Odds provided by BetOnline.ag accurate as of 2/15/2024 9:15 AM EST

Alexander Volkanovski -126 vs. Ilia Topuria +106

One of the most highly anticipated fights in the sport goes down in our main event for the Featherweight title. Alexander Volkanovski is one of the most well-rounded fighters we have ever seen, with elite footwork and speed, although there is concern with him coming off a knockout loss and reaching an age few champions maintain past. Ilia Topuria is a guy I have been incredibly high on throughout his UFC run with an incredible ground game that he can use to ragdoll opponents, and he has now developed top-tier boxing to help showcase his unbelievable punching power.

I am on Topuria all the way here, he is an elite talent catching Volkanovski at the perfect time and I believe he will get the finish and establish himself as one of the biggest stars in the sport.

Pick: Topuria O/U: Under 3.5 +100

Robert Whittaker -250 vs. Paulo Costa +210

The co-main event at Middleweight features must-see action between two fighters with a history of winning the fight of the night. Robert Whittake will look to bounce back from his brutal loss to Dricus Du Plessis here, that showing was bad but we all know that at his best Whittaker is a phenomenal striker with phenomental timing and speed. Paulo Costa returns here after being away for over a year yet again; despite his inactivity, he is still a monstrous powerhouse with a solid defensive ground game to go with that.

I've got Whittaker to bounce back and get this one done either late or by decision, as Costa is pretty durable, but I expect Whittaker to put some punishment on him here.

Pick: Whittaker O/U: Over 2.5 -150

Geoff Neal +199 vs. Ian Machado Garry -234

This Welterweight matchup looks to finally take place after several issues getting into the octagon for each fighter. Geoff Neal is a tough out for anyone, as he proved against the dominant Shavkat Rakhmonov when he gave the unbeaten contender the most trouble we have seen using his powerful boxing attack. Ian Machado Garry has remained undefeated through his young career, showing some great things like the ability to maintain a high pace and strike with power; his chin is a concern, though, as despite not having lost yet, Song Kenan had him hurt badly in the first round of their matchup and a higher level opponent may have found the finish.

I'm going with Neal to get the upset victory despite having been very high on Garry throughout his run thus far; the price on a guy as good as Neal is too good to pass up with Garry's lack of experience against top contenders.

Pick: Neal O/U: Under 2.5 +109

Merab Dvalishvili -222 vs. Henry Cejudo +187

Bantamweight wrestlers will test their skills against one another in the octagon here. Merab Dvalishvili is a cardio machine with a nonstop wrestling attack that can be impossible to overcome. Henry Cejudo has adapted a unique style for MMA using his Olympic wrestling and a karate striking attack that he has used to claim championships in two weight classes, although that was before he took several years off.

I like Dvalishvili to win a decision here as he will have a significant advantage in pace and volume that I don't see Cejudo being able to keep up with at his age.

Pick: Dvalishvili O/U: Over 2.5 -300

Anthony Hernandez -260 vs. Roman Kopylov +220

It's a middleweight clash of styles here to open the main card. Anthony Hernandez is a smothering grappler with a nasty submission game and a great pace; his durability is a slight concern, with him having been finished quickly. Roman Kopylov is a powerful and skillful kickboxer coming off four straight knockout wins, although he has been dominated in the grappling before against Albert Duraev and Karl Roberson.

I've got Hernandez to use his grappling and dominate this one, as we have yet to see if any improvements have been made on the Kopylov side, and even if there have been any, it may not be enough.

Pick: Hernandez O/U: Under 1.5 +135

Amanda Lemos -135 vs. Mackenzie Dern +115

Ranked Strawweight finishers face off in this exciting clash of styles. Amanda Lemos is a powerful puncher coming off a tough loss to Weili Zhang, where she struggled to have much success against the dominant champion. Mackenzie Dern is a high-level submission artist, but her wrestling is not on that level yet as she struggles to get fights to the ground, and when she doesn't, her striking is sloppy, as she showed against Jessica Andrade in her knockout loss.

I have gone back and forth on this one, but I'll pick Lemos; if she keeps this one standing long enough, she will likely find the knockout.

Pick: Lemos O/U: Under 2.5 -135

Marcos Rogerio de Lima -143 vs. Justin Tafa +123

Heavyweight powerhouses clash here on the prelims in this fantastic matchup. Marcos Rogerio de Lima is well-rounded for this division with a decent submission game and power in his punches, although there is some concern with him nearing forty years old and coming off an early knockout loss. Justin Tafa is a durable power puncher, with all of his UFC wins coming in round one; one problem is he doesn't have much of a ground game to speak of.

I like de Lima here as he is much more well-rounded, and his last fight has dropped the value on him here compared to what it would be.

Pick: de Lima O/U: Over 1.5 +130

Rinya Nakamura -1200 vs. Carlos Vera +750

Another big spot for a very talented prospect at Bantamweight. Rinya Nakamura has looked phenomenal during his time with the UFC, showing an explosive ground game and fight-ending punching power. Carlos Vera gets a UFC opportunity here despite not having fought since losing on The Ulitmate Fighter; he is a slick-moving striker, although he lacks much power behind his strikes, having more finishes with his submission game than by knockout.

Nakamura should dominate here using his ground game. I could see him getting a finish late, but it likely goes to a decision.

Pick: Nakamura O/U: Over 1.5 -135

Mingyang Zhang -120 vs. Brendson Ribeiro +100

Light Heavyweight power punchers square off after each scoring big upsets in their last fights. Mingyang Zhang is a big, athletic fighter who swings power into every shot; he invests in bodywork well but can be taken down and controlled. Brandon Ribeiro is a wild fighter who swings big, leaving his chin open, and sells out on the ground for submissions when he can; this makes him a must-see but hard to trust.

I lean towards Ribeiro as he can grapple if he tries to, but I can't trust either of these two with my money based on what I've seen.

Pick: Ribeiro O/U: Under 1.5 -300

Josh Quinlan +182 vs. Danny Barlow -212

Explosive Welterweight finishers collide here. Josh Quinlan is a very tough and dangerous fighter as he can find the finishing in several ways, mainly with the big knockout power in his hands. Danny Barlow debuts here off Dana White's Contender Series with plenty of hype around him as he has lights-out punching power; however, I feel he still needs to round out his game a bit more before he is ready for high-level competition as he is very inexperienced and has shown he can be taken down and controlled.

I'll go with Quinlan here as he is very durable and has the ground game to cause Barlow problems there, not to mention punching power of his own.

Pick: Quinlan O/U: Over 1.5 -137

Val Woodburn +260 vs. Oban Elliott -310

Welterweights who are looking to make an impression face off here. Val Woodburn looks to make a right on a tough debut against Bo Nickal, where he was quickly knocked out; he is back at his normal weight here, where he is undefeated as a pro. Oban Elliott makes his debut here off a wild comeback on the Contender Series, where he showed his heart and ability to maintain a consistent pace, although it did show some holes in his defense.

At these odds, I have to pick Woodburn, as, despite his rough last showing, I can't justify Elliott being this large a favorite over anyone.

Pick: Woodburn O/U: Under 2.5 -170

Andrea Lee +160 vs. Miranda Maverick -185

Flyweight veterans kick off this stacked card of action in this one. Andrea Lee looks to get back on track, having lost three straight. Miranda Maverick is looking to work her way back into big opportunities like she has had before, with close matchups against Maycee Barber and a win over Gillian Robertson on her resume.

I'll pick Maverick to get the win here, as I give her the wrestling and striking advantage.

Pick: Maverick O/U: Over 2.5 -325

DougLasVegasBets.net Plays

Ilia Topuria

Geoff Neal by TKO/KO

Merab Dvalishvili by decision

Robert Whittaker + Over 1.5

Anthony Hernandez + Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo Fight Goes The Distance.