UFC Fight Night Kara-France vs. Albazi Predictions

UFC Fight Night Kara-France vs. Albazi Predictions

Douglas Vegas Bets|
June 02, 2023|
0

The UFC gives us a rare Flyweight main event this weekend between former title challenger Kai Kara-France -112 and fast-rising prospect Amir Albazi -112. This card from the Apex also features another Flyweight clash between Tim Elliot -185 and Victor Altamirano +144 that has fans talking. I broke down every fight on the card and gave my picks and bets, so check it out now.

Odds Provided by Stake.com Accurate as of 6/2/2023 7:00 AM EST

Kai Kara-France -112 vs. Amir Albazi -112

Even odds in our Flyweight main event between a battle-tested vet and a young prospect. Kai Kara-France is a top-tier striker with powerful hands for the division and good submission defense, although he has been controlled for long periods in several of his fights. Amir Albazi has shown a very high level of potential with both his smothering grappling attack and his sharp and patient striking, although he has yet to display that against highly-ranked competition.

I’ll take Albazi here as I think we have seen the ceiling for Kara-France, and Albazi has the grappling to control this fight and win rounds or get a submission.

Pick: Albazi O/U: Under 3.5 +116

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Alex Caceres -182 vs. Daniel Pineda +142

Veteran Featherweight finishers clash here in the co-main event. Alex Caceres is a very experienced veteran with good striking at range and a high-level offensive submission game. Daniel Pineda is a finisher with real power and a crafty submission game, although his gas tank is a significant concern.

I’ll pick the underdog Pineda as I think the value in this fight is for him to get the finish as he has a very high finish rate, although I could also see value in Caceres getting a late finish.

Pick: Pineda O/U: Under 1.5 +140

Jim Miller -244 vs. Jesse Butler +185

Very short notice replacement matchup here at Lightweight. Jim Miller has been the iron man of MMA for many years with his high pace striking and strong submission game. Jesse Butler steps in here on just several days’ notice; he has fought in several different organizations and had a lengthy amateur career displaying a well-rounded skillset with tight boxing and a solid submission game.

I’ve got Miller here, as with his experience, it is difficult to see Butler coming in on such short notice and getting the win, although I am not eager to bet on him as Butler has an intriguing skillset that could easily cause problems.

Pick: Miller O/U: Under 2.5

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Tim Elliot -185 vs. Victor Altamirano +144

Exciting matchup at Flyweight here on the main card that has many talking. Tim Elliot is a veteran of the sport known for his high pace and crazy grappling exchanges. Victor Altamirano is looking to continue his momentum here after two straight solid wins where he has shown good striking and cardio, although he does not usually fight at a very high pace.

There has been much made of Elliot’s personal situation this week, and if I’m being honest, I have no idea how to factor that in, so I will not be betting on this matchup, but I will pick Elliot as I feel he will have a much higher pace.

Pick: Elliot O/U: Over 2.5 -263

Karine Silva -233 vs. Ketlen Souza +175

Fun matchup here between Flyweight prospects with bright futures. Karine Silva is a submission artist who has a very high finishing rate and plenty of experience outside of the UFC. Ketlen Souza is making her debut here after winning her last five straight, although she has shown durability concerns when facing solid competition outside the UFC.

I will pick Silva to get the submission here, as she is very aggressive, and I am not quite sold on Souza being at her level.

Pick: Silva O/U: Under 2.5 -118

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Jamie Mullarkey -476 vs. Muhammadjon Naimov +320

Another short-notice matchup here at Lightweight. Jamie Mullarkey is a solid, well-rounded fighter with a good pace, although I have always had trouble trusting his durability as he is very hittable. Muhammadjon Naimov steps in here, and we have not seen much from him since losing on the Contender Series, as he has fought relatively low-level competition where he showed decent finishing ability.

It is hard to trust Mullarkey at this price, but I will still pick him and look into his props to get the late finish, as I expect him to be much fresher late in the fight.

Pick: Mullarkey O/U: Under 2.5 -156

Elizeu Zaleski -109 vs. Abubakar Nurmagomedov -118

A solid matchup between veteran Welterweights looking to prove themselves. Elizeu Zaleski is an explosive striker with high-level grappling to go with it, there are some questions regarding how he will look returning from this long layoff, but he has impressed me. Abubakar Nurmagomedov comes in with the wrestling that his name would suggest, but he has also spent some fights using his standup, which is basic but can be effective.

I’ve got Zaleski in this one despite his layoff; if he comes back anything close to what he was prior, I give him a massive striking edge and do not see him being held down enough to lose a decision.

Pick: Zaleski O/U: Under 2.5 +165

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John Castaneda -132 vs. Muin Gafurov +104

One of many short-notice matchups on this card here at Bantamweight. John Castaneda has had a fun UFC run so far against rather tough competition; he is not the highest output, but his cardio is solid. Muin Gafurov makes his debut here from LFA, having taken on solid-level competition prior to this, showing he is a powerful and tough striker, although he can fade when fights go over a round or two.

I like Castaneda here as I give him the experience and cardio edges which I feel will be enough for him to get the win.

Pick: Castaneda O/U: Under 2.5 +115

Andrei Arlovski +109 vs. Don’Tale Mayes -139

One of the winningest fighters in UFC history competes yet again here at Heavyweight. Andrei Arlovski has stayed active in the UFC into his forties, using his slow-paced style that seemingly always makes his opponent fight at his pace. Don’Tale Mayes is an athletic Heavyweight, although he has awkward striking and is very inconsistent with his grappling.

I’ll go with Arlovski here as I feel he is the much cleaner striker, and I’m not sure Mayes will use his grappling enough to get the win.

Pick: Arlovski O/U: Over 2.5 -200

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Daniel Santos -227 vs. Johnny Munoz Jr. +175

Matchup that was set for several weeks ago has been rebooked here at Bantamweight. Daniel Santos is an all-action pressure fighter who is willing to take big risks to get the finish. Johnny Munoz Jr is a good submission grappler, although he has been very hittable on the feet.

I’ve got Santos here as I think his pressure will be too much for Munoz Jr., and he will get the finish at some point.

Pick: Santos O/U: Under 2.5 -179

Jinh Yu Frey +103 vs. Elise Reed -132

Strawweights who are looking to get back in the win-column battle here. Jinh Yu Frey has been very active over the last few years with mixed results, having shown the ability to wrestle with high-level grapplers at times but also has some durability concerns. Elise Reed is a decent boxer, although her grappling is not on the level of many others in the division, which has cost her fights.

I’ll take the underdog Frey here as I think she has a large edge in the grappling, and although she is at a disadvantage on the feet, I feel she will be able to keep it competitive and win two rounds.

Pick: Frey O/U: Over 2.5 -278

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Luan Lacerda -154 vs. Da’Mon Blackshear +120

Grapplers delight here early on the card here at Bantamweight. Luan Lacerda has shown a dangerous grappling game when he is able to get the fight to the ground, and although his standup is not on the level of his submission game, he is capable in that department. Da’Mon Blackshear is a high pace wrestler who has had a tough UFC run so far, unable to secure a win, although he had a rather impressive performance against Farid Basharat his last time out.

I’ll lean with Blackshear here as I think he has the skill set to win this fight, although it is hard to trust him with my money in this matchup where he may play into Lacerda’s strengths.

Pick: Blackshear O/U: Over 2.5 -196

Maxim Grishin -132 vs. Philipe Lins +104

Light Heavyweights with lots of experience under their belts clash to open the card. Maxim Grishin is a tough veteran striker coming back from over a year off with several pullouts. Philipe Lins is a strong and powerful guy for the division who can wear on opponents and has a high finishing rate coming off a great showing against Ovince St. Preux.

I’ll pick Lins in this matchup as he is coming off the best showing of his career, and if he is able to retain that form, I will give him the edge here.

Pick: Lins O/U: Under 2.5 +131

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DougLasVegasBets.net Plays

Amir Albzai -112

Elizeu Zaleski -109

Andrei Arlovski +109

Jinh Yu Frey +103

Daniel Santos Inside The Distance +100

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