The day before every major event, The Post’s MMA expert Marc Raimondi breaks down what you should know in order to intelligently wager on the fight.

On Saturday, the UFC is in San Jose for UFC on FOX 5. Benson Henderson defends his UFC lightweight title against Gilbert Melendez in the main event and former Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix winner Daniel Cormier meets former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir in the co-headliner.

Here are the lines from 5dimes:

MAIN CARD (FOX, 8 p.m.)

Benson Henderson (-320) vs. Gilbert Melendez (+260)

Daniel Cormier (-450) vs. Frank Mir (+360)

Nate Diaz (-185) vs. Josh Thomson (+160)

Jordan Mein (-340) vs. Matt Brown (+280)

PRELIMS (FX, 5 p.m.)

Chad Mendes (-750) vs. Darren Elkins (+525)

Francis Carmont (-140) vs. Lorenz Larkin (+120)

Myles Jury (-250) vs. Ramsey Nijem (+210)

Joseh Benavidez (-600) vs. Darren Uyenoyama (+450)

Jorge Masvidal (-145) vs. Tim Means (+125)

TJ Dillashaw (-300) vs. Hugo Viana (+250)

PRELIMS (Facebook, 4 p.m.)

Anthony Njokuani (-170) vs. Roger Bowling (+150)

Yoel Romero (-160) vs. Clifford Starks (+140)

Henderson won’t be able to bully Melendez like he did with Nate Diaz in December. Expect this fight to go very much like Henderson’s two close wins over Frankie Edgar. Henderson will use his athleticism and strength advantage to give Melendez fits. Melendez will have his moments and perhaps win a round or two, which is why you should stay away from betting this fight. There will be too much wiggle room and there isn’t likely to be a finish, which leaves your money in the hands of the judges. That’s never a good thing.

Start your wagering with the co-main event. Cormier is an easy choice for your parlay – he has an advantage over Mir in boxing, wrestling and athleticism. Usually, that’s enough.

Mein is a hot prospect and jiu-jitsu ace who has shown evolving standup skills. Brown is an exciting veteran, but doesn’t have the natural ability of Mein, who should be in your parlay. The rest of the five-fighter slate goes is owned by guys from Team Alpha Male – Mendes, Benavidez and Dillashaw. It’s a great training camp and all three of those guys should return with wins.

Diaz and Masvidal are your two safe straight bets. Diaz was fighting for the title just a few months ago, while Thomson has fought lesser competition in Strikeforce. Masvidal is more explosive than Means and should have a successful UFC debut. I like another Strikeforce alum as the upset special: Bowling. His wrestling and grappling should give him the edge over the kickboxer Njokuani.

BEST BETS

POT: 888.20 (-92.00)

(Original pot: $1,000)

Parlay

Cormier, Mein, Mendes, Benavidez, Dillashaw

$100 to win $178.85

Straight bets

Diaz over Thomson

$50 to win $27.05

Masvidal over Means

$25 to win $17.24

Upset special

Bowling over Njokuani

$20 to win $30

LOOKING BACK

Uriah Hall spoiled the parlay, but there were was one positive from The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale – Bubba McDaniel’s win over Gilbert Smith. Jimmy Quinlan fell to Dylan Andrews and Miesha Tate put in a good showing, but was unable to beat Cat Zingano in a classic women’s bout.

mraimondi@nypost.com