UFC 189 matchups

A breakdown of the fights on the main card of UFC 189 today at MGM Grand Garden Arena:

Conor McGregor (17-2) vs. Chad Mendes (17-2)

■ CLASS: For interim featherweight title

■ LINE: McGregor -190

■ STORYLINE: While Jose Aldo has defeated Chad Mendes twice, Mendes is a more difficult stylistic matchup for McGregor than Aldo would have been had he not pulled out of this fight. There has been a great deal made about the fact Mendes had such a short time to prepare after taking the fight on two weeks notice. That actually might be more of a disadvantage for McGregor. Wrestling very well might be his kryptonite, and he didn’t have a full camp to prepare for perhaps the best wrestler in the division. Plus, as Mendes pointed out Thursday, he didn’t have to be subjected to months of McGregor’s trash talk and wasn’t in camp long enough to wear down. McGregor has a tremendous reach advantage and plenty of power. He’s very capable of scoring yet another knockout to add to his growing legend. But as long as Mendes stays relentless in his pursuit of takedowns, there is a good chance he could wear down McGregor. Reports were flying this week that McGregor had a difficult weight cut, which could lead to fatigue as the fight progresses. A rumored knee injury to McGregor also could be a factor. Mendes is very experienced and has competed at a high level for a long time. His biggest danger is letting McGregor’s trash talk get him out of his game plan. That shouldn’t happen.

■ PICK: Mendes by decision

Robbie Lawler (25-10, 1 No Contest) vs. Rory MacDonald (18-2)

■ CLASS: For Lawler’s welterweight title

■ LINE: MacDonald -170

■ STORYLINE: These two fought in 2013, with Lawler eking out a split-decision victory. It is the only time MacDonald has lost since 2010. A MacDonald welterweight title reign has been thought of as a matter of when rather than if since early in his career. He is an immensely talented fighter who is well-versed in all aspects of the sport. Lawler is a tough, durable veteran who finally captured the belt thanks to an unexpected run his second time through the UFC. It certainly won’t be easy to take the prize away from him, but it just feels like MacDonald’s time. He has learned under the tutelage of friend Georges St. Pierre and knows exactly what it takes to be champion. His biggest challenge will be avoiding Lawler’s power.

■ PICK: MacDonald by decision

Dennis Bermudez (15-4) vs. Jeremy Stephens (23-11)

■ CLASS: Featherweight

■ LINE: Bermudez -195

■ STORYLINE: This certainly has the potential to be the most exciting fight of the night. While Stephens has toned down his wild style just a bit in recent fights and Bermudez continues to diversify his attack with experience, both fighters still have a brawling mentality. Bermudez saw his seven-fight win streak snapped with a first-round submission loss to Ricardo Lamas last time out. Despite the setback, he has established himself as a legitimate threat in the division. Stephens is a very old 29, having been through many tough battles in his 20 UFC appearances. He is more than capable of beating even the top contenders in the division. It just feels like his time might have passed.

■ PICK: Bermudez by decision

Gunnar Nelson (13-1-1) vs. Brandon Thatch (11-2)

■ CLASS: Welterweight

■ LINE: Thatch -175

■ STORYLINE: Nelson has been living with McGregor at the training-camp mansion he rented in Green Valley. He is an incredibly slick grappler that appeared on a fast track to contention in the 179-pound division before suffering the first loss of his career by split decision to Rick Story in October. That might provide motivation, but it also could affect his confidence level. That’s a fate a fighter doesn’t want to suffer against Thatch, a very powerful striker who is one of the division’s biggest fighters. Thatch is coming off his first loss in seven years. It might have actually built his confidence, however, as he might have been beating former champion Benson Henderson before tiring out in the fourth round and getting submitted. This one is only scheduled for three, so Thatch will have 15 minutes to try to swing for the fences without as much fear of wearing down.

■ PICK: Thatch by second-round knockout

Brad Pickett (25-10) vs. Thomas Almeida (19-0)

■ CLASS: Bantamweight

■ LINE: Almeida -800

■ STORYLINE: Pickett is another tough veteran who has been on the scene for a long time. Since beating Demetrious Johnson in 2010, however, Pickett has gone 5-6 in his past 11 fights and faces a very tough matchup here. Almeida is on the verge of stardom with 14 knockouts in his 19 career fights. He has won twice since entering the UFC, though his debut in November marked the first time he had been taken the distance. Almeida brings constant pressure and does damage to the body as well as anyone in the sport. He’s nonstop offense, and while Pickett won’t back away from the challenge, he won’t be able to withstand it.

■ PICK: Almeida by first-round knockout

ADAM HILL/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL