Here’s a preview of the UFC Fight Night 117 main card fights

UFC FIGHT NIGHT 117 MATCHUPS

A breakdown of the fights on the main card of Friday’s UFC Fight Night 117 card at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, with picks from the Review-Journal’s Adam Hill and Heidi Fang:

Ovince Saint Preux (20-10) vs. Yushin Okami (32-8)

Class: Light heavyweight

Line: Saint Preux -525

Storyline: Okami is on a four-fight winning streak as he makes his return to the UFC as a late-replacement for Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. If you want to win a bar bet while watching the fights, ask a fellow patron to name any of the four opponents he defeated. A correct response means the person either looked up the answer or is related to Okami. He may have been able to build his confidence back up with some of those wins, though they don’t say much about where his actual skill level is at this point in his career. Okami also will be coming up in weight to take on the massive light heavyweight contender and he wasn’t even that big for a middleweight. Everything is working against Okami in this one, though he should probably be applauded for his willingness to even take the fight.

Hill’s Pick: Saint Preux by first-round submission

Fang’s Pick: Saint Preux by decision

Claudia Gadelha (15-2) vs. Jessica Andrade (16-6)

Class: Women’s strawweight

Line: Gadelha -280

Storyline: This may not be the main event, but it’s probably the most anticipated fight on the card. Gadelha has firmly established her spot as the second-best women’s strawweight fighter in the organization. The problem has been her inability to beat champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Andrade had also been very impressive at 115-pounds before running into Jedrzejczyk. The loser of this matchup will take a big hit in their quest for another shot at the belt as long as Jedrzejczyk holds it. Gadelha relies on the dominant physical strength she possesses over most opponents to impose her will in most fights. She will meet her match in Gadelha, who has blended immense strength and athletic ability with solid gameplanning since moving to Greg Jackson’s camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Hill’s Pick: Gadelha by decision

Fang’s Pick: Gadelha by decision

Takanori Gomi (35-13, 1 No Contest) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (14-8-3)

Class: Lightweight

Line: Kim -355

Storyline: Gomi is a legend in Japan. That’s why he was given another shot on this card despite suffering four consecutive first-round losses. It’s a chance for Kim to either rejuvenate his career or go out on a high note in front of his adoring fans. There’s also a chance it could go horribly wrong once again. Kim, who shares a name with a veteran Japanese fighter, is trying to establish his own career. He has a chance to do it here by kicking Gomi while he’s down. Kim has a tendency to brawl, which may not be the best idea here. Gomi’s best chance by far is to find a landing spot for his wild right hand. Kim should look for an opportunity to close distance and force Gomi to the ground or at least into tight range where he can’t extend on his punches. Gomi will be head-hunting early and often.

Hill’s Pick: Kim by first-round knockout

Fang’s Pick: Kim by decision

Gokhan Saki (0-1) vs. Henrique da Silva (12-3)

Class: Light heavyweight

Line: Saki -175

Storyline: Saki lost the only mixed martial arts bout of his career 13 years ago and will now make his UFC debut. So why is there so much hype around him? Saki is a massive star in the kickboxing world. His combination of speed and power make him a fascinating prospect in MMA if he possesses any kind of takedown defense and can pick up the intricacies of the ground game. Da Silva is a bit of a plodding striker. He won the first 12 fights of his career before dropping the last three. The Brazilian can end the slide if he can get Saki to the ground or force him against the cage. It may not be that easy. Saki knows how to cut off angles and should be able to test da Silva’s endurance by forcing him to move around the cage.

Hill’s Pick: Saki by second-round knockout

Fang’s Pick: Saki by second-round knockout

Teruto Ishihara (10-4-2) vs. Rolando Dy (8-5-1, 1 No Contest)

Class: Featherweight

Line: Ishihara -155

Storyline: Ishihara appeared bound for stardom with his combination of personality and flashy style before dropping his last two fights. He still possesses those qualities and has a much better matchup to showcase them. Ishihara loves to press forward and rarely throws anything but power shots. He was shut down by Gray Maynard’s wrestling the last time out. Dy doesn’t have the skillset to replicate that strategy. He’s not exactly a pushover, either. This will be a huge measuring stick to see just how much far Ishihara has to go in order to breakthrough in the division.

Hill’s Pick: Ishihara by second-round knockout

Fang’s Pick: Ishihara by decision

Mizuto Hirota (19-8-2) vs. Charles Rosa (11-3)

Class: Featherweight

Line: Rosa -190

Storyline: The bout was canceled late Thursday after the UFC medical staff determined Hirota would be unable to compete on the card. Hirota struggled to get off the scale after missing weight for the bout.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-277-8028. Follow @adamhilllvrj on Twitter.