UFC 185: Pettis vs. Dos Anjos: Main Card B/R Staff Predictions

With submission wins over Benson Henderson and Gilbert Melendez in his past two outings, Anthony Pettis will look to continue his lightweight championship reign with a win over Rafael dos Anjos this weekend.

Although he was behind Khabib Nurmagomedov in the line for a title shot, Dos Anjos was awarded a bout with Pettis at UFC 185 because Nurmagomedov was still recovering from injuries. While he wasn't the top choice to challenge Pettis, the Brazilian is deserving, having knocked out Henderson during his current three-bout winning streak.

Carla Esparza will also defend her UFC belt on Saturday, when she takes on Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The Cookie Monster became the first UFC strawweight champion with a submission victory over Rose Namajunas in December.

While Esparza was battling her way through The Ultimate Fighter 20 tournament to capture her UFC belt, Jedrzejczyk was working on earning a title shot the more conventional way. With an upset win over Claudia Gadelha in her second UFC appearance, Jedrzejczyk quickly rose to the top in a developing 115-pound class.

As another UFC event approaches, Bleacher Report writers Riley Kontek, Scott Harris, Craig Amos, James MacDonald and Sean Smith are here to provide their predictions for the aforementioned title bouts and the rest of the UFC 185 main card.

2015 Standings

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With a perfect record on the UFC 184 main card, Riley Kontek remains atop the standings.

James MacDonald and I also went 5-0 at the last UFC event and currently sit in second and third, respectively. Following a 2014 that saw me flirting with last place, I'll take the start I've had in 2015.

Right now, Craig Amos is in the basement, with Scott Harris clinging to a slight lead over him.

	W	L
Riley Kontek	25	10
James MacDonald	23	12
Sean Smith	22	13
Scott Harris	20	15
Craig Amos	19	16

Chris Cariaso vs. Henry Cejudo

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Riley Kontek

If Henry Cejudo can make weight, he is one of the biggest threats in the flyweight division. His wrestling and improved stand-up are a lethal combo. Cariaso is a good matchup for him because if Cejudo does start losing on the feet, he can easily put the former title challenger on his back.

Cejudo, Unanimous decision

Scott Harris

I don't know. Cejudo may be a little overvalued in this one, especially with all his problems making weight at 125. The whole thing feels...exhibitional. Whatever, Cejudo and his wrestling win it, if the fight happens.

Cejudo, TKO, Rd. 2

Craig Amos

Cejudo showed some nice striking last time out, but he'll be better served implementing his wrestling for this one. If he fights strategically, he will probably win decisively. If he doesn't, an upset is not only possible but likely.

Cejudo, Unanimous decision

James MacDonald

The flyweight division desperately needs Cejudo to make weight. It is starved for contenders, and the former Olympic gold medalist is exactly what someone like Demetrious Johnson needs. Cariaso is a good fighter, but Cejudo looks to be on a different level.

Cejudo, TKO, Rd. 2

Sean Smith

I know Cejudo hasn't been tested by a UFC contender, but it's apparent the Olympic wrestling gold medalist has the ability to become a serious title threat. Against an opponent with better defensive wrestling, I might be more hesitant to pick him, but Cejudo matches up well with Cariaso. His biggest challenge could be at the weigh-in, where Cejudo has had problems in the past.

Cejudo, Unanimous decision

Alistair Overeem vs. Roy Nelson

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Riley Kontek

For me, this is a battle of chin vs. chin. Both men throw major heat on the feet, so whoever can sustain more damage will walk away the winner. That man is Roy Nelson.

Nelson, TKO, Rd. 2

Scott Harris

Overeem wins the posedown. Overeem wins the muay thai fight. Overeem and his suspect chin lose the slugfest. Big Country rides on.

Nelson, KO, Rd. 1

Craig Amos

I suspect Overeem will continually tag Nelson and amass a large lead for the outset of the match. I also suspect that while en route to a dominant unanimous-decision win, Overeem will eat an overhand right and go unconscious.

Nelson, KO, Rd. 2

James MacDonald

Overeem is obviously the superior striker, but his chin is so fragile that one almost feels like it’s just a matter of time. Nelson is bound to clip the Dutchman at some point, and it’ll be lights out when he does.

Nelson, TKO, Rd. 1

Sean Smith

I figured at least one of us would pick Overeem in this matchup, but it looks like faith in his chin has been completely lost. This is a particularly bad matchup for a heavyweight who hasn't been able to take a punch recently. Nelson is near impossible to stop and has just as much punching power as those who have been finishing Overeem recently.

Nelson, KO, Rd. 1

Johny Hendricks vs. Matt Brown

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Riley Kontek

Matt Brown is surely exciting and can score an upset with his heavy strikes, but his counterwrestling will be his downfall. Johny Hendricks will throw hands with him and be unfazed. But when it comes to scoring points, the former UFC champion will mix in takedowns to frustrate The Immortal.

Hendricks, Unanimous decision

Scott Harris

Wrestling is the difference in this one. There's no mystery about it or anything like that. Brown may defend some of the takedowns. He may even deliver some good knees in the clinch. But Hendricks will have the advantage in the aggregate.

Hendricks, Unanimous decision

Craig Amos

Hendricks is used to fighting the very best the welterweight division has to offer, whereas Brown's only top-tier opponent was Robbie Lawler. With experience handling the power, grittiness and pace Brown employs, Hendricks should weather the storm and get back into the win column.

Hendricks, Unanimous decision

James MacDonald

How can this fight not be entertaining? Sure, Hendricks could probably get it done with his wrestling, but that isn’t really his style. Brown is as tough as they come, but he’s outmatched against the former champ.

Hendricks, Unanimous decision

Sean Smith

I don't think there is any question that Hendricks is the more talented fighter here, but I do have some reservations. The former champion likes to get into brawls, which would play right into Brown's hands. That said, I do think Hendricks will use his wrestling enough to come away with the win.

Hendricks, Unanimous decision

Carla Esparza vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk

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Riley Kontek

I like Joanna Jedrzejczyk and the style she brings to the cage. She's only 115 pounds, but she punches like she's 170 pounds. That said, the wrestling attack of Carla Esparza is too good. She has great proficiency in getting opponents on their back and being dominant. She should retain her belt here.

Esparza, Unanimous decision

Scott Harris

There's plenty of good press lately for the challenger, but I'm still getting over Esparza's belt-winning brilliance against Rose Namajunas. It'll be the same deal here; there's no escaping Cookie's ground-and-pound.

Esparza, TKO, Rd. 2

Craig Amos

I'm torn here. Esparza has the wrestling, but Jedrzejczyk hasn't been too shabby warding off takedown attempts, and her striking is far better than the champion's. Given that it could be a close one and judges (usually) like wrestling, the smart money would be on Esparza.

Esparza, Unanimous decision

James MacDonald

Jedrzejczyk is an outstanding striker with good takedown defense. Will it be good enough to keep the fight standing against a wrestler like Esparza? Doubtful. However, it would make for a pleasant surprise if she could pull off the upset. I’ve been dreaming about Jedrzejczyk taking on Joanne Calderwood since the division’s inception.

Esparza, Unanimous decision

Sean Smith

At 27 years old, Jedrzejczyk should be a strawweight contender for years. However, this title shot has come about a bit too quickly for her. Against Esparza, I don't think the Polish fighter's ground game will be where it needs to be to take home the championship.

Esparza, Submission, Rd. 2

Anthony Pettis vs. Rafael dos Anjos

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Riley Kontek

Rafael dos Anjos has had an unlikely rise up the lightweight rankings, but it stops Saturday night. Anthony Pettis is too good a striker and too quick for RDA to get him to the mat. Expect Pettis to add to his highlight reel.

Pettis, TKO, Rd. 2

Scott Harris

Pettis is underrated in the proverbial pound-for-pound discussion. Dos Anjos is a well-rounded and marketable fighter, sort of like a smaller, younger, saner Vitor Belfort. Pettis will be the better athlete in all phases and can victimize RDA standing up.

Pettis, TKO, Rd. 1

Craig Amos

I've been a Dos Anjos advocate for some time now, but this may be as far as he gets. His striking has come a long way, but it's not at Pettis' level. His wrestling has become a dangerous weapon, but Pettis handled Gilbert Melendez well enough. Dos Anjos is also dangerous on the mat, but Pettis' own quick-strike submissions make him equally scary. I expect another highlight from the champ.

Pettis, TKO, Rd. 2

James MacDonald

The problem with Pettis is he is so good that every single opponent seems content to just hold him against the cage. It’s hard not to worry that someone like Dos Anjos could potentially stall him out. However, Pettis is good enough to make the most of whenever he has the space to get off his offense. I wouldn’t be shocked if this plays out like the champ’s recent win over Gilbert Melendez.

Pettis, TKO, Rd. 2

Sean Smith

It looks like this is one of those events where we're all pretty much on the same page. I actually do think Dos Anjos could steal a round or two and go the distance with takedowns, but Pettis should dominate when standing. At worst, Pettis should take this one on the scorecards.

Pettis, Unanimous decision