The UFC 279 early prelim card features four bouts, all of which will be previewed in this post. It will be capped by a women’s featherweight showdown between contender Norma Dumont (pictured above) and UFC newcomer and former boxing champion, Danyelle Wolf. All win probabilities are based on a fighter’s CC Rating and their place in the CC Rankings.

Darian Weeks vs. Yohan Lainesse (Men’s Welterweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Both fighters are looking for their first UFC wins. Weeks is 0-2 in two attempts, though his last outing saw him hang admirably with rising star Ian Machado Garry. Lainesse was KO’d in the second round in his only UFC bout. Lainesse will carry the power advantage as well as a four-inch reach advantage. Weeks will have the edge on the ground if he can get close. A razor thin fighter on paper, expect Lainesse will be able to maintain distance en route to his first UFC win.

Editor’s Pick: Lainesse

Elise Reed vs. Melissa Martinez (Women’s Strawweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Reed is looking to finally lay a marker in the UFC, with her only win coming by split decision in three attempts. Reed has come a long way from bein Cage Fury FC strawweight champion. Martinez is also a former champion of Combate MMA. Martinez has struggled in the wrestling department, but that hasn’t kept her from staying undefeated. Reed has never been a submission threat, so this fight should stay in Martinez’s wheelhouse, on the feet.

Editor’s Pick: Martinez

Chad Anheliger vs. Alateng Heili (Men’s Bantamweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Both fighters are coming in with some solid momentum. Heili is fresh off a 47 second KO win over Kevin Croom. Anheliger won his UFC debut with a late ground and pound TKO. On paper, Heili is the better wrestler, with Anheliger showcasing better standup and cardio. However, Heili’s last performance shows it is unwise to doubt his standup as well.

Editor’s Pick: Heili

[3] Norma Dumont vs. Danyelle Wolf (Women’s Featherweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Dumont (#3 CC, #15/bw UFC) is one of the more talented fighters on the women’s side of the UFC if she can make weight. She fell to a tough split decision against Macy Chiasson (#2 CC, #10/bw UFC) her last time out. Dumont is an accomplish Sanda fighter and has a good combination of size and power that can flummox some of the best. Wolf is a former world champion boxer who recently entered the world of MMA. She only has one fight under her belt and it was almost two years ago. Expect Dumont’s Sanda to mitigate Wolf’s boxing and for Dumont to then use her experience to dominate the rest of the way.

Editor’s Pick: Dumont

Photo Credit: UFC