· “UFC On Versus” Staff Picks

The UFC is set to make its debut on the Versus television network this Sunday at 9 p.m. (ET). The event will mark its first trip back to Colorado since "UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Lauzon" in April, 2008. The MMASpot staff have gotten together to give our thoughts on the fight card.

In the main event one of the brightest prospects in MMA, Jon "Bones" Jones (9-1) will be taking on a fighter who once shared the same role in Brandon "The Truth" Vera (15-4). Jones is coming off a dominant fight with Matt Hamill at "UFC: The Ultimate Finale 10," which saw him man-handle Hamill throughout the fight but lose due to illegal elbow strikes. Vera is coming off a loss to Randy Couture at UFC 105; Vera hurt Couture on a few occasions but was not able to follow up and finish him off.

The co-main event will see Brazilian knockout specialist Junior "Cigano" Dos Santos (11-1) take on jiu-jitsu ace Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga (11-4). Gonzaga has shown big power in his striking in previous fights but his bread and butter is definitely his ground game. Dos Santos on the other hand is also said to have a good ground game but we have not yet seen it since his debut in the UFC. This bout should turn into a typical striker vs. grappler match but with each possessing skills in both areas we could see a very technical all-out war.

In another interesting heavyweight bout, Cheick Kongo (14-6), who will be looking to bounce back from a devastating loss to Frank Mir back at "UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez," will be taking on Paul "The Headhunter" Buentello (27-11). Buentello is coming off a slugfest with Stefan Struve at UFC 107 where he lost a majority decision. This fight is a must win for both fighters; a loss could potentially see one of them receive their walking papers.

In the opening bout of the evening James "The Sandman" Irvin will be making his first trip back to the Octagon since suffering a devastating knockout loss to Anderson Silva back in July of 2008. After the bout he was suspended for testing positive for banned substances and was then injured in what would have been his comeback fight against Drew McFedries at "UFC 98: Machida vs. Evans." Taking him on will be Alessio "Legionarius" Sakara (14-7) who is coming into this on a two-fight winning streak, the first time that has happened for him since 2005. This should be a slugfest but it will be Irvin's first fight at middleweight and conditioning could play a factor.

Main Card:

205 - Brandon Vera vs. Jon Jones

Joe Gullo: This fight depends heavily on which Vera shows up. I think that Jones will likely set the pace and use his superior wrestling to put Vera on the defense. If there is a finish, I see Jones winning by ground-and-pound, otherwise Jones via decision. Jones
Brad LeBeau: Both have a Greco background and both like to stand and bang. Vera is the more technical fighter but Jones is so unorthodox he gives everyone a tough fight. I think Jones will use his reach and athleticism to out point Vera for the win. Jones
Clint Wilson: Vera's best chance to win this fight is to keep the distance and use his technically superior Muay Thai, however I don't think he will be able to do that. I see Jones using his explosiveness to get inside and turn the fight into a wrestling match. Jones
Jesse Denis: I think people aren’t giving Vera enough of a chance in this match. Vera has become a very passive counter striker; the problem with that is that he can’t maintain distance. Jones said he plans to use more wrestling in this bout. I see Vera stealing a round, but Jones should win a 29-28 unanimous decision. Jones

265 - Junior Dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

Jesse Denis: I’m curious to see if this bout ends up on the ground. We haven’t seen Dos Santos on the ground in years. Gonzaga seems content to stand with just about everyone since the Cro Cop KO, but he’s not very durable. If Gonzaga gets hit in the face hard enough he completely implodes. Dos Santos
Clint Wilson: This is a big test for Dos Santos, Gonzaga is a big well rounded fighter, but Dos Santos has very heavy hands. I predict that Gonzaga tries to strike with Dos Santos and gets knocked out because of it. Dos Santos
Brad LeBeau: Gonzaga needs to fight smart and I think he will do so in this bout. Look for him to take Dos Santos down down and use his world class jiu-jitsu to stop Dos santos. Gonzaga
Joe Gullo: In my mind, this is the final test for Dos Santos. If he gets past Gonzaga, he and Cain will be officially recognized as the future of the heavyweight division. I think it's gonna happen. Dos Santos

265 - Paul Buentello vs. Cheick Kongo

Joe Gullo: Kongo has struggled lately, but I think he'll be able to maintain a faster pace and out-strike Buentello. I don't know if he'll be able to put him out. Kongo
Brad LeBeau: Both of these fighters need a win badly. Kongo holds the edge in technical striking but Buentello has the power to end the fight with one punch. Should be another good battle but Kongo will outpoint Buentello. Kongo
Clint Wilson: Kongo is the faster more versatile striker of these two and there is basically no chance of this fight going to the ground. Kongo will batter Buentello for the majority of the fight and finish him late. Kongo
Jesse Denis: Buentello is being sold short, but realistically, he will lose. Both men have plenty of deficiency in their striking games. I think the difference maker is clearly seen in Buentello’s bout with Struve, the man doesn’t check leg kicks. Kongo’s leg kicks are stiff enough to take all of Buentello’s power away. Kongo

185 - Alessio Sakara vs. James Irvin

Jesse Denis: This bout has calamity written all over it. Both men seem to give up when things don’t go their way, and they're both strikers with poor chins. It really comes down to who starts stronger and who lands first. Irvin
Clint Wilson: This is a very tough fight to call since both guys are up or down fighters. It will especially depend on Irvin's mindset, it sounds like he has dealt with his demons and is focused. If that is true he should be able to win this one. Irvin
Brad LeBeau: This fight will end fast, both are pure strikers and both have power. This will be a case of who lands first and I think that it will be Sakara who tastes leather first. Irvin
Joe Gullo: Irvin has clearly been through a lot since the Anderson Silva loss, I think he's coming back and trying to make a point. Irvin should win, likely by TKO. Irvin

Preliminary Card:

155 - Shannon Gugerty vs. Clay Guida

Joe Gullo: Guida
Brad LeBeau: Gugerty
Clint Wilson: Guida
Jesse Denis: Guida

205 - Elliot Marshal vs. Vladimir Matyushenko

Joe Gullo: Marshall
Brad LeBeau: Marshall
Clint Wilson: Matyushenko
Jesse Denis: Matyushenko

155 - Darren Elkins vs. Duane Ludwig

Joe Gullo: Ludwig
Brad LeBeau: Ludwig
Clint Wilson: Ludwig
Jesse Denis: Ludwig

170 - Daniel Roberst vs. John Howard

Joe Gullo: Roberts
Brad LeBeau: Howard
Clint Wilson: Howard
Jesse Denis: Howard

265 - Chase Gromley vs. Brendan Schaub

Joe Gullo: Schaub
Brad LeBeau: Schaub
Clint Wilson: Schaub
Jesse Denis: Schaub

170 - Julio Paulino vs. Mike Pierce

Joe Gullo: Paulino
Brad LeBeau: Pierce
Clint Wilson: Pierce
Jesse Denis: Pierce

205 - Jason Brilz vs. Eric Schafer

Joe Gullo: Brilz
Brad LeBeau: Brilz
Clint Wilson: Schafer
Jesse Denis: Schafer