Get a round of bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s next event, UFC 288 on May 6.
After a pair of cards in their Las Vegas home base, the MMA world leader returns to pay-per-view, and New Jersey, for a card headlined by a championship matchup in the bantamweight division. After three years away, former two-division champion Henry Cejudo is back to regain the 135-pound title from current king Aljamain Sterling.
Related: UFC tonight – Get watch times and odds for Saturday’s UFC card
The co-main event is a wild short-notice scrap between a pair of top-five fighters in our UFC welterweight rankings and will see elite 170-pounders in Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad faceoff in a matchup with serious title fight ramifications.
Plus, several other Octagon favorites like Jessica Andrade, Bryce Mitchell, and “Khaos” Williams will be back in action at the Prudential Center, in Newark on May 6.
With that in mind, let’s make a few bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s next PPV event.
UFC predictions: 5 UFC 288 fighters getting Ws Saturday
Aljamain Sterling (22-3) vs. Henry Cejudo (16-2)
Sterling’s reign as champion has been one of the more peculiar in UFC history. He won the belt from Petr Yan by disqualification, barely defended it by split decision, then beat TJ Dillashaw when the former champion competed with a serious shoulder injury. Now, he will face a former titlist that hasn’t fought in three years. It seems like the New York native has been in a can’t-win situation ever since winning the belt.
Nevertheless, even with such a long layoff, this will be the toughest test of Sterling’s career. Cejudo is an Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler and a talented striker. If not for the layoff, “Triple C” would likely be a big favorite. This one should be close for the first couple of rounds, but once “The Messenger” knocks off the ring rust, look for him to figure out “Funkmaster” and cruise to a decision win.
- UFC 288 odds: Sterling (+100) vs. Cejudo (-120)
- Prediction: Cejudo by unanimous decision
Dober (26-11) vs. Matt Frevola (10-3-1)
Drew Dober vs. Matt Frevola has serious potential to be UFC 288’s fight of the night. Both men are fighters that are willing to throw caution to the win in pursuit of landing impactful strikes. Frevola is an underrated fighter and double tough, however, Dober’s power is a serious x-factor in this fight. It just seems like it’s a matter of time before the Nebraska native lines up the punch that drops the aggressive New Yorker and sets up a TKO finish.
- Odds: Dober (-210) vs. Frevola (+180)
- UFC Prediction: Dober by TKO, Round 2
Belal Muhammad (22-3) vs. Gilbert Burns (22-5)
After Beniel Dariush vs. Charles Oliveria was removed from the card, fight fans got an outstanding replacement in Burns vs. Muhammad. “Remember the Name” is deserving of a title opportunity now but seems to be blocked by the company’s favoritism for Colby Covington. He is the fighter with a lot to lose in this bout and is taking a big risk.
Burns is a dangerous fighter who can win anywhere. However, it just seems like Muhammad is on an unstoppable rise to a title fight, and has the wrestling and cardio that will allow him to grind out a very close decision victory.
- Odds: Muhammad (+120) vs. Burns (-140)
- UFC Prediction: Muhammad by unanimous decision
Kron Gracie (5-1) vs. Charles Jourdain (13-6-1)
One of the current members of the legendary Gracie family, Kron Gracie, returns after four years away at UFC 288. The 34-year-old is a gifted grappler, naturally, and is tougher than you would expect. But he has always lacked the necessary striking to reach the higher levels of the sport.
In Charles Jourdain he gets a winnable matchup, but “Air” is very experienced and has faced a wide variety of foes in his career. Meaning he has what it takes to avoid the dangers of Gracie and eventually send him home with a second straight loss in MMA.
- Odds: Gracie (+145) vs. Jourdain (-170)
- UFC Prediction: Jourdain by TKO, Round 2
Diego Lopes (20-5) vs. Movsar Evloev (16-0)
Movsar Evloev versus Diego Lopes could be the bout to watch as the upset special of the night. Evloev, one of the fastest-rising prospects at featherweight, was originally set to face Bryce Mitchell at UFC 288. However, on a few days’ notice, he will now battle the Lux Fight League veteran.
While the Russian is talented enough to adjust and should still win this fight, Lopes is very dangerous and has scored finishes in 90% of his 20 wins, with 11 being by submission. Without a doubt, he was not facing UFC-level talent but a fighter who knows how to pounce in key moments is a serious challenge with limited preparation.
- Odds: Lopes (+625) vs. Evloev (-900)
- UFC Prediction: Evloev by TKO, Round 2