Saturday’s UFC Fight Night will take place at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Main Event is a five-round middleweight bout featuring No. 7 Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues. Cannonier looks to snap his two-fight losing streak as Rodrigues attempts to pick up his first victory in the UFC against a ranked opponent.
Here are my two best bets for UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues.
Youssef Zalal by Submission (+275)
Youssef Zalal, 28, was 3-0 in 2024 in the UFC. He is currently in his second stint with the promotion and had three submissions in 2024. In November 2024, Zalal submitted Jack Shore in the second round. He has 13 finishes in his 16 victories in his MMA career. Calvin Kattar is his most formidable opponent in many years and matches up well against the veteran.
Both fighters have a 72″ reach, while Kattar stands one inch taller (5’11” vs. 5’10”). Although Kattar lands almost two more significant strikes per minute, Zalal is 10 percent more accurate on the feet. Zalal’s most crucial advantage is on the ground, where he averages nearly two more takedowns per 15 minutes than Kattar. He also averages 1.5 submissions per 15 minutes.
Although Kattar is still No. 10 in the division, he hasn’t won a fight since January 2022. Kattar is almost 37, and it seems like his best days are behind him. If Zalal dictates the pace of this fight and attempts multiple takedowns in the first round, another finish is likely in his future.
Edmen Shahbazyan to Win by KO/TKO/DQ or Submission (-125)
Shahbazyan is only 5-5 in the UFC, but he has had a tough schedule lately. In August 2024, Shahbazyan was submitted by Gerald Meerschaert. Now he will face Dylan Budka, who is 0-2 in the UFC. This is an excellent spot for Shahbazyan to return to the win column.
On paper, Shahbazyan is two inches taller and a superior striker. Shahbazyan lands 2.6 more significant strikes per minute than Budka while being more efficient. This is a substantial step up in competition for Budka, and although things haven’t gone Shahbazyan’s way, he is still very talented. Shahbazyan is a heavy favorite at -395 to win this bout on DraftKings Sportsbook. Shahbazyan’s last five victories in the UFC have come by finish, making it the better value play.
