Odds provided by DuelBits accurate as of 11/13/2024

Jon Jones -625 vs. Stipe Miocic +440

Two legends who have been on a collision course for many years will finally meet here for the Heavyweight title. Jon Jones has a reputation as the greatest of all time, and for a reason, he has a near-flawless game with crafty striking and dominant wrestling, although he is off yet another long layoff, which hasn't seemed to be much of an issue for him in the past. Stipe Miocic is back after a very long layoff since his brutal knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in their rematch. Still, when he was active, he was a very skilled boxer with a solid ground game that helped him win and defend the Heavyweight title, a record three times before winning it back and defending it another time.

I can't go against Jones here, as he should have a speed advantage on the feet and a wrestling edge. He also looks to have settled into his frame at this weight even more over the time off.

Prediction: Jones by Decision

Charles Oliveira -256 vs. Michael Chandler +205

Two of the most exciting fighters on the roster face off for the second time in the Lightweight co-main event. Charles Oliveira is one of the most dangerous finishers the sport has ever seen, with world-class jiu-jitsu and knockout power that he displayed the first time these two fought when he landed a left hook and finished Chandler in the second round. Michael Chandler is a stocky and powerful wrestler with massive power in all his limbs, although he has been off for several years since his loss to Dustin Poirier.

The price makes it very tempting to pick Chandler, with their last matchup being lined very closely; however, factoring in Chandler's layoff and the strong recent form of Oliveira, I will pick a repeat of the first fight.

Prediction: Oliveira by 3rd Round Submission

Bo Nickal -1111 vs. Paul Craig +680

One of the biggest prospects in the sport takes a massive step against a tricky veteran in this Middleweight clash. Bo Nickal looks to continue his rapid ascent through the ranks as the highly credentialed collegiate wrestler has finished each of his three UFC opponents with a mix of knockouts and submissions. Paul Craig has always been a very dangerous submission grappler with signature wins over Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill, among many other Light Heavyweight killers.

I'll pick Nickal here despite the odds being completely unplayable straight. His submission prop may have some value as that is how he earns most of his wins, and despite Craig's grappling background, he has been submitted several times.

Prediction: Nickal by 2nd Round Submission

Karine Silva -263 vs. Viviane Araujo +210

A fast finisher who is unbeaten in the UFC takes on her toughest test yet here at Flyweight. Karine Silva has had a perfect four-fight start to the UFC, with three finishes in those wins, showing submission skills that this division has rarely seen. Viviane Araujo is a veteran who has fought many of the best in the division, although her late results have been very lackluster, with her clearly being a step behind the division's best at this stage in her career.

I'm picking Silva here as she has shown serious potential, while Araujo has seen her best days. Silva also holds the finishing upside, with Araujo being very little of a threat to end the fight.

Prediction: Silva by Decision

Mauricio Ruffy -909 vs. James Llontop +560

This is a short-notice clash between exciting Lightweight strikers. Mauricio Ruffy is another fighting nerd who has caught the attention of many since his debut win over Jamie Mullarkey, where he landed many flashy strikes on his way to an early knockout win over the veteran. James Llontop enters this having lost his first two UFC fights, although, in his last performance, he showed his striking skills going to a close decision with the very skilled Viacheslav Borshchev.

This price is insane, so I feel like I have to pick Llontop, as there is no way I see Ruffy as a fighter with the skills to warrant this type of price, even against a short-notice opponent.

Prediction: Llontop by 2nd Round TKO

Jonathan Martinez +112 vs. Marcus McGhee -137

Bantamweights on the rise go head to head, looking to move up in the rankings. Jonathan Martinez is a skilled striker with deadly leg kicks that have finished several UFC opponents, although when opponents can get inside, like Jose Aldo and Davey Grant, he can struggle. Marcus McGhee is a fast-paced brawler who has burst onto the scene, finishing his first three UFC fights inside two rounds with a mix of his relentless striking and opportunistic submission game.

I lean towards McGhee as he continually pushes his way inside, which could cause Martinez problems. However, Martinez is a much more experienced fighter with wins over higher-level opponents.

Prediction: McGhee by Decision

Chris Weidman +101 vs. Eryk Anders -123

A former champion returns against a fellow veteran here at Middleweight. Chris Weidman is a gritty wrestler who worked hard to return from his gruesome leg injury several years ago. Eryk Anders is a tough veteran who has ground out some tough wins, including his last fight, where he came back against Jamie Pickett.

I'll go with Weidman as his wrestling is still good enough that he will have an advantage or, at the very least, be able to nullify Anders there, and the striking is close, but I give Weidman the edge after seeing Anders dropped in his last fight.

Prediction: Weidman by Decision

Jim Miller +142 vs. Damon Jackson -175

Battle-tested Lightweights collide in this fun prelim clash. Jim Miller is one of the most experienced mixed martial artists alive, and he is still going strong, with this being his third fight of the year after two wars with Gabriel Benitez and Bobby Green, where he showed his well-rounded skill set and toughness. Damon Jackson moves up in weight here after losing three of his last four, showing solid grappling and decent volume striking, although little power.

I like Miller as the underdog in this one as I don't believe the move up in weight will help Jackson, who holds no clear advantages over Miller.

Prediction: Miller by Decision

Roberto Romero +650 vs. David Onama -1111

One of a few short-notice bouts goes down here at Featherweight. Roberto Romero steps in for his UFC debut here, having won three of his last four, including a nasty submission in his last fight. David Onama is a deadly striker who is very big for the division and showed a lot of improvement in his ground game against Jonathan Pearce in his last fight.

I'm picking Onama, but this one is an easy pass from a betting perspective as he has been put into tough grappling positions against guys like Garrett Armfield, which makes me hesitate about his skill set, especially at this price.

Prediction: Onama by 1st Round KO

Marcin Tybura -149 vs. Jhonata Diniz +121

A dangerous newcomer on the rise meets a consistent veteran in this Heavyweight prelim. Marcin Tybura is a solid veteran who, somewhat surprisingly, had three straight fights that ended in the first round, which is interesting to me as I see his style is more of a grinding type rather than a finisher, as he has shown in his wins over Alexandr Romanov and Blagoy Ivanov. Jhonata Diniz is a dangerous striker who gets his big fight here after a late pullout from Derrick Lewis weeks ago, although his wrestling game is a real concern, as Austen Lane was able to control him for a round.

Tybura has an obvious path here if he can get this fight to the ground early, which he likely can, as Diniz has shown little to no ability to defend against a grappling attack the level of Tybura's.

Prediction: Tybura by 1st Round Submission

Mickey Gall -139 vs. Ramiz Brahimaj +113

Welterweight grapplers square off here, looking to get back in the win column. Mickey Gall has been a grappler over most of his career, although after returning from injury against Bassil Hafez, he opted for a striking match where he showed some decent striking skills although some deficiencies on defense. Ramiz Brahimaj is a submission specialist coming into this after a terrible showing against Themba Gorimbo after returning from a scary injury that may have taken a lot out of him.

I like Gall here as he has the skills to match or beat Brahimaj on the ground and will be the better striker coming off a far more encouraging performance.

Prediction: Gall by Decision (Best Bet)

Oban Elliott -256 vs. Bassil Hafez +205

Welterweights looking to establish their place in the division face off in this one. Oban Elliot enters this one having won his first two UFC fights, showing clear improvement from one win to the next, with his most recent performance being a very impressive win over Preston Parsons, where he dominated the striking for three rounds. Bassil Hafez is known for his gritty, short-notice war with Jack Della Maddalena, where he showed his wrestling and toughness, but he also has power and solid boxing, as he showed in his win over Mickey Gall earlier this year.

I'll go with Elliott here, although I don't have much confidence at this price as he will have the technical advantage; however, the punching power of Hafez and the image of Elliott hurt badly on Dana White's Contender Series gives me a lot of hesitation.

Prediction: Elliott by Decision