Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 8/19/2025

Johnny Walker +250 vs. Mingyang Zhang -323

Must see action here in our main event as two dangerous knockout artists collide at Light Heavyweight. Johnny Walker is a large and explosive athlete with dangerous striking and decent grappling skills, although his durability has been a clear issue, as evidenced by his six knockout losses. Mingyang Zhang is a powerful brawler who comes in with a ridiculous streak of first-round finishes, showing his power is real and his chin has held up much better in recent years than it did early in his career, when he suffered several finish losses.

At this stage in his career, I cannot trust Walker against a power puncher like Zhang. We've seen Walker put out brutally far too many times to comfortably believe he can take enough damage from Zhang to win without an early moment, which is always possible with him.

Prediction: Zhang by 1st Round KO

Brian Ortega +215 vs. Aljamain Sterling -278

It's a five-round affair here in a matchup of skilled grapplers at Featherweight. Brian Ortega is a skilled submission grappler who is tough to finish, although his striking has not been as threatening as it once was, and his wrestling has never been a strong point. Aljamain Sterling is a strong wrestler with decent volume striking and a tremendous ability to control opponents off the back, as he showed in his rematch with Petr Yan when he was Bantamweight champion.

Sterling has looked in much better form in recent performances to me, as Ortega has been declining in each fight and now faces Sterling, who will be very difficult to submit and will have a higher output on the feet.

Prediction: Sterling by Decision

Sergei Pavlovich -233 vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta +185

Two highly ranked Heavyweights looking to make a push towards the title square off here. Sergei Pavlovich is a hard-hitting boxer with most of his wins coming by first-round knockout. Waldo Cortes-Acosta is a big swinging boxer who loves his overhand right and has a decent wrestling game that he mixes in at times.

I'll go with Pavlovich here as he is the much more powerful fighter who will be pushing forward and landing big shots on Cortes-Acosta, who has not looked good even against lower-level competition.

Prediction: Pavlovich by 1st Round KO

Sumudaerji -169 vs. Kevin Borjas +137

Fun matchup here between hard-hitting strikers at Flyweight. Sumudaerji is a striker with a long reach for the division, which he uses well to keep opponents at range, although his grappling has been a weak point, resulting in several submission losses. Kevin Borjas is a skilled and violent kickboxer who is coming off a great performance, during which he rocked Ronaldo Rodriguez multiple times en route to a clear decision win.

I like Borjas here as I see him as the higher output striker with more power in his hands, and we saw Sumudaerji struggle with the pressure from Charles Johnson, which I feel Borjas can replicate.

Prediction: Borjas by Decision

Taiyilake Nueraji -400 vs. Kiefer Crosbie +300

Newcomer takes on a vet in desperate need of a win in this one to open the main card at Welterweight. Taiyilake Nueraji is a dangerous striker who makes his debut here with a record full of fast finishes, although he has not yet faced any real competition. Kiefer Crosbie is a solid boxer who has struggled at the UFC level, with his main issue being grappling defense, as both of his losses came by first-round submission.

I don't like picking debuting fighters as big favorites, but here I will, as Nueraji is young and has shown some potential, while Crosbie has looked like he is not at the UFC level.

Prediction: Nueraji by 1st Round TKO

Maheshate Hayisaer +111 vs. Gauge Young -137

Two Lightweights, both in desperate need of a victory, clash here. Maheshate Hayisaer is a boxer with solid power, as shown by his knockout win over Steve Garcia, although he comes in having lost three of his last four fights. Gauge Young is a young fighter with solid kickboxing and wrestling skills who looks to bounce back after his debut loss, where he was outvolumed by Evan Elder in a back-and-forth fight.

I lean towards Young here, as he is the much younger fighter, pardon the pun, with a more well-rounded skill set, although he is in Hayisaer's home country.

Prediction: Young by Decision

Lone'er Kavanagh -208 vs. Charles Johnson +170

Fantastic fight here as a top prospect takes on a tricky vet at Flyweight. Lone'er Kavanagh is a lightning-fast striker with solid grappling skills as well, who looks to keep his undefeated record here after two wins in the UFC. Charles Johnson is a fighter with great cardio, which often helps him win later rounds, although he struggles to win early rounds and can be controlled in the grappling.

I like Kavanagh to secure another decision win here, as Johnson has shown himself to be very durable. However, I give Kavanagh a clear advantage in both striking and grappling, while he won't gas out like several of Johnson's past opponents. With that, Lone'er Kavanagh by Decision will be my Prop Play of the Week.

Prediction/Bet: Kavanagh by Decision

Rongzhu -263 vs. Austin Hubbard +205

Two Lightweights on their second stint in the UFC square off in this one. Rongzhu is a striker with good boxing who is coming off an impressive win over Kody Steele, where he kept a high pace over three rounds. Austin Hubbard is a well-rounded fighter with solid boxing and wrestling skills, although he lacks a significant finishing threat.

I'll pick Rongzhu here, as he is the younger and more powerful fighter, who will have a higher output and should be able to defend against the takedowns.

Prediction: Rongzhu by 3rd Round TKO

Michel Pereira -270 vs. Kyle Daukaus +215

Great prelim matcup here at Middleweight as an old face returns to the UFC. Michel Pereira is an explosive and dangerous finisher, with big power that he throws in awkward ways, which can be difficult to read, but his cardio is a major concern, as he tends to slow down badly late in fights. Kyle Daukaus returns to the UFC after a four-fight win streak outside of the promotion, where he showcased his grappling skills with two submissions, although his durability remains a concern as he suffered serious facial injuries in the past.

At these odds, I'll go with Daukaus, as he has clear advantages in grappling and cardio; however, I am concerned about his ability to survive the early stages of the fight.

Prediction: Daukaus by 3rd Round Submission

Yizha -1111 vs. Westin Wilson +660

Good matchup of grapplers here at Featherweight. Yizha is a good athlete who had a rough UFC debut against Gabriel Santos, where he showed his toughness by still attempting to implement his grappling late in the fight despite absorbing a lot of damage. Westin Wilson is a slick submission grappler, but he struggles to take the fight to the ground on his terms and is very vulnerable on the feet, with poor reactions to big shots.

Yizha should get the win here as he has a clear striking advantage and is skilled enough to avoid the submissions of Wilson.

Prediction: Yizha by 2nd Round TKO

Long Xiao +112 vs. Su Young You -137

Young Bantamweights square off here, looking to build momentum. Long Xiao is a fun brawler with a high-paced striking style and a decent ground game as well, although defence is not a priority for him. Su Young You is a grappler with strong control on the ground and good defence, although he can struggle to get the fight to the ground at times.

I lean towards Xiao here as he will be the one pushing the pace and creating more damage, which could lead to a finish or favour with the judges.

Prediction: Xiao by Decision

Diyar Nurgozhay +133 vs. Uran Satybaldiev -164

Light Heavyweights looking to bounce back from debut losses face off to open the card. Diyar Nurgozhay is a stocky and powerful fighter with heavy striking and solid grappling from top position, although his UFC debut was a rough look in a submission loss to Brendson Ribeiro. Uran Satybaldiev gets a fight in his proper weight class after stepping up against Martin Buday on short notice and putting on a fantastic fight, showing good speed and power with his striking.

I like Nurgozhay as a dog here, as he was a large favourite in his debut, showing the market had a lot of respect for his skills. I also like betting against fighters who become large favourites based on impressive short-notice debuts. With that, Diyar Nurgozhay is this week's Underdog Best Bet of the Week.

Prediction: Nurgozhay by 1st Round TKO Bet: Nurgozhay MoneyLine