UFC Fight Night 64: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop II: ‘Preview & Predictions’

More than three years since he last stepped into the Octagon, Mirko Cro Cop will return to the UFC to avenge his 2007 loss against Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC Fight Night 64 in Tauron Arena, Krakow, Poland (11 April, Saturday 8:45 PM, IST )Here is my Preview of the Main Card & predictions for the entire UFC FN 64:Undercard: PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, Sat, 8:45 PM IST)Seth Baczynski Defeats Leon Edwards via Decision.Bartosz Fabinski Defeats Garreth McLellan via KO/TKO.Sergio Moraes Defeats Mickael Lebout via Submission. Yaotzin Meza Defeats Damian Stasiak via Decision.Anthony Hamilton Defeats Daniel Omielanczuk via Decision. Aleksandra Albu Defeats Izabela Badurek via KO/TKO. Stevie Ray Defeats Marcin Bandel via Decision.Taylor Lapilus Defeats Rocky Lee via Decision. Main Card: (Sony Six SD/HD/KIX / UFC Fight Pass, Sun, 12:30 a.m. IST) :-

#1 Joanne Calderwood (9-0) vs. Maryna Moroz (5-0)

Following a loss to eventual finalist Rose Namajunas on The Ultimate Fighter 20, Joanne Calderwood went on to pick up her first UFC win over Seo Hee Ham. Maryna Moroz has a perfect 5-0 record, Moroz has finished every one of her fights and has a killer armbar but the UFC did her no favors for her big debut.

Calderwood is scratching at the 115-pound division's top five after winning her UFC debut last December, to add to her perfect Invicta FC record. The fighter out of Scotland has shown she can go the distance and has power in her strikes. No. 6-ranked Joanne Calderwood should shine in this matchup. Moroz has a grappling-based offense, but Calderwood has been in the cage with better grapplers. The experience of The Ultimate Fighter only made Calderwood a tougher out.

Calderwood will try & keep the fight on the feet, should deflect takedowns and dominate the clinch, potentially earning a stoppage down the stretch with barrage of Punches, kicks and knees .This fight should be a showcase for Calderwood, and if she takes full advantage, look for her to establish herself as Joanna Jedrzejczyk's first title challenger.

Prediction: Calderwood wins via TKO.

#2 Pawel Pawlak (10-1) vs. Sheldon Westcott (8-2-1)

Both middleweights head into their second UFC fight, looking for their first win in the promotion. Neither one of these men has really proven themselves at the UFC level, and this matchup could send the loser packing. Outside of the UFC, both men have been nearly perfect before losing by TKO in April 2014, the TUF Nations veteran Wescott had gone nine straight fights without a loss. The Canadian is well-rounded and a competent finisher on the ground.

Pawlak will have the advantage and pressure of fighting in his home nation Saturday. The Polish fighter lost his UFC debut by decision but before that finished eight straight fights. Pawlak may have the power advantage but Wescott has competed with UFC fighters, through his TUF experience, for a bit longer. Now competing at 170 pounds, Westcott shouldn't be overwhelmed by the size of his opponents like before.

Prediction: Wescott wins via Decision.

#3 Jimi Manuwa (14-1) vs. Jan Blachowicz (18-3)

Following knockout wins in his first three UFC outings, Jimi Manuwa was paired with former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson. The bout resulted in Manuwa's first career loss, but it served as a learning experience for the dangerous Englishman. The Brit has had time to heal and work on skills, so he should be poised and hungry to bounce back strong against the home-town fighter, Blachowicz Having competed against notables in Poland for years, Jan Blachowicz was no stranger to hardcore MMA fans when he made his UFC debut in October & it wasn't too surprising when he picked up the upset win over Ilir Latifi.

The Polish fighter has won six straight, including his UFC debut in October and other wins over multiple UFC veterans outside the promotion. Blachowicz is dangerous with his hands and with his submission holds on the ground. While Blachowicz has the ability to beat Manuwa on the ground, but I do believe Manuwa will be able to use his speed to keep distance and land shots without allowing his Polish opponent to tie him up. Manuwa takes this fight by being more technical on the feet.

Prediction: Manuwa wins via TKO.

#4 Gabriel Gonzaga (16-9) vs. Mirko Filipovic (30-11-2)

Only three years ago, it looked like his career was over, but here Cro Cop is into the octagon, headlining a UFC event in 2015 in a rematch against his old foe Gabriel Gonzaga. Gonzaga reemerged as a contender in a thin HW division with a 4-1 record in his first five bouts since returning to the UFC roster. However, he's since lost two in a row and could be starting his final descent at 35 years old. Meanwhile, at 40 years old, Cro Cop has won three of his past four bouts to earn his way back into the Octagon.

Cro Cop hasn't exactly been competing against elite opposition. Gonzaga, who already owns a win over him, will be a step up in competition. Although he's been slumping, Gonzaga is still very dangerous when he utilizes his grappling. It’s not like Cro Cop has no chance he can KO Gonzaga he is capable of it but I don’t think this fight will be as devastating and shocking as the first meeting between these two, but Gonzaga should get this bout to the ground and dominate Cro Cop again.

Prediction: Gonzaga wins via Submission.