Pettis vs. Dos Anjos: Complete Guide to UFC 185 Fight Card
UFC 185 hits Dallas this weekend with two title fights.
UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis defends his title against Rafael dos Anjos in the main event, and UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza takes on Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the co-main event.
The fun does not stop there. The UFC has put together a strong fight card from top to bottom. UFC 185 is stacked.
Where can you watch all the action? Who will come out on top? That is what this is all about.
This is your look at each and every fight on the UFC 185 fight card. The 12-fight lineup gets underway at 6:30 p.m. ET this Saturday on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required). Bleacher Report will have complete coverage of the event for you.
Let's get to the preview of the action coming your way this weekend.
Larissa Pacheco vs. Germaine de Randamie
1 of 12
Division: Women's Bantamweight
Records: Larissa Pacheco (10-1), Germaine de Randamie (4-3)
Where to watch: UFC Fight Pass (subscription required)
UFC 185 opens with an intriguing 135-pound contest between Pacheco and de Randamie.
De Randamie comes in as the No. 15-ranked bantamweight, but she is only 1-1 in the UFC. The former muay thai world champion is coming off a loss to Amanda Nunes last November. Pacheco suffered her first career loss to Jessica Andrade in her most recent fight last September.
If Pacheco is able to take down de Randamie, then the fight is likely over. The difference in ground ability is that wide.
Even with that said, I'll favor de Randamie on Saturday. She will be able to stuff the takedown attempts with her superior strength while scoring with her striking. It will go to the judges, which is always a scary thing in Texas, to get back in the win column.
Prediction: Germaine de Randamie defeats Larissa Pacheco by unanimous decision.
Jake Lindsey vs. Joseph Duffy
2 of 12
Division: Lightweight
Records: Jake Lindsey (9-2), Joseph Duffy (12-1)
Where to watch: UFC Fight Pass (subscription required)
Joseph Duffy's claim to fame thus far in MMA is a victory over future featherweight title challenger Conor McGregor. The Irish lightweight now comes to the UFC.
He will take on Jake Lindsey, who comes in on a month's notice.
This should be a showcase fight for Duffy. Lindsey is already 0-2 in the UFC against subpar competition.
It will take Duffy a few minutes to get rid of his nerves, and then he will pick up the pace. Lindsey will be out of his depths. Duffy will hurt Lindsey on the feet before finishing with a submission on the ground. It will be another good debut for a solid Irish prospect in the UFC.
Prediction: Joseph Duffy defeats Jake Lindsey via submission in the second round.
Sergio Pettis vs. Ryan Benoit
3 of 12
Division: Flyweight
Records: Sergio Pettis (12-1), Ryan Benoit (7-3)
Where to watch: UFC Fight Pass (subscription required)
Anthony Pettis' little brother drops back to flyweight this weekend. Sergio Pettis has won back-to-back fights in the UFC. His opponent, Ryan Benoit, lost his UFC debut to Josh Sampo last November.
This is another probable showcase fight.
Pettis has had a star by his name since he debuted. His brother is a big reason why, but he is also a legitimate prospect to watch. Pettis has all the tools to shine. Those tools will be on full display in this matchup. The flyweight division needs more depth, and his return to 125 comes at the right time.
Pettis will light Benoit up on Saturday to get the TKO finish in the second round.
Prediction: Sergio Pettis defeats Ryan Benoit by TKO in the second round.
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Jared Rosholt vs. Josh Copeland
4 of 12
Division: Heavyweight
Records: Jared Rosholt (11-2), Josh Copeland (9-1)
Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
After an exciting preliminary card on UFC Fight Pass, the Fox Sports 1 preliminary card opens with what will likely be a lackluster heavyweight bout.
Neither Copeland nor Rosholt is an exciting heavyweight.
This matchup should get Rosholt back on the winning track. His wrestling will grind out a victory against Copeland. It could go the distance, but he'll earn the stoppage in the third round once Copeland is too tired to offer a respectable defense to strikes on the mat.
Rosholt wins, but it will be ugly.
Prediction: Jared Rosholt defeats Josh Copeland by TKO in the third round.
Daron Cruickshank vs. Beneil Dariush
5 of 12
Division: Lightweight
Records: Daron Cruickshank (16-5, 1 NC), Beneil Dariush (9-1)
Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
This lightweight tilt may be a Fight of the Night contender.
Dariush made a statement in his most recent bout by upsetting rising star Carlos Diego Ferreira. It put the division on notice.
Cruickshank has been improving consistently since coming off The Ultimate Fighter. He is 3-1 with one no-contest in his last five outings, with his only loss coming to Jorge Masvidal. He is making his way up the division but still has some work to do before cracking the Top 15.
This will be fun, and ultimately Cruickshank's striking will win this fight. He has good speed and athleticism. That will allow him to spring in and out while scoring. And since he's an aggressive striker even when he is losing, it may sway the poor Texas judges into giving him the fight anyway.
Prediction: Daron Cruickshank defeats Beneil Dariush by unanimous decision.
Elias Theodorou vs. Roger Narvaez
6 of 12
Division: Middleweight
Records: Elias Theodorou (10-0), Roger Narvaez (7-1)
Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
As the Fox Sports 1 preliminary card moves forward, we get another showcase fight for a rising prospect. Theodorou won The Ultimate Fighter: Nations and holds an undefeated professional record. He is 2-0 in the Octagon.
Narvaez is 1-1 in the UFC after upsetting Luke Barnatt. His lone professional defeat came against Patrick Cummins at light heavyweight. Narvaez is a credible opponent for Theodorou, but one that the Canadian should hold a distinct advantage over.
This is the kind of fight that helps build a young star. Narvaez is an opponent who will push him, but Theodorou should win the fight.
He takes an easy decision.
Prediction: Elias Theodorou defeats Roger Narvaez by unanimous decision.
Ross Pearson vs. Sam Stout
7 of 12
Division: Lightweight
Records: Ross Pearson (16-8, 1 NC), Sam Stout (20-10-1)
Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
The featured prelim features two lightweights coming off knockout losses. Stout was knocked out by K.J. Noons last April, and Pearson suffered a TKO defeat to Al Iaquinta just this past November.
Pearson has looked good since returning to lightweight. He posted back-to-back wins before a no-contest against Melvin Guillard. And let's not forget the egregious decision loss to Diego Sanchez. He then stopped Gray Maynard to make waves at 155 pounds.
Stout has been away for nearly a year, and ultimately that is why I am taking him. He will be revitalized, while Pearson's TKO loss is still fresh.
They are both good strikers, but Stout has a little bit of an edge in reach. That will be just enough for him to get back in the win column.
Prediction: Sam Stout defeats Ross Pearson by unanimous decision.
Chris Cariaso vs. Henry Cejudo
8 of 12
Division: Flyweight
Records: Chris Cariaso (17-6), Henry Cejudo (7-0)
Where to watch: Pay-Per-View
The PPV gets underway with a flyweight tilt, or what is scheduled to be a flyweight tilt anyway. Cejudo has failed to make weight each of his last two times trying to make the limit, and he only got this fight after imploring the UFC brass to give him a chance.
The weight won't make a difference in how the fight plays out. He will defeat Cariaso.
Cariaso, ranked No. 10 in the division, poses some challenges to Cejudo, but the wrestling is the difference. Cejudo is an Olympic gold medalist. He will take Cariaso down if he feels threatened on the feet. Once on the mat, it becomes about control more than scoring offense, even though Cariaso is active off his back.
Cejudo will not stop Cariaso. It will be 15 minutes of wrestling with the wiry flyweight.
Prediction: Henry Cejudo defeats Chris Cariaso by unanimous decision.
Roy Nelson vs. Alistair Overeem
9 of 12
Division: Heavyweight
Records: Roy Nelson (20-10), Alistair Overeem (38-14, 1 NC)
Where to watch: Pay-Per-View
This heavyweight tilt will be much more exciting than the earlier one, and it is also much more difficult to predict. Nelson comes in as the No. 8-ranked heavyweight, and Overeem is just one spot behind at No. 9.
Overeem has largely dominated his opposition in the UFC, even in his losses. His chin is just not able to stand up to the heavy hands of many heavyweights who sneaked one shot in to finish the former K-1 champion.
Nelson is a heavyweight with a great chin and big power. That should signal bad news for Overeem.
But I am still going to side with the Dutchman. He is a more superior striker, and his takedown defense should prevent Nelson from taking him down. Overeem will be more conservative as well. He won't overcommit.
Overeem will pelt Nelson in the first round to give the American his second straight KO loss.
Prediction: Alistair Overeem defeats Roy Nelson by KO in the first round.
Johny Hendricks vs. Matt Brown
10 of 12
Division: Welterweight
Records: Johny Hendricks (16-3), Matt Brown (19-12)
Where to watch: Pay-Per-View
No. 1-ranked contender Hendricks seeks another shot at gold, but to get it he will have to defeat No. 5-ranked Brown.
On paper, this matchup looks like it could be a wild brawl with plenty of haymakers. Do not expect that to happen, though.
Hendricks is going to play this smart. Why stand and exchange with a gritty brawler like Brown? He won't. Hendricks will utilize his superior grappling to take Brown down repeatedly. Bigg Rigg is going to grind this fight out to earn that title shot.
There is too much on the line for Hendricks to get sucked into wild exchanges.
Prediction: Johny Hendricks defeats Matt Brown by unanimous decision.
Carla Esparza vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
11 of 12
Division: Women's Strawweight
Records: Carla Esparza (10-2), Joanna Jedrzejczyk (8-0)
Where to watch: Pay-Per-View
Esparza will defend her UFC championship for the first time against Jedrzejczyk, who earned the title shot by upending Claudia Gadelha.
This is truly a striker vs. grappler battle. Esparza is a much better wrestler than Jedrzejczyk, and Jedrzejczyk is a much better striker than Esparza. The champ should enter as a sizable favorite based off that alone. This is a matchup that should favor her in a five-round fight.
If Jedrzejczyk is to become champion, then it will need to happen before the championship rounds.
Esparza's wrestling and pace will wilt Jedrzejczyk as the fight goes deeper.
With that said, I am taking Jedrzejczyk for the upset. Her takedown defense has impressed me enough that she will force Esparza to stand with her for at least the first two rounds. That will be enough for her to tag the champion.
As Esparza goes for a takedown, Jedrzejczyk lights her up with a swift uppercut. The hand speed allows Jedrzejczyk to sneak it through, and Esparza eats canvas. The challenger will be all over her to get the stoppage, and we have a new champion at 115 pounds.
Prediction: Joanna Jedrzejczyk defeats Carla Esparza by TKO in the second round.
Anthony Pettis vs. Rafael dos Anjos
12 of 12
Division: Lightweight
Records: Anthony Pettis (18-2), Rafael dos Anjos (23-7)
Where to watch: Pay-Per-View
Dos Anjos has made an incredible run on his way to a title shot, but there are very few ways for him to beat Pettis.
He is outclassed on the feet. He doesn't have the wrestling to consistently take Pettis down. He isn't a better athlete. In order to defeat Pettis, Dos Anjos has to execute a masterful game plan. That is unlikely to happen.
Pettis is going to outclass Dos Anjos.
This title tilt isn't going the distance. Pettis is going to brutalize the challenger in a variety of ways before getting a TKO finish early. Pettis has filthy leg kicks, which will stifle dos Anjos in the opening minutes, and then Pettis will flatten him once he becomes a stationary target.
The only question is, Will it be a punch, knee or head kick? Take your pick. All are highly possible.
This is an easy title defense for Pettis.
Prediction: Anthony Pettis defeats Rafael dos Anjos by TKO in the first round.
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