The UFC is in Houston this week as light heavyweight champion Jon Jones defends his crown against undefeated challenger Dominick Reyes in the main event.
UFC president Dana White confirmed earlier this week that late NBA great Kobe Bryant will be honoured during the broadcast.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS (6:15PM ET/3:15PM PT)
AUSTIN LINGO (7-0-0) VS. YOUSEFF ZALAL (7-2-0)
Andrews: Both guys have impressive finish rates, but I have to go with the hometown hero and technical prowess of “Lights Out.”
Andrews Prediction: Austin Lingo via TKO
ANDRE EWELL (15-5-0) VS. JONATHAN MARTINEZ (10-2-0)
Andrews: Ewell will have the height and a six-inch reach advantage but at 32, he is five years older than Martinez. Still, I think Ewell should be able to do just enough to get the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Andre Ewell via UD
DOMIGO PILARTE (8-1-0) VS. JOURNEY NEWSON (9-1-0)
Andrews: How can you be 6-0 and 135 pounds? Pilarte will obviously have the height and reach advantage but will he gas against the quicker Newson?
Andrews Prediction: Domigo Pilarte via UD
ESPN PRELIMS (8PM ET/5PM PT)
MILES JOHN (9-0-0) VS. MARIO BAUTISTA (7-1-0)
Andrews: John will want to keep the fight standing and if he can, should be able to get the win. But I think Bautista uses his grappling to grind out the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Mario Bautista via UD
#7 LAUREN MURPHY (10-4-0) VS. #8 ANDREA LEE (11-2-0)
Andrews: Murphy has good knockout power, but has trouble against more nimble strikers. Lee can strike and she has a ground game too, so Murphy is in tough.
Andrews Prediction: Andrea Lee via UD
ALEX MORONO (16-5-0, 1NC) VS. KALINN WILLIAMS (9-1-0)
Andrews: Williams is making his octagon debut. Morono will have the obvious advantage and I expect him to use it.
Andrews Prediction: Alex Morono via UD
TREVIN GILES (11-1-0) VS. JAMES KRAUSE (27-7-0)
Andrews: Krause comes in on a single day’s notice. Giles has been tapped in his last two bouts but has an excellent finish rate. Krause can finish anywhere but can he do it cold turkey? I think he can.
Andrews Prediction: James Krause via submission
MAIN CARD (10PM ET/7PM PT)
#6 DERRICK LEWIS (21-7-0, 1NC) VS. #12 ILIR LATIFI (15-6-0, 1NC)
Andrews: I like Latifi to go in there and make Lewis work on the mat and grind out the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Ilir Latifi via UD
#14 MIRSAD BEKTIC (13-1-0) VS. DAN IGE (11-2-0)
Andrews: Ige is a grinder but I think Bektic’s technical skills wins out in a finish.
Andrews Prediction: Mirsad Bektic via TKO
JUAN ADAMS (5-1-0) VS. JUSTIN TAFA (3-0-0)
Andrews: Both guys have not looked impressive in their last bouts. Adams has a big height and reach advantage. Adams had better use it.
Andrews Prediction: Juan Adams via TKO
VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO (17-3-0) VS. #1 KATLYN CHOOKAGIAN (12-2-0)
Andrews: Shevchenko should be able to knock Chookagian off her striking game with her striking and power.
Andrews Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko via UD
JON JONES (24-1-0, 1NC) VS. #4 DOMINICK REYES (11-0-0)
Andrews: I believe Reyes will do better than people expect but will probably crumble in the championship rounds once Jones breaks him down.
Andrews Prediction: Jon Jones via TKO
