Middleweight strikers collide at the Meta APEX on Saturday night, as Poland’s Michal Oleksiejczuk takes on Canada’s Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC Vegas 113.
Oleksiejczuk (21–9, 16 KOs, 1 NC) has rebounded from a brutal 2024 and enters the Octagon riding back-to-back first-round knockouts, most recently starching Gerald Meershaert in August. Barriault (17–10, 11 KOs, 1 NC) has dropped four of his last five fights and will look to bounce back from a unanimous decision loss to Shara Magomedov last July.
Oleksiejczuk enters as a heavy -485 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Barriault sits as a +370 underdog. The total is set at 1.5 rounds.
Oleksiejczuk vs. Barriault Denis Preview
Michal Oleksiejczuk
Oleksiejczuk’s career resurgence came in the most unconventional of ways. Coming off three-straight losses in 2024 — tapping out to Michel Pereira and Kevin Holland before falling to Shara “Bullet” on the scorecards — the Polish southpaw took a trip to Brazil and joined the Fighting Nerds.
Since joining the camp, “Hussar” has won back-to-back bouts by first-round knockout, punctuated by a flattening of Gerald Meerschaert at UFC 319.
The veteran, who’s been under the UFC banner since 2017, is a calculated striker averaging 5.34 significant strikes per minute. Oleksiejczuk can mix in a takedown now and then, but he prefers to hunt for a finish — 16 of his 21 wins have come by knockout, including 13 first-round stoppages.
Marc-Andre Barriault
Barriault, 35, might be running out of time. The Canadian striker has lost nine of 15 bouts (with one no contest) since his UFC debut in 2019. Following his unanimous decision loss to Shara “Bullet” last July, “Powerbar” has dropped four of his previous five. That brutal stretch includes a pair of first-round knockouts from Joe Pyfer and Dustin Stoltzfus.
Still, Barriault remains a formidable foe on the feet, landing an impressive 5.70 significant strikes per minute with devastating power. Eleven of his 17 wins have come by knockout, including his latest win at UFC 315 — secured with a skull-denting elbow that sent Bruno Silva to the hospital.
However, as evidenced by his bout against Magomedov, Barriault’s age could be catching up to him. He’ll have to turn back the clock to secure his future with the promotion.
Oleksiejczuk vs. Barriault Denis Pick, Best Bet
Oleksiejczuk has seemingly caught a second wind since joining the Fighting Nerds, and he should secure his third-straight win against the aging Barriault. All six of his most recent wins have come by first-round knockout, and he would be wise to continually test the chin of his opponent, who has suffered a pair of early knockouts in the last couple of years.
Expect Oleksiejczuk to get it done in one on Saturday night. Best Bet: Michal Oleksiejczuk to Win by KO/TKO/DQ in Round 1 (+110)
