by Chris Asbrock

Another pay-per-view where the UFC has outkicked their coverage. This is definitely the biggest and best card Dana White has put together since UFC 100. Tonight is the culmination of the greatest three nights in UFC history. As with the past two nights, this card is loaded with evenly matched fights. The wait is over and fight fans around the world finally get to see the much anticipated matchup between Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo. The co-main event between Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman is just as intriguing. Lets take a look at the main fight card and what to expect from one of the greatest cards in UFC history.

Max Holloway (14-3) vs Jeremy Stephens (24-11)

The fight features two featherweights looking to get back into the title picture. Max Holloway has won seven straight fights since losing to Conor McGregor in August of 2013. He has won four of those fights via TKO. He throws a high volume of significant strikes, averaging 5.67 strikes landed per minute. Along with dishing of the strikes, Halloway absorbs almost four strikes per minute.

Another strong striker, Jeremy Stephens is looking to continue the momentum from his win over Dennis Bermudez, stopping his two fight losing streak. The UFC veteran also has a solid wrestling game but most likely will not look to take Holloway down with much consistency. If these two decide to keep this fight standing, the advantage certainly lies with Holloway. Look for this to be the blueprint and expect both fighters to trade strikes. Holloway packs more of a punch and will use that to his advantage.

Chris’ Pick: Holloway via TKO
Jin’s Pick: Holloway

Demian Maia (21-6) vs Gunnar Nelson (14-1-1)

This fight has the makings to be one of the best fights of the night. Both Maia and Nelson are extremely dangerous on the ground, combining for a total of 20 submission victories. Maia is coming off three straight wins and will look to put his stamp on a great 2015. He has two wins already this year as he defeated Ryan LaFlare and recently Neil Magny. Even at age 38, a victory over Nelson will certainly cement his place as one of the top welterweight fighters in the world.

On the other side, Gunnar Nelson has only one loss in his professional career. Coming off a win in his last fight over Brandon Thatch, Nelson will need a victory over Maia to thrust himself into the top 10. Nelson has proven to be one of the top grapplers in the world, winning four of his six UFC fights via submission. On the ground, Nelson is very dangerous but so is Maia. The difference in this fight will come from the superior BJJ skills from Maia and superiority as a wrestler. If this fight goes to the ground both men can hold their own. Even with the finishing prowess and age difference favoring Nelson, Maia has certainly proved he is tough to pick against.

Chris’ Pick: Maia via split decision
Jin’s Pick: Maia

Yoel Romero (10-1) vs Ronaldo Souza (22-3)

This is a fight between two veterans who are both undefeated in the UFC cage. Another adjective to describe these two is elite. These are two of the best in the middleweight division and are looking to stake claim in the title picture. These are two physical specimens in the sport and both are very similar in style. Both men will choose to beat on you before they either finish you on the ground or knock you out. Both Romero and Souza are world class in the grappling aspect of mixed martial arts. Romero is an incredible wrestler, while Souza is classified as such in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

There are a couple of keys to this fight. If Romero is able to avoid the clinch, this fight will certainly slant in his direction. If this fight goes to the ground, the slight edge favors Souza. Even though Souza has not faced a man with the caliber of wrestling and brute strength like Romero, I think his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills will tilt those scales. With the winner most likely receiving a title shot, this will be a very even fight. Look for this fight to a difficult one to judge with Souza coming away with the tight win.

Chris’ Pick: Souza via split decision
Jin’s Pick: Romero

Chris Weidman (13-0) vs Luke Rockhold (14-2)

This will certainly be the first fight of a possible trilogy between these two. In another fight that is incredibly evenly matched, this fight has a title on the line. There is no doubt this will be a fight of the night candidate and will be a fun fight to watch. Both Weidman and Rockhold are great on the ground and very athletic. Both men land approximately 3.5 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy of 43%. The difference could be that Weidman absorbs more strikes per minute, 2.18, than Rockhold’s 1.85 average.

With this is one of the toughest fights to pick on the card, expect that to be a major factor. Rockhold will use his kickboxing prowess to keep Weidman at range and defend any takedown defense. You can expect both men to push the pace. If this fight stays standing, Weidman’s dynamic striking could do some damage to Rockhold. Look for Rockhold to keep Weidman at distance with his kicking. He will also look to push the pace like Weidman and counter with punches, hoping to damage the champ. Both men will get a win over the other in their series, but expect Weidman to do just enough to keep the gold.

Chris’ Pick: Weidman via split decision
Jin’s Pick: Rockhold

Conor McGregor (18-2) vs Jose Aldo (25-1)

This is one of the most anticipated fights in recent memory and the atmosphere in the arena will be truly amazing. The featherweight division of the UFC has only known one champion. That man is Jose Aldo. Aldo is one of the most best pound for pound fighters on the planet and has the mental advantage over almost every fighter. Aldo never seems to get mentally weak in any of his fights and that obviously plays to his advantage. Another advantage will come in the terms of leg strikes. Aldo will work the lead leg of the opponent with violent leg kicks, thus taking them out of their out of their comfort zone and forcing a strategic change.

McGregor is one of the most brash and abrasive fighters the sport has seen since Chael Sonnen. The confidence McGregor brings to the table is truly an asset. McGregor will go after a fighter with a furious pace, averaging almost 5.5 significant strikes per minute. His quickness is close to not being replicated. Expect McGregor to feed off the massive Irish contingent and look to take the fight to Aldo. This will be a great fight and one that is extremely close. Expect Aldo to utilize his brutal leg kicks and take the fight to McGregor.

Chris’ Pick: Aldo via unanimous decision
Jin’s Pick: McGregor

Preliminary fights:

Court McGee (16-4) vs Marcio Alexandre Jr. (11-2)
John Makdessi (13-4) vs Yancy Medeiros (11-3)
Joe Proctor (11-3) vs Magomed Mustafaev (12-2)
Kevin Lee (11-1) vs Leonardo Santos (14-3-1)
Warlley Alves (9-0) vs Colby Covington (8-0)
Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (6-1) vs Tecia Torres (6-0)
Urijah Faber (32-8) vs Frankie Saenz (11-2)

Chris Asbrock is a staff writer and analyst for FTI Sports and can be followed on Twitter  and