Julia Polastri is known for her impressive striking abilities and quick footwork, which allow her to effectively control the distance in fights. With a strong foundation in kickboxing, she excels in delivering powerful combinations and has a knack for finding openings in her opponents' defenses. Additionally, her grappling skills enable her to defend against takedowns and engage effectively on the ground when needed, making her a well-rounded competitor in the octagon.

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Lupi Godinez is recognized for her versatile striking and strong wrestling background, allowing her to seamlessly transition between stand-up battles and grappling exchanges. Her ability to apply pressure and maintain a high pace, coupled with solid submission skills, makes her a formidable opponent in the UFC, capable of dominating fights both on the feet and on the ground.

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Lupita's boxing style could become predictable for Polastri, allowing her to capitalize on openings. While Polastri may eventually lead on points throughout the three rounds, Lupita's ability to secure at least one takedown could provide her with valuable control time through 3 rounds. Godinez must take at least 1 round considering the altitude. This strategy might ultimately lead to a Godinez decision victory in Mexico City.

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Projected winner: Lupita Godinez

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ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  +110

Chris "Taco" Padilla is known for his dynamic fighting style, combining striking proficiency with a solid ground game. His background in Muay Thai allows him to deliver powerful kicks and elbows, while his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills make him a formidable opponent on the mat. Additionally, Padilla's high fight IQ enables him to adapt his strategies mid-fight, making him a versatile and unpredictable competitor in the octagon. His ability to blend different martial arts effectively sets him apart as a rising star in the UFC.

 

Jai Herbert showcases exceptional striking skills, particularly with his explosive punches and precise kicks. His background in kickboxing enhances his stand-up game, while his agility and footwork allow him to evade attacks effectively. Herbert's ability to maintain distance and control the pace of the fight makes him a dangerous opponent in the UFC.

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Ultimately, the outcome would heavily depend on each fighter's game plan and ability to adapt during the fight. While Herbert might be favored in striking exchanges, Padilla's grappling could turn the tide in his favor if he can implement it effectively. It's a closely contested matchup that could go either way!

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Projected winner: Jai Herbert

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ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  +105

Sam Hughes is recognized for her well-rounded skill set in mixed martial arts, combining effective striking with solid grappling techniques. Her ability to control pace and engage in both stand-up exchanges and ground work makes her a competitive fighter in the Women's Strawweight division.

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Stephanie Luciano showcases a diverse skill set in mixed martial arts, featuring powerful striking and effective submission techniques. Her adaptability and strong grappling background allow her to excel in both stand-up fighting and ground control, making her a dynamic competitor in the cage.

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Sam Hughes has undergone 5 camps focused on preparing for strikers and is currently in the prime of her career, having defeated one grappler, Jacqueline Amorim, in her last four fights. In contrast, Stephanie Luciano has trained against grapplers, utilizing precise strikes and a high volume of offense. For Hughes to succeed, she will need to leverage her cardio by taking Luciano to the mat, while Luciano's advantage lies in staying on her feet and maintaining activity throughout the rounds.

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Projected winner: Stephanie Luciano

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ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  +130

Bruno Ferreira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist known for his explosive fighting style and versatility in the cage. Competing primarily in the Welterweight division, he has gained recognition for his striking power and grappling skills, making him a rising star in the MMA scene.

 

Armen Petrosyan is renowned for his striking abilities, particularly in kickboxing and Muay Thai. His skill set includes effective stand-up techniques, powerful punches, and precise kicks, making him a formidable opponent in the octagon. Additionally, he demonstrates solid defensive tactics and grappling skills, enabling him to adapt to various fighting styles.​

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Projected winner: Armen Petrosyan

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ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -110

Cody Brundage and Julian Marquez have contrasting styles: Marquez is an aggressive striker, while Brundage relies on precision and countering. If Marquez controls the pace, his power could be crucial, but Brundage’s composure might help him exploit openings.

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Brundage has a wrestling advantage. If he initiates takedowns and maintains control, he could neutralize Marquez’s striking. Marquez's defensive wrestling may be challenged by Brundage's persistence, but his grappling and submission wins make up for the potential of even exchanges.

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This fight hinges on whether Brundage can use his wrestling or if Marquez can keep it standing. Brundage may win by decision, while Marquez could secure a knockout if he defends well.

 

It is noted that outlier models predict that Marquez has double the cardio edge and submission grappling opportunities to finish Brundage in this fight.

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Projected winner: Julian Marquez

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ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -225

Andre Fili is recognized for his dynamic striking and versatility in the octagon. He blends sharp boxing with effective kicks to maintain distance while being aggressive. Additionally, his grappling skills allow him to adapt to opponents, making him a well-rounded competitor in mixed martial arts.

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Melzequiel Costa is known for his aggressive striking and powerful kicks. He employs a fast-paced approach, utilizing effective footwork and clinch techniques to overwhelm opponents, showcasing a blend of brawling and calculated tactics in the octagon.

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Andre Fili's diverse shot selection and explosive speed consistently overwhelm Melzequiel Costa in simulations. Utilizing the formula for velocity (v = distance/time), Fili's superior timing outmatches Costa's raw power. In grappling, Fili excels in cardio and scrambling, while Costa has been taken down into guard in about 75% of his fights, indicating a weakness in his ground game.

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Projected winner: Andre Fili

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ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -120

Nazim Sadykhov is a powerful and aggressive fighter known for his explosive striking and knockout power. He utilizes heavy punches and forward pressure to overwhelm opponents, often seeking to finish fights with his hands.

 

Ismael Bonfim is a highly skilled and versatile MMA fighter, who combines precise boxing with explosive kicks, utilizing excellent footwork and head movement to evade opponents and create openings.

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Bonfim also demonstrates solid grappling defense, making him a well-rounded competitor capable of adapting to various fight scenarios. His ability to mix aggression with calculated technique is a hallmark of his exciting fighting style.

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It is anticipated that Nazim Sadykov may face challenges in grappling with Bonfim, likely prompting a shift to a striking approach. However, ultimately, Sadykov is expected to encounter significant difficulties both in grappling exchanges and in striking against Bonfim.

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Note: There is no significant size and reach advantage to either fighter. If anything, Bonfim has fought at the welterweight class in the past.

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Projected winner: Ismael Bonfim

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ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -130

Jake Matthews brings well-rounded experience and grappling expertise, while Francisco Prado, a younger fighter, relies on his aggressive striking and raw power. Matthews' adaptability may counter Prado's explosiveness, making for an intriguing clash of styles.

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Jake Matthews stands out as a larger welterweight, surpassing Francisco Prado in both height and reach by several inches, creating a clear physical mismatch in their proportions. For context, even Sean Brady—ranked as the shortest welterweight—is followed closely by Belal Muhammad, who is only marginally taller than Khabib Nurmagomedov, a natural lightweight. Prado is yet shorter than them. Clearly, Prado’s stature appears to put him at a significant disadvantage in the welterweight division, where physical attributes often play a crucial role in success.

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Adding to this challenge is Prado’s age—just 22 years old—and limited experience in high-level UFC competition. While his purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu demonstrates technical promise, his skill set is still in the developmental phase. If Prado were to remain at lightweight, matchups against fighters like Drew Dober, Ismael Bonfim, or Ange Loosa might better suit his current stage of growth. On the other hand, featherweight contenders such as Steve Garcia, Arnold Allen, or even Ilia Topuria (if he moved to featherweight contention) would also present intriguing challenges.

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Despite these hurdles, Prado does have a potential tactical edge. His ability to offensively wrestle could allow him to steal a round against Matthews, potentially swaying the judges in his favor. However, whether this strategy is enough to overcome Matthews’ size, reach, and overall experience remains a significant question.

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Projected winner: Jake Matthews 

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ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -170

Michael "Venom" Page is known for his unorthodox striking, dynamic movement, and pinpoint accuracy. His background in kickboxing and karate allows him to deliver explosive attacks, like spinning strikes and flying knees, making him one of the most unpredictable and exciting fighters in MMA.

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Shara Magomedov is a highly skilled MMA fighter known for his elite striking, explosive power, and versatility. With a background in kickboxing, he showcases excellent stand-up techniques, including sharp kicks, precise punches, and strong combinations. Magomedov also demonstrates solid takedown defense and a composed fight IQ, making him a well-rounded and dangerous competitor in the cage.

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Magomedov is visually impaired (disability) in his right eye, a condition he has had since childhood due to an injury. His strabismus is quite evident and may lead to depth perception issues, double vision and the likes. His condition is treatable, but not curable. 

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Magomedov's resilience in the UFC remains unmatched, as he has never been knocked down and continues his journey as an undefeated fighter. However, his next challenge—facing MVP—promises to be the ultimate test of his hand-eye coordination and adaptability.

 

While MVP's striking style is renowned for its precision, his lack of significant knockout power in punches may be evident against Magomedov. This is because Magomedov's ability to fluidly switch between stances may neutralize MVP's signature overhands, rendering them largely ineffective.

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Projected winner: Shara Magomedov

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ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  +140

Amanda Ribas is a skilled mixed martial artist with a strong foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and impressive striking techniques. Her ability to blend grappling and striking makes her a versatile and dangerous competitor in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division.

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Mackenzie Dern is a top-tier mixed martial artist renowned for her exceptional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, often utilizing her grappling expertise to secure submissions. Her striking abilities have also developed, making her a formidable competitor in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division.

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When Amanda Ribas and Mackenzie Dern first met in the octagon in 2019, Dern was just four months postpartum, a remarkable achievement in itself. During this period, Dern faced challenges, including a decline in followers and sponsors due to her pregnancy. Although she lost that fight, she made a commitment to become the first mother-champion in UFC history.

 

Since then, Dern has significantly improved her striking sequences and shot selection, now competing at a high level alongside fighters like Yan Xiaonan. Currently, she trains under coach Jason Parillo at RVCA gym, working alongside notable fighters such as Tatsuro Taira, Chito Vera, and Luke Rockhold.

 

Looking ahead, there are matchmaking suggestions for a potential showdown between Gillian Robertson and Mackenzie Dern, should Dern emerge victorious in her upcoming fight on Saturday night.

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Amanda Ribas should be stepping into the flyweight division, permanently, soon after this as the weight cuts at strawweight may be proving too challenging. 

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Projected winner: Mackenzie Dern 

 

ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -110

Adrian Yañez is recognized for his exceptional boxing skills, making him a top striker in the bantamweight division. His ability to control the fight’s pace and land significant strikes is crucial as he aims to extend his record by ending Marcos' undefeated streak.

 

In contrast, Daniel Marcos has shown promise in the UFC with an undefeated record, but he primarily relies on striking and has completed only one takedown in his four bouts. This may pose a challenge against a skilled striker like Yañez.

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Adrian Yañez effectively utilizes his jab to draw in opponents, a tactic that Daniel Marcos tends to avoid by maintaining distance in his fighting style. While Yañez thrives in close-quarters exchanges, demonstrating relentless pressure and an intimidating pace in the early rounds, Marcos has adopted a more patient approach. He focuses on reading his opponents during the first round, allowing for in-octagon adjustments that further his overall game plan. Additionally, although Yañez holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Marcos is advancing toward brown belt status. This progression suggests that Marcos may possess superior grappling skills compared to Yañez.

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Projected winner: Daniel Marcos

 

ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  +120

Cody Durden, a relentless wrestler, will face striker Joshua Van, who requested this matchup from Mick Maynard to secure a chance at breaking into the top 15 with a victory.

 

Durden has showcased his grappling and boxing skills in the UFC, particularly evident in his last three fights. However, over the past 600 days, he has relied heavily on wrestling to compensate for his subpar striking defense, suffering knockouts or near knockouts against Tagir Ulanbekov, Bruno Silva, and Matt Schnell.

 

Conversely, while Joshua Van has faced setbacks—being knocked out by Charles Johnson and knocked down in fights against Kevin Borjas and Edgar Chairez—he often fought on short notice or at high altitudes as a younger fighter.

 

Durden's upcoming fight marks his third weight cut this year, and despite previous issues making weight, he is expected to be prepared this time. Having transitioned from bantamweight to flyweight, Durden has leveraged his size and wrestling against UFC-level competition. However, given the factors at play, he may be more vulnerable than ever. Relying solely on wrestling to secure a decision victory against Van could be overly ambitious, especially since Van has demonstrated strong wrestling defense.

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Projected winner: Joshua Van

 

ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -160

​On November 11, 2024, Nikolas Motta revealed through Hyon Ko of Fanatics Ltd that he had suffered a rib fracture in September. During the interview, Motta described hearing a "pop" while sparring and demonstrated the separation of his ribs.

 

This injury forced him to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Ludovit Klein at UFC Paris on September 28, 2024. Motta characterized the pain as excruciating.

 

For his recovery, he sought treatment at the UFC Performance Institute. Remarkably, Motta claims to have rehabilitated his broken rib in less than 30 days, an unusually rapid recovery for this type of injury.

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Despite his recent injury, Maheshate Hayisaer (kickboxer) will now face Nikolas Motta (boxer/brawler) at UFC Macau on November 23, 2024​.

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Projected winner: Maheshate Hayisaer

 

ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -200

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Eduarda Moura is an emerging talent in the UFC, known for her striking skills and relentless fighting style. With a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, she combines technical precision with powerful aggression, making her a formidable opponent in the octagon.

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Veronica Hardy is a notable figure in the UFC, renowned for her dynamic fighting style and unwavering determination. With a background in both striking and grappling, she has carved out a reputation as a versatile competitor in the women's divisions.

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The fight could unfold in various ways, depending on each fighter's game plan and ability to adapt. If Moura manages to implement her grappling effectively, she could control the pace of the match and look for submission opportunities. If Hardy successfully keeps the fight standing, she could leverage her striking to score points and potentially secure a knockout or back-take, submission-finish. 

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Projected winner: Veronica Hardy

 

ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -200

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November 2023 Albazi was diagnosed with a heart condition, soon after undergoes a procedure for tachycardia. Further, he suffered a cervical (neck) injury and as a result underwent cervical surgery (titanium) January 2024. 

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Projected winner: Brandon Moreno

 

Predicted  betting line:  -320

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Fighting close to home, Armen Petrosyan (kickboxer) will face Sharaputdin Magomedov (Muay Thai Kickboxer) after a loss by RD1 Arm Triangle Choke to BJJ black-belt Rodolfo Vieira. 

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Petrosyan has showcased his kicking technique; characterized by speed, dynamism, and strength. Nevertheless, the remainder of his skill set is dependent on instinct, physical prowess, and a readiness to embrace risks. When striking from the pocket, Petrosyan's boxing may be fundamental, but one would hope he compensates for any technical deficiencies.

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Armen Petrosyan has struggled to maintain his cardio through 3-round fights. While his technical skills may give him an advantage in stylistic matchups, against Sharaputdin Magomedov, this is unlikely to be the case.

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Magomedov is expected to utilize a variety of kicks to control the distance and timing, especially in the large 30-foot octagon, in order to secure a convincing decision victory. His straight punches down the middle should help him disrupt Petrosyan's reads and offense.

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Given Magomedov's strengths and opportunities, the fight may start well for Petrosyan, but his decreasing punch output, draining cardio, and slowing offensive pace as the rounds progress, could leave him incredibly vulnerable by the end of the fight.

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Projected winner: Sharaputdin Magomedov

 

ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -170

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Darren Elkins, a seasoned fighter renowned for his unwavering commitment to either striking or grappling—regardless of the opponent's skill level—will face off against Daniel Pineda, a formidable brawler and accomplished jiu-jitsu black belt.

Elkins has a propensity for wrestling, which, while showcasing his relentless nature and physicality, might not be the most effective strategy against Pineda. Relying too heavily on wrestling could potentially backfire, as Pineda's jiu-jitsu skills should allow him to capitalize on any over-commitment from Elkins. Head-to-head, Pineda's jiu-jitsu is levels above that of Elkins. For this reason, Elkins is expected to employ his left kick and powerful right hand in a fierce stand-up battle against Pineda. 

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Pineda boasts an impressive finishing rate in his last 30 bouts, highlighting his striking power and exceptional guard game on the mat. His jiu-jitsu skills are of a high caliber, likely surpassing that of any opponent Elkins has encountered in the past five years.

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Important to note: Elkins has historically submitted fighters with subpar grappling skills. For instance, there are claims regarding UFC fighter TJ Brown's grappling abilities, suggesting that he lacks true black-belt level proficiency, with his skills being more akin to that of a purple belt. This could elucidate Elkins' successful back-take and subsequent submission victory over Brown in their most recent encounter. As the fight approaches, it will be intriguing to see how Elkins adapts his game plan against a well-rounded and dangerous opponent like Pineda.

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Projected winner: Daniel Pineda

 

ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -110

 

In pursuit of a rematch with Chepe Mariscal, Sabatini now has the chance to overcome Jonathan Pearce, thereby positioning himself for a potential title run that could commence shortly after this bout.

 

Known for possessing the best takedowns in the featherweight division, he thrives with control on the ground or against the octagon wall. It is in these positions where he scores points or seeks submissions to finish his opponents. 

 

Jonathan Pearce, state runner-up wrestler during his high school years, is a testament of the dangers wrestlers pose against MMA credentialed fighters in the UFC.  With a record of 14-6-0, and despite average back control against his opponents, Pearce is known to make up for these faulty techniques by his pressure-forward kickboxing. 

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Data suggests this fight will be a grappling dominant affair to give Pat Sabatini the highest probable odds of winning. Data reveals, Sabatini possessing the distance-control to cancel the kickboxing range of Pearce. 

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Things to note: Pat Sabatini is noticeably shorter than bantamweight Cody Haddon, who is set to make his debut against Dan Argueta this Saturday night. Interestingly, Sabatini's height is nearly on par with that of Argueta. This height and reach dynamic has previously influenced outcomes in the octagon, as evidenced by C-Rod's defeat to Bill Algeo, where such disparities were starkly apparent. It is worth noting that this particular bout occurred in Denver, Colorado, at an elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level for which this fight between Sabatini and Pearce is not.

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Projected winner: Pat Sabatini

 

ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -150

 

Following several controversial wins and losses, Mario Bautista seeks to turn over a new leaf, poised to face Jose Aldo. A legend who effectively manages distance, pace, control, and delivers devastating counters, noteworthy, his grappling defense. Known to excel at keeping the fight standing and avoiding takedowns, Aldo will seek to leverage his strong takedown defense and footwork in this fight.

 

Young, wild and free, Mario Bautista, possesses striking that is characterized by high volume and creativity, combining kicks and punches with fluid movement which we project will paralyze the laser straights and clever tight hooks of Jose Aldo. Bautista, a proficient grappler, capable of executing effective takedowns and utilizing his ground game to secure submissions or control during the fight is projected to win (2) rounds, and seek a minimum of (12) take downs in this fight.

 

Jose Aldo is expected to use his high guard to draw his reads on Bautista, while striking with clinch knees, shots to the body for points. In this time, Bautista may strike to take down (level change) and control Aldo during several rounds.​

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Projected winner: Mario Bautista

 

ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  +108

 

In this bout, Fares Ziam is projected to absorb far less strikes than did Fevola's previous opponents. This is due to his size and striking technique. Ziam possesses a stiff jab and high-level footwork that helps him land shots without absorbing them. Notwithstanding, when pressured against, his strike output is reduced significantly. Ziam's range and grappling resiliency (as seen against Puelles) will be too advantageous for Ziam on the score cards.

 

In spite of Matt Frevola taking down 3/4 of all of his opponents through the years—to include Benoit Saint Denis, Frevola's fighting pace is guided by his suffering cardio. This is defeating against a poised kickboxer, and jiu-jitsu blackbelt in Fares Ziam. Data suggests that submissions are threatening against Frevola in this fight.

 

Unlike many of Ziam's counter parts, he is varied in his art: kickboxing, jiujitsu, and judo. He is an MMA practitioner from the young age of 13. 

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Projected winner: Fares Ziam

 

ProSchmo True ©  betting line:  -225​​​​​​