Featherweight

Enrique Barzola (13-3-1) vs. Matt Bessette (22-7)

ODDS: Barzola (-235), Bessette (+195)

ANALYSIS: Not long ago, as in five months, Bessette got his head dribbled by Kurt Holobaugh on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contenders Series, but he came away with a no-contest when Holobaugh was flagged for intravenous rehydration use. Regardless, Bessette’s major problem remains a lack of defensive wrestling and an overly eager willingness to engage from his back. The 28-year-old Barzola is anything but a refined product, but he is more active and assertive in the striking department; plus, the Peruvian boasts the kind of gas tank needed to shut down Bessette’s rote takedown attempts for the better part of 15 minutes. “El Fuerte” takes a win on the scorecards.

Lightweight

Islam Makhachev (14-1) vs. Gleison Tibau (33-12)

ODDS: Makhachev (-240), Tibau (+200)

ANALYSIS: Makhachev was lined up to face Michel Prazeres on Sept. 2 before injury struck; “Tractor” would have been an appealing style pairing for the Dagestani fighter. In Tibau, who is coming off of a two-year USADA suspension, Makhachev gets an admittedly more challenging but infinitely more rewarding matchup. In both cases, Makhachev is being paired with physically imposing top-position dominators from Brazil. Against Prazeres, his wrestling made him a near lock. However, the 34-year-old Tibau’s size and more gifted skills make him a far tougher out. It is possible, even in the USADA era, that the massive Tibau comes out, works off of a jab and lands the 18 slam takedowns he requires to win. However, two years away from the 155-pound division is no joke in 2018, and Makhachev is a rock-solid fundamental wrestler whose style, even if he lacks in the boxing department, represents a more intense version of Tibau’s. If this was 24 months ago, the Brazilian may have it. At this point, the aged veteran cedes to the hot up-and-comer, dropping a positionally based unanimous verdict.