Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 10/23/2024

Ilia Topuria -263 vs. Max Holloway +205

My most anticipated fight in a long time goes down in our main event for the Featherweight title. Ilia Topuria is an offensive juggernaut with insane one-punch knockout power in his hands that he sets up with his crisp boxing technique and a ground game that is not to be slept on. Max Holloway is one of the most popular fighters in the UFC, and not just because he's a great guy, it's also because he is one of the most consistently entertaining fighters ever with a high volume kickboxing style that features almost unmatchable output, although little defense which has always been made up for by his granite chin.

I see Topuria consistently landing big power shots on the feet throughout this one, maintaining a solid pace as he did against Josh Emmett and taking home a clear decision win. However, a knockout wouldn't shock me with how hard Topuria hits.

Prediction: Topuria by Decision

Robert Whittaker +200 vs. Khamzat Chimaev -256

The co-main event is an intriguing matchup at Middleweight, which will likely produce a title challenger. Robert Whittaker is a former champion with an incredible resume, having used his high-level striking and takedown defense to remain near the top of the division since he entered it, although there are some durability questions after multiple finish losses. Khamzat Chimaev is an all-action wrestler with a nasty ground-and-pound-and-submission game that he has used to dispose of many opponents quickly; however, when they survive, he has faded later in fights, with those having been just three rounds.

It's easy to forget how insane Chimaev has looked because of the inactivity, but he has been unstoppable when he is healthy. If he returns in that form, I have difficulty seeing Whittaker survive long enough to gain momentum.

Prediction: Chimaev by 1st Round KO

Magomed Ankalaev -370 vs. Alekandar Rakic +275

Top Light Heavyweights will clash here in this high-stakes matchup. Magomed Ankalaev is a fighter who has been thought to be the best in this division by some with his high-level striking and solid wrestling attack, although he has shown his flaws, having struggled with leg kicks against Jan Blachowicz. Aleksandar Rakic is an explosive kickboxer with fast kicks at range; he looked great in his last fight against Jiri Prochazka until he got caught in round two and could not recover.

I lean towards Ankalaev as my pick, but the price is far too much to make a bet on him, so I will instead play the fight to go the distance, as both men are rather durable and have plenty of experience going the distance.

Prediction: Ankalaev by Decision

Lerone Murphy -256 vs. Dan Ige +200

An unbeaten Featherweight faces another tough challenge as he looks to move up the rankings. Lerone Murphy comes into this one off a breakout performance against Edson Barboza, where he dominated a striking battle with the veteran for five rounds, showing his boxing skills and high output. Dan Ige is a battle-tested veteran ready to take on any challenge on a moment's notice, as he did earlier this year, taking on Diego Lopes on just hours' notice and going three hard rounds, showing his insane durability and power.

I've got Murphy to take a decision here, as I see him as the higher-output fighter on the feet with the ability to mix in the wrestling game if he chooses. However, Ige has proven nearly impossible to finish, so I bet the decision prop to lower the price on Murphy.

Prediction: Murphy by Decision (Best Bet)

Shara Magomedov -167 vs. Armen Petrosyan +136

Middleweight strikers are set to go head-to-head in this must-see matchup. Shara Magomedov has caught the attention of many with his flashy, kick-heavy style that has helped him win his first three UFC fights, although his wrestling remains a concern, with Bruno Silva finding a lot of success there late in that matchup. Armen Petrosyan is a solid kickboxer who has proven a tough test for many at this level, earning wins over names like Gregory Rodrigues and Christian Leroy Duncan.

I'll go with Petrosyan here, as he is a much more proven fighter who has only lost to grapplers during his UFC run and will have the skill to deal with Magomedov's kicks.

Prediction: Petrosyan by Decision

Ibo Aslan -102 vs. Raffael Cerqueira -119

Light Heavyweight finishers are set to face off here. Ibo Aslan is a dangerous finisher early in fights, and he avenged his only career loss in his last fight by knocking out Anton Turkalj with a big right hand after a back-and-forth battle. Raffael Cerqueira makes his debut here as an undefeated finisher, having ended ten of his eleven wins inside the distance, although he has yet to face any serious competition, leaving many questions.

I'm picking Cerqueira as although he has not proven much at this level, I am not very high on Aslan, and Cerqueira has proven very dangerous at the least.

Prediction: Cerqueira by 2nd Round KO

Geoff Neal -313 vs. Rafael dos Anjos +240

Veteran Welterweights square off in this fun prelim clash. Geoff Neal is a hard-hitting striker with good hands and a deadly head kick to go with a solid counter-wrestling game. Rafael dos Anjos is a former Lightweight champion who has undoubtedly seen his best days, but he remains a very well-rounded fighter capable of mixing his skills to give opponents trouble.

I like Neal here as his takedown defense has always been very solid, and I give him a clear striking advantage against the much older opponent.

Prediction: Neal by 3rd Round TKO

Myktybek Orolbai -323 vs. Mateusz Rebecki +250

Two interesting Lightweights to watch battle here, looking to establish their place in the division. Myktybek Orolbai has made a strong impression in just two UFC fights, showing a dominant wrestling game. Mateusz Rebecki has yet to achieve the success that many expected him to have when he joined the UFC, although he has proven dangerous with finishes over Loik Radzhabov and Roosevelt Roberts, showing both knockout power and submission skills.

I'll go with Orolbai here. He should have an advantage on the ground and in the cardio that gives him a clear path to victory.

Prediction: Orolbai by Decision

Abus Magomedov -139 vs. Brunno Ferreira +114

Middleweights looking to build off wins square off in this one. Abus Magomedov is a tall kickboxer who showed some decent wrestling to get the win his last time out, although his cardio remains a concern, with him having faded as his fights have gone on several times. Brunno Ferreira has been a brawler in his wild UFC run, with all his fights ending with a first-round knockout and him being victorious three of the four times.

I lean towards Magomedov here. Both guys have durability issues, but Magomedov is the cleaner striker with a better ground game and more experience when fights get extended.

Prediction: Magomedov by 2nd Round TKO

Kennedy Nzechukwu -625 vs. Chris Barnett +420

An always fun character returns in this Heavyweight clash. Kennedy Nzechukwu is a tough and dangerous striker who has had some strong UFC showings, like his wins over Carlos Ulberg and Ion Cutelaba, but he comes into this having lost his last two. Chris Barnett is as fun to watch as it gets, throwing, spinning, and jumping kicks, although he has been out for several years now and is getting up there in age, leading to significant concerns.

I'm going with Nzechukwu to get the knockout here, as despite his inconsistency, Barnett is now thirty-eight years old and has not fought in over two years.

Prediction: Nzechukwu by 2nd Round TKO

Farid Basharat -625 vs. Victor Hugo +440

Two up-and-coming Bantamweights square off in this fun prelim matchup. Farid Basharat is a solid grappler, having wrestled his way to wins over solid competition like Taylor Lapilus and Da'Mon Blackshear. Victor Hugo is a counterstriker with plenty of experience outside of the UFC.

This price makes it very tempting to take Hugo, but I'll pick Basharat as I see him as the more active fighter who uses his ground game to take rounds.

Prediction: Basharat by Decision

Bruno Silva +133 vs. Ismail Naurdiev -164

These Middleweights desperately need a win as they clash here. Bruno Silva is a veteran striker who has been tested against some of the best the division offers, although he has looked rough lately, losing five of his last six fights. Ismail Naurdiev returns to the UFC up a weight class after a Welterweight stint several years ago, where he saw some success but not enough to remain with the promotion.

I'll pick Naurdiev here with him being the much younger fighter who I feel is more likely to improve going into this fight while Silva is likely to continue his decline.

Prediction: Naurdiev by Decision

Rinat Fakhretdinov -256 vs. Carlos Leal +200

Short notice replacement keeps this Welterweight fight on the card. Rinat Fakhretdinov is a strong wrestler with awkward but powerful striking, although his cardio has sometimes been questionable. Carlos Leal makes his UFC debut here after earning two first-round knockout wins following his stint with the PFL, where he saw mixed success.

I lean towards Fakhretdinov here as he is relentless with his ground attack and has been preparing for a fight.

Prediction: Fakhretdinov by Decision