Odds provided by DuelBits accurate as of 11/20/2024

Petr Yan -303 vs. Deiveson Figueiredo +235

This week's main event features two of the most violent Bantamweights on the roster as they clash with a potential title opportunity on the line. Petr Yan is one of the most skilled fighters in the sport, with elite boxing and a very underrated ground game that he has used to break fighters like Jose Aldo and Sean O'Malley. Deiveson Figueiredo is a deadly finisher who has been on a fantastic run since moving up in weight, with his most recent win coming over Marlon 'Chito' Vera in a showing where he demonstrated his power by dropping the famously durable Chito in the final round to seal the victory.

I like Yan to get this one done as he has the skills to match Figueiredo everywhere while being much younger and faster. I see Yan building into his game as he usually does and finishing Figueiredo in the championship rounds.

Prediction: Yan by 4th Round TKO

Xiaonan Yan -208 vs. Tabatha Ricci +165

Top contending Strawweights battle here, looking to earn a shot at Weili Zhang's title. Xiaonan Yan is a long striker with big power for the division, although her grappling has often cost her fights with Carla Esparza and Zhang being able to take her down and hold her whenever they wanted. Tabatha Ricci is a grappler who comes into this one having won six of her last seven, showing much-improved striking compared to early in her career while still having the dangerous ground game she has been known for, although against good defensive wrestlers, she can struggle to get the fight to the floor.

I'm going with Ricci as the underdog here, as she has the grappling skills to give Yan trouble. I also always like betting against fighters coming off a loss in their first title opportunity, as it is often a big letdown, and it is not easy to regain motivation after.

Prediction: Ricci by Decision

Kenan Song +150 vs. Muslim Salikhov -185

Veteran Welterweight strikers square off here in this fun matchup. Kenan Song is a tough boxer who has proven he still has what it takes to compete at this level with his recent wins over the young Rolando Bedoya and fellow veteran Ricky Glenn. Muslim Salikhov is a unique striker with diverse attacks that include spinning kicks as well as more traditional strikes, although his durability has faded over the years, with two of his last three losses being by knockout.

This is a tough fight to call, as I give Song a slight volume edge and Salikhov a slight power edge. I lean towards Song, with him being the underdog, but this is a pass from me.

Prediction: Song by Split-Decision

Cong Wang -909 vs. Gabriella Fernandes +560

An exciting prospect gets her next test here at Flyweight. Cong Wang made noise in her debut with a quick highlight knockout to establish she has arrived and is looking to get on the fast track to the title with her past win over current champion Valentina Shevchenko in kickboxing. Gabriella Fernandes is a good kickboxer with solid submissions, although her wrestling has been a weak point in the past.

This is a good matchup for Wang as she is likely to get another chance to show off her credentialed kickboxing skills which will likely result in another strong performance.

Prediction: Wang by 1st Round KO

Volkan Oezdemir +200 vs. Carlos Ulberg -250

Hard-hitting Light Heavyweights collide in this must-see matchup. Volkan Oezdemir is a veteran known for his deadly power, which he has proven is still there, with his last two wins coming by first-round knockout over Johnny Walker and Bogdan Guskov. Carlos Ulberg is a very clean kickboxer with devastating power that has helped him finish five straight opponents on his six-fight win streak, including a very fast finish over Alonzo Menifield his last time out.

I am very high on Ulberg and believe this is another good matchup for him as he will get the kickboxing match he likes and will have key advantages, including age, height, and reach.

Prediction: Ulberg by 1st Round KO

Ozzy Diaz +240 vs. Mingyang Zhang -313

A pair of Light Heavyweight knockout artists looking to make a name for themselves open the main card here. Ozzy Diaz makes his debut here, and excitement can be expected, with his last six fights ending by knockout and his only loss in that time coming to the well-established Joe Pyfer. Mingyan Zhang made a lot of noise early in his UFC career with two straight first-round knockout wins, which extended his finish streak to ten straight, all coming in the first round.

I feel this is a fight that could go either way as both men have big power and have been finished before, so I'll take the sizeable underdog in Diaz to catch Zhang and pull the upset.

Prediction: Diaz by 1st Round KO

Su Young You -147 vs. Balgyn Jenisuly +120

This matchup will be the Bantamweight final for the Road to UFC. Su Young You is a very creative grappler with dangerous finishing skills on the ground, although he has had some close fights in the tournament, which raises concern. Balgyn Jenisuly is a well-rounded fighter who came back after losing on the last Road to UFC and is now a win away from making good on his second chance.

I lean towards Jenisuly here as I feel he is the more well-rounded fighter who will have striking success and can limit the grappling of You or have success with his own ground game.

Prediction: Jenisuly by Decision

Kiru Sahota +100 vs. Dong Hoon Choi -122

Here we have the Flyweight final for the Road to UFC. Kiru Sahota is a long fighter for the division who uses his size well to keep opponents at the end of punches and kicks, although his defense also relies on that, with him leaning away and his chin exposed. Dong Hoon Choi comes into this one undefeated, having two fun fights on the Road to UFC so far, although both were close to coming down to split decisions, as he is very willing to take a shot to give one back.

I'll take the much bigger fighter here in Sahota as I see him using his reach to keep Choi on the outside and win the rounds.

Prediction: Sahota by Decision (Best Bet)

Xiaocan Feng -333 vs. Ming Shi +255

This fight is the Strawweight final in the Road to UFC tournament. Xiaocan Feng is coming into this, having dominated the tournament using her size and skills on the ground, which have looked very impressive. Ming Shi is a decent grappler who is small for even the Strawweight division and has not faced much legit competition.

I like Feng here as she is much bigger and has looked absolutely dominant in this tournament. I believe she will get a finish and make her way to the UFC.

Prediction: Feng by 1st Round TKO

Carlos Hernandez -200 vs. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel +160

Intriguing matchup here at Flyweight between a tough veteran and an unbeaten newcomer. Carlos Hernandez is a fun fighter who has faced many tough tests thus far in his UFC career, showing a solid ground game and good volume striking, which almost helped him score a huge upset over Rei Tsuruya in his last fight. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel makes his debut here after winning the Road to UFC over a year ago; he is a fast finisher, although he has not faced any UFC-caliber opponents and went to a split decision in his first Road to UFC fight.

I'm going with the more experienced fighter here in Hernandez, as he has been historically durable and will be able to take the fight late, which will give him the advantage.

Prediction: Hernandez by Decision

Lone'er Kavanagh -357 vs. Jose Ochoa +275

A highly touted prospect makes their UFC debut here at Flyweight. Lone'er Kavanagh is a highly touted prospect coming off an impressive win on Dana White's Contender Series, where he scored a highlight knockout to prove his Cage Warriors success was no fluke. Jose Ochoa is a pure finisher, with all seven of his pro fights ending in him finishing his opponents, six of them by knockout, although with that, he has never seen a third round or truly been tested in a fight yet.

Kavanagh should get this one done, as although Ochoa has proven dangerous, he has yet to do so against anyone nearly as experienced as Kavanagh.

Prediction: Kavanagh by 3rd Round KO

Long Xiao -122 vs. Quang Le +100

Bantamweights, each looking for their first UFC victory, go head-to-head in this one. Long Xiao is a fun fighter with a good chin who is willing to exchange punches recklessly, which he has gotten away with against the level of competition he has been competing, although when facing UFC caliber opposition like Cristian Quinonez or Chang Ho Lee, he has lost. Quang Le got a tough first assignment in the UFC against Chris Guttierez after coming up through the LFA, where he competed with and had success against solid competition, winning all seven fights with the promotion with his strong striking and submission skills.

I'll go with Le here as he has been tested against much tougher competition throughout his career, and I also feel he has better striking defense while both have power.

Prediction: Le by 3rd Round TKO

Maheshate Hayisaer -204 vs. Nikolas Motta +165

Veteran strikers open the card here at Lightweight. Maheshate Hayisaer is a solid boxer with a powerful counter right hand, and he showed off with his win over Steve Garcia, which has aged well. Nikolas Motta is a tough striker coming off a big upset where he looked fantastic against Tom Nolan, although his wrestling is not very good, as Trey Ogden was able to hold him down with ease.

I lean toward Motta here, as his wrestling has been his weak point, and Hayisaer won't take advantage of that while being the lower-volume striker. Give me the underdog in a close fight where either man can land a knockout blow at any point.

Prediction: Motta by 2nd Round KO