Odds provided by DuelBits accurate as of 12/2/2024

Alexandre Pantoja -263 vs. Kai Asakura +210

The Flyweight title is on the line in our main event as a new challenger arrives from a different organization. Alexandre Pantoja has dominated the division for years with a ridiculous amount of wins against top ten opponents, having used his insane pressure mixed with world-class grappling and a granite chin to break every fighter across from him. Kai Asakura joins the UFC as the Rizin champion known for his exciting style and dangerous knockout power, although he has lost when facing UFC-caliber opposition before, like Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi.

I like Pantoja here as he is the much superior grappler with the defensive skills and durability to avoid allowing the big shots from Asakura to change the fight.

Prediction: Pantoja by 2nd Round Submission

Shavkat Rakhmonov -370 vs. Ian Garry +280

Undefeated Welterweights are looking to lay claim to the next shot at Belal Muhammad's title clash in this incredible co-main event matchup. Shavkat Rakhmonov is an absolute monster who is massive for the division while having finished every opponent he has ever faced using his powerful and technical striking along with a deadly submission attack. Ian Garry is a highly skilled striker who showed his well-rounded game last time out as he used his ground game to take down Michael 'Venom' Page.

I'm taking Garry at these odds, as he has the skills to keep Rakhmonov at a distance and win a striking battle while controlling the range using his straight shots.

Prediction: Garry by Decision

Ciryl Gane -345 vs. Alexander Volkov +265

Rematch here at Heavyweight between two top contenders looking to enter the conversation for a shot at the title. Ciryl Gane is a fast kickboxer with great movement for the division, although his ground game remains a serious concern, with Francis Ngannou taking him down repeatedly and Jon Jones quickly subbing him. Alexander Volkov looks for revenge here after winning his last four fights, with three coming by way of finish, having shown he is more than a striker with a submission win over Tai Tuivasa.

I got Gane getting it done again here, as I see him still being the much cleaner striker, and I don't see the grappling becoming enough of a factor to change the last result.

Prediction: Gane by Decision

Bryce Mitchell -667 vs. Kron Gracie +450

Featherweight grapplers collide here with classic wrestling, taking on a legendary family member in the Jiu-Jitsu world. Bryce Mitchell returns after a year off since his brutal knockout loss to Josh Emmett, looking to show that his wrestling is still a threat to the top of the division, as he did in his wins over Dan Ige and Edson Barboza. Kron Gracie is an incredibly dangerous submission artist who will look to rebound from back-to-back losses here after struggling to get opponents to the ground with him in his last two games against Charles Jourdain and Cub Swanson.

I'll take the chance on Gracie here as although his last performances don't inspire confidence, Mitchell has a style that will play into Gracie's strengths on the ground, and at this price, I will go with Gracie to catch Mitchell in a submission.

Prediction: Gracie by 1st Round Submission

Nate Landwehr -143 vs. Doo Ho Choi +117

Featherweights, both known for putting on a show, open the main card here in this explosive matchup. Nate Landwehr is an always entertaining fighter with decent kickboxing and solid submission skills as well, although he is very hittable on the feet, as David Onama and Herbert Burns made him pay for. Doo Ho Choi is a powerful and technical boxer who hasn't been consistently active, but when he does get in the cage, he gets results as he did last time out by becoming just the second man to finish Bill Algeo with strikes.

I like Choi here as he is the much cleaner and harder-hitting striker who I see hurting Landwehr and avoiding grappling before eventually finding a knockout finish.

Prediction: Choi by 2nd Round KO

Anthony Smith +260 vs. Dominick Reyes -333

Former title challengers square off here at Light Heavyweight. Anthony Smith is a well-rounded fighter, and he showed solid submission skills against Vitor Petrino, although his cardio and pace have been bad lately, especially in his loss to Roman Dolidze. Dominick Reyes bounced back in his last fight by scoring a first-round knockout over Dustin Jacoby, showing he still has the power that once brought him as close as any man has been to beating Jon Jones before he suffered several knockout losses in a row.

Reyes looked sharp against Jacoby and proved that the power is still in his hands, while I question if there is anything left in Anthony Smith after watching his recent fights, so I'll go with Reyes to get another knockout win here.

Prediction: Reyes by 1st Round TKO

Vicente Luque +136 vs. Themba Gorimbo -167

Dangerous Welterweights go head to head in this interesting matchup. Vicente Luque is a violent finisher who has struggled recently since a brutal beat down from Geoff Neal, although at his best, he remains a powerful puncher with a nasty submission game. Themba Gorimbo steps in for a big opportunity here after a couple of wins over Ramiz Brahimaj and Niko Price, where he used his decent control grappling to get the decision.

I've got Luque here, as even in his current form, I believe he should be the favorite over a fighter like Gorimbo, who has not impressed me so far in his UFC run.

Prediction: Luque by 2nd Round TKO

Movsar Evloev -263 vs. Aljamain Sterling +210

Featherweight grapplers, each near the top of the line for a title shot, face off in this fantastic prelim clash. Movsar Evloev is an undefeated grappler with an impressive skill set, as he has shown in wins over tough opponents like Dan Ige, Diego Lopes, and Arnold Allen. Aljamain Sterling looks to continue his run for a second title here after a win over Calvin Kattar in his debut at this weight proved that his strength and grappling skills translated up a division.

I'm going with Evloev to get another decision here as I see him as the better striker with the grappling skills to nullify Sterling or have his own success there.

Prediction: Evloev by Decision (Best Bet)

Randy Brown +180 vs. Bryan Battle -227

Must see matchup here between two showmen at Welterweight. Randy Brown is a slick striker with a long reach for the division that he uses well offensively, although his defense leaves much to be desired as his hands are often down, and his chin is not very good. Bryan Battle has begun to make noise in the division as he is coming off what should be four stoppage wins in a row, showing the ability to drown opponents with his pressure on the feet or take them out early like he did with Takashi Sato and Gabe Green.

I like Battle to get another finish here, as he has been on a roll and will not give Brown the space he likes to operate with, which I believe will lead to him landing a big shot and finishing the fight.

Prediction: Battle by 2nd Round TKO

Chris Weidman -110 vs. Eryk Anders -111

After a last-minute cancellation a few weeks ago, Middleweights will meet now. 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

Cody Durden +128 vs. Joshua Van -156

Fun to watch Flyweights, who have been calling each other's names for some time now, square off in this one. Cody Durden is a very active wrestler coming off a finish over Matt Schnell and a loss to Bruno Silva, where he looked incredible until he was finished. Joshua Van is a young up-and-comer with a fun style that has produced some exciting wins, as it did at the Sphere in his wild fight with Edgar Chairez.

I lean towards Van here as although Durden may have a grappling advantage, I give Van the finishing upside, and he is younger, meaning he is more likely to improve his game.

Prediction: Van by 3rd Round TKO

Michael Chiesa +108 vs. Max Griffin -133

Veteran Welterweights look to show they still have some in the tank here. Michael Chiesa is a strong wrestler who comes in off a first-round finish of Tony Ferguson, which was his first win since early 2021. Max Griffin is a powerful boxer who still has the skills to compete at a high level, as he showed in his loss to the highly touted Michael Morales when he gave the undefeated prospect a difficult time.

I'm taking Griffin here as Chiesa has not looked great since coming back from a major back injury, and Griffin still has the power to make him pay if he moves as slowly as he has looked.

Prediction: Griffin by 1st Round TKO

Clay Guida +620 vs. Chase Hooper -1000

Lightweight grapplers from different generations battle here early on the prelims. Clay Guida is a gritty veteran with solid wrestling, although it is clear his best days are behind him at age forty-two with twenty-one finish losses. Chase Hooper has looked great since moving up to Lightweight, having shown his grappling skills are good enough and improving his striking enough to drop Viacheslav Borshchev, a credentialed kickboxer.

Hooper should be able to handle this test easily as he has Guida beat everywhere and is much younger and less weathered.

Prediction: Hooper by 2nd Round Submission

Kennedy Nzechukwu -556 vs. Lukasz Brzeski +390

Heavyweights open the card here. Kennedy Nzechukwu is a big brawler who makes a quick turnaround from his debut at this weight, where he finished Chris Barnett in the first round. Lukasz Brzeski has struggled to find consistent success in the UFC, having lost four of his five fights, having shown lackluster striking skills and not much grappling either.

This should be another easy win for Nzechukwu, although after seeing how he performed as this type of favorite against Ovince St. Preux, I would advise people to avoid adding him to their parlays.

Prediction: Nzechukwu by 1st Round KO