Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 8/12/2025

Dricus Du Plessis +185 vs. Khamzat Chimaev -233

The Middleweight title is on the line in our high-stakes main event. Dricus Du Plessis is an awkward and dangerous finisher with damaging striking, a powerful grappling game, and numerous championship appearances. Khamzat Chimaev is a dominant grappler who has made a habit of running through opponents early, although he did dig deep to win the final round against Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman.

I'm going with Chimaev to secure another early finish, as Du Plessis often uses his athleticism to get himself out of bad spots, which Chimaev can capitalize on with his nasty submission game. I could also see Khamzat having success striking early, as he has real power and sharp, straight punches.

Prediction: Chimaev by 1st Round Submission

Lerone Murphy +155 vs. Aaron Pico -192

An unbeaten Featherweight looking to stamp his place at the top of the division takes on a highly touted newcomer in this interesting co-main event. Lerone Murphy is a fast striker with good boxing and movement, as he showed in a clean performance against Josh Emmett his last time out. Aaron Pico debuts here with a lot of hype behind him, as he has long been considered one of the top prospects in MMA, boasting a high-level background in both boxing and wrestling and solid experience in Bellator.

I lean towards Pico here, as he is the younger and more powerful fighter who has the skills to match Murphy everywhere. However, this being his UFC debut is a slight concern as debuants from other organizations have struggled recently.

Prediction: Pico by Decision

Geoff Neal +200 vs. Carlos Prates -250

Welterweight strikers who have been booked to face each other before will finally settle things here. Geoff Neal is a tough brawler with good boxing and a sneaky high kick, although he has had some inconsistent performances and health issues. Carlos Prates is a long striker who stalks his opponents and lands his powerful left hand, although he was hesitant to throw at times in his last fight with Ian Garry.

I'll go with Prates here, as I see his length giving Neal issues in what will be a striking match where neither man backs down.

Prediction: Prates by Decision

Jared Cannonier +155 vs. Michael Page -192

Fun matchup here between Middleweight strikers with a lot of great fights on their records. Jared Cannonier is a tough veteran who has been tested against some of the best in the division, proving he can hold his own on any night, although he is now forty-one years old, which is cause for some concern. Michael Page is a one-of-a-kind striker with his hands-down karate style that has given many opponents trouble throughout the years.

I'm picking Page in this one as I believe his speed is going too much for Cannonier, who has been hurt or dropped in each of his last four fights, and his age is only becoming more concerning as time passes.

Prediction: Page by Decision

Tim Elliott +240 vs. Kai Asakura -313

Clash of styles in this fun Flyweight scrap to open the main card. Tim Elliott is a high-paced grappler with a funky style who returns here after two years away since his first-round submission win over Sumudaerji. Kai Asakura is an explosive striker who looks to bounce back after losing his UFC debut in a matchup with the champion Alexandre Pantoja, where Asakura landed some nice strikes early but couldn't hold off the grappling of the champ.

I think Asakura gets on track here, as he is much younger and more athletic, along with Elliott coming off a substantial layoff.

Prediction: Asakura by 3rd Round TKO

King Green +123 vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira -152

Lightweight veterans go head to head in this featured prelim. King Green is a hands-down high-volume boxer who looks to bounce back here after several quick-finish losses to Paddy Pimblett and Mauricio Ruffy. Carlos Diego Ferreira is a well-rounded veteran with good scrambles on the ground and strong striking, as shown in his knockout of Michael Johnson.

I lean towards Green as the underdog here, as he is the much faster and higher-volume striker who is not facing the same type of age disadvantage that he has had in his last two.

Prediction: Green by Decision

Gerald Meerschaert +180 vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk -227

Finishers with very different methods face off here at Middleweight. Gerald Meerschaert is a skilled submission artist known for his ability to absorb damage early and drag opponents to the ground to submit them. Michal Oleksiejczuk is a hard-hitting striker with serious power in his hands, although his grappling has always been an issue with him being submitted numerous times.

I can't help but pick Meerschaert here, as this is a perfect matchup for him to have a vintage performance by getting dropped early and grabbing a submission when Oleksiejczuk follows up.

Prediction: Meerschaert by 2nd Round Submission

Jessica Andrade +122 vs. Lupita Godinez -149

Strawweights looking to establish their place in the rankings square off in this one. Jessica Andrade is a former champion and a stocky striker with powerful hands, although she has struggled in recent years, especially against grapplers. Lupita Godinez is a strong wrestler with solid boxing, although at times she doesn't take the clear path to victory.

I like Godinez in this one as she has a clear advantage if she wants to take this fight to the ground, and the striking between them is close.

Prediction: Godinez by Decision

Alexander Hernandez +260 vs. Chase Hooper -333

Lightweight finishers looking to make a statement and extend their win streaks face off here. Alexander Hernandez is a power puncher with a big right hand and a solid wrestling game, who has also improved his cardio since it was a clear issue early in his career. Chase Hooper is a tricky submission grappler who has won five straight since moving up in weight, most recently taking a decision over veteran Jim Miller.

I'll go with Hooper here as I believe he can force grappling exchanges early and use his cardio to take control of the fight or find a submission late.

Prediction: Hooper by 2nd Round Submission

Edson Barboza -156 vs. Drakkar Klose +126

An exciting veteran returns to Lightweight in this prelim clash. Edson Barboza moves back up in weight here after a long layoff as a fast and durable kickboxer who has fought against high-level competition for many years. Drakkar Klose is a well-rounded fighter with strong grappling who comes in having won four of his last five, although his durability is a concern to me.

I lean towards Klose as the underdog here, as he has the grappling advantage and is coming off a much shorter layoff. With that, Drakkar Klose is this week's Underdog Best Bet of the Week.

Prediction: Klose by Decision Bet: Klose MoneyLine (Best Bet)

Nursulton Ruziboev +141 vs. Bryan Battle -172

Fast-paced finishers collide in what should be a good one at Middleweight. Nursulton Ruziboev is a knockout puncher with a powerful straight right hand, although his grappling and cardio have looked questionable. Bryan Battle is a high-paced brawler with a well-rounded offensive skill set that he has demonstrated since winning his season of The Ultimate Fighter.

I like Battle here as he has significant advantages in volume and pace, which I see leading to him dominating the later rounds.

Prediction: Battle by 3rd Round TKO

Karine Silva -217 vs. Dione Barbosa +175

Flyweight submission artists go head to head here in this rematch from their time before the UFC. Karine Silva is a dangerous submission grappler who can finish a fight from anywhere on the ground, although her cardio is not very strong, with almost all her wins coming by early finish. Dione Barbosa is a strong grappler with a good ability to work from top position to find finishes, as she did in her last fight, where she submitted Diana Belbita in the first round.

I'll pick Barbosa to get the victory again as I see her being able to avoid the submissions early and get on top to control Silva in rounds two and three.

Prediction: Barbosa by Decision