Ufc Predictions Prelims

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William hill horse racing cards. UFC 259 undercard preview: Complete online breakdown, predictions for top four (of 10) 'Prelims' matches on ESPN/ESPN+ this weekend (Sat., March 6, 2021) in Las Vegas: Cruz vs. Kenney, Yadong vs.

Ufc 249 Predictions Prelims

There are three title fights on the card for Saturday's UFC 259 in Las Vegas, headlined by the main event light heavyweight bout between Jan Blachowicz and Israel Adesanya. The main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET at UFC APEX. Below, we look at BetMGM‘s odds for the full UFC 259 fight card.

Blachowicz enters as the UFC's light heavyweight champion and will defend his title against middleweight champ Adesanya. In the penultimate fight of the night, Amanda Nunes defends her women's featherweight strap against Megan Anderson. Petr Yan puts the bantamweight title on the line against Aljamain Sterling the fight before.

Stream and watch all of the UFC 259 action with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 259 odds: Main card

All odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:50 a.m. ET.

Jan Blachowicz (+195) vs. Israel Adesanya (-250)

Adesanya (20-0) is the heavy favorite with an implied win probability of 71.43% despite Blachowicz (27-8) being the incumbent champ in the higher weight class. A $10 bet on Adesanya to win would return a profit of just $4.

Also see:Blachowicz vs. Adesanya odds, picks and prediction

Amanda Nunes (-900) vs. Megan Anderson (+600)

Nunes (20-4) is the biggest betting favorite on the entire UFC 259 fight card with an implied win probability of 90.09% against Anderson (11-4). It would take a $900 bet in order to turn a profit of $100.

Also see:Nunes vs. Anderson odds, picks and prediction

Petr Yan (-120) vs. Aljamain Sterling (+100)

Yan (15-1) is only a slight favorite while defending his title against Sterling (19-3). This is the closest betting line on the UFC 259 card with Yan having an implied win probability of a modest 54.55%.

Also see:Yan vs. Sterling odds, picks and prediction

Islam Makhachev (-450) vs. Drew Dober (+330)

Makhachev (18-1) is the favorite against the more experienced Dober (23-9, 1 NC) in this lightweight bout. A $10 bet on Dober would return a profit of $33 with an upset victory.

Also see:Makhachev vs. Dober odds, picks and prediction

Thiago Santos (+140) vs. Aleksander Rakic (-165)

The main card begins with another light heavyweight battle between the division's No. 2 challenger in Santos (21-8) and No. 4 in Rakic (13-2). The lower-ranked Rakic is the slight favorite with a 62.26% implied win probability.

Also see:Santos vs. Rakic odds, picks and prediction

Special UFC 259 Promotion!

Bet $1 on Israel Adesanya and WIN $100 (in free bets) if Adesanya wins vs. Blachowicz during UFC 259. Promotion available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Place all of your legal, online sports wagers at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. Bet now!

UFC 259 odds: Prelims

Dominick Cruz (+105) vs. Casey Kenney (-125)

Cruz (22-3) is a short dog in a bantamweight bout against Kenney (16-2-1) concluding the prelims. Kenney is unranked and trying to move up with a win against the No. 11 contender.

Song Yadong (-160) vs. Kyler Phillips (+135)

Yadong (16-4-1, 1 NC) is being given the edge and a 61.54% win probability against Phillips (8-1) in another bantamweight contest. Yadong is 14th in the division rankings.

Joseph Benavidez (+110) vs. Askar Askarov (-135)

Askarov (12-0-1) is the favorite in a flyweight battle with Benavidez (28-7). The two rank third and second, respectively, in the division.

Rogerio Bontorin (+115) vs. Kai Kara-France (-140)

Kara-France (21-9, 1 NC) and Bontorin (16-2, 1 NC) clash in another flyweight bout on the undercard. It would take a $140 bet on Kara-France to fetch a profit of $100 with a victory. A $100 wager on Bontorin nets a $115 return.

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UFC 259 odds: Early prelims

Tim Elliott (+100) vs. Jordan Espinosa (-120)

Elliott (17-11-1) enters UFC 259 as the flyweight division's No. 12 challenger and is a slight betting underdog against the unranked Espinosa (15-8, 1 NC). A $100 bet on Elliott to win would return a profit of $100 at even-money.

Kennedy Nzechukwu (+200) vs. Carlos Ulberg (-250)

Ulberg (5-0) is undefeated and favored over Nzechukwu (7-1) in the first light heavyweight bout of the night. Both fighters are unranked.

Ufc Prelims Predictions Bloody Elbow

Sean Brady (-225) vs. Jake Matthews (+175)

Brady (13-0) battles Matthews (17-4) in a welterweight contest. A $100 bet on the underdog Matthews would return a profit of $175 with an upset victory but at implied odds of just 36.36%.

Livinha Souza (+190) vs. Amanda Lemos (-225)

The unranked Lemos (8-1-1) meets Souza (14-2) as a modest favorite in a women's strawweight bout. Souza is the division's No. 15 contender.

Uros Medic (-175) vs. Aalon Cruz (+145)

Medic (6-0) looks to stay undefeated as the favorite in a lightweight fight against Cruz (8-3). It would take a $175 bet on Medic to fetch a $100 profit.

Mario Bautista (-250) vs. Trevin Jones (+195)

UFC 259 begins with a bantamweight bout between the favored Bautista (8-1) and underdog Jones (12-6, 1 NC). Jones has an implied win probability of just 33.90%.

When is UFC 259?

The main card of UFC 259 is scheduled for Saturday at 10 p.m. ET. The main event should begin around midnight ET.

Prelims begin at 6 p.m. ET.

Where is UFC 259?

UFC APEX, Las Vegas

How/Where can I watch UFC 259?

Catch the entire UFC 259 fight card, including Blachowicz-Adesanya, on Pay-Per-View on ESPN+.

Sign up for ESPN+ now and don't miss any of the action.

Where can I bet on UFC 259?

Get some action on UFC 259 by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM.

If you're looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.

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While undisputed Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic gears up for a rematch with Francis Ngannou, Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis will square off for a potential crack at the title when they headline the latest event to take place inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, this Saturday (Nov. 28, 2020). UFC Vegas 15 will also see Anthony Smith step up on short notice to face Devin Clark and two-time 'Contender Series' winner Josh Parisian fight fellow Heavyweight slugger Parker Porter.

UFC Vegas 15 features seven 'Prelims' undercard bouts this weekend (all on ESPN+/ESPN2) that will set the stage for these post-Thanksgiving battles. Let's check out the first batch ..

125 lbs.: Su Mudaerji vs. Malcolm Gordon

Su Mudaerji (12-4) — who joined UFC on the heels of a submission loss — almost certainly felt some deja vu when Louis Smolka dispatched him in similar fashion. He rebounded brilliantly nine months later, however, dominating Andre Soukhamthath in Shenzhen.

He fights for the first time since Aug. 2019, having withdrawn from a March clash with Bruno Silva.

Malcom Gordon (12-4) twice defended his TKO Flyweight title in impressive fashion, submitting James Mancini and The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) veteran Yoni Sherbatov, before stepping up on short notice to face Aleksander Doskalchuk on 'Fight Island.' When Doskalchuk withdrew, 'Malcolm X' instead faced Amir Albazi, who gave him a taste of his own medicine with a first-round triangle.

He has submitted six professional opponents and knocked out four others.

Beating up Andre Soukhamthath may not be a particularly laudable feat, as 'The Asian Sensation' has turned self-sabotage into an art form, but it's hard not to be impressed by Mudaerji's improvements. If that effort was genuinely indicative of a souped-up game and not just a product of Soukhamthath imploding again, there's every reason to think the Tibetan makes it two straight here. He's got a significant edge in firepower over Gordon, who'll struggle to impose his slickster stylings against a longer, taller, more versatile striker.

The X-factor, of course, is Gordon's wrestling. Poor takedown defense spelled the end for Mudaerji against Smolka, and standing up to Soukhamthath's wrestling isn't sufficient evidence that he's completely fixed that issue. Still, I favor Mudaerji to catch him with something nasty in a back-and-forth striking battle.

Prediction: Mudaerji via first-round technical knockout

135 lbs.: Luke Sanders vs. Nathan Maness

Following a dominant, bonus-winning submission of Maximo Blanco in his UFC debut, Luke Sanders (13-3) fell into a 1-3 skid, all three defeats coming by stoppage. 'Cool Hand' Luke managed to right the ship somewhat in 2019, smashing former champion Renan Barao to win 'Fight of the Night.'

This will be his first fight in 21 months.

Ufc 253 Prelims Predictions

Nathan Maness (12-1) snapped Jesse Arnett's 12-fight winning streak to win the TKO Bantamweight belt, but failed to retain it against UFC veteran Taylor Lapilus in his first defense. After a get-well win in his native Kentucky, he joined UFC in August and handed late-notice replacement Johnny Munoz Jr. the first loss of his professional career.

Though four inches taller than Sanders, he'll have just a one-inch reach advantage.

Sanders actually opened as an underdog, which surprised me. Sure, he's had his fair share of struggles in the Octagon, but Maness only barely got past Munoz in his Octagon debut and was thoroughly shredded by Lapilus. 'Cool Hand' Luke is the bigger hitter by a fair margin, and though he's the shorter of the two, Maness has never been particularly adept at maximizing his size advantage.

Even acknowledging Sanders' proclivity for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, this doesn't figure to be too difficult for him, especially since Maness lacks the power or submission skills to punish Sanders' lapses the way Andre Soukhamthath and Iuri Alcantara did. In the end, Sanders beats him up on the feet for either a mid-round stoppage or comfortable decision.

Prediction: Sanders via second-round technical knockout

145 lbs.: Spike Carlyle vs. Bill Algeo

Despite entering the world's MMA fight promotion on the heels of four consecutive wins, Spike Carlyle (9-2) found himself an underdog against 'Contender Series' standout Aalon Cruz in his debut, only to flip the script with an 85-second knockout. Then came Billy Quarantillo, who out-lasted 'The Alpha Ginger' en route to a close decision victory.

His eight finishes, split 5/3 between knockouts and submissions, include seven in the first round.

Bill Algeo (13-5) saw a four-fight win streak end at the hands of Brendan Loughnane on the Contender Series, though he started his 2020 campaign strong by beating Tim Dooling in August. Just 16 days later, he stepped up on short notice to face Ricardo Lamas, falling just short in a 'Fight of the Night'-winning slugfest.

'Senor Perfecto' stands four inches taller than Carlyle and will enjoy a 2.5-inch reach advantage.

Considering the three takedowns Algeo gave up to Loughnane and the five he surrendered to Lamas, it's safe to say that he won't be staying on his feet for long; Carlyle's going to be on him like Mike Perry on a cheeseburger from the opening bell. Algeo's task, then, is to survive Carlyle's mauling top control long enough to turn things around when the latter starts to fade. Quarantillo just barely pulled it off, but I'm not convinced Algeo can do the same.

Even if 'Senor Perfecto' does manage to take things into deep waters, I'm not sure he has the stopping power to put Carlyle away in the brief stretches where he's not fighting off takedowns. Carlyle should pound him out early, and even if he doesn't, he'll build up enough of an early lead to get the win.

Prediction: Carlyle via first-round technical knockout

155 lbs.: Kai Kamaka vs. Jonathan Pearce

Undefeated since a 2-2 pro start, Kai Kamaka (8-2) scored wins in KOTC, Bellator and LFA en route to an August UFC debut against Tony Kelley. It wound up being one to remember, earning both men 'Fight of the Night' bonuses after three entertaining rounds.

He replaces Sean Woodson on a week's notice.

Jonathan Pearce (9-4) — four stoppage wins removed from a three-fight skid — secured himself a UFC contract by knocking out Jacob Rosales on 'Contender Series.' This set up an Octagon debut against Joe Lauzon, who shockingly mauled the favored 'JSP' in just 93 seconds.

All of his wins since 2015 have come by stoppage, six of them via form of knockout.

Getting smashed by the battered husk of Joe Lauzon is a bad look for anyone, and the way in which he got smashed is especially concerning. Kamaka has the boxing skill to punish Pearce's leaky defense and the takedowns to dominate on the mat the way Lauzon did. 'JSP' will find it difficult to get his pressure going when Kamaka can drag him to the mat whenever things start to get hairy.

That said, Pearce is the notably larger man and Kamaka's had cardio issues before, which make the former's relentless aggression a potential threat. He'll have to both keep it standing and get past Kamaka's hands to make it work, though, and I don't see him doing either. I suspect Kamaka banks at least the first two rounds through sharp boxing and long stretches of top control.

Prediction: Kamaka via unanimous decision

Petr Yan (-120) vs. Aljamain Sterling (+100)

Yan (15-1) is only a slight favorite while defending his title against Sterling (19-3). This is the closest betting line on the UFC 259 card with Yan having an implied win probability of a modest 54.55%.

Also see:Yan vs. Sterling odds, picks and prediction

Islam Makhachev (-450) vs. Drew Dober (+330)

Makhachev (18-1) is the favorite against the more experienced Dober (23-9, 1 NC) in this lightweight bout. A $10 bet on Dober would return a profit of $33 with an upset victory.

Also see:Makhachev vs. Dober odds, picks and prediction

Thiago Santos (+140) vs. Aleksander Rakic (-165)

The main card begins with another light heavyweight battle between the division's No. 2 challenger in Santos (21-8) and No. 4 in Rakic (13-2). The lower-ranked Rakic is the slight favorite with a 62.26% implied win probability.

Also see:Santos vs. Rakic odds, picks and prediction

Special UFC 259 Promotion!

Bet $1 on Israel Adesanya and WIN $100 (in free bets) if Adesanya wins vs. Blachowicz during UFC 259. Promotion available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Place all of your legal, online sports wagers at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. Bet now!

UFC 259 odds: Prelims

Dominick Cruz (+105) vs. Casey Kenney (-125)

Cruz (22-3) is a short dog in a bantamweight bout against Kenney (16-2-1) concluding the prelims. Kenney is unranked and trying to move up with a win against the No. 11 contender.

Song Yadong (-160) vs. Kyler Phillips (+135)

Yadong (16-4-1, 1 NC) is being given the edge and a 61.54% win probability against Phillips (8-1) in another bantamweight contest. Yadong is 14th in the division rankings.

Joseph Benavidez (+110) vs. Askar Askarov (-135)

Askarov (12-0-1) is the favorite in a flyweight battle with Benavidez (28-7). The two rank third and second, respectively, in the division.

Rogerio Bontorin (+115) vs. Kai Kara-France (-140)

Kara-France (21-9, 1 NC) and Bontorin (16-2, 1 NC) clash in another flyweight bout on the undercard. It would take a $140 bet on Kara-France to fetch a profit of $100 with a victory. A $100 wager on Bontorin nets a $115 return.

Play our new free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now!

UFC 259 odds: Early prelims

Tim Elliott (+100) vs. Jordan Espinosa (-120)

Elliott (17-11-1) enters UFC 259 as the flyweight division's No. 12 challenger and is a slight betting underdog against the unranked Espinosa (15-8, 1 NC). A $100 bet on Elliott to win would return a profit of $100 at even-money.

Kennedy Nzechukwu (+200) vs. Carlos Ulberg (-250)

Ulberg (5-0) is undefeated and favored over Nzechukwu (7-1) in the first light heavyweight bout of the night. Both fighters are unranked.

Ufc Prelims Predictions Bloody Elbow

Sean Brady (-225) vs. Jake Matthews (+175)

Brady (13-0) battles Matthews (17-4) in a welterweight contest. A $100 bet on the underdog Matthews would return a profit of $175 with an upset victory but at implied odds of just 36.36%.

Livinha Souza (+190) vs. Amanda Lemos (-225)

The unranked Lemos (8-1-1) meets Souza (14-2) as a modest favorite in a women's strawweight bout. Souza is the division's No. 15 contender.

Uros Medic (-175) vs. Aalon Cruz (+145)

Medic (6-0) looks to stay undefeated as the favorite in a lightweight fight against Cruz (8-3). It would take a $175 bet on Medic to fetch a $100 profit.

Mario Bautista (-250) vs. Trevin Jones (+195)

UFC 259 begins with a bantamweight bout between the favored Bautista (8-1) and underdog Jones (12-6, 1 NC). Jones has an implied win probability of just 33.90%.

When is UFC 259?

The main card of UFC 259 is scheduled for Saturday at 10 p.m. ET. The main event should begin around midnight ET.

Prelims begin at 6 p.m. ET.

Where is UFC 259?

UFC APEX, Las Vegas

How/Where can I watch UFC 259?

Catch the entire UFC 259 fight card, including Blachowicz-Adesanya, on Pay-Per-View on ESPN+.

Sign up for ESPN+ now and don't miss any of the action.

Where can I bet on UFC 259?

Get some action on UFC 259 by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM.

If you're looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.

Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Money Line betting is the most common type of sports bet. The simple format ensures it's a popular choice for beginner bettors. However, more advanced bettors will still turn to this market to find. In betting what is the money line. 200 Money Line: 100 / 200 =.5 +1 = 1.5 Decimal Odds-350 Money Line: 100 / 350 =.286 +1 = 1.286 (1.29) Decimal Odds-625 Money Line: 100 / 625 =.16 +1 = 1.16 Decimal Odds; Pros & Cons of Money. This page explains the Money Line bet, how the odds work, and gives info on payouts. We also list the best Moneyline sports betting sites online in Canada. Click the link - earn lots of income immediately, with practically no startup funds needed! Begin banking money in less than 24 hours w. What is a Money Line or Straight Up Wager? Check out definitions and learn how to bet money line odds and straight up wagers at The Spread.

MMA Junkie:

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

While undisputed Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic gears up for a rematch with Francis Ngannou, Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis will square off for a potential crack at the title when they headline the latest event to take place inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, this Saturday (Nov. 28, 2020). UFC Vegas 15 will also see Anthony Smith step up on short notice to face Devin Clark and two-time 'Contender Series' winner Josh Parisian fight fellow Heavyweight slugger Parker Porter.

UFC Vegas 15 features seven 'Prelims' undercard bouts this weekend (all on ESPN+/ESPN2) that will set the stage for these post-Thanksgiving battles. Let's check out the first batch ..

125 lbs.: Su Mudaerji vs. Malcolm Gordon

Su Mudaerji (12-4) — who joined UFC on the heels of a submission loss — almost certainly felt some deja vu when Louis Smolka dispatched him in similar fashion. He rebounded brilliantly nine months later, however, dominating Andre Soukhamthath in Shenzhen.

He fights for the first time since Aug. 2019, having withdrawn from a March clash with Bruno Silva.

Malcom Gordon (12-4) twice defended his TKO Flyweight title in impressive fashion, submitting James Mancini and The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) veteran Yoni Sherbatov, before stepping up on short notice to face Aleksander Doskalchuk on 'Fight Island.' When Doskalchuk withdrew, 'Malcolm X' instead faced Amir Albazi, who gave him a taste of his own medicine with a first-round triangle.

He has submitted six professional opponents and knocked out four others.

Beating up Andre Soukhamthath may not be a particularly laudable feat, as 'The Asian Sensation' has turned self-sabotage into an art form, but it's hard not to be impressed by Mudaerji's improvements. If that effort was genuinely indicative of a souped-up game and not just a product of Soukhamthath imploding again, there's every reason to think the Tibetan makes it two straight here. He's got a significant edge in firepower over Gordon, who'll struggle to impose his slickster stylings against a longer, taller, more versatile striker.

The X-factor, of course, is Gordon's wrestling. Poor takedown defense spelled the end for Mudaerji against Smolka, and standing up to Soukhamthath's wrestling isn't sufficient evidence that he's completely fixed that issue. Still, I favor Mudaerji to catch him with something nasty in a back-and-forth striking battle.

Prediction: Mudaerji via first-round technical knockout

135 lbs.: Luke Sanders vs. Nathan Maness

Following a dominant, bonus-winning submission of Maximo Blanco in his UFC debut, Luke Sanders (13-3) fell into a 1-3 skid, all three defeats coming by stoppage. 'Cool Hand' Luke managed to right the ship somewhat in 2019, smashing former champion Renan Barao to win 'Fight of the Night.'

This will be his first fight in 21 months.

Ufc 253 Prelims Predictions

Nathan Maness (12-1) snapped Jesse Arnett's 12-fight winning streak to win the TKO Bantamweight belt, but failed to retain it against UFC veteran Taylor Lapilus in his first defense. After a get-well win in his native Kentucky, he joined UFC in August and handed late-notice replacement Johnny Munoz Jr. the first loss of his professional career.

Though four inches taller than Sanders, he'll have just a one-inch reach advantage.

Sanders actually opened as an underdog, which surprised me. Sure, he's had his fair share of struggles in the Octagon, but Maness only barely got past Munoz in his Octagon debut and was thoroughly shredded by Lapilus. 'Cool Hand' Luke is the bigger hitter by a fair margin, and though he's the shorter of the two, Maness has never been particularly adept at maximizing his size advantage.

Even acknowledging Sanders' proclivity for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, this doesn't figure to be too difficult for him, especially since Maness lacks the power or submission skills to punish Sanders' lapses the way Andre Soukhamthath and Iuri Alcantara did. In the end, Sanders beats him up on the feet for either a mid-round stoppage or comfortable decision.

Prediction: Sanders via second-round technical knockout

145 lbs.: Spike Carlyle vs. Bill Algeo

Despite entering the world's MMA fight promotion on the heels of four consecutive wins, Spike Carlyle (9-2) found himself an underdog against 'Contender Series' standout Aalon Cruz in his debut, only to flip the script with an 85-second knockout. Then came Billy Quarantillo, who out-lasted 'The Alpha Ginger' en route to a close decision victory.

His eight finishes, split 5/3 between knockouts and submissions, include seven in the first round.

Bill Algeo (13-5) saw a four-fight win streak end at the hands of Brendan Loughnane on the Contender Series, though he started his 2020 campaign strong by beating Tim Dooling in August. Just 16 days later, he stepped up on short notice to face Ricardo Lamas, falling just short in a 'Fight of the Night'-winning slugfest.

'Senor Perfecto' stands four inches taller than Carlyle and will enjoy a 2.5-inch reach advantage.

Considering the three takedowns Algeo gave up to Loughnane and the five he surrendered to Lamas, it's safe to say that he won't be staying on his feet for long; Carlyle's going to be on him like Mike Perry on a cheeseburger from the opening bell. Algeo's task, then, is to survive Carlyle's mauling top control long enough to turn things around when the latter starts to fade. Quarantillo just barely pulled it off, but I'm not convinced Algeo can do the same.

Even if 'Senor Perfecto' does manage to take things into deep waters, I'm not sure he has the stopping power to put Carlyle away in the brief stretches where he's not fighting off takedowns. Carlyle should pound him out early, and even if he doesn't, he'll build up enough of an early lead to get the win.

Prediction: Carlyle via first-round technical knockout

155 lbs.: Kai Kamaka vs. Jonathan Pearce

Undefeated since a 2-2 pro start, Kai Kamaka (8-2) scored wins in KOTC, Bellator and LFA en route to an August UFC debut against Tony Kelley. It wound up being one to remember, earning both men 'Fight of the Night' bonuses after three entertaining rounds.

He replaces Sean Woodson on a week's notice.

Jonathan Pearce (9-4) — four stoppage wins removed from a three-fight skid — secured himself a UFC contract by knocking out Jacob Rosales on 'Contender Series.' This set up an Octagon debut against Joe Lauzon, who shockingly mauled the favored 'JSP' in just 93 seconds.

All of his wins since 2015 have come by stoppage, six of them via form of knockout.

Getting smashed by the battered husk of Joe Lauzon is a bad look for anyone, and the way in which he got smashed is especially concerning. Kamaka has the boxing skill to punish Pearce's leaky defense and the takedowns to dominate on the mat the way Lauzon did. 'JSP' will find it difficult to get his pressure going when Kamaka can drag him to the mat whenever things start to get hairy.

That said, Pearce is the notably larger man and Kamaka's had cardio issues before, which make the former's relentless aggression a potential threat. He'll have to both keep it standing and get past Kamaka's hands to make it work, though, and I don't see him doing either. I suspect Kamaka banks at least the first two rounds through sharp boxing and long stretches of top control.

Prediction: Kamaka via unanimous decision

We've for three more UFC Vegas 15 'Prelims' bouts to preview and predict, including a clash between two highly entertaining Flyweights. Same time tomorrow, Maniacs.

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 15 fight card this weekend, starting with the ESPN+/ESPN2 'Prelims' matches, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ESPN+/ESPN2 10 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 15: 'Blaydes vs. Lewis' news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.