Odds provided by DuelBits accurate as of 3/6/2025

Alex Pereira -122 vs. Magomed Ankalaev +100

The long-awaited clash of the two best Light Heavyweights in the world is finally upon us. Alex Pereira is an incredibly powerful kickboxer who has knocked out his last four opponents, with three being former champions, although his grappling is very basic, having shown nothing more than the ability to hold opponents in guard. Magomed Ankalaev is a very technically sound fighter with strong striking that he used to break down Aleksandar Rakic in his last fight and a wrestling game that proved strong against Jan Blachowicz in the later stages of that fight.

I'm taking Ankalaev here as I feel he is not very outmatched on the feet and will have the option to mix in the grappling while also being five years younger. This is also the best price we have ever gotten on Ankalaev across his career, and with that, Magomed Ankalaev Moneyline is this week's best bet of the week.

Prediction: Ankalaev by 3rd Round KO (Best Bet)

Justin Gaethje +135 vs. Rafael Fiziev -167

It's a short notice Lightweight rematch between two of the most violent men in the division. Justin Gaethje is a dangerous striker known for big knockouts and devastating leg kicks, although he has taken a lot of damage over his career and is coming off a very rough knockout loss to Max Holloway. Rafael Fiziev looks for revenge here, and he will do so with his Muay Thai style, which has always looked strong early in fights, although his cardio has been inconsistent.

I like Fiziev to take the win this time as although he is coming off an injury he has been prepared to return for some time and he is the much younger and less weathered fighter who was a larger favorite last time these two met.

Prediction: Fiziev by 1st Round KO

Jalin Turner +104 vs. Ignacio Bahamondes -128

Two very tall Lightweights square off in this interesting matchup. Jalin Turner is a striker with real one-shot power, but he struggles when facing adversity, as he did against Renato Moicano and Dan Hooker. Ignacio Bahamondes is a skilled kickboxer who is coming off a breakout performance against Manuel Torres, where he showed improved defense and fantastic counter striking.

I'll go with Bahamondes here, as I trust him more if the fight gets extended and he has more momentum coming in having won five of his last six, while Turner has lost three of his last four.

Prediction: Bahamondes by 3rd Round KO

Amanda Lemos +112 vs. Iasmin Lucindo -137

Strawweights on the verge of title contention go head to head here. Amanda Lemos is one of the most powerful women in the division with, the ability to finish at any time, although her ground game has let her down on several occasions. Iasmin Lucindo is a young and well-rounded fighter who has quickly made her way to the top of the division and is coming off a win over Marina Rodriguez, where she showed her skills on the ground.

I lean towards Lucindo here as she is the younger fighter and Lemos has consistently struggled against fighters with strong ground games like Lucindo has shown.

Prediction: Lucindo by Decision

King Green +370 vs. Mauricio Ruffy -500

Exciting Lightweights open the main card in what should be a fun one. King Green is known for his hands-down, high-volume boxing style which has kept him in or near the rankings late into his career, although his chin has looked suspect lately, and Paddy Pimblett finished him quickly. Mauricio Ruffy has quickly become a very popular prospect with his slick striking style that has earned him two impressive wins to start his UFC career.

I'll pick Ruffy to get a finish in this one as he has the power to do real damage to an aging Green. Although I could see Green making this a close fight if his durability holds up so at these odds this fight is a pass from a betting standpoint.

Prediction: Ruffy by 1st Round TKO

Curtis Blaydes -345 vs. Rizvan Kuniev +260

Heavyweight finishers look to make a statement here in the featured prelim. Curtis Blaydes is one of the best wrestlers in the division and has solid striking, although at times, he is too comfortable striking, and his durability has failed him several times. Rizvan Kuniev makes his debut here as a decently well-rounded fighter with an overturned win against Renan Ferreira in the PFL.

At these odds, it's tough to trust Blaydes with his history, but I feel he is the better fighter anywhere the fight goes with a lot more high-level experience, so I'll go with Blaydes to get a finish.

Prediction: Blaydes by 2nd Round TKO

Rei Tsaruya +155 vs. Joshua Van -189

Young Flyweight prospects collide in this fun matchup. Rei Tsaruya is an undefeated grappler coming off a debut win over Carlos Hernandez, where he was tested in a back-and-forth fight. Joshua Van is a strong striker who has competed with solid UFC competition already and proven to be dangerous, showing much improved grappling defense in his win over Cody Durden.

I'll go with Van to defend the grappling and do more damage on the feet although with his tendency to start slow I could see this turning into a close fight if Tsaruya can get the grappling going early.

Prediction: Van by Decision

Brunno Ferreira +122 vs. Armen Petrosyan -149

Exciting Middleweight strikers square off in this interesting clash. Brunno Ferreira is a wild and dangerous fighter, with all his wins coming by finish, including a devastating spinning elbow against Dustin Stoltzfus. Armen Petrosyan is a kickboxer who has proven a solid test for rising prospects with his wins over Gregory Rodrigues and Christian Leroy Duncan.

I'm picking Petrosyan here as he is the much more technical striker who I see winning the minutes of this fight, although the finishing upside is firmly on the side of Ferreira.

Prediction: Petrosyan by Decision

Alex Morono +520 vs. Carlos Leal -769

Veteran Welterweights look to build momentum here. Alex Morono has always been a solid and consistent fighter, although he has slowed down over time, and he has always had durability issues. Carlos Leal comes in off an impressive UFC debut where he should've gotten the win over a tough Rinat Fakhretdinov with his solid grappling defense and hard-hitting striking.

Leal should handle business and get a finish here, as he is in his prime while Morono is on the way out. Still, this betting line offers no value.

Prediction: Leal by 2nd Round TKO

Mairon Santos -323 vs. Francis Marshall +250

Up-and-coming Featherweights square off here in this solid prelim matchup. Mairon Santos comes in after winning his season of The Ultimate Fighter, where he showed a patient and dangerous kickboxing game along with strong takedown defense. Francis Marshall is a young and well-rounded fighter with strong wrestling and a striking game that helped him finish Marcel Rojo back in his UFC debut.

I like Marshall as a big underdog here as I feel if he can make this an ugly fight where he forces a lot of grappling exchanges he can out work Santos despite being at a striking disadvantage.

Prediction: Marshall by Decision

Chris Guttierez -106 vs. John Castaneda -115

Usual Bantamweights clash here on short notice up at Featherweight. Chris Guttierez is a solid veteran who steps in here, he is known for his leg kicks, which have given lots of opponents serious trouble. John Castaneda was meant to fight last week but shifts to a new opponent now after the late cancellation, he is a high pace grappler who has basic striking but can be hittable.

I lean towards Castaneda here, as I feel he will be the one pressing the action with the grappling upside.

Prediction: Castaneda by Decision

Ozzy Diaz +155 vs. Djorden Santos -189

Middleweights, each looking for their first UFC win, open the card here. Ozzy Diaz is a dangerous finisher who is looking to bounce back from a debut that saw him suffer a third knockout loss in his career, showing his kill-or-be-killed style. Djorden Santos makes his debut off an impressive upset win over Will Currie on Dana White's Contender Series.

I'll pick Santos in this one as he is the much more responsible fighter who has taken less damage and is coming off a win over someone who many would consider a tougher opponent.

Prediction: Santos by 2nd Round TKO