Douglas Vegas Bets

The UFC is back this weekend, headlined by Heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis as he takes on undefeated prospect Tallison Teixeira live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. I went over every fight on the card to give my predictions, including the Underdog Best Bet of the Week, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 7/7/2025**

## Derrick Lewis +215 vs. Tallison Teixeira -270

Heavyweights headline here in a matchup almost certain not to last all five rounds. Derrick Lewis has long been known for his insane knockout power, which has often made up for a lack of technical skill. Tallison Teixeira takes a massive jump in competition here after showing his fast finishing skills translated to the UFC when he finished his debut against Justin Tafa in just thirty-five seconds.

I'll take Teixeira to get another finish in this one, as he may not have the experience of Lewis, but his physical advantages, combined with Lewis inevitably slowing down with age, make me like Teixeira more here.

Prediction: Teixeira by 1st Round KO

## Stephen Thompson +300 vs. Gabriel Bonfim -400

Clash of styles sees a veteran battle with a fast-rising prospect here at Welterweight. Stephen Thompson is a highly skilled kickboxer who has consistently looked much faster than his opponents on the feet, even in his forties, although his durability has diminished, and he has struggled to defend against grappling as he once did. Gabriel Bonfim is a dangerous finisher who has demonstrated a submission game that can end things quickly, and against Ange Loosa, he appeared to have overcome the cardio issue that cost him the fight against Nicolas Dalby.

I see Bonfim securing a submission win here, as he has a massive advantage in grappling, and he has shown he can submit good defensive grapplers before, as he just became the first to finish Khaos Williams by submission in his last fight.

Prediction: Bonfim by 1st Round Submission

## Calvin Kattar +100 vs. Steve Garcia -122

Featherweight strikers look to put on a show in this can't-miss matchup. Calvin Kattar is a tough and skilled striker who has shown that he has a nasty side if a fight gets dirty, as was the case against Giga Chikadze and Max Holloway, both of which were five-round wars. Steve Garcia is a dangerous striker who hunts the finish early, but often leaves himself open to taking big shots as well, which has led to him being finished by lower-level competition in the past.

I took Kattar as the slight underdog here, as despite his recent results, he has proven to be more durable and defensively responsible than Garcia while still carrying similar knockout power that has been proven against tougher competition.

Prediction: Kattar by 2nd Round TKO

## Nate Landwehr +205 vs. Morgan Charriere -263

A fun matchup here at Featherweight, as a fan favourite looks to get back on track. Nate Landwehr is a gritty fighter with a high pace and well-rounded skills, although his defense is not great, and he is now thirty-seven, having taken a lot of damage. Morgan Charriere is a skilled striker who attacks the body well, especially with his kicks, and has gained valuable experience from his days in Cage Warriors, having fought notable opponents like Paul Hughes and Jordan Vucenic.

Charriere should take this one, as he is the younger guy with much cleaner and more effective striking, who is also strong enough in grappling to determine where this fight will take place comfortably.

Prediction: Charriere by Decision

## Vitor Petrino -714 vs. Austen Lane +480

Heavyweights looking to find their footing square off in this one. Vitor Petrino makes the move up in weight here after struggling against tougher competition at Light Heavyweight despite showing good power in his hands and some offensive grappling skill. Austen Lane is an athletic guy for his weight, with a solid wrestling attack, although he doesn't take damage well, often going down from one big shot.

At some point, Petrino is likely to land a knockout blow and finish Lane here; however, this price is far too much to consider betting after some of the recent stunts we have seen from Petrino.

Prediction: Petrino by 1st Round TKO

## Junior Tafa -169 vs. Tuco Tukkos +139

Finishers collide in this fun Light Heavyweight showdown. Junior Tafa is a hard-hitting kickboxer with real knockout power, although his game lacks much technique, which has often left him falling behind opponents when he can't land early. Tuco Tukkos is a brawler who looks for his first UFC win here after coming up short against tough prospects Navajo Stirling and Oumar Sy, which exposed some issues with his ground game and ability to compete with high-level strikers.

I lean towards Tafa here, as he is younger and much more dangerous, but I don't have much confidence in him, given how poorly his grappling has looked at times.

Prediction: Tafa by 1st Round KO

## Chris Curtis -313 vs. Max Griffin +245

Veteran Welterweights square off in this fun prelim matchup. Chris Curtis moves back down to this weight for the first time in his UFC career here after having some success against tough competition with his slick boxing and strong takedown defence. Max Griffin is a tough, hard-hitting boxer who has proven he can be a tough test on the feet for anyone, as he was for contender Michael Morales not long ago.

I'm going with Griffin at these odds, as he has proven himself to be a tough out for any striker at this weight. Curtis, meanwhile, struggled when cutting this much before the UFC, when he was much younger, which raises questions about the logic behind the move down in weight.

Prediction: Griffin by Decision

## Jake Matthews +124 vs. Chidi Njokuani -152

Welterweights looking to extend their win streaks clash here. Jake Matthews is a well-rounded fighter with a wealth of experience, although he often leans on his boxing alone in fights where he has advantages in other areas. Chidi Njokuani is a tall and powerful striker with good kicks and elbows; however, he can be low-volume at times, and his cardio at this weight is a concern.

I've got Matthews as the underdog here, as he is much younger, yet still has more experience. Additionally, I believe he'll be the higher-volume fighter as the fight progresses, thanks to his clear cardio advantage, and he has all the grappling upside. With that, Jake Matthews is this week's Underdog Best Bet of the Week.

Prediction: Matthews by Decision (Best Bet)

## Lauren Murphy +440 vs. Eduarda Moura -625

Former title challenger returns here to face an up-and-coming finisher at Flyweight. Lauren Murphy is a tough veteran with a well-rounded game who returns here after more than two years since the last time she entered the octagon. Eduarda Moura looks to build off her first UFC win here after she moved up in weight and used her strong ground game to beat Veronica Hardy last November.

I'll pick Moura here, as she has proven to be a solid prospect, and I don't have high hopes for what we'll get from Lauren Murphy after such a long layoff, now that she is over forty years old.

Prediction: Moura by Decision

## Kennedy Nzechukwu -213 vs. Valter Walker +170

Heavyweights looking to push their way into the wide-open rankings collide here. Kennedy Nzechukwu is a big striker who comes in having finished his first two fights at this weight, both by first-round knockout. Valter Walker also comes in having finished his last two fights in the first round, although he submitted both of his opponents with his now signature heel hook.

I lean towards Nzechukwu in this one, as I feel he is athletic enough to defend takedowns and is the much better striker, with more high-level experience. 

Prediction: Nzechukwu by Decision

## Mike Davis -1000 vs. Mitch Ramirez +600

Lightweights looking to get back in the win column face off in this one. Mike Davis is a well-rounded athlete with explosive striking and high-level grappling who has been in some real wars, although his game plan against Fares Ziam looked awful, which raises some concerns. Mitch Ramirez comes in with a crazy story as a good boxer with strong leg kicks, although he has struggled against higher-level competition, having been finished by Thiago Moises and Carlos Prates in his toughest fights.

I like Davis to find a submission win here, as he has been working more with his grappling lately, and Ramirez hasn't faced a submission threat of this level.

Prediction: Davis by 2nd Round Submission

## Fatima Kline -1667 vs. Melissa Martinez +860

A top prospect at Strawweight gets another chance to showcase her skills here. Fatima Kline is a skilled and dangerous striker who comes in off her first UFC win, where she finished Victoria Dudakova in the second round with ground and pound, showcasing a well-rounded game. Melissa Martinez is also a striker coming off her first UFC win, although she has not shown that she struggles with grapplers as she did in her last fight before the UFC against Desiree Yanez.

Kline is going to dominate here, as she has proven her striking to be sharp and dangerous, even against top-level competition, along with having a massive grappling advantage in this matchup.

Prediction: Kline by 3rd Round TKO


UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira Odds Breakdown

Odds are out for the Middleweight title fight between champion Dricus Du Plessis and undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev. This fight is scheduled for August 16th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 7/1/2025**

## Current Odds: Dricus Du Plessis +139, Khamzat Chimaev -179

These odds mean a risk of $100 on Dricus Du Plessis could win $139, and you would need to risk $179 on Khamzat Chimaev to win $100

Du Plessis will look to make his third title defence here after defeating Sean Strickland in a dominant decision at UFC 312. Chimaev finally looks to claim the title many have thought he would for a long time, following his most recent win, a quick submission of former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.

## Past Odds: Dricus Du Plessis

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Dricus Du Plessis (-200) vs. Sean Strickland (+170) UFC 312 - Win

Dricus Du Plessis (-110) vs. Israel Adesanya (-110) UFC 305 - Win

Dricus Du Plessis (-110) vs. Sean Strickland (-110) UFC 297 - Win

Dricus Du Plessis (+262) vs. Robert Whittaker (-312) UFC 290 - Win

Dricus Du Plessis (-200) vs. Derek Brunson (+185) UFC 285 - Win

## Past Odds: Khamzat Chimaev

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Khamzat Chimaev (-225) vs. Robert Whittaker (+190) UFC 308 - Win

Khamzat Chimaev (-360) vs. Kamaru Usman (+285) UFC 294 - Win

Khamzat Chimaev (-570) vs. Kevin Holland (+480) UFC 279 - Win

Khamzat Chimaev (-450) vs. Gilbert Burns (+400) UFC 273 - Win

Khamzat Chimaev (-400) vs. Li Jingliang (+355) UFC 267 - Win

## Full Card Odds

Dricus Du Plessis +139 vs. Khamzat Chimaev -179, Middleweight

Who are you picking in this much-anticipated Middleweight title fight? Let us know in the comments.

Betting Odds: Dricus Du Plessis Underdog vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319

Middleweight veterans are set to square off in a main event as Robert Whittaker will take on Reinier de Ridder, and the odds are out. This matchup is scheduled for July 26th from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 7/1/2025**

## Current Odds: Robert Whittaker -159, Reinier de Ridder +125

These odds mean you would need to risk $159 to win $100 on Robert Whittaker, and a risk of $100 on Reinier de Ridder could win $125

Whittaker looks to get back on track here after a tough result against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308, where he was submitted in the first round. Reinier de Ridder looks to continue his perfect UFC run after his massive upset victory against Bo Nickal, which was his third finish already with the promotion.

## Past Odds: Robert Whittaker

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Robert Whittaker (+190) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (-225) UFC 308 - Loss

Robert Whittaker (-115) vs. Ikram Aliskerov (-105) UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov - Win

Robert Whittaker (-230) vs. Paulo Costa (+195) UFC 298 - Win

Robert Whittaker (-312) vs. Dricus Du Plessis (+262) UFC 290 - Loss

Robert Whittaker (-192) vs. Marvin Vettori (+177) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa - Win

## Past Odds: Reinier de Ridder

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Reinier de Ridder (+285) vs. Bo Nickal (-350) UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo - Win

Reinier de Ridder (-135) vs. Kevin Holland (+115) UFC 311 - Win

Reinier de Ridder (-285) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (+245) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates - Win

## Full Card Odds

Robert Whittaker -159 vs. Reinier de Ridder +125, Middleweight

Shara Magomedov -385 vs. Marc-Andre Barriault +280, Middleweight

Who are you picking in this matchup of Middleweight veterans? Let us know in the comments.

Betting Odds: Robert Whittaker Slight Favorite Over Reinier de Ridder for UFC Abu Dhabi

Odds are out for the final fight in the legendary career of Lightweight legend Dustin Poirier as he is set to take on Max Holloway for the BMF title at UFC 318. This matchup is scheduled for July 19th from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 7/1/2025**

## Current Odds: Max Holloway -118, Dustin Poirier -108

These odds mean you would need to risk $118 on Max Holloway to win $100, and you would need to risk $108 on Dustin Poirier to win $100

Holloway makes the full-time move up to Lightweight here after another attempt to reclaim the Featherweight title fell short as he lost to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308. This will be the final fight of the storied career of Dustin Poirier, with his most recent being a tough submission loss to Islam Makhachev back at UFC 302.

## Past Odds: Max Holloway

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Max Holloway (+230) vs. Ilia Topuria (-270) UFC 308 - Loss

Max Holloway (+135) vs. Justin Gaethje (-155) UFC 300 - Win

Max Holloway (-750) vs. Chan Sung Jung (+450) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Korean Zombie - Win

Max Holloway (-155) vs. Arnold Allen (+145) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen - Win

Max Holloway (+165) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (-175) UFC 276 - Loss

## Past Odds: Dustin Poirier

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Dustin Poirier (+485) vs. Islam Makhachev (-660) UFC 302 - Loss

Dustin Poirier (+185) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (-220) UFC 299 - Win

Dustin Poirier (-148) vs. Justin Gaethje (+128) UFC 291 - Loss

Dustin Poirier (-210) vs. Michael Chandler (+190) UFC 281 - Win

Dustin Poirier (-125) vs. Charles Oliveira (+115) UFC 269 - Loss

## Full Card Odds

Max Holloway -118 vs. Dustin Poirier -108, Lightweight

Ateba Gautier -417 vs. Robert Valentin +290, Middleweight

Marvin Vettori +205 vs. Brendan Allen -270, Middleweight

Adam Fugitt +380 vs. Islam Dulatov -588, Welterweight

Neil Magny +225 vs. Gunnar Nelson -303, Welterweight

Who are you picking in this epic trilogy matchup? Let us know in the comments.

Betting Odds: Max Holloway Narrowly Favored Against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318

The odds are out for the next UFC main event as fan favorite Derrick Lewis is set to take on the undefeated Tallison Teixeira. This matchup is scheduled for July 12th at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. 

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 7/1/2025**

## Current Odds: Derrick Lewis +205, Tallison Teixeira -278

These odds mean a risk of $100 on Derrick Lewis could win $205, and you would need to risk $278 on Tallison Teixeira to win $100

This will be Lewis's second straight main event against someone ranked below him, with his last fight being a knockout win over Rodrigo Nascimento. Tallison Teixeira takes a big step up here after making quick work of Justin Tafa in his debut back at UFC 312.

## Past Odds: Derrick Lewis

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Derrick Lewis (-162) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (+142) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento - Win

Derrick Lewis (+395) vs. Jailton Almeida (-520) UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis - Loss

Derrick Lewis (+181) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (-211) UFC 291 - Win

Derrick Lewis (+275) vs. Serghei Spivak (-305) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivak - Loss

Derrick Lewis (+137) vs. Serghei Pavlovich (-147) UFC 277 - Loss

## Past Odds: Tallison Teixeira

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Tallison Teixeira (-153) vs. Justin Tafa (+133) UFC 312 - Win

Tallison Teixeira (-950) vs. Arthur Lopes (+650) Dana White's Contender Series 2024 Week 6 - Win

## Full Card Odds

Derrick Lewis +205 vs. Tallison Teixeira -278, Heavyweight

Stephen Thompson +290 vs. Gabriel Bonfim -417, Welterweight

Vitor Petrino -769 vs. Austen Lane +460, Heavyweight

Calvin Kattar +112 vs. Steve Garcia -143, Featherweight

Junior Tafa -185 vs. Tuco Tukkos +144, Light Heavyweight

Nate Landwehr +195 vs. Morgan Charriere -256, Featherweight

Lauren Murphy +390 vs. Eduarda Moura -588, Flyweight

Fatima Kline -1667 vs. Melissa Martinez +750, Strawweight

Jake Matthews -108 vs. Chidi Njokuani -118, Welterweight

Chris Curtis -323 vs. Max Griffin +235, Welterweight

Kennedy Nzechukwu -213 vs. Valter Walker +160, Heavyweight

Mike Davis -1000 vs. Mitch Ramirez +560, Lightweight

Who are you picking in this clash of Heavyweights? Let us know in the comments.

Betting Odds: Derrick Lewis Underdog in Main Event Matchup with Tallison Teixeira

UFC 317 is live from the T-Mobile Arena, headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira for the Lightweight title. Follow along with the results all night right here.

## Prelims

## Heavyweight Bout: Jhonata Diniz vs. Alvin Hines

**Result:** Jhonata Diniz def. Alvin Hines via Decision (Unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) - Round 3, 5:00

## Welterweight Bout: Niko Price vs. Jacobe Smith

**Result:** Jacobe Smith def. Niko Price via Submission (Rear-Naked-Choke) - Round 2, 4:03

## Lightweight Bout: Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Terrance McKinney

**Result:** Terrance McKinney def. Viacheslav Borshchev via Submission (Guillotine) Round 1, 0:55

## Women's Flyweight Bout: Viviane Araujo vs. Tracy Cortez

**Result:** Tracy Cortez def. Viviane Araujo via Decision (Unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Round 3, 5:00

## Featherweight Bout: Hyder Amil vs. Jose Delgado

**Result:** Jose Delgado def. Hyder Amil via TKO (Knee and Punches) - Round 1, 0:26

## Middleweight: Jack Hermansson vs. Gregory Rodrigues

**Result:** Gregory Rodrigues def. Jack Hermansson via KO (Left Hook) Round 1, 4:21

## Main Card

## Bantamweight Bout: Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima

**Result** Payton Talbott def. Felipe Lima via Decision (Unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Round 3, 5:00

## Lightweight Bout: Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano

**Result:** Beneil Dariush def. Renato Moicano via Decision (Unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Round 3, 5:00

## Flyweight Bout: Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van

**Result:** Joshua Van def. Brandon Royval via Decision (Unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Round 3, 5:00

## Flyweight Title Bout: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France

**Result:** Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Kara-France via Submission (Rear-Naked-Choke) Round 3, 1:55

## Lightweight Title Bout: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira

**Result** Ilia Topuria def. Charles Oliveira via KO (Right Straight- Left Hook) Round 1, 2:27

UFC 317 Results

The UFC has a stacked card of PPV action going down this weekend for International Fight Week, headlined by the Lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira. The official weigh-ins took place today, here are the results.

## Main Card 10 PM EST

**Lightweight Title Fight:** Ilia Topuria (155) vs. Charles Oliveira (154.5)

**Flyweight Title Fight:** Alexandre Pantoja (125) vs. Kai Kara-France (125)

**Flyweight:** Brandon Royval (125.5) vs. Joshua Van (125.5)

**Lightweight:** Beneil Dariush (156) vs. Renato Moicano (156)

**Bantamweight:** Payton Talbott (136) vs. Felipe Lima (135.5)

## Prelims 7 PM EST

**Middleweight:** Jack Hermansson (185.5) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (186)

**Featherweight:** Hyder Amil (145.5) vs. Jose Delgado (145.5)

**Flyweight:** Viviane Araujo (125.5) vs. Tracy Cortez (126)

**Lightweight:** Terrance McKinney (156) vs. Viacheslav Borshchev (155)

**Welterweight:** Niko Price (170.5) vs. Jacobe Smith (170.5)

**Heavyweight:** Jhonata Diniz (257.5) vs. Alvin Hines (259.5)

UFC 317 Weigh-In Results

Liam Lindsay

The 2025 PFL World Tournament continues with **PFL 7: Edwards vs. Silveira**, featuring Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, Bantamweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight semifinal bouts. The fighters hit the scales ahead of Friday’s event at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Below are the official weigh-in results followed by this evening’s bout order.

## Main Card

**Middleweight (Semifinal):** Fabian Edwards (**186 lbs**) vs. Josh Silveira (**185.5 lbs**)

**Light Heavyweight (Semifinal):** Phil Davis (**206 lbs**) vs. Sullivan Cauley (**205.6 lbs**)

**Bantamweight (Non-tournament):** Sergio Pettis (**134.2 lbs**) vs. Raufeon Stots (**135.8 lbs**)

**Middleweight (Semifinal):** Dalton Rosta (**185.4 lbs**) vs. Aaron Jeffrey (**185.6 lbs**)

**Light Heavyweight (Semifinal):** Antônio Carlos Júnior (**205.6 lbs**) vs. Simeon Powell (**205.8 lbs**)

## Prelims

**Heavyweight (Semifinal):** Valentin Moldavsky (**264.4 lbs**) vs. Alexander Romanov (**264.4 lbs**)

**Lightweight (Showcase):** Baggio Ali Walsh (**155.8 lbs**) vs. Ronnie Gibbs (**155.4 lbs**)

**Heavyweight (Semifinal):** Oleg Popov (**249.2 lbs**) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (**257 lbs**)

**Light Heavyweight (Alternate):** Karl Albrektsson (**204.6 lbs**) vs. Rafael Xavier (**205 lbs**)

**PFL 7: Edwards vs. Silveira** airs live tonight from Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The prelims stream on **ESPN+** at **8:30 p.m. ET**, with the main card airing on **ESPN and ESPN+** at **10:30 p.m. ET**.

PFL 7: Edwards vs. Silveira Weigh-In Results

Dana White has announced that the main event for this year's UFC Noche will be a Featherweight matchup between ranked contenders Diego Lopes and Jean Silva. This fight is scheduled to take place on September 13th from the Frost Bank Arena in San Antonio, Texas.

## Announcement: Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva Featherweight Main Event

Both of these men last competed at UFC 314, where they saw different results. Lopes was on the wrong end of a decision in the main event as he lost a competitive fight with champion Alexander Volkanovksi. Silva earned his first win over a ranked opponent as he dominated Bryce Mitchell before finishing him with a submission in the second round.

Who is your early pick in this Featherweight banger? Let us know in the comments.

Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva Announced as UFC Noche Main Event

It is International Fight Week, and the UFC has a stacked card of PPV action to celebrate, headlined by former Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria moving up to face former Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant Lightweight title. I went over that matchup and every other fight on this deep card to give my predictions, including the Underdog Best Bet of the Week, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 6/24/2025**

## Ilia Topuria -500 vs. Charles Oliveira +360

The next Lightweight champion will be crowned in our main event. Ilia Topuria has taken over the sport with his incredible Featherweight run, which saw him utilize his elite boxing skills to knock out both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway while showcasing his grappling and five-round cardio in other fights against Bryce Mitchell and Josh Emmett. Charles Oliveira is one of the most dangerous finishers in UFC history, boasting a nasty and diverse submission game, as well as aggressive Muay Thai striking with knockout power in his punches.

I believe Topuria gets it done early in this one, as his boxing is as sharp and powerful as it gets, while his ground game is quietly also extremely high-level, giving me confidence that he can defend the submission if need be. At the same time, Oliveira often takes a lot of damage early, which is a recipe for disaster against a finisher of Topuria's caliber.

Prediction: Topuria by 1st Round KO

## Alexandre Pantoja -256 vs. Kai Kara-France +205

A dominant champ looks to continue his reign against his most dangerous challenger yet here in a rematch nine years in the making at Flyweight. Alexandre Pantoja is a relentless pressure fighter with world-class grappling, including an outstanding ability to take the back and finish from there, along with an iron chin that helps make up for his sometimes poor striking defense. Kai Kara-France is a big puncher with serious power and good combinations that he consistently throws deep into fights, along with a very high takedown defense percentage, which held up against strong grapplers like Askar Askarov.

I'll take Kara-France as the underdog here, as he has the defensive grappling to keep this fight on the feet for long periods, where he'll have a chance to land his big shots and do more damage.

Prediction: Kara-France by 1st Round TKO

## Brandon Royval +100 vs. Joshua Van -122

The top contender spot is on the line in this fun short-notice clash at Flyweight. Brandon Royval is an all-action finisher with good volume striking and a dangerous submission game, although he is hittable on the feet and reacts poorly to big shots at times. Joshua Van has quickly become a notable name in the sport thanks to his impressive activity and high-paced striking style, which has led to Van often overwhelming his opponents with damage but also getting hurt badly in fights, such as against Kevin Borjas, Edgar Chairez, and his loss to Charles Johnson.

I'm going with Van here, as I see his speed and boxing giving Royval trouble. However, I expect chaos in this matchup, which leaves a lot of room for wild moments to swing the fight in either direction.

Prediction: Van by 3rd Round TKO

## Beneil Dariush -101 vs. Renato Moicano -120

Lightweights who were initially set to fight in January will now face off after a wild fight-day opponent switch caused their last matchup to fall through. Beneil Dariush returns from a long layoff here after suffering several first-round knockout losses, although when on his game, he is a phenomenal grappler with good power in his hands. Renato Moicano looks to bounce back after losing to Islam Makhachev earlier this year, and he will do so with his high pace kickboxing and body lock takedowns into strong top control. 

It is hard to trust either guy in this matchup, but I am going to pick Dariush as I feel he is the more dangerous striker with the grappling defense to force exchanges on the feet. 

Prediction: Dariush by 2nd Round TKO

## Payton Talbott +155 vs. Felipe Lima -192

A matchup of highly touted Bantamweight prospects is set to open our main card. Payton Talbott returns after his first loss, where Raoni Barcelos exposed issues with his grappling, although he remains a patient and dangerous striker who is very young and likely to make improvements. Felipe Lima is a fun and well-rounded fighter who maintains a high pace with his striking and effectively mixes in takedowns, often leading to submissions.

I lean towards Lima here, as he has a clear path to victory with his grappling advantage. That being said, Talbott is the better and more dangerous striker, giving me some pause with this pick. 

Prediction: Lima by Decision

## Jack Hermansson +170 vs. Gregory Rodrigues -213

Middleweight veterans square off here in this fun-featured prelim. Jack Hermansson is a tricky fighter with decent boxing and wrestling skills, which, paired with his cardio, can wear down opponents as he did to Joe Pyfer and Edmen Shahbazyan. Gregory Rodrigues is a powerhouse striker who throws caution to the wind, unleashing huge shots at his opponents, which cost him last time out as he slowed down after being unable to finish Jared Cannonier. 

I'm picking Rodrigues here as I see his power and pressure being too much for Hermansson, who possesses very little finishing ability.

Prediction: Rodrigues by 2nd Round TKO

## Hyder Amil +148 vs. Jose Delgado -182

All action strikers collide in this must-see Featherweight prelim. Hyder Amil is an undefeated brawler who loves to keep a high volume right in his opponent's face, leading to often wild exchanges where Amil has proven very durable and powerful. Jose Delgado is a long striker with good power that led to a first-round knockout of Connor Matthews in his debut, although he has also shown a willingness to mix in the grappling.

I'll take Delgado here as he is the younger guy with a longer reach that he can use to avoid the wild pocket exchanges, and he has the offensive grappling upside.

Prediction: Delgado by Decision

## Viviane Araujo +205 vs. Tracy Cortez -263

Flyweights looking to work their way into contention go head to head in this prelim clash. Viviane Araujo is a seasoned veteran who has competed against some of the best in the division over the years, showcasing good striking skills that helped her secure a win over Karine Silva in her last outing. Tracy Cortez is a skilled wrestler who has also demonstrated solid boxing skills in fights, as seen in her win over Jasmine Jasudavicius.

I'll go with Cortez here as she is the more well-rounded fighter who is seven years younger.

Prediction: Cortez by Decision

## Terrance McKinney -179 vs. Viacheslav Borshchev +145

Don't blink during this matchup of Lightweight finishers who can end things in a hurry. Terrance McKinney is the epitome of 'kill or be killed,' as he has demonstrated the ability to finish solid competition early, as seen in his wins over Matt Frevola and Fares Ziam; however, he also tends to fall apart in fights when extended past the first round, as was the case against Nazim Sadykhov and Sean Woodson. Viacheslav Borshchev is a technical kickboxer with nasty body shots who has demonstrated considerable toughness, having fought through a difficult second round to draw against Nazim Sadykhov.

I bet Borshchev here, as he has shown he can survive in tough spots many times before, which he may have to if he gets taken down early, and McKinney has consistently collapsed when facing adversity. With that, Viacheslav Borshchev MoneyLine is this week's Underdog Best Bet of the Week.

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

## Sedriques Dumas +139 vs. Jackson McVey -172

Short notice matchup here between two fun Middleweights looking to build momentum. Sedriques Dumas is a well-rounded fighter who has shown decent striking and developed a significantly improved ground game since his early UFC days. Jackson McVey debuts here with six wins, all coming in the first round having shown a good submission attack and solid power, although he has not faced any legitimate competition.

I'm going with Dumas here, as this is a massive jump in competition, and I'm not confident, based on what I've seen, that McVey belongs at the UFC level.

Prediction: Dumas by Decision

## Jhonata Diniz -313 vs. Alvin Hines +230

Heavyweight finishers go head-to-head here early on the card. Jhonata Diniz is a hard-hitting kickboxer with real knockout power, but his ground game has looked awful when tested, as seen in his last fight against Marcin Tybura. Alvin Hines makes his debut here as an undefeated finisher with a strong top game, although he has not faced any remotely difficult competition, leaving many questions about how those skills hold up against better opposition.

I'll pick Diniz, as we have seen him compete against top-level competition and prove he is a threat, while we have not yet seen Hines tested in the cage by any serious opposition.

Prediction: Diniz by 1st Round KO

## Niko Price +850 vs. Jacobe Smith -1667

Bigtime prospect opens the card here at Welterweight against a tough veteran. Niko Price is a scrappy veteran with some impressive knockouts, although he has clearly declined with age, having struggled even against lower-level competition. Jacobe Smith is one of my favorite prospects in the sport, as he comes in off a UFC debut where he showcased his explosive power early; he also has high-level wrestling credentials that he has effectively translated to the octagon.

Smith is going to make a statement here with what I expect to be another first-round knockout win on his record.

Prediction: Smith by 1st Round KO

Nicolle Caliari