UFC Predictions: UFC Fight Night: Thiago Santos vs. Magomed Ankalaev

#3. UFC Fight Night: The Main Card

Bantamweight prospect Sodiq Yusuff is in action on this weekend's main card

In a major featherweight bout, Sodiq Yusuff faces Alex Caceres. Despite his loss last year to Arnold Allen, Yusuff is still one of this division’s better prospects. He’s an explosive athlete who hits like a truck and has underrated skills elsewhere.

Caceres, meanwhile, is on the best run of his UFC career right now, riding a five-fight win streak. However, he hasn’t faced anyone nearly as explosive or hard-hitting as Yusuff during that time. If he can drag ‘Super Sodiq’ to the ground he stands a chance, but the pick overall is Yusuff via KO.

At light heavyweight, Khalil Rountree takes on Karl Roberson. This one should be a striking-based battle, as both men have superb kickboxing skills and heavy hands.

Had Rountree ever tuned up his ground game, then he could well have developed into a title contender by now, but Roberson isn’t likely to test him there. On the feet, ‘The War Horse’ is the bigger, harder-hitting fighter. Therefore, Rountree by decision is the pick.

In a lightweight clash, Drew Dober faces Terrance McKinney, who is taking the bout on late notice having only fought and won two weeks ago. ‘T-Wrecks’ has looked excellent in the UFC thus far, but Dober is a difficult opponent for him as he hits very hard, is durable and has excellent technical striking.

This is a winnable fight for McKinney, as Dober is coming off two straight losses. However, given the late notice, it’ll be tricky for him. Dober via decision is the pick.

Finally, in an amazing-sounding middleweight bout, Alex Pereira faces Bruno Silva. Better known as the only man to ever knock out Israel Adesanya, Pereira is a striking legend, but his MMA game is unproven – despite a flying knee KO in his octagon debut.

This is a difficult match for him, though, as Silva has shown brutal striking power in his own octagon run, going 3-0 thus far. However, he’s never fought a striker as skilled as ‘Po Atan’ before, meaning Pereira via tight decision is the pick.

---

#4: UFC Fight Night: The Prelims

Picks in bold

Welterweight: Matthew Semelsberger vs. AJ Fletcher

Women's flyweight: JJ Aldrich vs. Gillian Robertson

Bantamweight: Trevin Jones vs. Javid Basharat

Featherweight Damon Jackson vs. Kamuela Kirk

Women's flyweight: Sabina Mazo vs. Miranda Maverick

Middleweight: Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Cody Brundage

Bantamweight: Guido Cannetti vs. Kris Moutinho

Light heavyweight: Tafon Nchukwi vs. Azamat Murzakanov