UFC Vegas 113’s main card features a heavyweight clash between Jailton Almeida and Rizvan Kuniev. This three round battle pits the Brazilian submission specialist against the Russian striker in a critical matchup at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Almeida opens as a -162 favorite, with Kuniev at +126 as the underdog. This heavyweight bout could position the winner for a step up in competition within the division.
Here’s how we’re betting UFC Vegas 113: Almeida vs Kuniev, including our UFC predictions, best bet, key props and an expert final verdict.
Mini Fight Info Strip
Event: UFC Vegas 113 – UFC Apex
Weight class: UFC Heavyweight bout
Fight length: 3-round main card bout
Date & time: Saturday, February 7, 2026 – Main card: 09:00 p.m. ET, walk time ~10:30 p.m. ET
21+. AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MA/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/ VA/WV/WY only. Offer not available in DC/MS/NV/NY/PR. New customers only. Qualifying deposit (min $10) and first real money wager required. If qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets up to $1,500. Full T&Cs can be found on betmgm.com.
Odds updated: February 5, 2026 – 03:20 AM ET. Lines may move before fight night, especially after weigh-ins or late injury news.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats to Know
Before we get into the matchup, here’s a Tale of the Tape for Almeida vs Kuniev.
Tale Of The Tape
Jailton Almeida
Rizvan Kuniev
Record
22-4
12-3-1 (1 NC)
Age
34
33
Height
6’3″
6’4″
Reach
79″
76″
Stance
Orthodox
Orthodox
Sig. Strikes Landed
2.25
4.45
Striking Accuracy
66%
58%
Takedowns
6.66
1.45
Takedown Defense
60%
90%
Submission Avg.
2.0
0.0
Almeida holds advantages in reach, striking accuracy, massive takedown volume, and elite submission threat. Kuniev counters with superior height, striking volume, significantly better takedown defense, and lower damage absorption.
Fighter Breakdown – Jailton Almeida Analysis
Almeida comes in with a 22-4 record bringing relentless grappling pressure to the heavyweight division. The 34 year old Brazilian is a submission specialist with overwhelming wrestling volume and finishing instincts.
Strengths: Elite takedown volume (6.66 per fight) overwhelms opponents. Exceptional submission threat (2.0 attempts). Superior striking accuracy (66%). Outstanding damage avoidance (1.02 absorbed per minute). Reach advantage. Relentless pace and pressure. Multiple paths to victory.
Weaknesses: Low striking volume (2.25 per minute). Poor striking defense (35%). Heavy reliance on grappling. Lower striking output creates vulnerability if takedowns fail. Size disadvantage at 225 lbs against bigger heavyweights.
Betting Angles: Almeida’s -162 moneyline offers solid value given his multiple finishing paths. Almeida by Submission (+210) provides excellent value as his most likely finish method.
Kuniev brings a 12-3-1 (1 NC) record with superior striking metrics and elite defensive wrestling. The 33 year old Russian is a powerful striker with excellent takedown defense.
Strengths: Superior striking volume (4.45 per minute). Elite takedown defense (90%). Exceptional takedown accuracy (75%). Height advantage. Size advantage at 240 lbs. Better striking output. Knockout power.
Weaknesses: Poor striking defense (45%). Higher damage absorption. Zero submission threat. Lower striking accuracy (58%). Reach disadvantage. Limited grappling offense. Heavy reliance on defending takedowns.
Betting Angles: Kuniev’s +126 moneyline offers minimal value despite elite takedown defense. Kuniev by KO/TKO (+300) provides value if striking exchanges remain standing. Fight goes the distance (+215) offers longshot value.
Almeida’s overwhelming grappling pressure and multiple finishing paths make him the clear pick despite Kuniev’s elite takedown defense. While Kuniev’s defensive wrestling is exceptional, Almeida’s relentless volume creates opportunities where even elite defenders eventually break.
Almeida’s exceptional striking accuracy allows him to set up takedowns effectively, and his outstanding damage avoidance keeps him safe during striking exchanges. Once the fight hits the mat, Almeida’s elite submission threat (2.0 attempts per fight) creates immediate danger against Kuniev’s zero submission average.
At -162 (implied 61.8%), we project Almeida wins closer to 65-70% of the time, offering solid value on the moneyline.
Almeida’s elite submission threat creates excellent value at +210. His 2.0 submission attempts per fight suggests a clear mismatch on the ground. Once Almeida secures takedowns against even elite takedown defense, his finishing instincts take over.
Heavyweight submissions are less common than lighter divisions, but Almeida’s specialization in this area makes him an outlier. At +210 (implied 32.3%), we project Almeida wins by submission around 35-40% of the time.
New customers only. Must be 21+ in most jurisdictions, but 18+ in DC, KY, and WY. Offer is valid only in eligible regulated states/jurisdictions and not available in AR; void where prohibited. First online real-money wager only; cashed-out or bonus-funded bets are excluded.
Small stake only. If Kuniev’s elite 90% takedown defense holds up better than expected, Almeida’s path becomes grinding out control time and positional dominance over three rounds. Almeida’s 6.66 takedowns per fight suggests he eventually breaks through even elite defense, and accumulating control time without finishing could bank rounds.
At +550 (implied 15.4%), this offers excellent payout if the fight unfolds as a grappling chess match rather than a finish. This scenario requires Kuniev’s defense exceeding expectations. Keep stakes at 0.5 units maximum given the low probability.
Prediction – Final Verdict
Official pick: Jailton Almeida by Unanimous Decision
We are backing Almeida to secure a clear unanimous decision victory, likely 30-27 on all scorecards. The Brazilian’s relentless grappling pressure and control time should prove decisive over 15 minutes, even against Kuniev’s elite takedown defense.
Almeida should open with accurate striking to set up takedown attempts, using his 66% accuracy to land clean shots while avoiding Kuniev’s power. The Russian’s poor 45% striking defense creates opportunities for Almeida to land combinations before shooting for takedowns. While Kuniev’s 90% takedown defense is exceptional, Almeida’s volume approach eventually overwhelms even elite defenders.
Kuniev may land significant strikes in exchanges and could potentially steal a round with effective counter-striking, but his lower output and defensive posture while stuffing takedowns should cost him on the scorecards. The size advantage and knockout power keep Kuniev dangerous, but Almeida’s damage avoidance minimizes finish risk.
How to Bet UFC Vegas 113: Tips for This Card
Beyond the heavyweight main card bout, UFC Vegas 113 offers several compelling matchups that create both opportunities and traps for bettors.
Card Tips:
Grappling volume overwhelms elite defense. Almeida’s 6.66 takedowns per fight creates pressure even against Kuniev’s 90% defense. Relentless attempts break through eventually.
Submission specialists in heavyweight are rare. Almeida’s 2.0 submission attempts per fight makes him an outlier in the division. This specialization creates value in finish markets.
Kyoji Horiguchi’s 3.64 striking output vs Amir Albazi’s 2.72 creates a clear judging advantage. Activity wins close rounds at UFC Apex without crowd influence.
UFC Vegas 113 Fight Card
Main Card (09:00 p.m. ET – Paramount+)
Mario Bautista vs Vinicius Oliveira – Bantamweight bout, 5 rounds
Amir Albazi vs Kyoji Horiguchi – Flyweight bout, 3 rounds
Jailton Almeida vs Rizvan Kuniev – Heavyweight bout, 3 rounds
Michal Oleksiejczuk vs Marc-Andre Barriault – Middleweight bout, 3 rounds
Jean Matsumoto vs Farid Basharat – Bantamweight bout, 3 rounds
Dustin Jacoby vs Julius Walker – Light Heavyweight bout, 3 rounds
Prelims (6:00 p.m. ET – Paramount+)
Alex Morono vs Daniil Donchenko – Welterweight bout, 3 rounds
Bruna Brasil vs Ketlen Souza – Women’s Strawweight bout, 3 rounds
Said Nurmagomedov vs Javid Basharat – Bantamweight bout, 3 rounds
Wang Cong vs Eduarda Moura – Women’s Flyweight bout, 3 rounds
Muin Gafurov vs Jakub Wiklacz – Bantamweight bout, 3 rounds
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!
mma 
