UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver - Predictions

Prior to every UFC event, theScore's Kyle Smith, Ali Dar and Patrick Cwiklinski give their predictions on all the main-card fights.

Gleison Tibau vs. Norman Parke

Kyle Smith: If Tibau has his way, this fight will be a boring slog in which he uses his size and superior wrestling to grind Parke down on the floor. Though Parke has the advantage on his feet and has shown brilliant takedown defense during his UFC tenure, I'm banking on Tibau to somehow have enough gas in the tank to squeak out a win.

Ali Dar: I expect the fight to be a tale of two tides, as Tibau looks dominant in the first half of the fight before gassing out, attempting to simply hang on in the second half. Either fighter can come out on top, but Parke’s cardio and ability to stuff takedowns should be the difference.

Patrick Cwiklinski: Grinder extraordinaire Gleison Tibau has been trouble in the lightweight ranks for a lot of up-and-comers. That said, Norman Parke has great movement, a strong Judo base and should be able to stay out of Tibau's range enough to utilize jabs and kicks from the outside to earn a decision.

Picks for Tibau: 1   Picks for Parke: 2

Uriah Hall vs. Ron Stallings

AD: When you combine a non-existent training camp for Stallings, a striking battle and a confident Hall, the former TUF alumnus comes out on top in the majority of scenarios.

KS: I'd be very surprised if Hall dropped this one. Stallings is coming in on short notice and doesn't seem like a UFC caliber fighter. Look for Hall to style on Stallings on the feet, easily picking him apart at range before finishing him in spectacular fashion.

PC: Here's the thing: If Uriah Hall has his head in the right place, then this will be a complete wash. He's looked great in his last two outings and Ron Stallings is getting a chance to become Hall's latest victim in his UFC debut. I like Hall taking this in a major way and maybe even bringing back that nasty roundhouse kick from TUF. 

Picks for Hall: 3   Picks for Stalling: 0

Benson Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone

PC: Donald Cerrone had the stones to fight a guy he's lost to twice on 12 days' notice. Even though former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson has the grinding style to shut "Cowboy" down, I can't muster up the courage to say this is where his six-fight winning streak ends. I think we're on the doorstep of a special year for Cerrone and this will be the fight that cements that.

AD: Either man could win this fight, but I favor Henderson to come out on top. He’ll look to stay away from Cerrone’s kicks and knees, opting to stay at range and pick his shots. Cerrone will look to goad his opponent into a scrap, but Henderson will grind out a victory against another top lightweight.

KS: Despite Cerrone's recent reign of terror, I think he drops to 0-3 against Bendo. It isn't that "Cowboy" doesn't have the tools or skills to flatten anyone at 155 pounds, but Henderson is rested and has the tendency to impossibly emerge victorious in razor-close fights.

Picks for Henderson: 2   Picks for Cerrone: 1

Conor McGregor vs. Dennis Siver

AD: In McGregor’s last fight against Dustin Poirier, his striking defense was an area of concern as he was cracked solidly a few times. Against a fighter like Siver, who can generate big power in close distances, that is worrisome. But as long as McGregor keeps the fight on the feet, his bigger arsenal of weapons should lead him to a victory and title shot.

KS: As much as I'd like to see Siver upset the apple cart and derail the UFC hype train, McGregor will use his superior striking to carve Siver up on the feet, finishing him via a volley of fists within the first 10 minutes.

PC: Dennis Siver is not a chump, but he is a stepping stone. This is the Conor McGregor show broadcasting live from Boston and you can expect the polarizing Irishman to bring his full bag of tricks to Beantown. I don't think Siver is going to roll over by any means, but McGregor will finish his opponent on his way to a featherweight title shot against Jose Aldo later this year.

Picks for McGregor: 3   Picks for Siver: 0