The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale Preliminary Card Predictions

International Fight Week is upon us, and one of the biggest cards of the year is set to go down. That's right, UFC 189 is here and features two title fights.

That said, the end of another season of The Ultimate Fighter is also upon us.

Sure, Conor McGregor, Chad Mendes, Rory MacDonald and Robbie Lawler are soaking up the spotlight on the UFC 189 card. However, the TUF 21 Finale on Sunday should be a fun one, featuring guys like Jake Ellenberger, Stephen Thompson and Jorge Masvidal.

Hopefully, things turn around for this preliminary card prediction piece after the last card. UFC Fight Night 70 saw me fly under the .500 mark, which added a ding to my overall record.

Without further ado, here are the predictions for the TUF 21 Finale preliminary card.

2015 Riley's Record: 74-46

Last Event: UFC Fight Night 70 (1-3)

George Sullivan vs. Dom Waters

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The welterweights are set to do battle, as George Sullivan meets up with late-replacement opponent Dom Waters. He takes this fight for Marcio Alexandre, who backed out because of an injury suffered late in training camp.

Sullivan is a striker who has won 11 of his 16 bouts via knockout. He has great size for the weight class and immense power, something that allows him to be a threat throughout the fight. 

He started his UFC tenure with two wins in a row, besting Mike Rhodes by decision and Igor Araujo via knockout. However, in his most recent venture, he was choked out by Tim Means, showing he still has improvements to make on the mat.

As for Waters, he is a TUF 16 veteran who made the house portion of the competition but was taken out in the first round by Mike Ricci. Like most guys on the show, he was not invited to compete on the finale after a critically panned season that has not offered much for the UFC thus far.

Waters is a big 170er in his own right, with long arms and range. He is a striker like Sullivan who enters the UFC on a three-fight winning streak in organizations like RFA and WSOF.

Waters looks to have good upside, but the short notice will do him in. Sullivan has had a full camp and is a tough competitor, which is why he should take this one.

Prediction: Sullivan def. Waters via decision

Dan Miller vs. Trevor Smith

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The middleweights are up next, as longtime UFC vet Dan Miller returns to the cage against Strikeforce and UFC vet Trevor Smith.

Miller is a rugged individual with a well-rounded skill set and the toughness to hang in any fight. He has been in the UFC since 2008, showing his longevity with the company.

He has been away from the cage for over two years, as his last bout was a loss to Jordan Mein in March 2013. We will have to see if ring rust will play a factor here, as Miller will have to reacquaint himself with the feeling of live combat.

Smith is a jiu-jitsu fighter who accounts most of his wins to his submission base. He relies on takedowns and mat work, as his striking is not nearly on the level of his grappling.

Smith is 2-3 since coming to the UFC and has failed to get proper footing in his tenure. His striking has especially been exposed, as fellow grapplers Thales Leites and Caio Magalhaes (45 and 31 seconds, respectively) torched him on the feet.

This is an interesting matchup, but Miller is the more well-rounded competitor. Ring rust could be a factor, but Miller has the tools to get the job done.

Prediction: Miller def. Smith via TKO

Josh Samman vs. Caio Magalhaes

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The middleweights are up next, as Brazilian Caio Magalhaes takes on Josh Samman in a pivotal midcard bout. 

Samman is a wrestler with powerful stand-up who has a knack for finishing fights. He is a physical specimen who is constantly improving, which explains why he is on his way up the 185-pound ladder.

He competed on the 17th season of The Ultimate Fighter and was invited to the UFC after failing to make the finals. He is now 2-0 in the company, finishing Kevin Casey and Eddie Gordon with brutal knockouts that have strengthened his highlight reel.

As for Magalhaes, the grappler has added some striking to his arsenal, though his ground game is his crown jewel. He is also powerful and strong, which is scary when added to his toolbox.

He lost his debut in the UFC against Buddy Roberts, but since then, he has rattled off four straight wins. This includes brutal, sub-minute knockouts in his last two bouts against Luke Zachrich and Trevor Smith.

Magalhaes has been impressive lately, but it seems Samman is propelling quickly toward the top end of the division. He will defend Magalhaes' takedowns while lighting him up on the feet.

Prediction: Samman def. Magalhaes via TKO

Maximo Blanco vs. Mike De La Torre

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A pair of featherweights meet next, as Venezuelan Maximo Blanco looks to take out American banger Mike de la Torre.

Blanco is a brawler with a wrestling background, which is an interesting combo that makes him fun to watch. He has seven knockouts to his name, many of which come from hurting guys on the feet and finishing them with ground-and-pound. 

He is 3-3 with the UFC and is on a two-fight surge. In both bouts, he won via unanimous decision, besting Andy Ogle and Dan Hooker.

As for De la Torre, the MMA Lab rep is a well-rounded fighter who has improved greatly since moving his camp to Arizona. He has knockout power in his hands, good takedowns and a solid submission arsenal, making him a tough matchup for most.

He has had a crazy ride since coming to the UFC. He narrowly lost a late-notice decision to Mark Bocek in his debut, had a no-contest against Brian Ortega after a failed drug test and brutally knocked out Tiago dos Santos to save his UFC career in his most recent bout.

I was close to picking Blanco here, but De la Torre seems to be the better option. He is well-rounded and can entice Blanco into a brawl, where he will score more.

Prediction: De la Torre def. Blanco via decision

Willie Gates vs. Darrell Montague

Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The flyweights are set to do battle, as former Tachi Palace Fights flyweight champions Darrell Montague and Willie Gates square off.

A tall striker with fast hands and good movement, Gates is a big man for the flyweight division, giving him physical advantages whenever he steps into the cage. He has power in his hands and a killer instinct, which allows him to finish with strikes or submissions when he hurts an opponent. 

After winning the Tachi Palace belt on short notice against Hector Sandoval, Gates got the call from the UFC. He took on former title challenger John Moraga on late notice, pushing him to the brink before eventually falling via decision.

As for Montague, he is a well-rounded fighter who thrives when he is allowed to close the distance, wrestle and use his ground game. That said, he does have good striking, but he would likely be in a better position in this fight if he avoided an extended striking battle. 

Once considered a top flyweight in the world, Montague is 0-2 with the UFC so far. He has taken on two title challengers and faltered in both affairs, losing to John Dodson and Kyoji Horiguchi to put him in the vulnerable position he is in now.

Gates definitely has the skills to win, but Montague is still one of the better flyweights in the world. He hasn't proved it as a UFC roster member yet, but he will make good on a victory here.

Prediction: Montague def. Gates via decision