Get a round of bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s next event, UFC Nashville on Saturday night.
After a monster UFC 291 card last week, the MMA world leader takes their violence circus back on the road, this time to Nashville, Tennessee. And the card from inside the Bridgestone Arena is a solid offering with a major matchup in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
Related: UFC tonight – Get watch times and odds for Saturday’s UFC card
In the night’s main event, rankings stalwart Rob Font gets one of the toughest tests of his career when he faces former interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen in a clash with major division ramifications. It is a booking that should deliver the type of violence worthy of the 10 best MMA movies ever.
In the co-main, former strawweight queen Jessica Andrade welcomes super prospect Tatiana Suarez back to the division for a huge scrap at 115 pounds. With all of that in mind, let’s make a few bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s event on Saturday in Nashville.
UFC predictions: 5 UFC Nashville fighters getting Ws Saturday
Cory Sandhagen (16-4) vs. Rob Font (20-6)
Cory Sandhagen has long been one of the toughest puzzles to solve in the UFC’s 135-pound division. He is an unpredictable striker that pressures and uses his length well. Furthermore, he is a handful on the mat. It has always taken elite fighters to be able to overcome his varied attack and impressive skills. Rob Font will need to elevate his game to new heights to beat the odds at UFC Nashville.
This is a make-or-break moment for the Boston native if he ever hopes to earn a title fight during his UFC career. Expect him not to take this unique moment for granted and bring the best version of himself to the cage on Saturday. While it won’t be easy and there will be some scary moments, look for Font to use a strong jab and some surprise takedowns to score an improbable upset win on Saturday.
- UFC Nashville odds: Sandhagen (-340), Font (+270)
- Prediction: Font by split-decision
Jéssica Andrade (24-11) vs. Tatiana Suarez (9-0)
Suarez has been outstanding during her MMA career. She is unbeaten in her first nine and has been a dominant wrestling force thus far. Only a major knee injury was able to derail her momentum. Yet, on Saturday she will get a very serious test in a power-punching former champion looking to steal her hype in Brazil’s Andrade.
Andrade is one of the best female fighters of her era, but over the last few years, she has slowed down considerably and the wear and tear of a 35-fight career has started to show. Expect Suarez to use her range to keep Andrade at bay until she finds moments to land takedowns and wear down “Bate Estaca.” Eventually, it will pay off in a third-round submission victory for the American star.
- Odds: Andrade (+285), Suarez (-360)
- UFC Prediction: Suarez by submission, Round 3
Raoni Barcelos (17-4) vs. Kyler Phillips (10-2)
Outside of a controversial loss two years ago, Kyler Phillips has been one of the more interesting prospects at bantamweight. He has won five of his six bouts in the Octagon and has scored a few highlight-reel finishes. It seems like he could be set up for another on Saturday night when he faces veteran Raoni Barcelos.
The Brazilian is a battle-tested fighter but at 36 seems to be in the midst of an age-related decline after losing three of his last four. This very much feels like a classic youth versus experience clash, and with Phillips having such an electric fighting style it seems like a tough matchup for Barcelos.
- Odds: Barcelos (+164), Phillips (-198)
- UFC Prediction: Phillips by TKO, Round 3
Billy Quarantillo (17-5) vs. Damon Jackson (22-5-1)
Bill Quarantillo is one of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC’s featherweight division. While he has had his fair share of losses, he brings it every time he is in the Octagon and rarely leaves without blood being spilled. However, on Saturday he gets a fighter that will be looking to avoid a war and get things to the ground ASAP in Damon Jackson.
Jackson is a very good grappler, but his opponent has the size and skills to keep this matchup on the feet where he has a distinct advantage. After he gets taken down once or twice and working back to his feet, expect “Billy Q” to eventually start wearing Jackson out in the striking department en route to a TKO win.
- Odds: Quarantillo (-180), Jackson (+150)
- UFC Prediction: Quarantillo by TKO, Round 3
Gavin Tucker (13-2) vs. Diego Lopes (21-6)
Diego Lopes had the extremely difficult task of making his UFC debut on short notice and against a fast-rising star in Movsar Evloev. On Saturday he gets a solid test but notable step down in competition with Canadian Gavin Tucker.
Both men are skilled grapplers but Tucker’s inconsistent schedule over the last few years leaves many questions about if he has evolved in his time away from the cage. Lopes is a finishing machine who put a scare into Evloev in May so look for him to further showcase his upside again and score a definitive TKO for his first UFC victory.
- Odds: Tucker (+145), Lopes (-175)
- UFC Prediction: Lopes by TKO, Round 1