UFC London predictions: 'Poster Boy' goes for the big hometown win

Prior to UFC Fight Night 107 in London on Saturday, theScore's Themistoklis Alexis and Alexander K. Lee give their predictions on the evening's most noteworthy bouts.

Main Card

Light Heavyweight

Jimi Manuwa (5-2 UFC, 16-2)
vs.
Corey Anderson (6-2 UFC, 9-2)

Alexander K. Lee: At 37, Jimi Manuwa is running out of chances to prove that he belongs among the best light heavyweights, and that sense of urgency will give him the boost he needs against Corey Anderson.

Fighting in front of his fellow Englishmen won't hurt either, and Manuwa will need all the help he can get to fend off Anderson's powerful takedowns. Anderson has shown an increased willingness to engage in standup duels as his striking improves, which could cost him if he tries to trade shots with Manuwa.

Manuwa should be able to stay upright here, which means it will be a short night for Anderson.

THE PICK: Manuwa

Themistoklis Alexis: If Anderson has seen the tape of Manuwa's fight with Anthony Johnson, he has to be brimming with confidence heading into his first main event.

Johnson took Manuwa down at will before punching him into oblivion, and while Anderson's brute power doesn't hold a candle to that of "Rumble," he has the wrestling to put "Poster Boy" on his hind parts, keep him pinned to the canvas, and pound him out for his second consecutive TKO victory.

THE PICK: Anderson

Welterweight

Gunnar Nelson (6-2 UFC, 15-2-1)
vs.
Alan Jouban (6-2 UFC, 15-4)

Alexis: All Alan Jouban needs to do to pass the stiffest test of his mettle yet is keep being Alan Jouban.

"Brahma" finds himself in a textbook style clash with submission artist Gunnar Nelson, and he can only keep the fight from going to the ground - where he'll be at a sizable disadvantage - if he comes out swinging and overwhelms Nelson until he sees stars. A Muay Thai artist with nine knockouts in 15 pro victories, Jouban won't need more than one blow to catch Nelson flush on the dome and earn him his fourth straight W.

THE PICK: Jouban

Lee: In this close battle between welterweights on the edge of the top 10, it's the versatility of Nelson that will make the difference.

Jouban is sure to have the advantage on the feet, but Gunni has advanced enough in that department to keep himself from suffering an early KO. The only fighters that have been able to give Nelson trouble are those with a strong grappling background, something that Jouban is sorely lacking. Nelson is going to test Jouban's jiu-jitsu at some point in the match and when that time comes, Jouban will come up painfully short.

THE PICK: Nelson

Bantamweight

Brad Pickett (5-8 UFC, 25-13)
vs.
Marlon Vera (2-2 UFC, 8-3-1)

Lee: Even at his advanced age, Brad Pickett has the tools to take out the talented Marlon Vera.

Comforted by the knowledge that this will be his final professional fight, the 38-year-old veteran should be at his most relaxed and most effective. Vera doesn't have the firepower to put Pickett away early, which means "One Punch" will have plenty of time to get comfortable and pick Vera apart with his superior striking.

Add in the fact that Vera is taking this fight on a week's notice and Pickett may actually get the fairytale ending that is so rare in MMA.

THE PICK: Pickett

Alexis: The stars are aligned for Pickett to go out on a high note.

One Punch heads into his swan song - in his native London - opposite a late replacement for Henry Briones in Vera. "Chito" is crafty on the ground, but he can wilt under pressure when the fight remains upright, as betrayed in his unanimous decision loss to Pickett's fellow Brit Davey Grant. If Pickett can replicate Grant's formula, initiate the striking exchanges, and keep Vera from taking the fight to the ground, he'll head into retirement with a win on points.

THE PICK: Pickett

Featherweight

Arnold Allen (2-0 UFC, 11-1)
vs.
Makwan Amirkhani (3-0 UFC, 13-2)

Alexis: This battle of prospects comes down to who lands the first telling blow.

Arnold Allen tends to stalk and tune up his foes, but he's been far too willing to eat one zinger to give one, which doesn't bode well opposite a veritable wild man in Makwan Amirkhani. The 28-year-old will take Allen to the ground - where he's most comfortable - the first chance he gets, and smart money says Allen hasn't matured enough to stave Amirkhani off on the mat.

Amirkhani by submission.

THE PICK: Amirkhani

Lee: As talented as both of these young men are, it's Amirkhani who is the more well-versed fighter at this stage of their careers.

Amirkhani out-wrestled Mike Wilkinson for three rounds in his last outing, an impressive performance that showed there is substance behind the style after he won his first two UFC fights in a combined 1:49. That said, his ability to come out of the gates hot could also prove problematic for Allen.

If Allen lets "Mr. Finland" dictate the opening of the fight, it will leave the door open for Amirkhani to hurt him early before finding a finish in Round 2.

THE PICK: Amirkhani

Featured Preliminary Bout

Lightweight

Joseph Duffy (3-1 UFC, 15-2)
vs.
Reza Madadi (3-2 UFC, 14-4)

Lee: Joe Duffy is gambling on himself and he's about to cash in big time.

Reza Madadi is the unfortunate opponent standing between Duffy and loads of negotiating leverage, which means he's about to become Duffy's next first-round victim. Of Duffy's 16 wins, only two have gone past the opening five minutes and Madadi doesn't have the defense to stop Duffy from taking this any way he wants.

Fight promoters better get ready to pay up for Duffy's services.

THE PICK: Duffy

Alexis: Duffy may have been put out to pasture by the UFC, but he'll be headed for said pasture with a win.

On the last fight of his contract, "Irish Joe" gets Madadi, a 38-year-old wrestler who's fought just three times in nearly four years. Duffy is as slick on his feet as he is on the mat, but expect him to keep the fight standing, as Madadi can either pound him out or submit him if it gets to the ground. Look for the Irishman to stun Madadi on the feet, pounce for a fight-ending submission in the ensuing scramble and head into free agency with a raised stock.

THE PICK: Duffy