UFC 242 Predictions

The UFC 242 main card begins with an entertaining match-up between two of the lightweight division's most underrated fighters. Mairbek Taisumov and Carlos Diego Ferreira might be slightly under the radar in this ridiculously stacked 155lb weight class, but they've both got the skills to break the top 15 this year.

Although there are an abundance of talented strikers in the lightweight division, Taisumov should be right up there with some of the best. He really is a ferocious and vicious puncher, who can knock an opponent out with one punch if given the opportunity. He's got a decent ground game, but his submissions usually come from beating his opponents up on the feet, rather than any exceptional ground work.

Ferreira is the exact opposite, as he's a very skilled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who has won six of his 15 MMA bouts via submission. The most impressive thing about the 34-year old is how he's been able to add striking to his overall MMA game. He's certainly no boxing savant, but he's powerful, accurate and not afraid to trade strikes with his opponent.

Although he's more than willing to go blow-for-blow, doing so against Taisumov would be a grave mistake. Along with the fact that the Russian is difficult to takedown, his accuracy with his strikes should mean that the Brazilian's night ends early.