UFC Fight Night 31 ‘Fight for the Troops 3’ Preview

---

Lightweights

Yancy Medeiros (9-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Yves Edwards (42-20-1, 10-8 UFC): After nearly three years away from the sport, a gruesomely dislocated thumb suffered while defending a Rustam Khabilov takedown derailed Medeiros’ Octagon debut in the opening round at UFC 159. Despite losses in three of his last four appearances, the experienced Edwards remains a difficult test at 155 pounds. However, years of battles may be catching up to the “Thugjitsu Master.” Medeiros takes it by TKO in round two.

Lightweights

James Krause (20-4, 1-0 UFC) vs. Bobby Green (20-5, 1-0 UFC): After a slow start, Green displayed solid defensive wrestling and a potent ground game to submit former NCAA All-American wrestler Jacob Volkmann in his Octagon debut at UFC 156. The former two-division King of the Cage champion also has plenty of firepower on the feet. He will need a balanced effort against the taller and longer Krause, who become the first person in seven years to submit Sam Stout at UFC 161. Green wins by decision.

Bantamweights

Francisco Rivera (9-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. George Roop (14-9-1, 4-5 UFC): Rivera has the type of power that is rarely seen at 135 pounds, as evidenced by the four knockout victories in his last five outings; however, his win over Roland Delorme was overturned due to a failed drug test. The lanky Roop earned a signature win over former World Extreme Cagefighting titlist Brian Bowles at UFC 160. The 6-foot-1 Apex MMA representative’s ability to utilize the clinch and threaten with submissions gives him more options. Roop takes this via decision or submission.

Featherweights

Steven Siler (23-10, 5-1 UFC) vs. Dennis Bermudez (11-3, 4-1 UFC): A pair of success stories from “The Ultimate Fighter 14” square off here, providing more proof that season was perhaps the best of the later iterations. Bermudez has been living dangerously recently, earning split verdicts over Max Hollaway and Matt Grice in his last two outings. “The Menace” has heavy hands, but he is far from unhittable. With that in mind, he should look to ground Siler and attack with ground-and-pound from above. In extended exchanges, Siler has the ability to overwhelm with volume, and he can threaten with submissions from his back. Look for Bermudez to follow the Darren Elkins blueprint of takedowns and ground-and-pound to capture a decision or late TKO.

Bantamweights

Germaine de Randamie (4-2, 0-1) vs. Amanda Nunes (8-3, 1-0 UFC): De Randamie is a large bantamweight with the ability to neutralize her opponents in the clinch. However, her offensive output in a UFC no Fox 8 triumph over Julie Kedzie left much to be desired. Nunes, meanwhile, had no such issues in her Octagon debut, as she battered Sheila Gaff with elbows on the mat in a first-round TKO triumph. Nunes could have trouble grounding a bigger and stronger opponent, however. De Randamie wins by decision.

Middleweights

Lorenz Larkin (13-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Chris Camozzi (19-6, 6-3 UFC): Larkin was the victim of some questionable scorecards in a loss to Francis Carmont in his first UFC appearance. Despite landing a variety of strikes and stuffing most of his opponent’s takedowns, Larkin lost a unanimous verdict. Camozzi, meanwhile, was clearly overmatched in a first-round submission loss to Ronaldo Souza at UFC on FX 8. Larkin’s multi-faceted striking nets him a decision.

Welterweights

Seth Baczynski (18-10, 4-3 UFC) vs. Neil Magny (8-2, 1-1 UFC): With seven knockouts and 10 submissions to his credit, Baczynski is an aggressive, versatile finisher. He will attempt to halt a two-fight skid against Magny, an “Ultimate Fighter” Season 16 competitor with a six-inch reach edge. Baczynski finds a way to close the distance and land offense en route to winning via submission in round one or two.

Middleweights

Derek Brunson (10-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Brian Houston (4-0, 0-0 UFC): Brunson was not spectacular in his UFC debut, but he deserves credit for doing enough to get the job done against a heavy-handed veteran in Chris Leben. How far he progresses depends largely on his ability to vary an approach that hinges primarily on his wrestling. Against a relatively inexperienced opponent making his UFC debut, however, Brunson will rely on takedowns and top control to earn a decision.

TRACKING TRISTEN 2013

Overall Record: 215-133
Last Event (Bellator 106): 7-4
Best Event (Strikeforce “Marquardt vs. Saffiedine): 9-2
Worst Event (UFC 156/UFC on Fuel TV 8/UFC Fight Night 28): 5-6