Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 6/20/2024

Robert Whittaker -149 vs. Ikram Aliskerov +122

A short-notice swap of a fighter from last week saves our Middleweight main event. Robert Whittaker has been at the top of the division here for many years, using his very clean striking style along with a solid wrestling attack to take down many of the other contenders with ease; his durability is a slight concern at this point with him having been knocked out and hurt many times, but he was able to recover in his last fight with Paulo Costa after being wobbled. Ikram Aliskerov takes a massive step up in competition here on short notice after originally being scheduled to fight last weekend; he has used his powerful striking to earn two quick knockouts to start his UFC career, but he also has a phenomenal ground game that he showed before he was signed.

I've got Whittaker here as he is a very difficult task for any fighter, let alone one on a week's notice with no wins over any ranked competition yet.

Pick: Whittaker O/U: Over 2.5 -175

Sergei Pavlovich -238 vs. Alexander Volkov +190

Knockout artists collide in this must-see Heavyweight co-main event. Sergei Pavlovich is a devastating knockout puncher who had finished six straight opponents in round one before losing to Tom Aspinall for the title last year. Alexander Volkov is a very tall fighter with good kickboxing, utilizing many different weapons on the feet, and against Tai Tuivasa, he showed he has an underrated grappling attack as well.

I'll pick Pavlovich, but my bet is the under, as Pavlovich has never left the first round in his UFC career, and I expect that trend to continue with him appearing to be in tremendous shape.

Pick: Pavlovich O/U: Under 1.5 -154

Kelvin Gastelum -250 vs. Daniel Rodriguez +195

The weight issues changed this bout to a Middleweight contest between two veterans with good hands. Kelvin Gastelum has shown his amazing potential as a very high-volume striker with a granite chin and wrestling background, although the lack of discipline and consistency has to be a concern, with him being the reason this fight is taking place above the scheduled weight class. Daniel Rodriguez is back and looking to show his solid boxing attack again after suffering back-to-back stoppage losses against tough competition in Ian Garry and Neil Magny.

I lean towards Rodriguez at this price, with him being able to match Gastelum anywhere and seemingly being more prepared for this fight. I also used the over 2.5 rounds as a parlay piece, with both men historically being durable and not having to cut much weight.

Pick: Rodriguez O/U: Over 2.5 -263

Shara Magomedov -625 vs. Antonio Trocoli +420

After several changes of opponents, we will see a fan favorite again in this clash at Middleweight. Shara Magomedov is a lightning-fast striker with big power in both his kicks and hands, although he showed some issues when forced to wrestle in his debut against Bruno Silva. Antonio Trocoli makes his debut here on just a few day's notice, he is a solid submission grappler but has yet to face much high level competiton.

I'm going with Magomedov to find a knockout here as he has been prepared to fight, and his opponent is not very high level from what I have seen.

Pick: Magomedov O/U: Under 1.5 -152

Johnny Walker -110 vs. Volkan Oezdemir -111

Light Heavyweights known for producing fast finishes open the main card here. Johnny Walker is a massive and explosive finisher with big knockout power and a level of creativity to his strikes that can cause opponents issues, although his durability is always a concern, with him having been knocked out many times now and in his last fight with Magomed Ankalaev. Volkan Oezdemir returns here after some time off after his last fight, which was a win over Bogdan Guskov; since his run to a title shot, Oezdemir has seen a lot of close decisions with his solid boxing but lack of high pace.

I lean towards Walker here as he has been more active, will have the physical advantages, and has looked pretty good over the last few years, with his last fight being the exception.

Pick: Walker O/U: Over 2.5 +123

Nasrat Haqparast -244 vs. Jared Gordon +195

Experienced Lightweights square off in this interesting matchup. Nasrat Haqparast is a boxer with fast hands that he used to stop Jamie Mullarkey early in his last fight to extend his win streak to three; he has been outwrestled before against guys like Dan Hooker, but that was several years ago. Jared Gordon is a tough veteran with solid hands and a good grappling game that he mixes in with that; his chin isn't the best, but he has solid striking defense and good cardio.

This is a close fight, so at this price, I lean towards Gordon, who should be able to keep the striking close and will have the grappling upside, although the finishing upside is with Haqparast here.

Pick: Gordon O/U: Over 2.5 -217

Muhammad Naimov -143 vs. Felipe Lima +117

It's one of several short-notice fights on the card here at Featherweight. Muhammad Naimov is a powerful puncher who has started his UFC career with three wins, although he used some unethical techniques to get it done against Nathaniel Wood and was behind before getting the knockout of Jamie Mullarkey. Felipe Lima steps in here on short notice as a high-paced striker who is improving ground game training at Allstars in Sweden, along with the likes of Khamzat Chimaev.

I'll pick Lima here as he is an interesting fighter to watch, and I don't rate Naimov highly despite his win streak.

Pick: Lima O/U: Under 2.5 -110

Rinat Fakhretdinov -345 vs. Nicolas Dalby +265

Welterweight grapplers collide in this fun matchup. Rinat Fakhretdinov is a very strong wrestler who pushes a hard pace, as he showed in his very impressive win over Bryan Battle, where he controlled the fight for all three rounds on the ground; his striking is also solid with decent power in his punches, although Elizeu Zaleski nearly finished him late in that matchup. Nicolas Dalby comes in off a big comeback over Gabriel Bonfim, where he showed his toughness in surviving early before finishing an exhausted Bonfim with flurries of punches.

I've got Fakhretdinov to take a decision here as I see him having success with his wrestling attack throughout the fight, although Dalby remains a very durable opponent who I believe will see the final bell.

Pick: Fakhretdinov O/U: Over 2.5 -204

Muin Gafurov -161 vs. Kyung Ho Kang +132

Bantamweights looking to get back on track will battle it out here. Muin Gafurov has had a rough start to his UFC run, coming in off an early loss to Said Nurmagomedov, although he is a solid striker with good power, having ten knockouts on his record. Kyung Ho Kang is a very well-rounded fighter with good striking fundamentals and a dangerous submission attack that he has used to earn four finishes in the UFC.

I like Kang as the underdog here as I see him being able to compete in the striking and having a clear advantage when the fight hits the ground.

Pick: Kang O/U: Under 2.5 +150

Magomed Gadzhiyasulov -323 vs. Brendson Ribeiro +250

Light Heavyweight finishers clash here early on the card in what should be a fantastic fight. Magomed Gadzhiyasulov makes his debut here as a very dangerous finisher with a well-rounded skill set, having used his powerful striking and dominant wrestling attack to build a perfect record after eight fights. Brendson Ribeiro looks to bounce back from a tough debut where he was finished in the first round by

I like Gadzhiyasulov here as I expect him to have every advantage here and find an early finish, so I used him as a parlay piece with the price being so steep.

Pick: Gadzhiyasulov O/U: Under 1.5 -227

DougLasVegasBets.net Plays

Robert Whittaker -130

Kyung Ho Kang +140

Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov Under 1.5 -130

Rinat Fakhretdinov by Decision +105

Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (-310) + Gastelum vs Rodriguez Over 2.5 (-265) -122