The UFC bantameweight title is on the line tonight in Chicago live on Fox. Champion TJ Dillashaw will face former title holder Renan Barao in the main event. Another bout with title implications features Miesha Tate vs Jessica Eye that will likely determine the new #1 contender for Ronda Rousey’s title. It’s going to be a fun show and we are going to try to go 5-0 with our picks today.

Renan Barao vs TJ Dillashaw

This fight is really intriguing. Barao won nine straight fights in the WEC/UFC until he lost to Dillashaw last May. Barao came into the fight a big favorite but was dominated standing and on the ground by the former Ultimate Fighter star. Dillashaw eventually won the fight by TKO in the fifth round to win the belt. The two men were set to have a rematch last August but a bad weight cut forced Barao out of the matchup. Yesterday Barao made weight and the fight will go on as planned.

When looking at this fight the most interesting thing that jumps out at me is that Barao fought in December, submitting Mitch Gagnon at UFC Fight Night 58. Dillashad hasn’t competed since last August. That’s almost a year. Could ring rust be a factor for the champ. Barao has heavy hands and likes to push the pace. This fight will be different than the first and I believe that the former champ catches Dillashaw and wins by TKO.

Prediction: Barao TKO Rd 3

Miesha Tate vs Jessica Eye

Most UFC fans aren’t clamoring for a third Miesha Tate-Ronda Rousey fight. But should Tate win tonight it’s all but a given that’s what we are going to see as long as Rousey wins next week at UFC 191. “Cupcake” showed in her last fight that she is among the elite in the division after defeating former #1 contender Sara McMann in January. Eye is ranked #5 in the division and could vault herself up the rankings should she pull the upset tonight. Unfortunately I think Tate will be too much for her. Miesha will push the pace and try to take the fight to the ground where she will grind her out.

Prediction: Tate by decision

Edson Barboza vs. Paul Felder

This could be the best fight on the card. Both fighters are explosive and Barboza’s highlight reel knockout of Terry Etim is one of the greatest KOs of all time. The problems he has is that everytime he gets into the title mix he loses to one of the guys in the Top Ten. Felder has nothing to lose and everything to gain. It’s a wonder that at 10-0 no one really is talking about him. Tonight “The Irish Dragon” puts the division on notice and wins an exciting fight by decision.

Prediction: Felder by decision

Takanori Gomi vs. Joe Lauzon

Joe Lauzon is out for redemption. In his last fight against Al Iaquinta Lauzon didn’t look like himself. Iaquinta dominated the first round and eventually knocked him out in the second. A fight with Gomi is just what the Massachsetts native needs to get back in the win column. Gomi is an exciting striker but once the fight gets to the ground it’s going to be over.

Prediction: Lauzon by submission Round 2

Bonus pick

Eddie Wineland vs Bryan Caraway

Sorry guys, if you get on singlechicago.com you won’t see Miesha Tate online looking for someone to go out with after the fights. Her boyfriend, Bryan Caraway is fighting earlier in the card and he needs a win if he wants to stay in the UFC Bantamweight rankings. In his last fight the former TUF star lost to Raphael Assuncao. Tonight he gets to face former WEC champ Eddie Wineland. Wineland is 1-2 in his last three fights and hasn’t competed in 14 months. If Caraway can get Wineland to the mat he will grind out a decision. If Wineland can get him to stand we could see a knockout. I think the time off will hurt Wineland and we get a decision win for Caraway.

Prediction: Caraway by decision.

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