Odds provided by DuelBits accurate as of 8/22/2024

Jared Cannonier +190 vs. Caio Borralho -238

It's a big test for a Middleweight prospect in our main event as a battle-tested veteran returns. Jared Cannonier is a high-volume striker with big power and a solid clinch attack, although he is now forty years old and is coming off a tough fight with Nassourdine Imavov not long ago. Caio Borralho is an explosive and athletic grappler who showed his striking is no joke either with a knockout win over Paul Craig his last time out which extended his UFC win streak to six.

This price feels wide, considering Cannonier had better odds against Imavov just months ago. The way that fight played out didn't indicate any decline from Cannonier to me that would suggest he can't hang with Borralho.

Prediction: Cannonier by 4th Round KO

Angela Hill -125 vs. Tabatha Ricci +102

It's an interesting veteran vs. prospect and striker vs. grappler matchup here at Strawweight. Angela Hill is a tough striker with as much experience as anyone. Tabatha Ricci is a very good grappler with dangerous submissions and improving wrestling, although her striking is still a weak point, with Tecia Pennington having success there against her in her last fight.

At these odds, I'll take Ricci, the much younger fighter with the grappling upside, although I'm expecting a close fight.

Prediction: Ricci by Split-Decision

Ryan Loder +150 vs. Robert Valentin -189

This is the TUF Middleweight Finale, with the last two men competing to be The Ultimate Fighter. Ryan Loder is a good wrestler with decent striking basics, although he lacks much of a finishing threat against better competition. Robert Valentin is a crazy and dangerous striker with a good submission game, although his general defense is a concern as he can be taken down and hit with big shots.

This is a tough fight to call, but I'll go with Valentin as I see him carrying more of a finishing threat and being the aggressor from the start.

Prediction: Valentin by 2nd Round TKO

Kaan Ofli +147 vs. Mairon Santos -182

This Featherweight clash will crown the first Ultimate Fighter of the season. Kaan Ofli is a strong wrestler who punches into his takedowns, where he maintains control and defends submissions well, although he doesn't move his head much when striking. Mairon Santos is a patient kickboxer who mixes up his targets very well, although he was outwrestled at times in his first fight on the show, which almost cost him.

I like Santos here. He showed solid takedown defense as fights went on and a good counter-striking game that could give Ofli trouble closing the distance.

Prediction: Santos by Decision

Michael Morales -909 vs. Neil Magny +560

Another young prospect will face the Magny test here at Welterweight. Michael Morales is an undefeated fighter, a big and athletic striker who has had some very strong showings in his young UFC career, with wins over experienced competition like Max Griffin and Jake Matthews. Neil Magny is a durable grappler who proved he is still a tough out in his insane comeback win over Mike Malott at the beginning of this year, although he was dominated on the ground for most of that fight.

I'm going Morales to get a late finish here. He has shown crazy potential at a young age and will likely keep this one standing and land big shots for however long this goes.

Prediction: Morales by 3rd Round TKO

Edmen Shahbazyan -303 vs. Gerald Meerschaert +235

It's a very exciting matchup here at Middleweight, with two finishers of the highest order going head-to-head. Edmen Shahbazyan was once a highly touted prospect, although, in recent years, he has shown that with his early power and the finishing threat comes a severe lack of cardio. Gerald Meerschaert is a dangerous submission artist, with the most ever in the division, being able to get them early or survive an early onslaught and take advantage of a gassed opponent.

This is exactly the kind of fight we have seen Meerschaert win by surviving an early onslaught and getting a late sub, so at this price, this has to be the pick despite the risk of an early Shahbazyan finish.

Prediction: Meerschaert by 3rd Round Submission

Dennis Buzukja +118 vs. Francis Marshall -145

Short-notice replacement steps in for a fun fight here at Featherweight. Dennis Buzukja is a hard hitter with a big right hand who put serious damage on Connor Matthews in his last fight, although his grappling is a bit questionable, with Sean Woodson dominating that department against him. Francis Marshall takes this fight on less than a week's notice as a young wrestler with solid boxing, although he has lost his last two, including a first-round TKO against Isaac Dulgarian in his most recent performance.

I took Marshall here because, despite the short notice, I see him as the much better wrestler with the ability to keep the striking close, and he's younger.

Prediction: Marshall by Decision (Best Bet)

Jose Medina +400 vs. Zach Reese -556

Middleweights, each with a reputation for entertaining shows, square off here. Jose Medina comes into this after having been signed off Dana White's contender series despite losing a fight where he spent much of his time taunting rather than throwing strikes back, although he did show a good chin. Zach Reese is a quick finisher with a nasty submission attack and good power, as he showed by knocking out Julian Marquez in his last fight.

I think Reese gets a quick submission here, as we have seen Medina finished by sub before, and Reese is very quick to grab chokes and armbars.

Prediction: Reese by 1st Round Submission

Viacheslav Borshchev -227 vs. James Llontop +180

Lightweight strikers look to get back in the win column here. Viacheslav Borshchev is a very clean and technical kickboxer with good cardio, although he has been dropped in each of his last two fights, and his grappling is not very good. James Llontop is a striker with solid power and a good low kick, although he lacks much speed with his strikes and doesn't grapple offensively.

I like Borshchev here, as this will likely be a striking match where I give him a speed and power edge despite his slight durability concerns.

Prediction: Borshchev by Decision

Josiane Nunes +175 vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti -217

Bantamweights are looking to build momentum as they square off here. Josiane Nunes is a short and stocky fighter with a big overhand that she swings a lot, although the much bigger Chelsea Chandler overpowered her in her last fight. Jacqueline Cavalcanti looks to build off her UFC debut win against Zarah Fairn where she showed where she showed clean, high-volume striking along with a good pace over three rounds.

I'll pick Cavalcanti to take a decision here as she will be the much higher-output fighter and have a sizable height edge.

Prediction: Cavalcanti by Decision

Zygimantas Ramaska +138 vs. Nathan Fletcher -169

Two finishers, each making their UFC debut off the recent season of The Ultimate Fighter, clash here early on the card at Featherweight. Zygimantas Ramaska is a big-swinging striker who keeps an insane pace, as he showed in his one fight on the show before being pulled from the semi-final with an injury. Nathan Fletcher is a dangerous submission grappler, with six of his eight wins coming by tapout, although he spent much of his TUF fight being controlled and taken down repeatedly.

I lean towards Fletcher here. His big advantage in grappling will help him negate Ramaksa's pressure and striking threat and eventually secure a finish.

Prediction: Fletcher by 2nd Round Submission