UFC Fight Night Predictions
The UFC makes its way over to Glendale, Arizona tonight for a free card on FOX. Here’s three fights we have suggested predictions for as part of UFC Fight Night.
24225 Justin Gaethje vs. 24226 Dustin Poirier
This main event is a lightweight contest between two top-10 fighters in the division. According to the latest oddsmakers at YouWager, Poirier is the slight favorite to win this fight, as he is getting odds of -125 to win. Gaethje is listed with a money line of +105 to prevail. Poirier (22-5) has been looking good from his move back up to 155 pounds. He has suffered just one loss while going 6-1. Gaethje (18-1) is coming off a KO loss to Eddie Alvarez, but had won 18 straight prior to that. Gaethje uses his striking well and has the better power, but Poirier is a grinder. With this fight being five rounds, I think Gaethje will have the disadvantage. He needs the KO here and if he can’t get it early, I see him tiring to Poirier’s pace. UFC Fight Night Prediction: Dustin Poirier -125
24229 Alex Oliveira vs. 24230 Carlos Condit
This welterweight bout features one of the all-time greats in Condit (30-11) against Oliveira (17-5-1). Oddsmakers have Oliveira as the favorite in the fight, as he is listed with a money line of -200 to prevail. Condit is coming in with a money line of +170 to win. Condit has lost three straight and four of his last five. He hasn’t looked like that fighter he once was. His strikes and moves are a step slower. He still has the warrior spirit, but age is catching up with him. Oliveira has better power and also has a dangerous ground game with his submissions. I think he will catch Condit at some point and finish him up with strikes or a choke. UFC Fight Night Prediction: Alex Oliveira -200
24237 Cortney Casey vs. 24238 Michelle Waterson
This women’s strawweight bout features a pair of top-10 fighters with Waterson (14-6) taking on Casey (7-5). Oddsmakers have Casey as the favorite, as she is getting odds of -145 to win, while Waterson is listed with a money line of +125 to prevail. Waterson is coming off back-to-back losses to Tecia Torres and Rose Namajunas, but those two are among the best in the division. She has looked impressive outside of those bouts, dispatching fighters like Angela Magana and Paige VanZant. Casey is coming off a decision loss to Felice Herrig and also has a decision loss to Claudia Gadelha. This fight should be a scrap and really is a toss up, but I will go with Waterson as I think she has the better chance to finish the fight. She has strong submissions and I think can get the fight on the ground and work her strengths. UFC Fight Night Prediction: Michelle Waterson +125