Get a round of bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s next event, UFC Vegas 75, on June 17.
The MMA world leader will be back in Nevada for a new UFC Fight Night card inside their Apex on Saturday. The event is headlined by a clash of top-five talents in the middleweight rankings when former title challengers Marvin Vettori and Jared Cannonier battle to inch closer to a championship opportunity in the near future.
Related: UFC tonight – Get watch times and odds for Saturday’s UFC card
The card from Las Vegas also features the Octagon return of several veterans including Arman Tsarukyan, Raoni Barcelos, and Jimmy Flick. With that in mind, let’s make a few bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s card this weekend.
UFC predictions: 5 UFC Vegas 75 fighters getting Ws
Marvin Vettori (19-5-1) vs. Jared Cannonier (16-6)
Vettori vs. Cannonier is a major matchup in the 185-pound division. Both had their opportunities to take down division king Israel Adesanya previously and came up short. A win for either on Saturday night is a huge pelt on their wall and furthers the case for a title shot in the near future.
Cannonier has advantages on the feet and in his cardio that could play a key role. However, the Italian’s standup game is rock-solid, but his ability to take fights to the mat gives him more options. Look for Vettori to try and mix things up and offer a healthy dose of grappling.
It won’t be easy and will likely be close, but Vettori will eke out a big win this weekend.
- UFC 288 odds: Vettori (-120), Cannonier (+100)
- Prediction: Vettori by split-decision
Arman Tsarukyan (19-3) vs. Joaquim Silva (12-3)
Tsarukyan is a huge -1050 favorite heading into UFC Vegas 75, and it is understandable. He is a very talented lightweight and has only fallen to a pair of really good fighters during his time in the promotion. Furthermore, his opponent Joaquim Silva has not been impressive in his eight UFC appearances.
This feels like a tune-up fight for Tsarukyan and will be used as a showcase opportunity to reaffirm his status as one of the 10 best lightweights in the world. Our UFC predictions see a dominant first-round win on Saturday night.
- Odds: Tsarukyan (-1050), Silva (+700)
- UFC Prediction: Tsarukyan by TKO, Round 1
Nicolas Dalby (21-4-1) vs. Muslim Salikhov (19-3)
The “King of Kung Fu” has been fairly impressive during his run in the UFC. Winning six of eight and scoring three finishes, including in his most recent bout in November. That came against a very durable fighter in Andre Fialho and he surprisingly stopped him.
In Nicolas Dalby, he gets a foe more than willing to point fight and eke out a win. While Dalby has the tools to get the win on Saturday, look for the Russian to show off his unique striking and score a second straight finish.
- Odds: Nicolas Dalby (+155) vs. Muslim Salikhov (-180)
- UFC Prediction: Salikhov by TKO, Round 3
Pat Sabatini (17-4) vs. Lucas Almeida (14-1)
Pat Sabatini versus Lucas Almeida is an interesting clash of two talented young featherweights at UFC Vegas 75. The American has a skilled mat game that will prove problematic for his Brazilian foe. However, Almeida has been a finishing machine throughout his career. Be it in the standup game or on the mat.
If he can keep it standing, he has some clear advantages over Sabatini. Expect him to exploit his opponent’s weakness in the striking game and score a highlight-reel finish in the second round.
- Odds: Sabatini (-195), Almeida (+165)
- UFC Prediction: Almeida by TKO, Round 2
Jimmy Flick (16-6) vs. Alessandro Costa (12-3)
Alessandro Costa is one of the best flyweight prospects in the world. Unfortunately for him, he had the bad luck of debuting in the UFC against one of the best in the game, Amir Albazi. He won’t see that level of competition on Saturday night.
While Jimmy Flick was once an elite prospect as well, he has fought just once in the last three years. The American could turn back the clock and recapture his previous form, however, it is far more likely Costa showcases why he is a fighter to watch at 125 pounds in 2023 and beyond.
- Odds: Flick (+235), Costa (-280)
- UFC Prediction: Costa by unanimous decision