The UFC Vegas 55 prelim card features six bouts, all of which will be previewed in this post. It will be capped by a middleweight matchup between Joseph Holmes and Alen Amedovski and will also feature rising light heavyweight prospect Jailton Almeida (pictured above). All win probabilities are based on a fighter’s CC Rating and their place in the CC Rankings.

Elise Reed vs. Sam Hughes (Women’s Strawweight)

Elise Reed

• Record: 5-1-0
• Division Ranking: 36/45 strawweights
• Vegas Odds: -150 (Favorite)

Sam Hughes

• Record: 6-4-0
• Division Ranking: 42/45 strawweights
• Vegas Odds: +125 (Underdog)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Reed will have the advantage in the standup game for sure. At the face-offs yesterday, Hughes appeared to have the size advantage. Hughes will also be the better grappler. Reed has shown decent takedown defense, but if she gets taken down, it could be a long night for her.

Editor’s Pick: Hughes

Chase Hooper vs. Felipe Colares (Men’s Featherweight)

Chase Hooper

• Record: 10-2-1
• Division Ranking: 41/73 featherweights
• Vegas Odds: +155 (Underdog)

Felipe Colares

• Record: 10-3-0
• Division Ranking: 53/73 featherweights
• Vegas Odds: -180 (Favorite)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Hooper, a Ben Askren protege, is an immensely skilled prospect in the grappling department. He is also very lanky. Colares might have the advantage in the striking department, but Hooper’s length might make it difficult for him to ultimately get close enough.

Editor’s Pick: Hooper

Jonathan Martinez vs. Vince Morales (Men’s Bantamweight)

Jonathan Martinez

• Record: 15-4-0
• Division Ranking:31/79 bantamweights
• Vegas Odds: -260 (Favorite)

Vince Morales

• Record: 11-5-0
• Division Ranking: 50/79 bantamweights
• Vegas Odds: +210 (Underdog)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: This ought to be a fantastic striking battle. Both are very talented, but Martinez is a different level. Morales also showed to be very vulnerable to leg kicks his last time out. This is a fact Martinez will no doubt take advantage of.

Editor’s Pick: Martinez

Omar Morales vs. Uros Medic (Men’s Lightweight)

Omar Morales

• Record: 11-2-0
• Division Ranking: 64/87 lightweights
• Vegas Odds: -135 (Favorite)

Uros Medic

• Record: 7-1-0
• Division Ranking: 69/87 lightweights
• Vegas Odds: +115 (Underdog)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Both men came into the UFC as legit undefeated prospects. Morales dropped down to featherweight, sustaining his first two losses against heavy competition. Medic got submitted his last time out. Medic will have a size and aggression advantage and Morales will have the technical advantage. This will be a razor thin fight that’ll depend on the styles each employ.

Editor’s Pick: Medic

[14/lhw] Jailton Almeida vs. Parker Porter (Men’s Heavyweight)

Jailton Almeida

• Record: 15-2-0
• Division Ranking: 15/39 light heavyweights
• Vegas Odds: -575 (Favorite)

Parker Porter

• Record: 13-6-0
• Division Ranking: 31/39 heavyweights
• Vegas Odds: +425 (Underdog)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Almeida (#14 CC/lhw, NR UFC) will come up in weight for this one, but only nominally. He weighed in over 40 pounds under the heavyweight limit. He is one of the scariest prospects in the light heavyweight division. Porter’s only advantage will be his weight. But, given the advantage Almeida carries in every other category, there’s a reason he’s the biggest betting favorite on this card.

Editor’s Pick: Almeida

Joseph Holmes vs. Alen Amedovski (Men’s Middleweight)

Joseph Holmes

• Record: 7-2-0
• Division Ranking: 67/71 middleweights
• Vegas Odds: -200 (Favorite)

Alen Amedovski

• Record: 8-2-0
• Division Ranking: 68/71 middleweights
• Vegas Odds: +170 (Underdog)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Both fighters are struggling lately. Holmes is the longer fighter, and probably more skilled. However, Amedovski has one-punch KO power if he can get in range. He’ll likely be fighting to keep his UFC career.

Editor’s Pick: Amedovski

Photo Credit: ESPN