Curtis Blaydes vs. Chris Daukaus

Since making his professional debut in 2014, Curtis Blaydes has only lost to two fighters: Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis. He’s defeated every other fighter he’s fought. Blaydes will compete in his 5th UFC main event this weekend when he takes on Chris Daukaus. After winning 5 consecutive fights by knockout, Daukaus lost to Derrick Lewis in his last fight. Daukaus has never lost a fight by decision, but 39% of the Verdict Comunity are predicting Blaydes to defeat him by decision. Blaydes is a big favorite heading into this fight, with 79% predicting him to win.

Joanne Wood vs. Alexa Grasso

Prior to making her UFC debut, Alexa Grasso was undefeated at 9-0. She failed to find consistency in the Octagon as she was never able to win more than one fight at a time. That’s changed since she made her Flyweight debut in August of 2020 against Yi Jeon Kim. Grasso has won back to back fights and is looking to extend her winning streak to 3 when she takes on Joanne Wood this weekend. The Verdict Community is confident in Grasso, with 76% predicting her to defeat Wood. Joanne Wood is in danger of losing her 3rd straight fight which would be the longest losing streak of her career.

Askar Askarov vs. Kai-Kara France

In terms of title implications, this is the biggest fight on the card. The winner of Askar Askarov vs. Kai-Kara France is likely to fight the winner of the 4th fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. Askarov is undefeated at 14-0-1. He competed against Brandon Moreno in October of 2019 in a fight that was ruled a draw. On the other hand, Kai-Kara France is coming off the biggest win of his career as he finished former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbradnt by 1st round knockout. Anytime you’re able to finish a former Champion in the 1st round, your career gets catapulted. This is the closest fight of the card at a near dead even split.

Matt Brown vs. Bryan Barberena

Any time Matt Brown fights, you know there’s going to be action. He made his UFC debut in 2008 and he’s still finishing opponents today. Brown is coming off of a knockout win against Dhiego Lima who’s the brother of former Bellator Champion Douglas Lima, who Brown also previously finished. Brown will be taking on 7-year UFC veteran Bryan Barberena. The world’s most common pick is for Matt Brown to win by decision at 34% with 33% predicting Brown to win by knockout.

Ilir Latifi vs. Alexey Oleynik

When Alexey Oleynik made his professional MMA debut, Bill Clinton was the President of the United States. Oleynik will compete in his 77th professional fight this weekend when he takes on Ilir Latifi. This could be the end of Oleynik’s run in the UFC, as he’s in danger of losing his 4th consecutive fight. Oleynik currently has 46 submission wins and 40% of the Verdict community predicts he’ll secure his 47th submission when he takes on Latifi.

Marc Diakiese vs. Viacheslav Borschev

A lightweight battle between Marc Diakiese and Viacheslav Borschev will kick off UFC Columbus. Borschev is currently on a 4 fight streak where he’s finished every opponent by knockout. Nearly half of the Verdict Community predicts he’ll continue that streak, with 46% predicting Borschev to finish Diakiese by knockout.