After a week off, the world’s MMA leader is back with an excellent UFC Austin fight card featuring two of the best fighters at 155 pounds. Beneil Dariush just lost a title eliminator bout against Charles Olivera and now takes on one of the hottest prospects in all of the division. Armenian-born Arman Tsarukyan is now 7-2 in his UFC career but the 27-year-old fighter is coming off back-to-back wins over Joaquim Silva and Damir Ismagulov. Tsarukyan went the distance with Lightweight Champion Islam Makachev in his UFC debut and has shown massive potential throughout his career.

In the Co-Main event, athletic strikers Bobby Green and Jalin Turner clash in a fight almost guaranteed to entertain the fans. Green is coming off a devastating first-round knockout win over Grant Dawson and is surging up the rankings as a 23-fight UFC veteran. Turner is 6’3 at 155 pounds and has some of the best length in the sport. Turner needed two attempts to make weight Friday morning after taking the fight on short notice.

Also on the UFC Austin Main card, Kelvin Gastelum returns to the Welterweight division to take on Philadelphia’s Sean Brady.

Beneil Dariush (22-5-1) vs Arman Tsarukyan (20-3)

In the UFC Austin Main Event, longtime contender Beneil Dariush returns after getting knocked out by former champion Charles Olivera on PPV. Dariush has made a career of turning back up-and-coming prospects but will have his hands full this weekend with Arman Tsarukyan. This is an interesting stylistic matchup between a well-rounded jiu-jitsu practitioner in Dariush and a young athletic grappler in Tsarukyan. Dariush is now 36 years old and nine years older than his opponent. Entering this contest Tsarukyan is a large betting favorite at online sportsbooks (-300).

On the ground, Dariush is a former World Jiu-Jitsu Champion but Tsarukyan may be physically stronger. If Tsarukyan takes down Dariush he will have to be aware of the veteran’s creative submission attempts. On the feet, fans have been waiting for Tsarukyan to show improvement but he may be at a disadvantage in this area. Dariush has five knockout wins and is one of the smartest fighters in the sport. Tsarukyan is the better athlete physically and youth may play a factor in this contest. This is going to be a highly competitive Main Event that I see going the distance.

Prediction: Arman Tsarukyan by Decision

Jalin Turner (13-7) vs. Bobby Green (31-14-1)

In the Co-Main event of UFC on ESPN 52, fan favorites Jalin Turner and Bobby Green collide in a compelling Lightweight matchup. Turner has suffered back-to-back losses to Dan Hooker and Matruesz Gamrot. Taking this fight on short notice, Turner needed two attempts to make weight Friday morning. Turner is five inches taller and will also enjoy a six-inch reach advantage. Green has looked tremendous in his last two outings, finishing both Grant Dawson and Tony Ferguson. Turner enters this contest as a betting favorite at online sportsbooks (-200).

Green will be the more experienced fighter and has faced some of the best competition in the sport. Green has faced multiple world champions including Josh Thomson and Islam Makachev. Although Green has power in his hands he will have to get inside the length of Turner. If Green is able to get inside he can start to land his lightning-fast boxing combinations. Turner is going to try and keep Green at a distance while striking. If the fight hits the floor Turner has four wins by submission on his record.

Prediction: Jalin Turner by Decision

Sean Brady (15-1) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (18-8)

A Welterweight showdown between Sean Brady and Kelvin Gastelum will have fans tuned in early for the main card. Brady is a dominant grappler whose strength and technique make him a formidable opponent on the ground. Former Middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum is moving back down to 170 pounds for his first fight in the division since 2016. Brady just suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Belal Muhammad and is looking to rebound with this performance. Gastelum made a run at the Middleweight title and is dropping down in weight. Getting his nutrition and diet in order was a big improvement for Gastelum. This is currently an even money fight at online sportsbooks.

Gastelum will have to avoid takedown attempts and keep this fight standing. Brady struggled against Muhammed when he was unable to get the fight to the ground. While Brady is a dominant grappler, he does need to improve in the stand-up. Gastelum has one-punch knockout power and is looking to make a run at 170 pounds.

Prediction: Gastelum by KO/TKO

UFC Austin Prelims:

The UFC Austin prelims have many entertaining matchups. Former UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo takes on ranked Bantamweight Rob Font. Figueiredo is moving up in weight for his first fight at 135 pounds. Font recently knocked out rising contender Adrian Yanez and has some of the best boxing in the division. Figueiredo has an aggressive offensive style and it will be interesting to see if his power translates up a weight class.

Also on the Prelims, Wellington Turman faces Jared Gooden at Welterweight. Turman trains under former Light Heavyweight Champion Glover Texiera and is extremely well-rounded. Both fighters are coming off losses and need a win for their careers.

The UFC on ESPN 52 Main Card starts at 6 p.m. CST on ESPN. The Prelims begin at 3 p.m. CST.

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