JORGE MASVIDAL and Colby Covington will collide this weekend in one of the biggest fights of the year.

The former 'best friends' turned rivals will clash early on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 272 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After four years of trash talk and an attempted assault at American Top Team, the former team-mates will get the chance to prove once and for all who is the better man and crown themselves the King of Miami.

As well as a thoroughly entertaining pre-fight build-up, Masvidal and Covington's clash will provide a fascinating striker-versus-grappler match-up – one of the oldest in the history of mixed martial arts.

But it has the added ingredient of both men knowing the other's strengths and weaknesses.

So with that in mind, SunSport thought it'd only be right to predict how the fight could end up playing out.

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UFC 272 Predictions

Colby Covington vs Jorge Masvidal

It's no secret what Covington's game plan is for his former room-mate and confidant: take him down and suffocate him with his wrestling.

And barring dominant welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Warlley Alves, Chaos has managed to do that every man he's ever faced.

Covington certainly has the pedigree and skillset to ground Masvidal.

But will he be able to keep him there? That's the question on everyone's lips during fight week.

Masvidal has shown on more than one occasion that he's good at scrambling and posting back to his feet after being taken down.

In fact, his ability to get back to his feet is one of the least-hailed skills in his arsenal.

But repeatedly returning to his feet against cardio fiend Covington will be a difficult task.

Covington is a master of weaponising pace – just ask former champs Robbie Lawler and Tyron Woodley.

So even if he's unsuccessful with his first takedown attempts or is forced to get back to his feet, he'll keep coming forward with the knowledge he doesn't get tired.

Fatigue, if anything, will creep up on Masvidal after defending multiple takedowns and fending off the sheer volume of strikes Covington throws.

That will ultimately lead to reduced explosivity and less striking accuracy from Masvidal – who could very well succumb to Covington's pace in the fourth or fifth rounds.

Chisanga Malata's prediction: Colby Covington via unanimous decision

Edson Barboza vs Bryce Mitchell

UFC 272's main card also throws up another tasty striker-versus-grappler bout.

Featherweight standouts Edson Barboza and Bryce Mitchell clash in a pivotal match-up in the division.

For feared striker Barboza, the game plan is clear: keep his distance and don't offer any unnecessary takedown opportunities.

It's equally as clear for Mitchell: close the distance and stay in the Brazilian's face the same way Khabib Nurmagomedov did at UFC 219.

Although Barboza has struggled with grapplers in the past, he possesses significantly better footwork than surging contender Mitchell.

And if he can frustrate him at range for long enough, he could very wellwalk Thug Nasty on to a big shot.

And given Mitchell's relentlessness with his takedown attempts, that's exactly what I can see happening early in the third – provided Barboza manages to avoid having his energy reserves drained by takedown attempts.

Chisanga Malata's prediction: Edson Barboza via third-round TKO

Kevin Holland vs. Alex Oliveira

UFC 272 will mark the welterweight debut of Dana White’s Contenders Series alum Kevin Holland.

Wild Brazilian Alex Oliveira has been tasked with the job of giving  Trailblazer a rude welcome to the division.

But if slick striker Holland utilises his long reach and accurate straight punches, he should be able to weather the storm Cowboy always brings.

Chisanga Malata’s prediction: Kevin Holland via second-round TKO

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