Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 1/8/2025

Mackenzie Dern +160 vs. Amanda Ribas -200

The main event this week is a Strawweight rematch between two contenders looking to enter the title conversation. Mackenzie Dern is a very dangerous submission grappler, although she has struggled to bring the other aspects of her game up to that level, with her striking and wrestling failing her often. Amanda Ribas is a high-paced fighter with a well-rounded skill set that helped her get the win the first time these two fought as she controlled the grappling from the top and got the better of the striking.

I like Ribas to win again, as she is still the better striker and wrestler. Also, it is unlikely that Dern will be able to take advantage of any durability issues on the Ribas side, as Dern has never won by KO/TKO, and Ribas has never been submitted.

Prediction: Ribas by Decision/ Best Bet: Ribas MoneyLine

Santiago Ponzinibbio -128 vs. Carlston Harris +104

Welterweight veterans look to get back on track here in the co-main event. Santiago Ponzinibbio is a crafty striker with solid power although he has gotten noticeably slower with age. Carlston Harris is an underrated fighter who can be very dangerous with his long limbs that he uses to secure nasty chokes and keep opponents at range on the feet although he has been knocked out in the first round of both his UFC losses leaving some durability concerns.

I lean towards Ponzinibbio here as he has faced much tougher competition and is the more dangerous striker but I'll pass on this fight from a betting standpoint.

Prediction: Ponzinibbio by Decision

Abdul Razak Alhassan +220 vs. Cesar Almeida -286

Powerful punchers clash here in this must-see Middleweight matchup. Abdul Razak Alhassan is a powerhouse with several very quick knockouts and the ability to go deep into gritty fights with his clinch and judo game. Cesar Almeida is a good kickboxer although he is getting up there in age and his lack of MMA experience really shows with Roman Kopylov having taken him down with ease repeatedly.

I'll take Alhassan here as he has a big advantage on the ground and could end the fight with one strike at any time.

Prediction: Alhassan by Decision/ Best Bet: Alhassan MoneyLine

Chris Curtis +205 vs. Roman Kopylov -256

Middleweight strikers square off here in this fight of the night contender. Chris Curtis returns after a hamstring injury that has left him out since last April, he is a slick boxer who does good work to the body and has solid takedown defense. Roman Kopylov is a very fast kickboxer with good kicks coming off an impressive win where he dropped Cesar Almeida early and used some wrestling to secure the decision.

I'll go with Kopylov here as I see him being the faster and more diverse striker but this fight is a pass from a betting perspective at this price.

Prediction: Kopylov by Decision

Austin Bashi -270 vs. Christian Rodriguez +215

An interesting prospect takes on a tough test in his debut here at Featherweight. Austin Bashi is an undefeated twenty-three-year-old grappler who comes in off an impressive performance on Dana White's Contender Series where he extended his streak to thirteen wins already having some five-round experience as well. Christian Rodriguez takes on another solid youngster as he has several times before showing good grappling defense and solid boxing although he was controlled early by both Raul Rosas Jr. and Isaac Dulgarian.

I'll take Bashi to get a decision win here, as he is a good enough grappler to control this fight, but Rodriguez is a tough guy to finish so I'll go with the decision prop to bring the price down significantly.

Prediction: Bashi by Decision/ Best Bet: Bashi on Points

Punahele Soriano +165 vs. Uros Medic -204

Dangerous finishers collide here at Welterweight. Punahele Soriano returns here after a successful debut at this weight, where he showed off improved wrestling and cardio to go with his dangerous punching power. Uros Medic is a powerful striker with real knockout power; although his ground game is a concern, with both of his losses coming by submission.

I'll go with Soriano here as he showed the ability to lean on his ground game heavily for three rounds in his last fight, and if he can do that again, there is a clear path here,

Prediction: Soriano by Decision

Thiago Moises -196 vs. Trey Ogden +155

Lightweight veterans go head to head here in this one. Thiago Moises has proven a good test for up-and-coming fighters with his well-rounded game exposing holes in many fighters games although when he doesn't have a clear advantage he can struggle to get offense going. Trey Ogden should be credited with wins in four of his last five coming into this one having used his coaching skills to help find his path to victory with that often coming using his smothering ground game that had Nikolas Motta and Kurt Holobaugh completely stuck.

I lean towards Moises as my pick with him likely being the better striker and defending takedowns but my bet here was to parlay the fight to go the distance, as both of these men are pretty durable with little finishing threat.

Prediction: Moises by Decision/ Best Bet: Fight Goes The Distance (Parlay Piece)

Preston Parsons +350 vs. Jacobe Smith -476

A very highly touted prospect makes his debut on short notice here at Welterweight. Preston Parsons is a solid wrestler with basic striking coming off an unimpressive showing where he failed to get anything going against Oban Elliott. Jacobe Smith makes his debut here with many very excited to see what he can do at this level with his wrestling credentials and the finishing ability he has shown in his nine wins so far with seven coming by knockout including a dominant showing on Dana White's Contender Series that earned him this opportunity.

I have Smith in a parlay here as I am very high on him and struggle to see a path to victory for Parsons who is simply outgunned in every aspect here.

Prediction: Smith by 2nd Round TKO/ Best Bet: Smith MoneyLine (Parlay Piece)