‘The Ultimate Fighter 16’ Finale Preview

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Featherweights

Dustin Poirier (12-2, 4-1 UFC) vs. Jonathan Brookins (13-5, 2-2 UFC): Poirier ran into the buzz saw known as “The Korean Zombie” at UFC on Fuel TV 3, and now he has a little more work to do in order to climb to the top of the 145-pound division. A well-rounded talent who recently moved his training camps to the vaunted American Top Team gym, Poirier will need to rebound with a solid effort against Brookins, a grinding wrestler who won Season 12 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” It will not be easy, but Poirier has too much skill to be denied. Poirier wins by decision.

Welterweights

Mike Pyle (23-8-1, 6-3) vs. James Head (9-2, 2-1 UFC): With five wins in his last six UFC appearances -- including a first-round knockout of the rugged Josh Neer in June -- the 37-year-old Pyle seems to be getting better with age. Pyle has savvy cage awareness, excellent grappling skills and underrated power. Head earned his signature victory at UFC 149, battling to a split decision against the surging Brian Ebersole. Head’s boxing background allows him to be comfortable fighting at range, but he will need to demonstrate the same solid takedown defense he showed against Ebersole to fend off the man they call “Quicksand.” Pyle takes this one by decision or late submission.

Welterweights

T.J. Waldburger (15-7, 3-2 UFC) vs. Nick Catone (9-3, 3-3 UFC): Catone is dropping to 170 pounds to square off with Waldburger, who boasts one of the most active submissions games in the UFC. With that in mind, perhaps Catone scales back his wrestling-based approach in order to keep the fight standing. Waldburger wins by first-round submission.

Bantamweights

Marcos Vinicius Borges Pancini (20-3-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Johnny Bedford (18-9-1, 1-0 UFC): Pancini authored a spirited rally against Wagner Campos at UFC 147. After losing the first two rounds, the Brazilian overwhelmed his opponent with knees and punches in round three. Bedford likes to bully his foes, overpowering them in clinches before taking them down and unloading with brutal ground-and-pound. Bedford snatches victory by decision or late stoppage.

Flyweights

Jared Papazian (14-8, 0-2 UFC) vs. Tim Elliott (8-3-1, 0-1 UFC): Elliott showed no fear in a short-notice bout against current 125-pound top contender John Dodson, establishing himself as a talent to watch in a still-growing division. After losses to Mike Easton and Dustin Pague, former King of the Cage champion Papazian makes his first Octagon appearance at flyweight. In a bout featuring furious action on the feet, Elliott earns a decision victory.

Lightweights

Rustam Khabilov (14-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Vinc Pichel (7-0, 0-0 UFC): A veteran of the M-1 Global promotion, Khabilov makes his promotional debut against “The Ultimate Fighter 15” alumnus Pichel, who has finished all seven of his career victories by knockout or technical knockout. The Russian sambo specialist makes his home at Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts, which should help him to be prepared for his first appearance on the big stage. Khabilov stays away from Pichel’s dangerous hands enough to earn a decision.

Bantamweights

Ruben Duran (8-3-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Hugo Viana (6-0, 1-0 UFC): Viana used a busy standup attack and good counterpunching to capture a split decision over “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” castmate John Teixeira da Conceicao at UFC 147. A teammate of UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, “Wolverine” drops from featherweight to 135 pounds for this matchup with Duran, a solid grappler who bested Francisco Rivera in his last Octagon appearance more than a year ago. Duran wins by submission in round two.

Lightweights

John Cofer (7-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Mike Rio (8-1, 0-0 UFC): Rio was unable to compete at “The Ultimate Fighter 15” Finale after suffering a rib injury in a preliminary round bout against Andy Ogle. The Florida native was a decorated wrestler in college, and his primary goal will be to shoot and take Cofer to the canvas. For two rounds, Cofer did a good job of keeping Justin Lawrence off balance by mixing striking and takedowns at the “The Ultimate Fighter 15” Finale, but his efforts went for naught when Lawrence knocked him out with a head kick in the final stanza. Rio takes this one by decision.