#9 Demian Maia -275 vs. #8 Jake Shields +225
Maia hasn't given me any reason not pick against him at welterweight so I'll go with Maia. Shields does present dangers but nothing that will skew me into picking him over Maia. The wrestling game of Shields shouldn't be a problem as Maia out grappled Fitch who's a better wrestler than Shields. Shields' cardio is a little suspect too and in a 5 round fight I would favor Maia the longer the fight goes.
Take Maia
#15 Erick Silva -265 vs. Dong Hyun Kim +215
Kim is a very strong welterweight and by far the best judoka in the welterweight division but I'd go with Silva. Silva has very good muay thai and very good submissions. He can fight at a pace that can pester the Stun Gun but he has to be on his heels because the Judo game of Kim can be hard to shutdown.
Take Silva
#13 Thiago Silva -365 vs. Matt Hamill +290
Striker vs. Wrestler match; this time around go with the striker. Even though I'm picking Silva it's important to note that he was taken down repeatedly by the one and only wrestler he's ever fought, Rashad Evans. Hamill however is more content to trade and then go for takedowns which is why Silva is the smart bet. While they're exchanging Silva will connect more often than Hamill.
Take Silva
Fabio Maldonado -155 vs. Joey Beltran +125
This fight is a toss up. If it's a polished stand up fight then I'd take Maldonado if its a brawl I'd go with Beltran. Maldonado tends to get caught up in these brawls that he ends up losing and Beltran's got himself a chin so I'd lean towards Beltran despite the odds.
Take Beltran especially at underdog money
Mike Pierce -285 vs. Rousimar Palhares +230
Judging by how they've both been performing as of late I'd go with Pierce. This is Palhares' first fight at welterweight so its still a wild card on how he's going to perform there. Pierce however is going to be hard to takedown and he does have the power to end Palhares' night. To top things off Palhares does have a suspect chin being stopped in his last two fights.
Take Pierce
TJ Dillashaw -240 vs. #15 Raphael Assuncao +195
I am picking Dillashaw but there is value in picking Assuncao as well. Obviously team alpha male have all improved their stand up game and already generally have a good wrestling game but this is a step up in competition. Assuncao is a very good counter striker, has the superior ground game and is unbeaten at bantamweight. So there's something to think about
Take Dillashaw but tread cautiously
