The UFC Vancouver card features a bantamweight scrap that could steal the show. Cody Gibson vs Aoriqileng brings together two veterans desperately needing a win to keep their UFC careers alive. Both fighters enter this matchup coming off losses, which adds extra urgency to the fight night’s performance.
Gibson’s most recent outing saw him submit to Da’Mon Blackshear back in March 2025, snapping a 2-fight winning streak that included impressive submission victories. Aoriqileng hasn’t fought since September 2024 when rising star Raul Rosas Jr. exposed his grappling weaknesses in dominant fashion. That year-long layoff raises questions about ring rust and whether he’s made improvements to his ground game. This could turn into a classic grappler vs striker battle that tests both men’s ability to impose their game plans.
Gibson brings a veteran record of 22-11. He stands 5 feet 10 inches tall with a 71 inch reach. He lands 3.61 significant strikes per minute at 45% accuracy and only absorbs 3.18 strikes per minute thanks to respectable striking defense at 57%. Where Gibson really shines is grappling, averaging 2.13 takedowns per fight at 37% accuracy. His takedown defense sits at 69%, making him difficult to hold down when opponents try to wrestle. Gibson averages 0.6 submissions per fight and has proven he can finish opponents on the mat with his recent victories over Brian Kelleher and Francisco Rivera.
Aoriqileng enters with an extensive record of 25-12-1 NC. He stands 5’7” with a 69 inch reach. He lands an impressive 4.65 significant strikes per minute at 49% accuracy, constantly pressuring opponents with volume. The problem is Aoriqileng absorbs a whopping 5.46 strikes per minute as his striking defense checks in at just 48%. He averages 1.20 takedowns per fight at 46% accuracy, showing some wrestling ability when needed. Aoriqileng’s takedown defense is concerning at just 58%, making him vulnerable to grapplers who can impose their will. He has never attempted a submission in the UFC, preferring to win fights through striking exchanges and knockout power.
The oddsmakers have made up their mind on this fight. According to FanDuel, Cody Gibson is the favorite at –178. Meanwhile, Aoriqileng comes back as the underdog at +138. These odds reflect Gibson’s grappling advantages and more recent activity compared to Aoriqileng’s year-long layoff.
The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at +148. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is higher and the odds (-190) reflect that.
This fight will be decided by whether Gibson can get Aoriqileng to the ground and keep him there. Aoriqileng’s takedown defense is below average, which plays right into Gibson’s strengths. If Gibson can implement a grappling-heavy game plan, he should control large portions of this fight. His submission threat adds another layer of danger once fights hit the mat.
Aoriqileng needs to keep this standing and use his striking volume to overwhelm Gibson. His aggressive style and knockout power give him a legitimate path to victory if he can stuff takedowns.
If we bet on this fight, we are going with Cody Gibson to win via submission.
(All odds taken from FanDuel. Bet on the most up-to-date MMA odds, lines, and spreads with FanDuel Sportsbook)
(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)
mma I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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