LFA 222 takes place this weekend in Connecticut. It is broadcast on UFC Fight Pass at 07:00 PM ET on Friday 14th November.

VINICIUS PIRES (11-1) vs. ARTEM BELAKH (10-2) – Bantamweight Championship

Artem Belakh is another fighter fighting for the first time after being released from ONE Championship. He had some fun fights in ONE but overall did show some weaknesses which I think could be exposed in this fight. He is huge for this weight class and therefore does have some power on the feet and strong control on the ground. However I think his striking defense is poor and his cardio definitely suffers from such a big weight cut. Pires is an interesting fighter as he doesn't stand out as an elite prospect to me, but he is good. He is a very aggressive striker, kicking to all levels and throwing a lot of volume. His wrestling is very weak though and I don't believe he will be able to get Belakh down to the ground often. He does have a lot of submissions on his record but his ability to get the fight to the ground isn't great so I think a lot of this fight will take place on the feet. Pires has the better cardio by far and he should be able to land often after 5 rounds.

Pick: Vincius Pires by decision. Low-medium confidence.

JOE GIANNETTI (17-7-1) vs. JOSE FERREIRA (13-2) – Lightweight

I am biased towards Giannetti, I will admit. I wish to see him in the UFC some day but it has been a very bumpy road. I think he wins here though. Giannetti is a big lightweight and he uses the length well with decent power and shot selection, and an array of submissions as well. Jose Ferreira didn't impress me much. I was expecting a bit more from him but he come across as a pretty low volume fighter with bad striking defense and bad take down defense. I don't think he is aggressive enough to make up for these weaknesses. Giannetti does have a couple losses recently to wrestlers and pressure fighters, but I don't think Ferreira has that type of style that gives Giannetti problems.

Pick: Jose Giannetti by KO/TKO. Low confidence.

REGIVALDO CARVALHO (11-5) vs. GUSTAVO PINTOS (9-0) – Featherweight

Carvalho has a decent enough skill set but I worry about his durability. He has been dropped a lot in his career, even in his wins. Pintos is still a relative unknown as it is nearly impossible to tell how good a fighter out of Argentina is going to be. But his boxing looks solid and I like the way he mixes up his combinations to the head and to the body. His take down defense also has held up which is always a question mark about this type of prospect.

Pick: Gustavo Pintos by KO/TKO. Low confidence.

ALINE PEREIRA (1-2) vs. NEJRA REPP (4-2) – Women's Flyweight

Aline is Alex Pereira's sister. Aline has her own professional kickboxing experience but it hasn't translated to MMA as well. This is mostly due to her failing to deal with the pressure and strength of her opponents so far. Repp could definitley give her trouble as this is how she fights. Repp has a boring grinding style which could give Pereira trouble. Mostly picking Pereira as I want her to win to be honest.

Pick: Aline Pereira by decision. Low confidence.

NATHAN GHAREEB (12-3) vs. JOSH HARVEY (8-3-1) – Lightweight

Harvey is way past his prime. He hasn't been fighting often but when he has showed up he has been getting dominated. Ghareeb isn't great but he is on a good win streak and I expect to see him finish Harvey easily on the ground.

Pick: Nathan Ghareeb by submission. High confidence.

EDENS CHARLES (1-0) vs. ANSAR KHAMZAEV (4-0) – Lightweight

Khamzaev is a legit prospect. He is only 20 years old with elite wrestling and grappling. He is fighting a muay thai fighter who does have a solid amaetuer career but I did see him get taken down.

Pick: Ansar Khamzaev by submission. High confidence.

EDNILSON SANTOS (13-7-1) vs. SCOTTIE STOCKMAN (12-6) – Lightweight

Stockman is a hilarious fighter. He has no grappling at all despite having some good wrestling exchanges against Brahyan Zurcher.

Pick: Ednilson Santos by submission. Low confidence.