Michael Chiesa — Silva vs. Wang full-card predictions

Chiesa expects McGee to bring pressure and notes Nolan's struggles with wrestling. He sees Nolan as a less dangerous finishing threat than the opponents who previously stopped McGee, and does not see Nolan winning a decision.

“I'm taking Court McGee over Eric Nolan.”

Chiesa thinks Vettori is settling after training changes and injuries. He hopes to see Vettori return to the volume and output that helped him reach a title fight.

“I'm going with Vtori in this one.”

Chiesa considers Dos Anjos' two-year layoff a major disadvantage against Hernandez' speed, explosiveness and technical ability. He expects Hernandez to finish inside the distance.

“I'm going with Alexander Hernandez.”

Chiesa combines Smith's wrestling background with his knockout power as a dual threat. Drawing on training sessions he observed while coaching The Ultimate Fighter, he expects Smith to win convincingly.

“I think Jacobe Smith goes out there, gets the job done, and makes it look easy.”

Chiesa likes Walker's move to heavyweight after his difficulties balancing the light-heavyweight weight cut with training. He considers Parkin a powerful but suitable test for Walker, while acknowledging Walker's past knockout losses.

“I'm going with Johnny Walker.”

Chiesa favors Wint's athleticism and promise as a prospect. He argues that high-level football experience brings footwork, explosiveness and experience absorbing contact and continuing to compete.

“Listen, I'm going with Anthony Wind.”

Chiesa thinks Pulyaev can make this a longer fight than Pinas usually encounters, but does not expect that to be enough to win. He sees Pulyaev needing to evade the power punches and find his left high kick, and favors Pinas.

“I'm going with Damen Penos.”

Chiesa identifies wrestling as the potential difference between two fighters with training partners who can emulate their opponent. He favors Rodriguez's wrestling while warning that Rodriguez must avoid rushing into Coria's powerful counters.

“I'm going with INL Rodriguez.”

Chiesa favors Kopylov's fast southpaw kickboxing, body kicks and combinations. He thinks Kopylov can improve on the striking successes Pulyaev had against Gautier, while Gautier needs to cut off lateral movement rather than chase.

“Roman Copilov is my pick and I'll tell you why right now.”

Chiesa picks Soldic in a matchup he expects to revolve around landing powerful shots. He favors Soldic's ability to combine his left hand and left kick, while noting Williams can counter the kick-first combination or excessive pressure.

“I am going with Roberto Soldich.”

Chiesa favors Ribovics' pressure, volume and combinations of punches and kicks. He wants Ribovics to attack Green's legs and keep exchanges in open space, rather than take the bait of pressuring Green against the fence. He expects a close fight and acknowledges that Green could win.

• He expects a close fight with fight-of-the-night potential.

“I'm going with Estabbon Rivik, and I'll tell you why.”

Chiesa favors Talbott's short punches, framing jab and combinations that change angles and stances. He thinks Figueiredo needs to mix wrestling with striking and fight at a higher pace, but does not expect him to sustain the pace required to beat Talbott.

“I am going with Payton Talbot”

Chiesa favors Silva's speed, broader range of kicking weapons and stronger level of UFC opposition. He expects Silva to use combinations and movement to punish Wang's entries and predicts a fight that goes the distance.

“Guys, I am going with Natalyia Silva.”