Get a round of bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s next event, UFC Vegas 77 on July 15.
After an action-packed pay-per-view card inside the T-Mobile Arena, the MMA world leader returns to the Apex for a UFC Fight Night card on Saturday night. The event is headlined by a bantamweight clash as future UFC Hall-of-Famer Holly Holm returns to face rising star Mayra Bueno Silva.
Related: UFC tonight – Get the fight card, watch times and odds for Saturday’s UFC event
The event from Las Vegas will also feature the returns of several established Octagon veterans like Walt Harris, Norma Dumont, Tyson Nam, and Albert Duraev. With all of that in mind, let’s make a few bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s card on Saturday night.
UFC predictions: 5 UFC Vegas 77 fighters getting Ws
Holly Holm (15-6) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (10-2-1)
Holly Holm will go down as one of the greatest female fighters in UFC history. However, in every career, even the legends eventually lose their battle to father time. The one-time bantamweight champion is three rounds deep in her battle with time and it can go either way at this point.
That is why our UFC predictions have the Brazilian scoring a landmark win. Five years ago Holm would have been a massive favorite. But a few months away from her 42nd birthday she is pushing her ability to stay relevant at the highest levels of the division. Bueno Silva is on a roll right now and seems due for a breakthrough win against a top name. That moment will come at UFC Vegas 77 by submission.
- UFC Vegas 77 odds: Holm (-165), Silva (+140)
- Prediction: Bueno Silva by submission, Round 3
Tyson Nam (23-13-1) vs. Azat Maksum (16-0)
UFC veteran Nam will welcome elite prospect Azat Maksum to the promotion at UFC Vegas 77. Nam is one of the few fighters at flyweight with legit one-punch knockout power and he will look to try and use it early against the young-stud.
If “Kazakh” has been paying attention to Nam’s career he will use his strong grappling skills and get this to the ground as soon as possible. Look for the young talent to showcase his athleticism and youth advantages while proving why he is the biggest favorite on the card despite facing a talent veteran in the flyweight division.
- Odds: Nam (+370), Maksum (-500)
- UFC Prediction: Maksum by unanimous decision
Terrance McKinney (13-5) vs. Nazim Sadykhov (8-1)
Terrance McKinney seemed like the next big thing at lightweight after his first two UFC fights. However, he has been on the wrong end of knockouts in two of his last three and has lost all of the momentum he previously had. Now, he faces another prospect with momentum similar to what he recently lost.
Also Read: Who are the 10 greatest fighters in MMA history?
Nazim Sadykhov is a Contender Series veteran on an eight-fight win streak and has scored finishes in seven of those victories. He is the early favorite, but this just feels like a slight step down in competition so McKinney can step back up with a highlight reel finish against the Octagon newbie.
- Odds: McKinney (+145), Sadykhov (-125)
- Prediction: McKinney by TKO, Round 2
Ottman Azaitar (13-1) vs. Francisco Prado (11-1)
Ottman Azaiter vs. Francisco Prado is one of the pick ’em fights at UFC Vegas 77. Both are talented prospects who saw winning streaks end in their last UFC bouts. Both also have the ability to finish foes, but “Bulldozer’s” power is the ultimate equalizer.
Prado will come with a balanced attack and will likely test the grappling of his opponent, however, expect Azaitar to unload a bomb that ends this bout in the second.
- Odds: Azaitar (-105), Prado (-115)
- UFC Prediction: Azaitar by TKO, Round 2
Tucker Lutz (12-3) vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (7-2)
Melsik Baghdasaryan was seen as a must-see prospect until his surprise submission loss to Joshua Culibao at UFC 284. Now, there are questions on if the Glendale Fighting Club fighter truly has what it takes to emerge as a serious impact player at featherweight in the UFC.
At UFC Vegas 77, he will face another prospect who has seemingly hit a ceiling at the highest levels and is also looking to prove they are better than they have shown of late. Baghdasaryan is only a small favorite, which displays how close this one is. However, he still seems to be the talent with the greater level of upside, and this is likely a booking made by the UFC to help him rebuild his lost momentum.
- Odds: Lutz (+135), Baghdasaryan (-155)
- UFC Prediction: Baghdasaryan by unanimous decision