Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 11/1/2024

Brandon Moreno -169 vs. Amir Albazi +137

Fan favorite and former Flyweight champion takes on a rising contender in this fantastic main event. Brandon Moreno returns from a short break after his close loss to Brandon Royval earlier this year; he is a well-rounded fighter with solid boxing and a granite chin that has helped him claim UFC gold multiple times. Amir Albazi also returns from a layoff, although his was due to health issues after his controversial win over Kai Kara-France; he is a strong grappler with decent striking that features sneaky power.

I'll pick Albazi here as I see this being a very close fight on the scorecards, with the grappling of Albazi controlling some rounds and the striking of Moreno taking others, so I'll pick the underdog. However, I can't bet on him because I am concerned about his form coming off a severe injury.

Prediction: Albazi by Split-Decision

Rose Namajunas +110 vs. Erin Blanchfield -135

A former champion and a rising star face off in the Flyweight co-main event. Rose Namajunas continues her run up in weight here after back-to-back wins over Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez; she won the Strawweight title twice with her powerful and technical striking, although she also has a solid wrestling attack. Erin Blanchfield returns after her first UFC loss this year, where Manon Fiorot outstruck her in a fight where she struggled to get her usually dominant wrestling game going.

I lean towards Blanchfield here as she is the much younger fighter, making her more likely to improve, and many have forgotten how dominant she has looked at times after her loss to a very good Manon Fiorot.

Prediction: Blanchfield by Decision

Derrick Lewis +137 vs. Jhonata Diniz -169

Knockout punchers will throw down in this must-see Heavyweight clash. Derrick Lewis is the knockout king with the most in UFC history, showing his insane power, which has often made up for a lack of volume or technique throughout his career. Jhonata Diniz comes into this one undefeated in MMA with a kickboxing background that he has shown by finishing seven of his eight wins by knockout, although Austen Lane was able to have success wrestling against him.

I'll take the younger, less damaged guy in Diniz here, although if Lewis goes in with a wrestling-heavy game plan, I genuinely believe he can dominate Diniz there.

Prediction: Diniz by 1st Round KO

Caio Machado -161 vs. Brendson Ribeiro +130

Light Heavyweights both badly in need of a win battle it out here. Caio Machado is a decently athletic striker who moves down in weight for this one after dropping his first few UFC fights. Brendson Ribeiro proved to be a dangerous finisher outside of the UFC, with all fifteen of his wins coming inside the distance, although that has yet to translate to UFC success, with him having lost his first two fights with the promotion.

I lean towards Machado as he may have more success at this weight, having faced much bigger opponents, although I have no interest in betting on this matchup.

Prediction: Machado by Decision

Marc-Andre Barriault -208 vs. Dustin Stoltzfus +165

Gritty Middleweights will square off against one another in this one. Marc-Andre Barriault is a tough veteran with an in-your-face style that he uses to wear down his opponents. Dustin Stoltzfus is a solid grappler who is coming off a wild fight with Brunno Ferreira, where he took a lot of damage.

I'll take Barriault here as I see him being better than Stoltzfus everywhere and separating himself as the fight goes on.

Prediction: Barriault by Decision

Mike Malott -286 vs. Trevin Giles +220

Welterweight finishers collide, looking to get back on track. Mike Malott is a dangerous finisher with a nasty submission game and knockout power that he showed against Mickey Gall, although his cardio is a major concern, with Neil Magny finishing him late his last time out. Trevin Giles is an experienced fighter with a strong jab, although his durability has become an issue, with him being finished in all six of his losses.

I like Malott to get this one done inside the distance as he will be the much better grappler, as he proved by beating Giles in a grappling match, and he could land a big shot in the striking to get a finish there as well.

Prediction: Malott by 1st Round Submission (Best Bet)

Aiemann Zahabi -137 vs. Pedro Munhoz +112

Veteran Bantamweights will go head to head here in this fun matchup. Aiemann Zahabi comes into this on a four-fight win streak after losing his first two in the UFC, most recently showing his effective counter-striking game in a win over highly touted Javid Basharat. Pedro Munhoz is a durable veteran with a well-rounded game featuring a solid calf kick and guillotine.

I'll go with Munhoz here as, despite his rough stretch, he has proven he can still hang with the big names in the division, while Zahabi is not quite on that level, with him having only beaten low-level or unproven competition.

Prediction: Munhoz by Decision

Charles Jourdain -133 vs. Victor Henry +109

High-pace strikers square off here at Bantamweight. Charles Jourdain moves down in weight for this one, which could benefit him as he will be very big for the weight and was already powerful at Featherweight, so if he carries the power and cardio down, I like the move. Victor Henry is a durable and high-output veteran with a solid submission game, although he lacks much power in his strikes, allowing opponents to hang around.

This will be a close fight, but I lean toward Jourdain as he is the more technical and powerful guy who can handle Henry's pressure and cardio.

Prediction: Jourdain by Decision

Serhiy Sidey -147 vs. Garrett Armfield +119

Young Bantamweights look to make a name for themselves in this prelim clash. Serhiy Sidey returns here after a wild debut where he lost a close and controversial decision to Ramon Taveras in a fight where he showed his heart and cardio by maintaining a high output after taking lots of damage. Garrett Armfield is a solid boxer with good power, although his submission defense and cardio are both questionable and cost him the fight against Brady Hiestand.

I lean towards Sidey here, with his size and cardio advantages playing a big factor, with him likely taking rounds two and three if the fight gets there.

Prediction: Sidey by 3rd Round TKO

Chad Anheliger +160 vs. Cody Gibson -204

Veteran Bantamweights go head-to-head here early on the card. Chad Anheliger is a tough striker who has shown the ability to keep a solid pace and grind out fights over his UFC run. Cody Gibson is a long fighter for the weight with a very offensive game that includes good boxing and a solid submission attack, as he showed his last time out with a first-round finish of Brian Kelleher.

I like Gibson here as he can match the pace of Anheliger and use his length to win the striking with the option of mixing in the grappling as well.

Prediction: Gibson by Decision

Jack Shore +245 vs. Youssef Zalal -313

Featherweights with a lot of potential will clash here to open the card. Jack Shore is a talented grappler, although he lacks much strength at this weight and can get beat up in the striking, as was the case against Ricky Simon and Joanderson Brito. Youssef Zalal has looked fantastic since returning to the UFC, showing a deadly submission attack and damaging striking in his two recent finish wins.

I'll pick Zalal here as the grappling could end up close enough to cancel out, and Zalal will have a big edge in the striking, where I see him doing much more damage.

Prediction: Zalal by 3rd Round TKO