UFC Liverpool predictions: Is 'Wonderboy' too much too soon for Till?

Prior to Sunday's UFC Fight Night 130 in Liverpool, England, theScore's Mitch Sanderson makes his picks for the event's main-card bouts.

Welterweight

Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson (9-2-1 UFC, 14-2-1)
vs.
Darren "The Gorilla" Till (4-0-1 UFC, 16-0-1)

Few, if any, fighters have risen to an opportunity like this as fast as 25-year-old Till. The proud Liverpool native was announced as the headliner for the UFC's first trip to his home without an opponent after just four wins in the promotion. Till's TKO win over Donald Cerrone last October is really the only notable victory so far, and with that he now faces the No. 1 welterweight contender in Thompson.

The move up in competition, however, isn't crazy for Till, given his impressive Muay Thai background against Thompson's karate style. Till has yet to find the man who can defeat his aggressive striking and large frame at welterweight, but is a full 10 years younger than Thompson, who has a faced and defeated four UFC title challengers and fought twice for a belt himself. Till certainly doesn't lack any confidence and will have a wild crowd supporting him, especially if Liverpool FC wins the Champions League final on Saturday. With plenty of experience in big fights, Thompson shouldn't be rattled by the crowd noise, but his awkward karate stance has caused issues for others and is difficult to prepare for. In a close fight like this, having been in more similar situations gives "Wonderboy" the slight edge.

THE PICK: Thompson

Welterweight

Neil Magny (13-5 UFC, 20-6)
vs.
Craig "The Thundercat" White (0-0 UFC, 14-7)

White will make his UFC debut on short notice in place of Gunnar Nelson against Magny. The 27-year-old Englishman is known for his striking in Cage Warriors, but managed to secure submission wins in three of his last four and knows how to attack from any position.

At 6-foot-3, Magny usually has a solid height and reach advantage over welterweight opponents, but White stands 6-foot-2 and incorporates his long limbs into his fast-paced style. If the fight goes past the first round, Magny will have the edge as White, who could be over-excited with the Liverpool crowd behind him, has taken 11 of his 14 wins in the opening frame. This is a chance for an exciting young talent to either make his mark on a big stage or get sucked into a veteran's style of bout. It's a long shot, but the former is much more interesting.

THE PICK: White

Featherweight

Arnold "Almighty" Allen (3-0 UFC, 12-1)
vs.
Mads Burnell (1-1 UFC, 9-2)

Allen has had success in his young career fighting at home in England, winning decisions in London in both of his last two fights. He brings his fast-paced striking up against a fellow 24-year-old in Burnell, who has notched five of his nine wins by submission. Burnell is no pushover in the striking game, but doesn't have the speed of his opponent and prefers to use his shots to set up submissions. Allen could end the fight at any second and send the crowd into a frenzy if Burnell doesn't keep his guard up. With youth in both corners, the feeling-out period shouldn't last too long and the busier it gets, the more Allen should have an edge.

THE PICK: Allen

Featherweight

Jason "The Kid" Knight (4-3 UFC, 20-4)
vs.
Makwan "Mr. Finland" Amirkhani (3-1 UFC, 13-3)

Both fighters are coming off upset losses entering Liverpool. On a two-fight losing streak, Knight came out aggressive in his previous bout and appeared to overestimate his own ground game as he was out-pointed in the three-round contest. The 25-year-old has a sound jiu-jitsu background, but he needs to mix in other elements to be victorious.

While Knight has the reputation of being somewhat of a brawler, Amirkhani has a more technical, creative style. The Finland native also endured a loss (via split decision) in his last fight after a fast start. Amirkhani's wrestling should help him defend Knight's ground game and keep the fight standing up, though the Finn is also a creative submission specialist. The 29-year-old took a longer break than usual after his last bout to expand on his craft at SBG Ireland. Knight has gone 1-2 since Amirkhani last fought, giving his opponent plenty of looks to be ready for.

THE PICK: Amirkhani

Middleweight

Eric "Zebrinha" Spicely (2-3 UFC, 11-3)
vs.
Darren "The Dentist" Stewart (0-3 UFC, 7-3)

Stewart's style of throwing plenty of strikes but not doing much damage with any hasn't worked out well so far in his UFC career, as he has three losses and one no contest result since joining the promotion. He likes to get busy in a hurry without getting a real feel for his opponent and could be primed to do so again as the Englishman will have the crowd on his side.

Spicely could also be classified as a fast starter with eight first-round finishes in his career, but the New England native is a much more calm, cerebral competitor than his opponent. Spicely, who is on a two-fight losing streak, will look to get Stewart on the ground to secure a submission. The London native has lost his last two fights after getting submitted on the mat to less-accomplished opponents than Spicely.

THE PICK: Spicely