Lightweights
Jim Miller (29-13, -150) vs. Jason Gonzalez (11-4, +130): Miller never did get over the hump to a UFC title shot, but the New Jersey native is still going strong for his record 32nd bout with the promotion. The tail end of Miller’s career has been odd, mostly due to an undiagnosed case of Lyme disease a few years back. Miller has had a few flat performances, only to try some new treatment or medication and snap back into a closer approximation of his old form. His 2018 campaign was another up-and-down cycle, as Miller was riding a four-fight losing streak before scoring a quick knockout over Alex White. After getting blown out by Charles Oliveira in his last fight, it is time for Miller to try for yet another rebound. Gonzalez finally gets the chance to build off the momentum from his last fight, a 2017 “Fight of the Year” contender against Gregor Gillespie. Title contention probably is not in his future, but Gonzalez’s offensive potency and lack of regard for defense could carve him out a good niche as an action fighter if he starts fighting more frequently. Miller could get his wrestling game going and stifle Gonzalez’s submissions, but it seems more likely that Gonzalez finds Miller’s chin first. The pick is Gonzalez via first-round knockout.Women’s Strawweights
Angela Hill (8-6, -320) vs. Jodie Esquibel (6-4, +260): After washing out of the UFC as a raw prospect, Hill blew through the Invicta ranks to earn her return, but frankly, the second stint has not gone much better than the first. Hill is stuck between two worlds when it comes to her kickboxing game: She seems to be trying a more movement-heavy style, but that often has the effect of wearing her out and turning her into a plodding power striker by the later rounds. Add in that her defensive wrestling may not be up to par, if her last fight against Randa Markos is any indication, and it has been a disappointing tenure, even if a few of her losses have been narrow decisions. At any rate, Hill steps in on late notice to face Esquibel, who appears to be the counterpart Hill needs right now. Esquibel is decent at everything but has no standout skill at a UFC level and is just the type of opponent upon which Hill can tee off. The pick is Hill via decision.Welterweights
Court McGee (19-7, -165) vs. Dhiego Lima (13-7, +145): It went under the radar, but Lima’s knockout of Chad Laprise in December was a surprising upset, given that the Atlanta-based Brazilian had not shown anything much in two UFC stints. On the regional scene and on “The Ultimate Fighter,” Lima’s wrestling game works well, but up on the main roster, he has been stifled against better wrestlers, which leaves him as a decent striker who gets sabotaged by his lack of durability. However, his starching of Laprise finally gives his UFC career some life, and he will look to repeat the trick against McGee. The latter’s meat-and-potatoes striking and wrestling game was never going to light the world on fire, but McGee is a likeable enough guy that it is nice to see him get the occasional win, as he did in his last fight against Alex Garcia. McGee should have the wrestling and physicality to control this matchup. While this will not be too exciting, it looks like a clear decision victory for McGee.Related Articles
