The Cut List: UFC Fight Night 46 - McGregor vs. Brandao

Likely Cut with a Loss

Cody Donovan (8-4, 1-2 UFC) - Donovan's been finished in two consecutive fights against the lower-middle end of the light-heavyweight division. Letting the same happen a third time against Krylov will likely send him back to the regionals.

Possibly Cut with a Loss

Nikita Krylov (16-4, 1-2 UFC) - He's in much the same position as his opponent, except that his recent move to light-heavyweight and his international character probably gives him a bit more wiggle room.

Phil Harris (22-11-1NC, 1-2-1NC UFC), Neil Seery (13-10, 0-1 UFC) - If it hadn't been for Louis Gaudinot's positive drug test, Harris would be 1-3 in the UFC. The only thing saving him from "Likely Cut" is the still-developing flyweight division. As for Seery, I think anyone with such a shaky record, brought in purely to draw local fans, is a possible cut.

Mike King (5-0-0, 0-0 UFC) - His elimination bout with Nordine Taleb was one of the better fights of the last TUF, but overall Dana White wasn't much a fan of anybody's performance on the show, King included. Something exciting this week could earn King another shot, but I think his place is far from secure.

Trevor Smith (11-5, 1-2 UFC), Tor Troeng (16-5-1, 1-1 UFC) - Both of these guys bring the ruckus, so despite underwhelming UFC records I think it's a toss-up. Troeng is better off given his international appeal and fewer losses, though I wouldn't be too surprised if he went the way of many other former TUF contestants and found himself cut after going 1-2.

Likely Safe Regardless of Outcome

Josh Sampo (11-3, 1-1 UFC) - A so-far competitive flyweight likely gets a pass.

Chris Dempsey (10-1, 0-0 UFC), Patrick Holohan (9-0-1, 0-0 UFC) - Debuting fighters, they get a pass, too.

Ilir Latifi (8-3, 1-1 UFC) - Latifi made a last-second UFC debut in order to save a main event, and he finished his last opponent. Probably safe.

Cathal Pendred (13-2-1) - A lot of the shine came off Pendred following his lackluster showing on TUF 19, but I think the UFC is, at this point, pretty committed to him as a prospect and foothold into the UK market. His affiliation with UFC darling Conor McGregor helps, too.

Norman Parke (19-2-1, 3-0-1), Naoyuki Kotani (33-10-7, 0-2 UFC) - Kotani probably gets another shot in his second UFC campaign no matter what, especially given the promotion's designs on the Pacific rim. Parke has earned some breathing room.

Brad Pickett (24-8, 4-3 UFC) Ian McCall (12-4-1, 1-2-1 UFC) - I thought Pickett looked pretty shot in his losses to Eddie Wineland and Michael McDonald, but he's exciting and has yet to drop two consecutive fights. McCall was put through the gauntlet in his first three fights, facing now-champion Demetrious Johnson twice before dropping a decision to flyweight's number-two man Joseph Benavidez. He's coming off a win and has a good presence. He's solid.

Conor McGregor (14-2, 2-0 UFC) Diego Brandao (18-9, 4-2), Gunnar Nelson (12-0-1, 3-0 UFC), Zak Cummings (17-3-0, 2-0 UFC) - McGregor and Nelson are both international prospects, Brandao has made himself valuable as an action fighter, and Cummings's two straight wins should secure him a fourth fight no matter what.