Get to know the betting odds and predictions for this weekend's UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 at the Apex!
This weekend, the UFC Apex in Las Vegas hosts a rematch between two determined middleweights looking to climb the rankings. Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze are ready to throw down again after their first encounter left some lingering questions.
Their first meeting at UFC 286 ended with Vettori getting his hand raised in a unanimous decision. But as any true fight fan knows, scorecards don’t always tell the whole story. Dolidze believes he was robbed, while Vettori claims he can perform much better. Now, after a 21-month layoff due to shoulder surgery, Vettori’s longest break since joining the UFC, the Italian fighter returns hungry to prove himself against the Georgian challenger who has stayed busy with three fights since their first meeting.
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The oddsmakers have spoken, and they see Vettori as the favorite heading into Saturday night. According to BetMGM, the Italian Dream sits at –160 while Dolidze comes in as the underdog at +135. These odds suggest a competitive matchup, reflecting the closely contested nature of their first fight.
Looking at the rest of the main card, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (-200) is favored over Chidi Njokuani (+165) in what could be the sleeper fight of the night for pure violence. Alexander Hernandez (-220) is expected to handle Kurt Holobaugh (+180) in their lightweight clash.
The most lopsided odds appear in the bantamweight division. Da’mon Blackshear (-450) is heavily favored against veteran Cody Gibson (+350). Diyar Nurgozhay (-400) is the pick over Brendson Ribiero (+310) at light heavyweight, while Kevin Vallejos comes in as a massive -600 favorite against Seungwoo Choi (+425) in their featherweight bout.
The main event between Vettori and Dolidze likely hinges on cardio and technical adjustments. Dolidze has shown cardio issues not just in their first fight but also against Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Smith. At 35, Dolidze may be reaching his athletic ceiling while the 30-year-old Vettori still has room to grow.
The Italian’s jab, leg kicks, and movement neutralized Dolidze’s forward pressure in their first meeting, and there’s little to suggest the outcome will be different this time around. We are going with Marvin Vettori to win via Unanimous Decision.
The co-main event between Zaleski dos Santos and Njokuani promises fireworks. Both welterweights are known for their striking prowess and willingness to engage. We are going with Chidi Njokuan to win via KO/TKO in the later rounds. In the lightweight division, Alexander Hernandez’s wrestling might be too much for Holobaugh to handle. We are picking Hernandez to win via Unanimous Decision.
Da’mon Blackshear should use his superior athleticism to dominate Cody Gibson. We at The Playoffs are picking Blackshear to win via KO in the early rounds. Diyar Nurgozhay’s power gives him the edge over Brendson Ribiero. We are predicting an early KO victory for Nurgozhay.
The night’s most likely finish could come in the featherweight bout, where Kevin Vallejos’ overwhelming odds reflect his technical advantages over Choi. Moreover, Choi is entering this fight with a 1-4 record in his past 5 fights. We are picking Vallejos to win via KO in the early rounds.
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