Douglas Vegas Bets

The UFC is back for its yearly trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Vivint Arena, headlined by the promotion's most active champion as Light Heavyweight king Alex Pereira looks to defend his title for a third time this year against Khalil Rountree Jr. I went over that fight and every other matchup on the card to give my predictions and best bets, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by DuelBits accurate as of 10/1/2024**

## Alex Pereira -500 vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. +360

This is a surprising matchup for the Light Heavyweight title in our main event. Alex Pereira has taken his powerful kickboxing style and used it to dominate every opponent thus far during his Light Heavyweight run, which has seen him finish three straight title fights inside two rounds, with two of those finishes coming from his signature left hook. Khalil Rountree Jr. takes a massive step up here after knocking out Anthony Smith late last year to extend his win streak to five, with four coming by finish. However, the one decision against Dustin Jacoby was somewhat disputed, with Rountree being out volumed through most of the fight and not landing anything of major significance.

In my eyes, this is Pereira's fight to lose, as he is on another level with the striking and has been more active against tougher competition than Rountree, who has some tough losses on his record, including Johnny Walker and Marcin Prachnio.

Prediction: Pereira by 1st Round KO

## Raquel Pennington -169 vs. Juliana Pena +137

Bantamweights will finally meet in the octagon with a belt on the line after a decade of buildup since their time on The Ultimate Fighter. Raquel Pennington is on a six-fight win streak, including her title, claiming victory over Mayra Bueno Silva early in the year, where she showed her well-rounded skillset with good boxing, wrestling, and her ability to defend a dangerous submission attack. Juliana Pena is a tough grappler who returns here from several years away since her defeat to Amanda Nunes, where she was dominated for five rounds in the rematch after her shocking upset victory in the first fight between the two.

I like Pennington to win by decision in this one. She has been the more active of the two and should have the advantage everywhere the fight goes, with much better striking and solid wrestling.

Prediction: Pennington by Decision

## Jose Aldo +120 vs. Mario Bautista -147

A legend returns once again to continue a late-career run at Bantamweight. Jose Aldo looks to turn back another up-and-comer here with his high-level boxing and renowned grappling defense, which he proved still holds up despite his age in his last performance against Jonathan Martinez. Mario Bautista has quietly won six straight fights and shown a very strong skill set, including a dangerous ground game that has helped him beat and submit several other solid grapplers. 

I've got Bautista in this one, as he is in his prime, facing a much older and once-retired opponent. I think he will be able to give Aldo trouble with his relentless grappling, especially later in the fight, and take home a decision win.

Prediction: Bautista by Decision

## Kayla Harrison -833 vs. Ketlen Viera +550

The winner of this pivotal matchup at Bantamweight will likely be next in line to fight for the title. Kayla Harrison looks to make another statement after dominating Holly Holm in her UFC debut with her strong grappling base, which she showed by dominating the PFL for years. Ketlen Viera comes into this after having won three of her last four, with the only loss coming to the champion in Raquel Pennington by a split decision, having shown a good ground game and solid boxing at times.

As tempting as the price is, I can't pick against Harrison here. She will have a big edge on the ground and will likely hold top position until the final bell or she finds a finish.

Prediction: Harrison by 2nd Round TKO

## Roman Dolidze +135 vs. Kevin Holland -167

Middleweight finishers face off in this must-see clash. Roman Dolidze returns to Middleweight after a quick trip to take on Anthony Smith up at Light Heavyweight during the summer. He is a hard-hitting puncher who doesn't throw much volume, but he also has a tricky submission game if the fight goes to the ground. Kevin Holland remains active here, facing another tough challenge. He has been inconsistent with his showings, sometimes being controlled on the ground and taking significant strikes with little defense, although he does have good hands and a solid submission game.

I lean Dolidze here as he can land the bigger shots on the feet, get the fight to the ground, and control things from there, as Holland has struggled to wrestle up at this weight.

Prediction: Dolidze by Decision

## Stephen Thompson +160 vs. Joaquin Buckley -200

This is a fun matchup between two exciting ranked fighters at Welterweight. Stephen Thompson has long been known as one of the best strikers in the UFC with his unique karate style, although he has struggled with grappling in the later stages of his career, having lost three of his last four due to being outgrappled. Joaquin Buckley has quickly become a name to watch at this weight, having won his first four fights since moving down from Middleweight, showing dangerous striking and mixing in some wrestling with strong ground and pound.

I'll pick Thompson here, but this one is very tough to call. Generally, I would take the younger fighter with Buckley's wrestling upside, but I feel his blitzing striking style may get him countered by the very experienced Wonderboy Thompson.

Prediction: Thompson by Decision

## Marina Rodriguez +141 vs. Iasmin Lucindo -175

Big test here for a fast-rising prospect at Strawweight. Marina Rodriguez is a high-volume kickboxer with a long reach, although she reacts poorly to damage coming her way, as that was the difference in a close fight with Jessica Andrade earlier this year, and she can be controlled on the ground as was the case against Virna Jandiroba. Iasmin Lucindo has burst onto the scene with several dominant wins already at the early age of twenty-two, having shown powerful striking and a strong ground attack.

I'm taking Lucindo here as I see her as the more powerful and well-rounded fighter who is still improving, while Rodriguez has likely peaked.

Prediction: Lucindo by Decision

## Ihor Potieria +290 vs. Cesar Almeida -385

All-action Middleweights go head-to-head in this exciting matchup. Ihor Potieria is a wild-style striker who has shown a willingness to fight anyone anytime, although he has not had much success in those fights, having won just one of his last four, with all three losses ending inside two rounds. Cesar Almeida is a very experienced kickboxer with dangerous power on the feet, although his wrestling was exposed in his last fight, with Roman Kopylov taking him down and holding him there whenever he wanted.

I'll pick Almeida, as he will have a massive striking advantage, and Potieria has struggled against solid competition.

Prediction: Almeida by 1st Round KO

## Alexander Hernandez -213 vs. Austin Hubbard +170

Lightweights are looking to get back into the win column as they square off in this one. Alexander Hernandez was once a top prospect with his strong wrestling and big punching power, although after some ups and downs, he has found himself moving around in weight and struggling to string together wins. He is back at Lightweight here, where he has looked better, in my opinion which is an encouraging sign. Austin Hubbard is a veteran striker on his second UFC run here who comes into this one off a very controversial decision win over Michal Figlak.

I lean towards Hernandez as he is the more dangerous fighter with a better wrestling game, although his cardio is a concern, especially at altitude.

Prediction: Hernandez by Decision

## Carla Esparza +142 vs. Tecia Pennington -175

The final fight in a storied career goes down here at Strawweight. Carla Esparza makes her final walk here as a two-time champion, having used her wrestling game to overcome a lack of size and power to claim the title. It is worth noting that she has taken a long time away since her last fight to give birth to her child. Tecia Pennington is an experienced striker who comes in having lost two straight very close decisions against high-level grapplers, both of which easily could've gone her way as she was mostly able to keep both fights standing and display a clear advantage on the feet.

I'm going with Pennington here. She has been able to keep it standing in her last two against young contenders in their prime, so I expect she will be able to do the same against Esparza at this stage of her career and have an even bigger striking advantage than she is used to. 

Prediction: Pennington by Decision

## Ovince St.Preux +206 vs. Ryan Spann -241

Light Heavyweights look to finally settle it here after a late cancelation postponed this fight from last month. Ovince St. Preux is a tricky veteran who has hung around with his toughness, striking, and submission game, often leaving opponents wondering what happened. Ryan Spann is a dangerous finisher with good boxing and strong wrestling, although his durability is a concern as he takes punches poorly and struggles to recover.

I have my concerns with Spann, but he is the much younger and more dangerous fighter here, and I see him getting an early finish by overwhelming OSP with power shots.

Prediction: Spann by 1st Round TKO

## Tim Means -200 vs. Court McGee +170

Veteran Welterweights open the card in what should be a fun scrap. Tim Means is a brawler who brings it every time he fights, although he is forty years old and has lost four of his last five, leaving questions about how much is left in the tank. Court McGee is a solid wrestler who has been in the UFC for over a decade, although his time is nearly up as he has lost three straight, including two first-round knockouts, and he has not scored a finish of his own since 2010.

I'll pick Means here as I see him doing the damage and avoiding McGee's wrestling, although, at this price, this fight is an easy pass from a betting perspective with McGee's wrestling upside.

Prediction: Means by Decision

UFC 307 Odds Breakdown

The UFC returns to Paris, France, this weekend with a card full of French fighters ready to represent their country, including headliner Lightweight star Benoit Saint-Denis, who prepares to take on the streaking Brazilian Renato Moicano. I went over each fight on the main card to give my predictions and best bets, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by DuelBits accurate as of 9/26/2024**

## Renato Moicano +220 vs. Benoit Saint-Denis -278

Lightweight contenders clash in our main event. Renato Moicano is a very slick grappler coming off an impressive comeback against Jalin Turner. In that fight, he survived getting dropped in round one to win in the second by getting the fight to the ground and dominating from top mount. Benoit Saint-Denis is a well-rounded and all-action fighter who had finished five straight opponents before losing to Dustin Poirier in a back-and-forth battle earlier this year. In that fight, he showed his strong wrestling early, although his striking defense looked bad as he continued to charge in with reckless abandonment.

I'm taking Saint-Denis to get a knockout here. He is strong enough to force a striking match, and his power and pressure will be too much for Moicano to handle.

Prediction: Saint-Denis by 1st Round TKO

## Nassourdine Imavov -222 vs. Brendan Allen +175

Fast-rising Middleweights, each coming off main event wins, clash in this intriguing matchup. Nassourdine Imavov is a highly skilled striker with good power and timing, but he can be held in clinch positions for longer than he should with some of the grappling skills he has showcased. Brendan Allen has grown to be a solid fighter with his always dangerous grappling and decent striking, although his durability remains a big concern for me as he doesn't react well to big punches.

I've got Imavov in this one. I feel his striking is much better than Allen's, and he will be able to time his big counter shots and eventually find a finish.

Prediction: Imavov by 2nd Round KO (Best Bet)

## William Gomis +235 vs. Joanderson Brito -303

Featherweights looking to break into the rankings go head to head here. William Gomis is a tall kickboxer with solid strikes at range, although his volume is relatively low, and Francis Marshall got him into some very bad spots on the ground. Joanderson Brito is a tank who will come forward and go for the finish from the first second with dangerous power in his hands and a nasty submission game as well.

I'll pick Brito here as although Gomis can have some success striking, I see Brito having a big advantage on the ground and using it to secure a submission win.

Prediction: Brito by 1st Round Submission

## Kevin Jousset +144 vs. Bryan Battle -179

It's a fun matchup here at Welterweight featuring an Ultimate Fighter winner from a few seasons ago. Kevin Jousset is a solid kickboxer who isn't afraid to grapple when he has the advantage, as he did in his UFC debut win over Kiefer Crosbie. Bryan Battle has looked great in his last few fights, showing dangerous power in his striking and using his length well since moving down in weight, although I still have concerns about his wrestling since his loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov, where he was dominated on the ground.

I'm going with Jousset as the underdog here. He can keep it close on the feet and is more likely to succeed in grappling.

Prediction: Jousset by Decision

## Morgan Charriere -714 vs. Gabriel Miranda +460

It's a clash of styles in this Featherweight matchup. Morgan Charriere is a slick kickboxer with a very fun style and a wealth of high-level experience from his time in Cage Warriors, having faced names like Jordan Vucenic and Paul Hughes. Gabriel Miranda is a solid submission grappler coming off his first UFC win, where he scored a quick choke against veteran Shane Young.

This price is high, but I will pick Charriere as I see him avoiding the grappling and slowly breaking down a tough Miranda with his massive striking advantage for a late knockout win.

Prediction: Charriere by 3rd Round TKO

## Fares Ziam -132 vs. Matt Frevola +107

Lightweights kick off the main card in this must-see clash. Fares Ziam enters this matchup on a three-fight win streak, having shown solid improvements to his striking and grappling game since his early days in the UFC. Matt Frevola is a very offensive-minded fighter with solid boxing and strong wrestling, although his defense is sometimes suspect, which is a concern.

I lean towards Ziam here as he is the younger of the two, showing more improvements to his game. I see him having success striking at a distance, avoiding much of Frevola's wrestling threat.

Prediction: Ziam by Decision

UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint-Denis Odds Breakdown

Joey Kolnicki

The UFC visits the Accor Arena in Paris with an outstanding Fight Night card. The entire card is filled with exciting fights, established names, and rising stars. While there are multiple ranked matchups and hot prospects on the main card, the prelims also have some fantastic fights. Of these preliminary bouts, the best matchup may be Bolaji Oki vs. Chris Duncan. 

**This fight takes place in the Lightweight (155 lbs.) division.**

Bolaji Oki has a professional record of 9-1-0 and is on a nine-fight win streak. He has a UFC victory over Timmy Cuamba.

Chris Duncan has a professional record of 11-2-0 and has won four of his last five bouts. He has UFC victories over Yanal Ashmouz and Omar Morales. 

![oki2 (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/877a5901-3e92-42d6-7d16-77980aa7bb00/public "Bolaji Oki fires a right hand at Dylan Salvador. Credit: MMA Junkie.")

Oki is a powerful, technical striker who’s constantly coming forward. He has excellent distance management and can do damage at range and inside the pocket while remaining elusive. He fights behind his jab and tends to counterstrike, looking to draw reactions out of his opponents so he can land strikes. Training with Da Vinci Fighting, his pace increases as the fight continues, and he’ll regularly look to blitz forward and unload heavy hooks and straights. Oki has heavy kicks and power in both hands, remains technical throughout, and won’t load up or telegraph his attacks. He has found four of his six finishes in the first round but carries his power throughout the fight and is always dangerous.

![cduncan3.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/0d9e6a82-bdab-402c-f585-cf06d67e9000/public "Chris Duncan flattens Charlie Campbell with a right hand. Credit: MMA Junkie.")

Duncan is a well-rounded fighter with a solid wrestling game and dangerous power in his hands. He’s constantly pressuring forward, remaining patient, and looking for openings before unloading overhands and hooks. He has one-shot knockout power and can produce a knockout at any moment. Training at American Top Team, Duncan is averaging nearly four takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and has heavy top and clinch control. He’s always working to improve position or land damage when he’s on top. He has great cardio and will push a consistent pace across all fifteen minutes.

![cduncan2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/68431c41-bf69-40d0-6867-5fbda5865f00/public "Chris Duncan lands a stinging right hand on Yanal Ashmouz. Credit: MMA Junkie.")

This is a fight you definitely won’t want to miss.


Verdict's Sleeper Fight of the Week: Oki vs. Duncan

Merab Dvalishvili used his pace and wrestling to control Sean O'Malley over five rounds to claim the Bantamweight belt with a decision win in the UFC 306 main event.

## Result: Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O'Malley via Unanimous-Decision (49-46, 48-47x 2)

It was a wrestling clinic from new champion Merab Dvalishvili, who kept a high pace and repeatedly took down Sean O'Malley over the course of five rounds to claim the title. There was a late scare as Merab appeared to be very hurt to the body after a kick, but he survived to reach the scorecards, where he was victorious.

What did you think of the fight? Let us know in the comments.

Merab Dvalishvili Claims Title in UFC 306 Main Event

Valentina Shevchenko looked dominant in the third fight with Alexa Grasso as she reclaimed her belt with a decision win in the UFC 306 co-main event.

## Result: Valentina Shevchenko def. Alexa Grasso via Unanimous-Decision (50-45x 3)

There was no controversy around the decision this time around, as Valentina Shevchenko used her sharp striking and strong wrestling to reclaim her title. Alexa Grasso did have several submission attempts that seemed very close, but Shevchenko survived all of them.

What did you think of Shevchenko's performance? Let us know in the comments.

Valentina Shevchenko Recliams Title at UFC 306

Diego Lopes showed off his striking skills in a dominant win over Brian Ortega on the UFC 306 main card.

## Result: Diego Lopes def. Brian Ortega via Unanimous-Decision (30-26, 30-27x 2)

From the very beginning of the fight, it was clear Lopes was the superior striker with much heavier hands, dropping Ortega badly in round one and continuing to outstrike him throughout the fight. He was pushing the pace from start to finish, nearly getting the finish in the final minute with big shots and a back take.

What did you think of Lopes' performance? Let us know in the comments.

Diego Lopes Dominates to Decision Win at UFC 306

Esteban Ribovics and Daniel Zellhuber went to war for three straight rounds in an instant classic that ended in a split-decision victory for Ribovics on the UFC 306 main card.

## Result: Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber via Split-Decision (29-28,28-29,29-28)

The first two rounds saw rapid-fire back and forth from both guys, leaving the fight very much up in the air and entering the final round. The start of the final round saw Zellhuber drop Ribovics with an elbow before Ribovics fired back with a huge right hand that had Zellhuber on the ropes for a while, eating a barrage of punches but surviving to see the final bell and let the judges make their decision.

How did you score the fight? Let us know in the comments.

Esteban Ribovics Rallies Late to Win Split Decision Over Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306

After a tough first round, Ronaldo Rodriguez rallied late in the fight to steal a decision over Ode Osbourne to start the main card at UFC 306.

## Result: Ronaldo Rodriguez def. Ode Osbourne via Unanimous Decision (29-27x 2, 29-28)

In the first minute of the fight, Osbourne dropped Rodriguez badly and locked up a triangle choke from the bottom. Several minutes later, Rodriguez escaped and ended the round by eating elbows in guard. The second saw a recovered Rodriguez dominate Osbourne on the ground, landing big shots and nearly getting his own finish. The final round was close, with Osbourne landing more, but Rodriguez seemingly having more effect and ending the round in the top position. 

What did you think of the fight? Let us know in the comments.

Rondaldo Rodriguez Comes Back to Win Decision at UFC 306

This weekend, the UFC makes history by heading to the Las Vegas Sphere for Riyadh Season Noche UFC, headlined by Bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley defending his title against top contender Merab Dvalishvili. I went over that fight and every other fight on this historic card to give my predictions and best bets, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 9/11/2024**

## Sean O'Malley -133 vs. Merab Dvalishvili +109

The main event features a highly anticipated clash between rivals for the Bantamweight title. Sean O'Malley has become one of the biggest names in the sport and looks to make his second title defense here after a very impressive performance against Marlon 'Chito' Vera earlier this year at UFC 299. In that fight, he showed off his incredibly diverse striking attack with flashy kicks, fast hands, devastating knees, and impressive cardio by maintaining a high output over five rounds. Merab Dvalishvili finally challenges for UFC gold here after having some fantastic showings against former champions Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo, where he showed his ability to mix pace and wrestling is unmatched across the entire organization. There are some concerns about his durability, with Marlon Moraes and Cejudo catching him early, and in Moraes's case, he was nearly finished having to run away to create space.

If this fight gets out of the early stages, I see the pressure of Dvalishvili being too much for O'Malley to handle. With the success Petr Yan had wrestling against O'Malley, I expect Dvalishvili to be able to get this fight to the ground early and often to dominate his way to a decision win.

Prediction: Dvalishvili by Decision

## Alexa Grasso -139 vs. Valentina Shevchenko +113

The trilogy will be completed here at Flyweight as the two coaches from the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter look to settle the score once and for all. Alexa Grasso burst onto the scene with her shocking submission win over Shevchenko in the first meeting. She established she was here to stay in the rematch, where she dropped Shevchenko and showed an impressive skillset despite the fight ending in a draw. Valentina Shevchenko was the most dominant champion in the UFC for some time, with it seeming as though nobody was on her level over her nine-fight win streak. She was known for her kickboxing skills early in her run but has shown a lot of development on the ground, having used her skills there to finish challengers like Jessica Andrade and Katlyn Chookagian.

I lean towards Grasso here as she is the much younger fighter who could still be improving, while Shevchenko is likely nearing the end of her run at the top.

Prediction: Grasso by Split Decision

## Brian Ortega +147 vs. Diego Lopes -182

Hopefully, we will finally see these two Featherweights face off in the octagon after a fight day cancellation the last time they were booked. Brian Ortega is a super durable grappling specialist who often has to survive early onslaughts to come from behind and get the win, as he did his last time out against Yair Rodriguez, who dropped him in round one before Ortega took over to get a submission win. Diego Lopes has become a fan favorite with his wild style, which has led him to four straight victories, including three first-round finishes. His last fight with Dan Ige raised some concerns about his cardio, as he looked exhausted in the final round despite being the one with more notice for the fight.

I'll take Ortega here as he is the more defensively responsible fighter with much better cardio and experience against high-level competition. I see him dragging this fight into deep waters and taking over.

Prediction: Ortega by 3rd Round Submission

## Daniel Zellhuber -233 vs. Esteban Ribovics +185

This matchup at Lightweight has Fight of the Night written all over it as two dangerous finishers go head to head. Daniel Zellhuber is a tall and long striker who has clearly improved since a lackluster debut against Trey Ogden, showing his power and output in his last outing, a win over Francisco Prado. Esteban Ribovics is a wild, fast-paced striker with big power, which he showed against Terrance McKinney in his last fight, and a sneaky submission game, particularly a nice kimura. 

I'll go with Ribovics as the underdog here, as I see him being the much higher-output fighter with more knockout power in a fight where one shot can change everything.

Prediction: Ribovics by 2nd Round KO

## Ronaldo Rodriguez -137 vs. Ode Osbourne +111

Flyweights open the main card with this fun matchup. Ronaldo Rodriguez impressed many with his debut win over Denys Bondar, in which he showed his finishing ability by grabbing the choke in round two. Ode Osbourne looks to get back on track here after back-to-back submission losses. He is a skilled and experienced fighter with solid hands and a decent wrestling game, which he used to beat Charles Johnson, although his fight IQ is questionable at times.

I will go with Osbourne here as I'm not sold on Rodriguez being ready for UFC competition yet, and when he cannot finish opponents, he can struggle.

Prediction: Osbourne by Decision

## Irene Aldana -111 vs. Norma Dumont -110

Bantamweights looking to push their way into the title picture go head to head here in the featured prelim. Irene Aldana is a powerful and durable striker coming off a war with Karol Rosa, where she gritted out a tough decision win. Her grappling has given her issues in the past, such as her loss against Holly Holm and her comeback win over Macy Chiasson. Norma Dumont will look to extend her four-fight win streak here in her second appearance since she has moved down in weight. She is fairly well rounded with decent boxing that hurt Chelsea Chandler and solid wrestling as well.

I'll pick Dumont here, but I am not confident. She has the grappling advantage to get it done, although if she is forced to strike for extended periods of time, she could be in trouble.

Prediction: Dumont by Decision

## Manuel Torres -123 vs. Ignacio Bahamondes +101

Up and coming Lightweights square off in this phenomenal matchup. Manuel Torres quickly caught the attention of many fans by finishing six straight opponents in the first round, including his first three UFC appearances with two knockouts and a submission, proving he is dangerous wherever the fight goes. Ignacio Bahamondes is a very tall kickboxer who has grown in the UFC, showing dangerous power in his kicks against Roosevelt Roberts and Christos Giagos. However, his wrestling has been a weak point, as we saw against Ludovit Klein. 

Another tough fight to call here, but I'll go with Torres as he has the grappling upside and is also the more dangerous striker despite the reach disadvantage.

Prediction: Torres by 1st Round Submission

## Yazmin Jauregui -476 vs. Ketlen Souza +350

A very bright prospect will return to action here at Strawweight. Yazmin Jauregui is a very entertaining fighter with a high-paced striking style that has helped her win three of her first four fights in the UFC, including a very impressive debut against Iasmin Lucindo. However, Denise Gomes quickly finished her with a barrage of punches, which raised some concerns. Ketlen Souza comes into this off her first UFC win, although it was against a low-level opponent that she failed to finish. She has shown durability issues throughout her young career, having been finished in all four of her losses. 

I see Jauregui getting a finish in this one. Her striking and power advantage will break Souza as the fight goes on.

Prediction: Jauregui by 2nd Round KO

## Edgar Chairez +180 vs. Joshua Van -227

This is a short-notice clash here at Flyweight. Edgar Chairez is a very tough striker who showed some grappling skills in his last fight against Daniel Lacerda, and he also survived three rounds with the now highly-ranked Tatsuro Taira. Joshua Van steps in here on short notice with not much of a layoff since his knockout loss to Charles Johnson. He was winning that fight going into round 3 and has a very promising skillet with good boxing and a decent ground game despite some past submission defense concerns.

I lean towards Van here, with him having a cardio advantage that I see him using to take this fight down the stretch.

Prediction: Van by Decision

## Raul Rosas Jr. -833 vs. Aoriqileng +540

Bantamweights kick things off with one of the biggest prospects in the sport taking on his next challenge. Raul Rosas Jr. is the youngest fighter in the UFC, but that has not stopped him from winning three of his first four opponents in the organization by stoppage. His submission game is where he really shines, although his striking is dangerous, as well as he showed with his quick knockout win over Terrance Mitchell. Aoriqileng is a solid striker who showed his toughness in his last fight against Daniel Marcos, which ended in bizarre fashion after multiple low blows on both sides. His grappling is questionable, with many of his losses coming from credentialed wrestlers like Cody Durden.

I believe the grappling advantage from Rosas Jr. will be too much for Aoriqileng to overcome. Rosas will get the fight to the ground and score a quick submission win here.

Prediction: Rosas Jr. by 1st Round Submission

UFC 306 Odds Breakdown

ROUNDHOUSE MMA

Almost one year ago, UFC president Dana White attended a U2 concert with former NFL quarterback Tom Brady at the brand-new Sphere in Las Vegas. Dana fell in love with the event's production, and one year later, the UFC will be the first to hold a live sporting event at the Sphere on one of the biggest cards of the year. The event itself is a celebration of combat sports in Mexico, and Dana White refers to the event as "a love letter to the Mexican people." Noche UFC, as the event is subtitled, will contain a vast amount of inclusive features that are specific to the event. This is a one-time event, an event that has a lot of hype around it. Fans are excited to see how the UFC spent $20 million dollars to produce this event, and you will not want to miss this one. 

Ahead of Saturday, what do we know? The UFC has largely kept this event a secret, but Dana White and the production team have revealed glimpses of what to expect ahead of Saturday. Here's a breakdown of everything fans know regarding the production and execution of this event. 

[dana-white-ufc-sphere.jpg.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/74be2a57-76f6-404e-67fb-98074cc4d700/public "Dana White and the UFC production team preview test runs of the Sphere prior to UFC 306. Credit to: Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports")

## Obviously... the FIRST Live Sporting Event Ever at the Sphere

This is monumental. The UFC kept fans engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing "Fight Island," and having fights at the UFC Apex, and now they will be the first to hold a live sporting event at this futuristic venue. Previously, the Sphere strictly held concerts, but this will be the first time we see a combat sports show, let alone sports, at the Sphere. 

## The First Ever 1080p Broadcast in ESPN History

ESPN has never recorded a live broadcast in 1080p, until now. The UFC has always done a spectacular job in producing the event, but UFC 306 will take that production to the next level, and fans will be able to watch the event with crystal clear quality. Dana White says that the goal of this event is to make fans at home feel like they're actually at the Sphere watching the fights. 

## Haptic Seat Feedback

Never been done before, the seats at the Sphere will incorporate "live feedback," which will give fans a whole new experience with watching fights live. The seats will vibrate and respond directly to strikes landed, takedowns, and fight-finishing sequences allowing fans to feel like they are inside the cage. You won't find this in any other arena. 

![Noche_Fight_Kits_20240808_JB_0111_resized.JPG](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/d4d3b49c-ae63-4488-75d7-adc7adc6a700/public "Noche UFC exclusive fighter kits. Credit to: UFC Store/UFC Instagram")

## Special Fight Kits

Venum has produced authentic fight kits specific to this event. The collection itself "symbolizes national pride and cultural heritage." Fighters are given three colors to choose from: red, green, and black, in which the colorways pay tribute to the Mexican flag. Walkout hoodies and shirts will feature primordial Aztec gods at the chest, with various symbols representing Mexican history and culture. Similar symbols will also appear on the fight shorts as well. 

## UFC Event "Rebrand" to Riyadh Season Noche UFC

The original UFC events, such as UFC 12: Judgement Day, for example, had names tied to the event. We have never seen anything like this until this weekend, but the UFC has granted a sponsor the title partner status. UFC 306 will be rebranded to Riyadh Season Noche UFC. 

## Octagon Girls

All eight octagon girls for this weekend's card have Mexican ties. Six are Mexican-born, and two will be second-generation Mexicans. 

## A Different Level of Production

The production level for this event will be out of this world. Fans in attendance can listen to live audio for the whole event in Spanish if they choose to. The UFC has also hired award-winning directors and producers to help this event follow through. These people have worked on high-caliber events like Taylor Swift concerts, the Super Bowl, and the Oscars, and have won multiple Emmys, Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammys. Dana White has stated that he would like this event to be nominated for, and potentially win a similar award. Multiple production trucks have been added to help execute this event, and will just add to the level of preparation and execution for this event.

As for the event itself, Dana White has talked a lot about how the fights will play out inside the Sphere. Dana wanted to highlight the Sphere, but not take anything away from the fights while they are going on. Before each fight at Noche UFC, the audience will be taken through a historical journey on the combat sports history of Mexico. The Sphere will display segments of six 90-second clips, known as "films," and will start in the past, and end in the future. These films will only take place prior to each fight, and when there is action inside the cage, the films will transition into different "worlds" that will take up the gigantic LED screens around them. 

## A Record-Breaking Gate and PPV Numbers

Noche UFC has already broken the record for the largest gate in UFC history, surpassing more than $23 million dollars in revenue. This card surpassed other large events in the UFC's history like UFC 229, UFC 205, and UFC 300. This event is also trending to break records pay-per-view-wise, and this has the potential to become one of the biggest PPV events of all time, surpassing UFC 229 headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. 

![Downloader-La-789776.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/56e48edb-5079-43a5-f14f-7d335947fa00/public "Dana White discusses with Laura Sanko following Dana White's Contender Series. Credit to: Chris Unger of Getty Images/Zuffa LLC.")

## Finally... Easter Eggs? And a Prize?

Dana White revealed Tuesday night following Dana White's Contender Series that various Easter eggs will be hidden throughout the six 90-second movies that will play in between fights. Dana did not reveal anything regarding the specifics of these "Easter Eggs," but has told the media and fans that a $25,000 prize will be given to a viewer that is able to decipher these hidden eggs. Fans will surely be more engaged and tuned into the event than ever before. 

With the event in just a few days, Noche UFC has become a once-in-a-lifetime event. Whether you are at the Sphere itself or watching at home, the overall goal and theme of this event is to celebrate the achievements of Mexican fighters like Cain Velasquez, Brandon Moreno, and Alexa Grasso, and for the UFC the show its appreciation for the Mexican people. This show represents the future of how a live sporting event can be played out. 



Joel Álvarez