan and Leslie Rodriguez.

Whether Dufresne makes weight remains to be seen. However, her size and grappling advantage should carry her here.

Prediction: Dufresne def. Reneau via decision

Omari Akhmedov vs. Mats Nilsson

Capping off the Fight Pass prelims will be an international welterweight affair, as Russian Omari Akhmedov looks to jump back into the win column against Sweden’s own Mats Nilsson.

Akhmedov is a fighter who likes to throw hands but also hunts for the takedown. He is a finisher, too, as he has only gone to decision twice in his 15 wins.

His UFC debut was a firefight where he absolutely starched Thiago Perpetuo with a giant one-punch knockout. However, he dropped his next bout to Gunnar Nelson via submission, meaning he will really need a win here.

As for Nilsson, he is a ground fighter with good grappling chops, solid strikes from the top and good submissions. That was seen in his time in the European circuit, where he was a top fighter in his weight class.

He makes the drop from middleweight, where he was chased out by a dominant loss at the hands of Luke Barnatt. This may be a better weight class, as he looked tiny next to Barnatt. 

This could be a competitive fight, but I don't think Nilsson can get Akhmedov on the ground. He will be a sitting duck against his powerful, wild strikes here.

Prediction: Akhmedov def. Nilsson via TKO

Evan Dunham vs. Rodrigo Damm

USA TODAY Sports

Kicking off the prelims on Fox Sports 1 are the lightweights, as Brazilian Rodrigo Damm and American Evan Dunham square off in a pivotal 155-pound matchup.

Dunham is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist who may actually be better off striking in this fight with Damm. Almost half of his wins come by decision, but that shields the fact that he has improved his striking a bit.

Unfortunately for Dunham, he may be fighting for his job here, as he is on a three-fight skid and has lost four of his last five. His three most recent losses came to Rafael dos Anjos, Donald Cerrone and Edson Barboza, two of which were finishes on the former top prospect.

Damm is a jiu-jitsu fighter himself, as most of his wins come by way of submission. He likes to grind on opponents and close distance to make them uncomfortable, a trademark of his style.

He is just 3-3 in the UFC at this point and is on a two-fight skid. He was decisioned by Rashid Magomedov before he was finished by Al Iaquinta in his last outing.

Dunham will likely save his job here, as he is bigger and better than Damm. This is his fight to lose.

Prediction: Dunham def. Damm via decision

Shawn Jordan vs. Jared Cannonier

USA TODAY Sports

Moving on, we head to the heavyweight division, as Strikeforce and UFC vet Shawn Jordan welcomes Alaskan Jared Cannonier to the UFC.

Jordan is a former college football player who has good athleticism and big-time power. Most of his wins come by knockout, as he tends to stand and trade on the feet in most of his bouts.

He has failed to find consistency in the Octagon, as he is 4-3 with the company. However, he is coming off a win over Jack May in a bout that likely saved Jordan's job.

As for Cannonier, he is 7-0 and has only gone to decision once in his career. He tends to like the ground game, where he has heavy top-game punches that he can combine with his submission prowess.

If this fight stays upright, Jordan should cruise. If Cannonier can secure the takedown, he has a good chance to win. I will go with the former thought. 

Prediction: Jordan def. Cannonier via TKO

Marcus Brimage vs. Cody Garbrandt

USA TODAY Sports

Next up are the bantamweights, as The Ultimate Fighter 14 veteran Marcus Brimage looks to build on a big win in his last bout when he takes on undefeated newcomer Cody Garbrandt.

Brimage is a physical specimen at 135 pounds, holding great strength and size over many in the division. He is a striker mainly, using heavy hands and increasingly improved kicks as his main weapon.

Those kicks were on full display in his latest bout, where he brutally knocked out Jumabieke Tuerxun with a highlight-reel boot to the dome. That win halted a losing streak that had his roster spot in jeopardy. 

As for Garbrandt, he is an undefeated prospect at 5-0 with all finishes via strikes. He has good wrestling and ground-and-pound, which is what he relies on most.

His wrestling could pose a problem to Brimage, but Brimage does have good takedown defense. He is also likely the better striker, which is why he will give Garbrandt a rude welcome to the company.

Prediction: Brimage def. Garbrandt via decision

Danny Castillo vs. Paul Felder

USA TODAY Sports

Capping off the prelims are a pair of midcard lightweights, as WEC and UFC mainstay Danny Castillo takes on prospect Paul Felder.

Castillo is a grinder who represents the world-famous Team Alpha Male. Though his striking has definitely improved big time, his wrestling is still where he does his best work, as showcased in most of his fights.

He has shuffled between wins and losses in his last four bouts. Although he has dropped decisions to Edson Barboza and Tony Ferguson, he took a unanimous decision over Tim Means and knocked Charlie Brenneman unconscious. 

As for Felder, he is striker who has been working his grappling with Renzo Gracie's crew. He has good kicks and crisp punching, which is why he should keep this fight standing.

He entered the UFC after a highlight-reel spinning heel kick in the regional scene. He followed that up with a decision win over Jason Saggo in his Octagon debut, keeping his record unblemished. 

Although Felder is definitely a serviceable prospect and a fun fighter to watch, experience in the big show and dominant wrestling will be his biggest disadvantages. That’s why Castillo will likely take this bout in typical grinding fashion. 

Prediction: Castillo def. Felder via decision