UFC Fight Night 57 'Prelims' preview and predictions, Pt. 1

McGregor who?

Two elite Featherweight contenders will clash this Saturday night (Nov. 22, 2014) with title-challenging aspirations on the line when surging World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) veteran Cub Swanson collides with former Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar in the main event of UFC Fight Night 57, which takes place from Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.

In addition, Bobby Green -- fresh off his upset of Josh Thomson -- will take on one of the 155-pound division's most brutal strikers in Edson Barboza. Brad Pickett will also take on Roufusport-trained product Chico Camus at Featherweight on the FOX Sports 1-televised main card.

That's not all.

Before all that, we've got half-dozen "Prelims" under card matches on the menu, the first two of which will stream online via Fight Pass and the rest on FOX Sports 1.

Let's see what's setting the table:

155 lbs.: Yves Edwards vs. Akbarh Arreola

Yves Edwards (42-21-1) -- a true mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran -- scored his biggest win in years in Dec. 2012, knocking out Jeremy Stephens cold in two minutes. Unfortunately, he has yet to see victory since, going winless in his last four.

The 14-year veteran has stopped 33 professional opponents.

The first bid at UFC stardom for Akbarh Arreola (22-8-1) was unsuccessful, falling to Myles Jury in the elimination round of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 15. He got a shot in the promotion in July, only to lose a decision to Brazilian mauler Tiago "Trator."

He has only ever gone the distance once in victory ... submitting eighteen foes.

As a fan of Edwards, it hurts me to say it, but this is a fight between has-been and a never-was. Edwards -- while he didn’t lose to bad fighters at all -- doesn’t seem to have the gas tank or explosiveness he needs anymore. That said, Arreola has yet to prove himself adept in any particular area, giving Edwards the chance for a much-needed victory.

Edwards’ grappling prowess is hampered by his general lack of wrestling ability. Luckily, Arreola doesn’t seem to have any outstanding prowess there, so Edwards should be able to get top position if he chooses. Whether he does so or not, he’s the superior technician on the feet and on the mat and, as he’s not facing the kind of physical disadvantage he usually is, he should get to show it.

Edwards knocks him out in the second.

Prediction: Edwards via second-round technical knockout

115 lbs.: Paige VanZant vs. Kailin Curran

Paige VanZant (3-1) suffered the first loss of her brief career in Jan. 2013, dropping a decision to rising star Tecia Torres. She rebounded with a win the following April, picking up her first career stoppage via rear-naked choke.

The 20-year-old VanZant was acquired from Invicta, but was deemed too young to join her fellows on TUF 20.

Kailin Curran (3-0), 23, debuted in March 2013 after a two-year amateur career in which she earned four finishes. She has picked up three wins in the professional ranks, including one over DEEP title challenger Emi Tomimatsu.

She is an inch shorter than VanZant at 5’3."

For all I’ve heard about VanZant, I’m really unimpressed. She was little more than a punching bag against Torres. And while Torres is an excellent fighter and thus the loss can be excused, she had such little success against the "Tiny Tornado" that it’s hard to be too high on her. There’s also the fact that Torres was the only one of her opponents who had even one pro fight beforehand.

Curran, while limited herself, seems like a competent enough striker with competent enough takedown defense to take control in the stand up.

Both of these women are very raw and, in the shark tank TUF 20 makes their division, they’re going to have to learn on the fly. Barring major improvements, which Paige is most certainly capable of considering her age and camp, VanZant should get her first lesson from Curran, who shuts down her takedowns and wins a stand up affair.

Prediction: Curran via unanimous decision

145 lbs.: Doo Ho Choi vs. Juan Manuel Puig

Doo Ho Choi (11-1) -- regarded as one of the best prospects on the Asian MMA scene -- has knocked out seven of his last eight opponents, including durable veteran Mitsuhiro Ishida in 2011. The 23-year-old "Superboy" was originally scheduled to debut against Sam Sicilia at UFC 173 before being forced out because of injury.

He has not competed since his back-and-forth brawl with Shoji Maruyama in June 2013.

Juan Manuel Puig (11-3) picked up six straight wins, including one over countryman Akbarh Arreola, to earn a spot on TUF 19 Finale in July. Said streak came to an abrupt halt in just over two minutes as Brazilian giant Adriano Martins laid him out with a right hook.

This will be Puig’s Featherweight debut.

Choi may not be as big as Martins, but that doesn’t mean Puig’s night is going to go any better. Choi is a lethal puncher who has the takedown defense to avoid a ground fight and the chin and technique to dominate Puig on the feet. Though the layoff is disconcerting, Choi, at 23, will almost certainly be better than in his last fight ... ring rust or no.

And considering how he’s looked in the past, that’s a scary thought.

Puig can’t handle him standing and has very little chance of taking him down. Choi should demolish him in a hurry.

Prediction: Choi via first-round knockout

Three more UFC Fight Night 57 "Prelims" fights to preview and predict tomorrow, including a pair of bouts featuring TUF veterans and an interesting clash of Heavyweight prospects.

Don't miss it!

Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Night 57 fight card on fight night, starting with the two Fight Pass "Prelims" matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, right on through the FOX Sports 1-televised under- and main-card matches, which are slated to begin at 8 p.m. ET.