UFC 194 matchups

A breakdown of the fights on the main card of UFC 194 today at the MGM Grand Garden:

Jose Aldo (25-1) vs. Conor McGregor (18-2)

• CLASS: Featherweight title unification bout

• LINE: McGregor minus-110

• STORYLINE: A fight that has been broken down from every angle for an entire year finally will happen tonight. There's no question fans are hoping this devolves into an all-out firefight with two explosive strikers throwing fists and feet all over the octagon until someone falls. McGregor certainly would prefer something similar to that. One of Aldo's main advantages is that while he still would have a pretty good chance to win that type of slugfest, he has several paths to victory. He could exploit McGregor's weakness in takedown defense or try to turn the fight into a grappling match. While McGregor has captured all the attention, Aldo is unbeaten for more than a decade and has beaten all comers in the featherweight division. McGregor isn't going away anytime soon, but he'll have to wait on his title reign for now.

• PICK: Aldo by decision

Chris Weidman (13-0) vs. Luke Rockhold (14-2)

• CLASS: For Weidman's middleweight title

• LINE: Weidman minus-135

• STORYLINE: This is an incredible championship fight that has been completely overlooked because of the spectacular main event. Weidman has run through a gauntlet of Brazilian legends in establishing himself as the champion after ending the long reign of Anderson Silva. Rockhold will be the most well-rounded fighter Weidman has faced in his career, though. He can wrestle, is skilled in jiu-jitsu and is a good striker. Rockhold's biggest strengths, however, are in his confidence and athleticism. He's one of the best athletes in the sport and takes full advantage of that edge inside the cage. Weidman's edge on the ground might just prove too much for Rockhold, however. Rockhold's supreme confidence could even become a detriment if he believes too much in his ability to challenge Weidman on the mat.

• PICK: Weidman by third-round submission

Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (22-3-0, 1 no contest) vs. Yoel Romero (10-1)

• CLASS: Middleweight

• LINE: Souza minus-140

• STORYLINE: A pivotal middleweight bout to likely determine the next challenger to either Weidman or Rockhold. Souza is about as dangerous a submission fighter as there is in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Opponents who find themselves in his clutches on the mat are usually fortunate to survive the round. Romero is an Olympic judoka who typically is able to use those skills to dictate where the fight takes place. That probably means trying to keep this fight standing. Romero, coming off a performance-enhancing drug suspension, never has been finished. But Souza has developed a pretty crisp boxing game. Romero has the power edge, but Souza should be fine as long as he can avoid the big shot.

• PICK: Souza by second-round submission

Demian Maia (21-6) vs. Gunnar Nelson (14-1-1)

• CLASS: Welterweight

• LINE: Maia minus-115

• STORYLINE: Two of the best grapplers in mixed martial arts square off in what many hardcore fans probably wish could be declared a jiu-jitsu match. Often in these types of matchups, the standup becomes the biggest factor, as both fighters become tentative to let their opponent get into their comfort zone. It could become sloppy if that's the case, as neither fighter is a particularly impressive striker. The fight is a tossup in many ways, so take the underdog with youth on his side.

• PICK: Nelson by decision

Jeremy Stephens (24-11) vs. Max Holloway (14-3)

• CLASS: Featherweight

• LINE: Holloway minus-525

• STORYLINE: The first fight on the main card is pretty much the exact opposite of the matchup between Nelson and Maia. Holloway and Stephens don't make much secret of their desire to let their hands go once the bell rings. Stephens is as tough as they come and is difficult to finish. Holloway, however, has been fighting out of his mind since a loss to McGregor in August 2013. The 24-year-old Hawaiian is a flashy striker, but he's also accurate and powerful. Stephens will stand in front of him and is more than capable of landing a fight-changing shot, but the big number on Holloway is justified.

• PICK: Holloway by second-round knockout