Douglas Vegas Bets

The UFC is back in the Apex this weekend with a card of action headlined by Featherweight contenders Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy squaring off. I went over that matchup and every other fight on the card to give my predictions and the underdog best bet of the week, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 4/3/2025**

## Josh Emmett +255 vs. Lerone Murphy -333

Featherweights looking to put their name into top contention collide in this main event matchup. Josh Emmett is an extremely hard hitter with lots of experience in hard-fought wars against top contenders, although he is now forty years old and hasn't fought in over a year. Lerone Murphy is a technically sound boxer who comes in undefeated, having shown he has the skills to outpoint good strikers like Edson Barboza and Dan Ige, but both of those men did have him hurt badly in the early stages, which is a concern.

I'll go with Murphy here as he has a significant speed advantage, especially as he is a younger and more active fighter. I see Murphy building as the fight progresses to take over in the later rounds and win a decision.

Prediction: Murphy by Decision

## Joanderson Brito -233 vs. Pat Sabatini +185

Two Featherweights will try to make a statement as they square off in this co-main event. Joanderson Brito is a powerhouse with knockout power on the feet and a dangerous ground game, although his aggression has caused him to slow down late in fights. Pat Sabatini is a dangerous submission grappler who has proven he can exploit weaker grappling games to dominate, but when forced to strike, he is very hittable and doesn't take damage well, having suffered several early knockout losses.

Brito likely finds a knockout here as he has the grappling to defend Sabatini's best weapons, plus his power on the feet against Sabatini's durability issues, which is a recipe for disaster.

Prediction: Brito by 1st Round KO

## Cortavious Romious +110 vs. Chang Ho Lee -135

These Bantamweights look to make a name for themselves in this intriguing matchup. Cortavious Romious is a solid submission grappler coming off a tough UFC debut where he showed his struggles when he can't get a fight to the ground. Chang Ho Lee is a wrestler with good control on the ground, although he still works to finish from the top position.

I'll go with Lee here as this will mostly be a grappling match, and his wrestling ability will help him secure more top time where he is better at getting off damage.

Prediction: Lee by Decision

## Kennedy Nzechukwu -357 vs. Matrin Buday +275

Hard-hitting Heavyweights trying to build momentum collide here. Kennedy Nzechukwu has won two straight, both by first-round knockout, since moving up in weight, showing that his power translates well, although he has yet to face any tough competition in this division. Martin Buday is a big guy, even for Heavyweight, with a solid top game decent but low-volume striking and bad cardio.

Nzechukwu should win here as his striking and cardio advantages give him plenty of advantages to work with; however, given some past performances, I can't bet on him at this price.

Prediction: Nzechukwu by 2nd Round TKO

## Gerald Meerschaert +185 vs. Brad Tavares -233

Veterans with opposing styles go head to head in this Middleweight matchup. Gerald Meerschaert is a skilled submission artist who has made a career off of surviving early onslaughts to drag guys into deep waters where he submits them. Brad Tavares is a solid kickboxer who has shown good takedown defense over the years, although he lacks much finishing ability.

This is a good matchup for Tavares, as when he has struggled, it has been against high-level strikers, and he has proven his takedown defense to be high quality over his entire career.

Prediction: Tavares by 3rd Round TKO

## Robert Valentin +235 vs. Torrez Finney -303

It's a matchup of The Ultimate Fighter and Dana White's Contender Series products set to open the main card here at Middleweight. Robert Valentin is an ultra-aggressive finisher with dangerous skills in striking and a unique submission game, although he has obvious technical flaws that can be exploited. Torrez Finney is a stocky wrestler who many know from his three appearances on DWCS, where he was successful all three times with two finishes.

I like Finney, as he can get on top and maintain control while doing damage or hunting submissions. Meanwhile, Valentin remains a dangerous finisher, although he is not great when it comes to winning minutes, which I believe will cost him here. 

Prediction: Finney by Decision

## Luis Gurule -263 vs. Ode Osbourne +210

It's a debutant vs. struggling veteran matchup in this Flyweight featured prelim. Luis Gurule is a pressure fighter who makes his debut here off a close win on Dana White's Contender Series, where he showed some weakness in the wrestling early. Ode Osbourne is an athletic striker with a long reach and good power, although his durability and fight IQ have cost him several times.

I'll bet Osbourne at these odds, as he can use his reach advantage to land big shots at range and has much more high-level experience.

Prediction: Osbourne by 1st Round KO

## Davey Grant +126 vs. Daniel Santos -154

Bantamweights known for putting on a show square off in this one. Davey Grant is a gritty veteran striker who has held his own with some of the best in the division over the years. Daniel Santos is an exciting striker from the famous Chute Boxe gym who returns from a nearly two-year layoff here.

I'll go with Santos on this one, as he is a much younger fighter who lands at a higher rate and has better defensive statistics as well.

Prediction: Santos by Decision

## Dione Barbosa -909 vs. Diana Belbita +580

Two Flyweights looking to return to the win column are matched up here. Dione Barbosa is a well-rounded fighter with a good kicking game and solid grappling in close. Diana Belbita is a kickboxer who comes in after more than a year away after losing three of her last four, mainly due to her struggles in grappling.

Barbosa should win here and even get a finish if she gets this fight to the ground.

Prediction: Barbosa by 2nd Round Submission

## Rhys McKee +127 vs. Daniel Frunza -156

These Welterweights will try to make a statement here in this preliminary clash. Rhys McKee is a tough finisher who has yet to win a fight in the UFC, although he worked his way back to the promotion with an impressive Cage Warriors run not long ago. Daniel Frunza debuts here off of Dana White's Contender Series, where he showed good striking but was dropped and held on the ground for a concerning amount of time before finding the finish.

I'll bet McKee here, as he is the more well-rounded, experienced fighter with the longer reach, and he will not fade like Frunza's DWCS opponent. With that, Rhys McKee MoneyLine is this week's Underdog Best Bet of the Week.

Prediction: McKee by 2nd Round TKO (Best Bet)

## Victor Henry -217 vs. Pedro Falcao +175

Both these Bantamweights are trying to get a bounce-back win here. Victor Henry is a high pace fighter with a well-rounded game and good durability, although he doesn't have much of a finishing threat. Pedro Falcao looks to bounce back from a debut loss where he did show good things like the ability to wrestle hard for three rounds and solid boxing despite coming up short.

I lean towards Henry here as he has the striking advantage, good takedown defense, and has proven he can match the pace Falcao can set.

Prediction: Henry by Decision

## Vanessa Demopoulos -109 vs. Talita Alencar -112

Strawweight grapplers face off in this fun matchup. Vanessa Demopoulos is a solid grappler with decent volume on the feet, although she fails to separate herself and is very hittable. Talita Alencar is a submission grappler with a dangerous game early, although when she is stuffed in the grappling, she has trouble in the striking.

I lean towards Alencar here, as Demopoulos has struggled against good grapplers, and I believe Alencar is the more dangerous submission threat.

Prediction: Alencar by Decision

## Loma Lookboonmee -769 vs. Istela Nunes +520

Strawweights on opposite trajectories open the card here. Loma Lookboonmee has developed into a well-rounded fighter on a three-fight win streak, building a strong grappling attack off her Muay Thai base. Istela Nunes looks to end her winless UFC run after losing her only four fights with the promotion, where she has shown decent striking and poor grappling.

I expect Lookboonmee to dominate here as she has proven she can easily handle lower-level competition. At the same time, Nunes has yet to show she can compete with anyone at this level.

Prediction: Lookboonmee by 3rd Round Submission

UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy Odds Breakdown

Liam Lindsay

**PFL 1: Jackson vs. Koreshkov – Main Card Preview**

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) launches its 2025 World Tournament with PFL 1 tonight at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. This event features a four-fight main card with the quarterfinal matchups in the Welterweight and Featherweight divisions. The winners of these matchups will advance to the semi-finals for a chance at winning $500,000.

## Main Event: Jason Jackson vs. Andrey Koreshkov (Welterweight Quarterfinal)

In a battle of former Bellator MMA champions, Jason "The Ass-Kicking Machine" Jackson faces Andrey "Spartan" Koreshkov. Jackson (18-5) aims to rebound after a title loss to Ramazan Kuramagomedov in June 2024, which ended his impressive eight-fight winning streak that included victories over Ray Cooper III and Yaroslav Amosov. Jackson seeks to reassert his dominance in the Welterweight division with a win over Koreshkov. Koreshkov (28-5) is a seasoned striker with a diverse skill set. He had a mixed 2024 season, including a loss to Magomed Umalatov and a victory over Goiti Yamauchi. Koreshkov is an explosive striker, with fourteen wins coming via KO/TKO. This bout is pivotal for both fighters to establish momentum in the tournament.

## Co-Main Event: Jesus Pinedo vs. Adam Borics (Featherweight Quarterfinal)

2023 PFL Featherweight Champion Jesus Pinedo (23-6) returns to the SmartCage to face Adam Borics (19-2). Pinedo's path to the 2023 title was marked by significant TKOs over Brendan Loughnane, Bubba Jenkins, and Gabriel Braga. Borics, after a hiatus following his 2022 title challenge against Patricio "Pitbull" Freire, secured a unanimous decision win over Enrique Barzola in April 2024. Pinedo will look to become a two-time PFL Champion, while Borics aims to spoil the show.

## Joseph Luciano vs. Logan Storley (Welterweight Quarterfinal)

With Magomed Umalatov's withdrawal due to a weight miss, Joseph Luciano steps in to face Logan Storley in a Welterweight Quarterfinal. Luciano (10-2), an Australian prospect, has an opportunity to make a significant impact in his PFL debut. Storley (16-3), a former Bellator interim Welterweight Champion, brings a wrestling-heavy approach, making this a classic striker vs. grappler contest.

## Jeremy Kennedy vs. Movlid Khaybulaev (Featherweight Quarterfinal)

Canadian Jeremy Kennedy (19-4) takes on undefeated 2021 PFL Featherweight Champion Movlid Khaybulaev (21-0-1). Kennedy's well-rounded skill set will be tested against Khaybulaev's dominant wrestling, which he's used to secure wins over Tyler Diamond, Brendan Loughnane, and Damon Jackson. This bout is crucial for both fighters aiming to make a statement in the Featherweight bracket. Kennedy is a significant underdog but will be looking to earn a huge upset victory here.

PFL 1 sets the stage for the new tournament season, with each fighter ready to earn their spots in the semi-finals.

PFL 1 (2025): Jackson vs. Koreshkov Preview

The 2025 PFL World Championship Tournament officially kicks off in San Antonio, Texas, with the Welterweights and Featherweights hitting the scale ahead of Friday’s card. Here are the official weigh-in results from today’s event.

## Main Card (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+, ESPN2)

**_Welterweight:_** Jason Jackson (**170.8 lbs**) vs. Andrey Koreshkov (**171 lbs**)

**_Featherweight:_** Jesus Pinedo (**145.6 lbs**) vs. Ádám Borics (**145.4 lbs**)

**_Welterweight:_** Joseph Luciano (**170.4 lbs**) vs. Logan Storley (**171 lbs**)

**_Featherweight:_** Jeremy Kennedy (**145.8 lbs**) vs. Movlid Khaybulaev (**145.4 lbs**)

## Preliminary Card (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

**_Welterweight:_** Mukhamed Berkhamov (**171 lbs**) vs. Thad Jean (**170.8 lbs**)

**_Featherweight:_** Gabriel Braga (**144.4 lbs**) vs. Frederik Dupras (**145.6 lbs**)

**_Welterweight:_** Giannis Bachar (**170.6 lbs**) vs. Masayuki Kikuiri (**169.4 lbs**)

**_Featherweight:_** Nathan Kelly (**146 lbs**) vs. Kim Tae-kyun (**145.2 lbs**)

PFL 1 (2025) Weigh-In Results

It has been made official by Dana White on Instagram Live that Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili will rematch former champion Sean O'Malley in the main event of UFC 316. This fight is set to take place on June 7th from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

## Announcement: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley Bantamweight Title Fight

This will be the second time Dvalishvili defends his title, with his most recent coming in a decision win against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311. For O'Malley, this will be his first fight since losing his belt to Dvalishvili in a decision at UFC 306 last year.

## UFC 316 Full Card

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley, Bantamweight Title Fight

Julianna Pena vs. Kayla Harrison, Bantamweight Title Fight

Mario Bautista vs. Chito Vera, Bantamweight

Johnny Walker vs. Azamat Murzakanov, Light Heavyweight

Bruno Silva vs. Josh Van, Flyweight

Serghei Spivac vs. Shamil Gaziev, Heavyweight

What do you think of this Bantamweight rematch? Let us know in the comments below.

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley 2 Set to Headline UFC 316

Dana White broke the news today that with Jamahal Hill out of his matchup with Khalil Rountree Jr., the new main event for that card will be Welterweight contenders Carlos Prates and Ian Garry going head-to-head in a huge matchup. This fight will take place on April 26th from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

## Announcement: Carlos Prates vs. Ian Garry Welterweight

This comes just days after it was announced that Carlos Prates would not be facing Geoff Neal at UFC 314 after Neal pulled out with an injury. This will be the second straight main event for Prates, who is coming off his first-round knockout of Neil Magny. Ian Garry takes this fight off his five-round decision loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. 

## UFC Kansas City Full Card

Carlos Prates vs. Ian Machado Garry, Welterweight

Anthony Smith vs. Mingyang Zhang, Light Heavyweight

Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov, Middleweight

Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama, Featherweight

Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz, Middleweight

Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby, Welterweight

Jaqueline Amorim vs. Polyana Viana, Strawweight

Cameron Saaiman vs. Malcolm Wellmaker, Bantamweight

Chelsea Chandler vs. Joselyne Edwards, Bantamweight

Matt Schnell vs. Jimmy Flick, Flyweight

Ahmad Hassanzada vs. Evan Elder, Lightweight

What do you think of this new matchup? Let us know in the comments below.

Carlos Prates vs. Ian Garry New Main Event for UFC Kansas City

The former Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno got the win in his home country as he was able to out-strike Steve Erceg to a decision win in the main event from Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico.

## Result: Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg via Unanimous Decision (49-46 x 3)

It was a strong performance from Moreno as he was able to land big right hands on Erceg early and often in the first round. The second and third rounds were closer with Erceg begining to land at a higher volume, although Moreno was still having the bigger moments. Moreno sealed the win in the championship rounds by maintaining constant pressure and landing solid combinations until the final horn.


>"I really believe I can move the needle" - Brandon Moreno

What did you think of the performance from Brandon Moreno? Let us know in the comments.

Brandon Moreno Wins Decision Over Steve Erceg at UFC Mexico

RIZIN returns to the Anabuki Arena Kagawa in Takamatsu, Japan, for RIZIN.50. The card features seventeen MMA and kickboxing bouts, headlined by a RIZIN Bantamweight Championship rematch between reigning Champion Naoki Inoue and challenger Yuki Motoya. Here are the weigh-in results:

### RIZIN Bantamweight Championship  
**Naoki Inoue (c)** – 134.3 lbs  
**Yuki Motoya** – 134.2 lbs

### Featherweight Bout  
**Chihiro Suzuki** – 145.5 lbs  
**Karshyga Dautbek** – 145.5 lbs

### Lightweight Bout  
**Luiz Gustavo** – 156.2 lbs  
**Shunta Nomura** – 156.4 lbs

### Heavyweight Bout  
**Ryo Sakai** – 248.2 lbs  
**King Edokpolo** – 264.5 lbs

### Featherweight Bout  
**Kyohei Hagiwara** – 144.9 lbs  
**Toby Misech** – 145.4 lbs

### Featherweight Bout  
**Takeji Yokoyama** – 145.1 lbs  
**Shuya Kimura** – 145.5 lbs

### Catchweight (130 lbs) Bout  
**Yuki Ito** – 130.1 lbs  
**Tony Laramie** – 129.6 lbs

### Catchweight (130 lbs) Bout  
**Yoshiro Maeda** – 129.3 lbs  
**Sanou Yokouchi** – 130.1 lbs

### Lightweight Bout  
**Spike Carlyle** – 160.9 lbs*  
**Takeshi Izumi** – 156.5 lbs  
\*Carlyle missed weight. The bout will proceed with a financial penalty and potential restrictions on the official result.

### Women’s Strawweight Bout  
**Machi** – 114.3 lbs  
**Seo Young Park** – 113.9 lbs

### Strawweight Bout  
**Haruo Ochi** – 116.7 lbs  
**Nobuyoshi Nakatsukasa** – 116.5 lbs

### Bantamweight Bout  
**Uoi Fullswing** – 134.4 lbs  
**Akada Playboy Koki** – 134.5 lbs

### Catchweight (149 lbs) Bout  
**Ryoya Inai** – 148.8 lbs  
**Rinto Kako** – 148.5 lbs

### Catchweight (139 lbs) Bout  
**Ryuki Yoshioka** – 139.3 lbs  
**Daiki Kirizume** – 139.3 lbs

### Catchweight (139 lbs) Bout  
**Shoji Otani** – 138.7 lbs  
**Yamato Ashikaga** – 138.8 lbs

### Flyweight Bout  
**Hiroki Takaoka** – 125.4 lbs  
**Seiya Ameyama** – 125.3 lbs

### Catchweight (121 lbs) Bout  
**Ryusei** – 121.1 lbs  
**Toki Kagawa** – 121.3 lbs

RIZIN.50 Weigh-In Results

# RIZIN.50 Preview

RIZIN returns with RIZIN.50, featuring a lineup of Japanese talent on a seventeen-fight card. For fans new to RIZIN, here's a breakdown of the main matchups you won't want to miss.

## Main Event: RIZIN Bantamweight Championship

**Naoki Inoue (c) vs. Yuki Motoya 2**

Reigning Bantamweight Champion Naoki Inoue defends his title against the seasoned Yuki Motoya. Inoue captured the belt with a first-round submission victory over Soo Chul Kim at RIZIN.48, showcasing his elite grappling skills. Motoya, a RIZIN veteran with 20 fights in the promotion, holds the second-most total ring time and third-most wins in RIZIN history. Their first fight saw Naoki Inoue secure a first-round submission of Yuki Motoya, which Motoya is eager to avenge en route to capturing the RIZIN Bantamweight title.

## Co-Main Event: Featherweight Title Eliminator

**Chihiro Suzuki vs. Karshyga Dautbek**

Former Featherweight Champion Chihiro Suzuki aims to rebound after losing his title to Kleber Koike on New Year's Eve. Suzuki, known for his striking and power, faces Kazakhstan's Karshyga Dautbek, who enters on a nine-fight win streak, with seven first-round knockouts. Both fighters possess the ability to end the fight in an instant, setting the stage for a potential fight of the night or a quick finish.

**Shunta Nomura vs. Luiz Gustavo**

Shunta Nomura, a decorated Greco-Roman wrestler, has the opportunity to become RIZIN's first Japanese Lightweight Champion as he climbs toward a title shot in his division. Standing in his path is Brazil's Luiz Gustavo, known for his aggressive style and knockout power. Gustavo seeks redemption after a 21-second KO loss to current Champion Roberto "Satoshi" de Souza. Gustavo has previously trained with MMA legend Wanderlei Silva, and will bring the aggressive Brazilian style to make this a must-see matchup.

**Shuya Kimura vs. Takeji Yokoyama**

Shuya Kimura has garnered attention with four consecutive wins, all secured within 75 seconds, showcasing his explosive striking. Takeji Yokoyama, a submission specialist with a 100% finish rate, presents a formidable challenge. This is your classic striker vs. grappler matchup, but don't forget—RIZIN allows grounded knees and soccer kicks, so there's plenty of action on the mat too.

**Yoshiro Maeda vs. Sanou Yokouchi**

At 23, Sanou Yokouchi faces his toughest test against 59-fight veteran Yoshiro Maeda. Maeda, a former WEC title challenger and Featherweight King of Pancrase, brings a wealth of experience. Yokouchi, nicknamed "Onigiri-kun," aims to make a statement by defeating a seasoned opponent. This matchup highlights the timeless narrative of experience versus youth—but which will prevail?

**Takeshi Izumi vs. Spike Carlyle**

Takeshi Izumi, a decorated wrestler, seeks his first RIZIN victory against the unpredictable and game Spike Carlyle. Carlyle, known for his theatrical walkouts and unorthodox fighting style, is coming off a win at RIZIN.47 after a long stint in other promotions such as Bellator, UFC, and Cage Warriors, where he fought names like A.J. McKee and Billy Quarantillo.

**Yuki Ito vs. Tony Laramie**

RIZIN flyweight veteran Yuki Ito returns to face Canadian prospect Tony Laramie. Ito's methodical approach contrasts with Laramie's aggressive style, highlighted by three first-round knockouts in his last four fights. Laramie is 10–2 and is the younger brother of UFC vet T.J. Laramie. He's looking to build up a career in RIZIN and get his second win in the promotion.

**King Edokpolo vs. Ryo Sakai**

Edokpolo King, a 6'8" athlete with Nigerian and Korean heritage, is known for his athleticism and devastating clinch striking. He made his MMA debut last time out and blasted through Bing with a first-round KO, and he's looking to continue the streak. Sakai brings knockout power and resilience. It'd be a huge shock if this matchup went the distance.

RIZIN.50 is another great event filled with a long list of matchups. You can watch the event for free on RIZIN.tv. The event can be streamed live or viewed after it airs, meaning you can watch it regardless of your timezone. Don't forget to make your picks on Verdict!

RIZIN.50 Preview

The UFC is at Arena CDMX in Mexico City tomorrow night for an action-packed card headlined by former Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno taking on former title challenger Steve Erceg. The official weigh-ins took place today; here are the results.

## Main Card 7 PM EST

**Flyweight:** Brandon Moreno (125) vs. Steve Erceg (125)

**Lightweight:** Drew Dober (155) vs. Manuel Torres (156)

**Middleweight:** Kelvin Gastelum (186) vs. Joe Pyfer (185)

**Bantamweight:** Raul Rosas Jr. (135) vs. Vince Morales (136)

**Bantamweight:** Saimon Oliveira (135) vs. David Martinez (135)

**Flyweight:** Ronaldo Rodriguez (127)* vs. Kevin Borjas (125)

## Prelims 4 PM EST

**Flyweight:** Edgar Chairez (126) vs. CJ Vergara (126)

**Middleweight:** Jose Daniel Medina (186) vs. Ateba Gautier (186)

**Featherweight:** Melquizael Costa (145) vs. Christian Rodriguez (146)

**Strawweight:** Loopy Godinez (116) vs. Julia Polastri (116)

**Lightweight:** Rafa Garcia (155) vs. Vinc Pichel (156)

**Featherweight:** Jamall Emmers (145) vs. Gabriel Miranda (145)

**Lightweight:** Austin Hubbard (156) vs. Marquel Mederos (156)

*Fighter Missed Weight

UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Erceg Weigh-In Results

The UFC is bringing an action-packed night of fights to Arena CDMX in Mexico City, headlined by fan favorite and former Flyweight champion Brandon Moreno taking on Steve Erceg. I went over every fight on this deep card to give my predictions and underdog best bet of the week, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 3/26/2025**

## Brandon Moreno -233 vs. Steve Erceg +185

Two Flyweights looking to earn another shot at the champion square off in this main event matchup. Brandon Moreno became the champion of his division on two separate occasions, showing a well-rounded skill set that leans on a strong boxing attack and incredible durability. Steve Erceg comes into this having lost two straight, although he did raise his stock by having a close fight with the champion Alexandre Pantoja, where he showed great boxing and high-level grappling skills.

I took Erceg as the underdog here as he has already shown he is skilled enough to compete with the best in the world, and he is likely still improving with his relative lack of experience, while Moreno has been through many tough fights and may have seen his best days.

Prediction: Erceg by Decision

## Manuel Torres -110 vs. Drew Dober -111

Tough Lightweight finishers go head-to-head in this can't-miss co-main event. Manuel Torres is an all-offensive fighter with dangerous power and good submission skills, although he is coming off a brutal loss against Ignacio Bahamondes where his defensive issues became very apparent. Drew Dober is a durable knockout puncher who has put on many great fights throughout the years, having always fought tough competition, although he has lost three of his last four fights, including two stoppages.

I lean towards Torres here, as he is the younger fighter with the height and reach advantage along with submission upside in a fight where both men will likely land big shots early.

Prediction: Torres by 1st Round KO

## Kelvin Gastelum +250 vs. Joe Pyfer -323

It's a pivotal clash in the Middleweight division, seeing a tough veteran take on a dangerous finisher. Kelvin Gastelum comes back up in weight here and remains a granite-chinned striker who has competed with many of the best in the division over the years. Joe Pyfer is a big and powerful fighter with knockout power in his hands and a dangerous submission game if the fight hits the ground although he did slow down badly after a strong start against Jack Hermansson last time he stepped up in competition.

I like Pyfer to get a decision or submission win here. I feel he will have success striking early and can mix in grappling, as we have seen Gastelum struggle there before against Jack Hermansson and Sean Brady.

Prediction: Pyfer by Decision

## Raul Rosas Jr. -417 vs. Vince Morales +310

Another challenge for a young Bantamweight prospect goes down here. Raul Rosas Jr. is a fast-starting grappler with good submission skills in part due to him having very long limbs for the division which he uses to tie up opponents. Vince Morales is a gritty fighter on his second run with the UFC coming off a back-and-forth battle with Elijah Smith, where he nearly secured a choke in the dying seconds before ultimately losing a decision.

I'll take Rosas Jr. to get a submission win here, as he has the skills on the ground to put Morales in bad spots and take advantage of them.

Prediction: Rosas Jr. by 1st Round Submission

## David Martinez -400 vs. Saimon Oliveira +295

Bantamweights, both looking to establish themselves, square off in this main card matchup. David Martinez is a powerful, high-volume striker with good takedown defense who makes his debut here. Saimon Oliveria is a dangerous submission grappler looking to pick up his first UFC win after having spent more than two years away since his loss to Daniel Marcos.

I'll go with Martinez here as he should have a significant advantage in the striking and the inactivity from Oliveira is concerning.

Prediction: Martinez by 2nd Round TKO

## Ronaldo Rodriguez -159 vs. Kevin Borjas +129

This fun matchup at Flyweight is set to open the main card. Ronaldo Rodriguez is a solid grappler who comes in having won his first two UFC fights, although he struggled at times in both, showing to be very hittable on the feet. Kevin Borjas is a high-pace striker with good power, although his defense is not great striking-wise, and he was controlled a lot on Dana White's Contender Series.

I bet Borjas in this one. He will have a big advantage in striking, especially in terms of punching power, and I don't see Rodriguez getting enough control on the ground to slow him down. With that, Kevin Borjas MoneyLine is the underdog best bet of the week.

Prediction: Borjas by 1st Round KO (Best Bet)

## Edgar Chairez -278 vs. CJ Vergara +220

Tough Flyweights go head-to-head in this featured prelim. Edgar Chairez is a durable finisher with solid power in his striking, which he showed against Joshua Van, and a dangerous choke game. CJ Vergara is a solid wrestler who has proven to be a solid test for prospects over the years although he does come in off two straight losses, with the latest being his first career knockout loss.

I'll go with Chairez to find a finish in this one, with him being the much more dangerous and durable fighter with the size advantage.

Prediction: Chairez by 3rd Round Submission

## Ateba Gautier -455 vs. Jose Medina +330

Interesting matchup here at Middleweight as both men look for their first UFC win. Ateba Gautier is a powerhouse with plenty of knockouts on his record although he is untested, having not faced any real competition, and in his only fight that went to decision, he lost. Jose Medina is a very durable fighter who hasn't shown much in terms of offensive skillset through his Contender Series fight and UFC debut.

At these odds, I'd take Medina, as his durability will likely drag this fight into deep waters where I don't trust the inexperienced Gautier, especially with these fights taking place at altitude.

Prediction: Medina by 3rd Round Submission

## Melquizael Costa +126 vs. Christian Rodriguez -156

Grapplers look to test their skills against one another here at Featherweight. Melquizael Costa is a well-rounded fighter with decent striking and dangerous submissions, as he showed in his recent win over Andre Fili. Christian Rodriguez is a tough fighter with good submission skills and solid boxing, which he has used to turn back several unbeaten prospects, most recently with his impressive win over Austin Bashi.

I'll go with Rodriguez here as I feel he has the skills to match Costa anywhere while being easier to trust from a cardio and durability standpoint. 

Prediction: Rodriguez by Decision

## Julia Polastri +185 vs. Lupita Godinez -238

Strawweight grapplers face off in this interesting prelim matchup. Julia Polastri is a grappler with good submission skills and solid striking on the feet, where she throws a high volume. Lupita Godniez is a strong wrestler with decent boxing who is looking to bounce back from several close losses to top contenders Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba.

I like Godinez here as she has flashed the potential to compete with the top of the division with her well-rounded game which I feel is better than Polastri everywhere.

Prediction: Godinez by Decision

## Rafa Garcia -500 vs. Vinc Pichel +360

Lightweight veterans square off in this one. Rafa Garcia is a decently well-rounded fighter with solid boxing and grappling, although he has struggled when he doesn't have a clear path to victory. Vinc Pichel is a veteran who has competed in the UFC since 2012 with his strong boxing game and constant pressure, although he is now forty-two years old, and has only fought twice since 2021, losing both times.

I'll go with Garcia, as he should be able to get this to the ground as much as he needs to, and his striking is probably better as well.

Prediction: Garcia by Decision

## Jamall Emmers -333 vs. Gabriel Miranda +260

Featherweights looking to bounce back from tough losses go head to head here. Jamall Emmers is a long and skilled boxer with solid power, although his fight IQ is questionable, and he is coming off a first-round knockout loss. Gabriel Miranda is a good submission grappler who has struggled in the UFC, having been finished by Morgan Charriere and Benoit Saint-Denis in lopsided fights.

Emmers should take this one as he has a big advantage in the striking and has the grappling to defend any submission attacks from Miranda.

Prediction: Emmers by Decision 

## Austin Hubbard +155 vs. Marquel Mederos -196

Lightweights looking to build momentum in a deep division open the card with this one. Austin Hubbard is a solid fighter with a well-rounded game, although he can be taken down and controlled and lacks much finishing threat. Marquel Mederos is a striker who comes in off a debut win over Landon Quinones, where he showed good ability to mix it up, although it was a close fight due to his power disadvantage.

I'll pick Hubbard here as I feel neither man possesses a significant finishing threat, and Hubbard has a more well-rounded skillset and has competed against tougher competition.

Prediction: Hubbard by Decision

Cynthia Calvillo