Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 12/12/2024

Colby Covington +215 vs. Joaquin Buckley -278

Short notice swap added some chaos to this Welterweight main event. Colby Covington looks to get back on track here after failing for a third time to capture the title last year when he lost to Leon Edwards in a rough performance where he was unable to push his usual pace. However, at his best, he has shown some of the best cardio and wrestling in the UFC. Joaquin Buckley has been on a roll since moving down in weight with his most recent win being a knockout against Stephen Thompson where he showed his explosive power although he was outstruck by Thompson for most of the fight.

It's tough to back Covington with his recent performance and layoff but I'll pick him at this price against a much less proven opponent and I'll bet the over as Covington has proven durable with his main path to victory also being a decision.

Prediction: Covington by Decision

Cub Swanson +132 vs. Billy Quarantillo -161

Two men known for putting on must-see action collide here in the co-main event at Featherweight. Cub Swanson is a slick striker with crisp and powerful boxing that he has used to go to close decisions against solid and younger opponents in his last two fights. Billy Quarantillo is a high pace striker with great cardio and a solid ground game although he is very hittable and coming off a rough loss to Youssef Zalal.

I lean towards Swanson here as I feel he is the more effective striker who has proven to still have some left in the tank.

Prediction: Swanson by Split-Decision

Manel Kape -370 vs. Bruno Silva +280

Flyweights looking to enter the title conversation in a division desperate for a contender clash here. Manel Kape is an explosive counterstriker with good ground skills as well my only issue with his game is he is very hesitant at times when I feel if he was more aggressive he would have success. Bruno Silva gets a big fight here after finishing his last four opponents when it seemed like he was on the verge of being cut after not getting his hand raised through three fights with the promotion.

I'm taking Kape here as I give him the edge wherever the fight may take place and he is very difficult to finish which has proven to be Silva's path to victory.

Prediction: Kape by Decision

Dustin Jacoby +245 vs. Vitor Petrino -313

Two men looking to get back in the win column after rough performances clash here at Light Heavyweight. Dustin Jacoby is a solid kickboxer with good volume although his durability has been an issue in recent fights with Alonzo Menifield knocking him down several times and Dominick Reyes knocking him out in the first round. Vitor Petrino is an athletic and powerful guy although he has shown some technical deficiencies that make me hesitate before getting excited about him.

I'll go with Petrino here as he has the explosive power to finish this fight on the feet along with a significant advantage if the fight hits the ground.

Prediction: Petrino by 1st Round Submission

Daniel Marcos -208 vs. Adrian Yanez +165

Bantamweight strikers square off here in what should be a fun matchup. Daniel Marcos is an unbeaten striker who has consistently improved over his time with the UFC showing a career-best form against John Castaneda his last time out. Adrian Yanez is a good boxer coming off a strong bounce-back performance after several tough outcomes when he stepped up in competition.

I like Marcos here as he is the more diverse striker who's easier to trust from a defense and durability standpoint.

Prediction: Marcos by 3rd Round TKO

Navajo Stirling -769 vs. Tuco Tokkos +500

An intriguing Light Heavyweight prospect makes his debut here in the main card opener. Navajo Stirling enters this one off an impressive win on this season of Dana White's Contender Series where the City Kickboxing product moved to five wins with no losses showing his striking skills are already at UFC level with very little in cage time. Tuco Tokkos looks to bounce back after an unsuccessful debut where he was submitted showing against Oumar Sy although he has had some solid wins in the past like a finish over former PFL fighter Ty Flores.

This seems like a setup fight to get Stirling a win and maybe a nice highlight which I expect him to get by cruising through Tokkos here who is not on his level of striking.

Prediction: Stirling by 1st Round KO

Michael Johnson -208 vs. Ottman Azaitar +165

Knockout punchers collide here in this Lightweight matchup. Michael Johnson is a veteran with fast hands although he has become known for his inconsistency with some performances having him look like a world-beater and others seeing him finished out of nowhere. Ottman Azaitar is a big knockout puncher although his last few fights have shown he is not much else as he has lacked speed and technique resulting in two first-round knockout losses.

I'll pick Johnson here as his speed advantage will be massive although I would advise against laying this price on him based on his age and history.

Prediction: Johnson by 2nd Round TKO

Drakkar Klose +320 vs. Joel Alvarez -435

Lightweights just outside of the rankings face off here in a pivotal clash. Drakkar Klose is a well-rounded fighter with a strong ground game and basic striking skills although he does look stiff in the stand up and his durability is a concern. Joel Alvarez is a huge finisher with dangerous punching power that helped him become the first man to finish Elves Brenner in his last fight and a nasty submission game that he used to finish Marc Diakiese after hurting him.

I like Alvarez to get another finish here as he has big power and Klose reacts poorly to big punches which I believe Alvarez will capitalize on early.

Prediction: Alvarez by 1st Round KO (Best Bet)

Sean Woodson -159 vs. Fernando Padilla +129

Tall and long Featherweights collide in this semi-mirror matchup. Sean Woodson is a freakishly tall fighter for this weight and he uses his length well to keep opponents away with his straight shots although his durability is questionable and Alex Caceres gave him trouble when blitzing in. Fernando Padilla is a dangerous and durable fighter with knockout power that he showed against Julian Erosa and submission skills that he showed in his last fight against Luis Pajuelo.

I'll take Padilla as the underdog here mainly because he has all the finishing upside with him having never been finished and Woodson having been submitted by Erosa and hurt badly by Luis Saldana.

Prediction: Padilla by 2nd Round TKO

Miles Johns +205 vs. Felipe Lima -256

Bantamweights looking to keep their momentum square off here. Miles Johns is a stocky wrestler with solid power in his hands who comes in on a four-fight unbeaten streak with all wins coming by decision. Felipe Lima impressed many when he came in for his UFC debut and showed urgency in the third round of a close fight helping him secure the submission finish over Muhammad Naimov who had previously never been stopped before.

I lean towards Lima here as I feel he will be the more active fighter on the feet with an advantage on the ground as well.

Prediction: Lima by Decision

Miranda Maverick -556 vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth +390

Flyweights looking to build moment go head to head here. Miranda Maverick has shown the potential to be one of the best in the division with her strong wrestling game and improving striking although she has had issues stringing together consistent performances. Jamey-Lyn Horth enters this one having had two close fights to start her UFC career where she showed a very basic skillset and failed to separate herself.

I don't see Horth being able to keep this one competitive as Maverick is just on a much higher level than her and still improving at just twenty-seven years old.

Prediction: Maverick by Decision

Davey Grant -106 vs. Ramon Taveras -114

Veteran and prospect square off at Bantamweight in this solid prelim matchup. Davey Grant is a tough-as-nails striker who has earned some gritty wins and proven he can hang with up-and-comers like he did against Daniel Marcos in their close fight. Ramon Taveras is a powerful puncher coming off a wild debut where he won a close decision after hurting and dropping Serhiy Sidey several times over three rounds.

I lean towards Taveras here as he is the younger and more powerful guy.

Prediction: Taveras by 1st Round TKO