On today’s UFC Fight Night Prelims, there is an intriguing Heavyweight contest between Mario Pinto and Felipe Franco. These fighters have a combined record of 21-1, with Pinto a perfect 11-0 and Franco 10-1. The Prelims begin at 1:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
Check out my best bet below for Mario Pinto vs. Felipe Franco at today’s UFC Fight Night Prelims.
Mario Pinto To Win And Over 1.5 (+165)
Pinto, 28, has gotten off to a spectacular start in his career. He earned a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in October 2024. Pinto followed that up with a 2-0 record in his first year in the promotion. If he can get past Franco, he surely looks like a future ranked Heavyweight contender. Franco lost to Freddy Vidal on DWCS in September 2025 but is making his UFC debut after winning two fights by finish since then.
Even though this bout features two talented young fighters, Pinto is a -900 favorite with Franco being a +600 underdog on DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 1.5 rounds with the under being -175 and the over at +135. Pinto is -200 to win this fight by knockout.
Although Franco is skilled, it is hard to predict which version of himself will show up since his last disappointing performance under the UFC banner. Pinto should be able to get the best of Franco on the feet, as he is the better all-around striker. He has landed 78 percent of his significant strikes in the UFC. Pinto needs to stop Franco’s takedown attempts; if he does, a victory is likely. Only one of his previous victories has come in the first round. That is why I’m taking Pinto to win and over 1.5 rounds at -165.
