{"id":624989,"date":"2026-04-23T04:30:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T04:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/624989\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T04:30:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T04:30:41","slug":"ufc-vegas-116s-best-betting-props-parlays-and-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/624989\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Vegas 116\u2019s best betting props, parlays and picks"},"content":{"rendered":"

UFC Vegas 116<\/a> is live this weekend (Sat., April 25, 2026) inside the familiar META APEX<\/a> and streaming on the increasingly familiar Paramount+<\/a>. This our first trip back to the APEX since April 4.<\/p>\n

Our main event on Saturday is Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal<\/a> in the Featherweight division. Zalal, who is riding a long win streak, could put himself among the contenders with an impressive win over the former 135-pound champion here.<\/p>\n

Our co-main event is Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards in the women\u2019s Bantamweight division. Both these ladies are on good win streaks, too, and they are projected to have a fun brawl. Rounding out the main card is Rafa Garcia vs. Alexander Hernandez, Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti, Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos and Marcus Buchecha vs. Ryan Spann.<\/p>\n

The featured \u201cPrelim\u201d is Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico. This portion of the card also has Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden and Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague.<\/p>\n

As always, there\u2019s lots to bet on this card and we\u2019ve got odds for all the fights below:<\/p>\n

UFC Vegas 116 Main Card Money Line Odds<\/p>\n

\"Aljamain<\/a><\/p>\n

Aljamain Sterling attempts to shut down a rising contender at UFC 116. Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n

Aljamain Sterling (+120) vs. Youssef Zalal (-142)<\/p>\n

Sterling\u2019s last fight was his bizarre contest with Brian Ortega back in Aug. 2025 (details here<\/a>). Ortega looked like death warmed up on the scales<\/a> for that fight and that carried over to the bout itself. The fight, which was forced to be at 155 pounds<\/a>, saw Sterling essentially fighting a training dummy. He won with a lopsided unanimous decision. That was Sterling\u2019s first fight since he lost to Movsar Evloev by decision. Sterling has competed just three times since he lost the title to Sean O\u2019Malley in 2023. This isn\u2019t due to injury, though. It\u2019s because of his much-publicized fractious relationship<\/a> with UFC brass.<\/p>\n

Zalal, meanwhile, has charged up the 145-pound rankings since he re-signed with the company in 2024. He\u2019s won five straight since March 2023, scoring finishes in all but one fight. Last time out, he arm-barred Josh Emmett in around 90 seconds (re-live that here<\/a>). Before that, he dominated Calvin Kattar for a decision in a fight where it looked like Zalal was playing with his food a little too much. This run has Zalal on an eight-fight win streak (10 if you count some boxing and kickboxing side quests he had along the way). He was cut from UFC before that run started after he went 0-3-1. During that time, he lost a decision to Ilia Topuria. He and Emmett are the only men to go the distance with Topuria.<\/p>\n

This is a hard fight to pick. It\u2019s hard to know where Sterling is at when we don\u2019t see him that often and considering the weirdness around his last fight. We\u2019ve only seen him three times at Featherweight and two of those opponents didn\u2019t really show up (that\u2019s including his fight versus the anemic Kattar).<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure that Zalal is going to provide more resistance than Ortega and Kattar did. The big question is whether his game is suited to defeat Sterling. Both these guys love a back take and love to control and tire their opponents. Zalal is more immediately interested in submissions, though.<\/p>\n

Sterling is a great wrestler, but can he out-wrestle guys at Featherweight, where he\u2019s almost always going to be the smaller guy? He couldn\u2019t do it against Evloev. Zalal is not Evloev, but he does have a big size advantage working in his favor.<\/p>\n

Zalal is also the better striker. On paper their stats are very similar. Sterling\u2019s significant strike accuracy is 52 percent and Zalal\u2019s is 50 percent. If we were just looking at strikes when standing, I suspect Zalal\u2019s number would be much higher than Sterling\u2019s, though. They both have good striking defense, too. Sterling defends 59 percent of significant strikes thrown his way. Zalal defends 66 percent.<\/p>\n

If this is a kickboxing match, then I think Zalal wins it quite comfortably. It might go that way. I can see Sterling and Zalal both thinking they have the advantage on the feet and thus wanting to press their luck there.<\/p>\n

The most exciting way this fight could go is if both men throw themselves into grappling exchanges and look for submissions. I favor Zalal in that scenario, too, since he has amazing flexibility, body awareness and quickness in those grappling transitions. His size would also be a big help there, too.<\/p>\n

Since I like Zalal in both the scenarios I see happening, I\u2019ve got to go with him. That being said, I still think there\u2019s a chance Sterling is able to pull this one out.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Youssef Zalal moneyline (-142)<\/p>\n

\"Norma<\/a><\/p>\n

Norma Dumont will stand and bang at UFC Vegas 116. Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Norma Dumont (-245) vs. Joselyne Edwards (+200)<\/p>\n

Dumont has won her last six fights. However, because of her inactivity, it\u2019s hard to say she\u2019s got much momentum. Her last fight back in Nov. 2025 was a split decision win over Ketlen Vieira. Her prior fight to that was in Sept. 2024 in The Sphere. That\u2019s where she literally rearranged Irene Aldana\u2019s face. Before that, she took a decision over the ghost of Germaine de Randamie.<\/p>\n

Edwards is on a four-fight win streak, but her four fights have all been over the last two years. And they have all been finishes, too. Last year she submitted Nora Cornolle (see it here<\/a>), after crushing her shoulder with a nasty body lock takedown. And before that, she obliterated Priscila Cachoeria (see it here<\/a>). Edwards has made weight in her last three fights, something she\u2019s only managed one other time in her UFC career.<\/p>\n

This is a great fight and I\u2019m not mad at it being our co-main event. These two could bite down on the mouthpiece and have a very exciting brawl this weekend.<\/p>\n

Edwards has looked very dynamic during her run and I think she has a great shot at out-landing and possibly hurting Dumont. Dumont has taken out the bigger names lately, but she was sensational in that Aldana fight, only. She could have easily lost the decision against Vieira.<\/p>\n

Edwards has a slight reach and height advantage on Dumont. Her straight punches have looked very good lately, though. Despite being smaller, Dumont will have the strength advantage. She\u2019s a lot thicker than Edwards and that should help her in the clinch and against the fence.<\/p>\n

I just have a feeling we\u2019re seeing a better Edwards than we\u2019re used to at the moment, though. Her making weight might suggest that she\u2019s taking fighting more seriously than ever and that might be why we\u2019re seeing her perform better than we expect.<\/p>\n

If she makes weight this week, I think she\u2019s a very live dog. I\u2019m taking her with the points, though, since I\u2019d like a little insurance. I don\u2019t think Dumont knocks her out, so I think we\u2019re either seeing an Edwards stoppage or a close decision. Perfect recipe, for me, for a +3.5 play.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Joselyne Edwards +3.5 (-160)<\/p>\n

\"Tim<\/a>\"MMA<\/p>\n

UFC Winnipeg Fight STREAK results! Enter your pick for UFC Vegas 116<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

CCRattler and Adam Wagner are in the lead right now with four fight streaks. CCRattler had Mike Malott this weekend and Adam Wagner had Marcio Barbosa.<\/p>\n

Also, my nemesis BennyHillDariush is on the board.<\/p>\n

This is proving pretty tough, huh?<\/p>\n

Who you picking for this week?<\/p>\n

UFC Vegas 116 Main Event On Paramount+<\/a>:<\/p>\n

145 lbs.: Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal<\/p>\n

UFC Vegas 116 Main Card on Paramount+<\/a> (8 p.m. ET):<\/p>\n

135 lbs.: Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards
155 lbs.: Rafa Garcia vs. Alex Hernandez
135 lbs.: Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti
135 lbs.: Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos
265 lbs.: Marcus Buchecha vs. Ryan Spann<\/p>\n

UFC Vegas 116 Prelims Card on Paramount+<\/a> (5 p.m. ET):<\/p>\n

185 lbs.: Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico
185 lbs.: Sedriques Dumas vs. Jackson McVey
135 lbs.: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague
125 lbs.: Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden
170 lbs.: Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela
115 lbs.: Talita Alencar vs. Julia Polastri<\/p>\n

I think Filho taps Durden.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>LikeRec 0CommentsThin Stroke Comment Icon BubbleReplyRead 15 replies\"Alexander<\/a><\/p>\n

Alexander Hernandez will hope to make it to the cage at UFC Vegas 116. Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Rafa Garcia (+110) vs. Alexander Hernandez (-130)<\/p>\n

Garcia showed a lot of heart to get a win over Jared Gordon in Sept. 2024, finishing his fellow veteran with elbows on the ground (see it here<\/a>). Before that he took a decision over Vinc Pichel. The 31 year-old is now 6-4 in the Octagon.<\/p>\n

Hernandez\u2019s last fight fell through, famously, due to some betting irregularities<\/a>. The betting activity suggested that Hernandez might have been compromised going into that fight with Michael Johnson. That incident mars what was a great run for Hernandez. He is still on a four-fight win streak, though, with finishes over Diego Ferreira and Chase Hooper.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m willing to throw out the weirdness over Hernandez\u2019s last fight booking. When I do that, I can just focus on this really impressive run he\u2019s been on. During the run both his striking and grappling have looked better than ever and he\u2019s been really smart about using those different skills in the correct situations. He\u2019s been able to out-box his grapple-heavy opponents and then ground his striking-heavy opponents.<\/p>\n

Garcia is well-rounded, too, but he\u2019s more a wrestler than a striker. I think Hernandez \u2014 who has size over Garcia \u2014 will be able to win the exchanges on the feet and will be able to defend against Garcia\u2019s attempts to take him down.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Alexander Hernandez moneyline (-130)<\/p>\n

\"Tim<\/a>\"MMA<\/p>\n

What fight made you a fan?<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

MMA first came on my radar when I saw Cro Cop highlights on The Best Damn Sports Show Period (which was not something I watched religiously or anything). But the first season of TUF really drew me in and then, the finale is what totally sold me.<\/p>\n

I remember being in a friend’s basement, by myself, watching it and wishing there were other people to see it. I think there was a party or something and most people were asleep. <\/p>\n

What about you, which fight do you remember selling you on the sport and what were the circumstances around it?<\/p>\n

LikeRec 1CommentsThin Stroke Comment Icon BubbleReplyRead 44 replies\"Davey<\/a><\/p>\n

Davey Grant gets a newcomer at UFC Vegas 116. Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Davey Grant (-142) vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti (+120)<\/p>\n

Grant was blown up by a Charles Jourdain flying knee in his last fight (see it here<\/a>). That ruined a nice little run for the Englishman. He\u2019d beaten Da\u2019Mon Blackshear and Ramon Tavares by decision and looked a lot more spry than you\u2019d expect from a 40-year-old.<\/p>\n

Martinetti is debuting here, after an impressive win on Contender Series<\/a>. On the feeder show he threw down with Mark Vologdin (who we saw last weekend). He won the fight, which UFC\u2019s YouTube channel called THE GREATEST FIGHT EVER, by decision. Martinetti is 17-1 now, but he\u2019s only fought on the South American scene.<\/p>\n

I think this is a really close fight. Martinetti indulged Vologdin in having a fire fight with him, but he was also looking for takedowns here and there. I don\u2019t think he\u2019s going to stand and bang with everyone he faces in UFC.<\/p>\n

Grant is also very versatile and will look to mix striking and wrestling when it makes most sense. This fight is tough, because it asks whether Grant\u2019s experience and late career surge is enough to take out the neophyte Martinetti or whether Grant\u2019s age has caught up with him.<\/p>\n

Martinetti is not one of these killers who has come off Contender Series lately, so I don\u2019t think Grant is in danger of getting smoked like poor Dennis Buzukja did last week. But, I do think there is a chance Martinetti is able to land some good shots and then have space to breathe (unlike he did with Vologdin) before going to his wrestling.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to go for the over here, since I\u2019m too chicken to pick a winner. I just don\u2019t know how much stock to put in Grant getting destroyed by Jourdain \u2014 since Jourdain might be a title contender in this division.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Over 2.5 rounds (-166)<\/p>\n

Betting on sports involves risk, so please only wager amounts you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know if struggling with gambling help can be found with the organizations listed below:<\/p>\n

USA: National Problem Gambling Helpline \u2014 Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER to receive support and learn about available services.UK: GamCare – Call 0808 8020 133 to speak to an advisor about gambling (or visit gamecare.org.uk for live chat and forum options).Canada: Visit responsiblegambling.org for resources on helplines in Canada\u2019s various provinces and territories.Australia\/New Zealand: National Gambling Helpline \u2014 Call (800) 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.\"At<\/a><\/p>\n

At UFC Vegas 116, Montel Jackson will get another chance to breakthrough at Bantamweight. Ed Mulholland\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Montel Jackson (-180) vs. Raoni Barcelos (+150)<\/p>\n

Jackson had a chance, recently, to become a name at Bantamweight. But, he laid an egg. He rode his six-fight win streak into a fight with Deiveson Figueiredo, but then lost to the former UFC champ by split decision. I think the split decision was kinder to Jackson than he deserved.<\/p>\n

Barcelos, on the other hand, is on a great run at the moment. He\u2019s won four in a row and he blew up on our radars after handing Payton Talbott a decision loss in Jan. 2025 (as a +710 underdog). After that he took decisions over Cody Garbrandt and Ricky Simon.<\/p>\n

I like Barcelos in this fight. Jackson was tentative in the Figueiredo fight and just wouldn\u2019t pull the trigger. He spent a lot of his time just standing straight up and starring at the former champ. Barcelos is not afraid to pull the trigger. He is always looking to make something happen and that is what took Talbott off his game and has lead to Barcelos racking up these impressive wins lately.<\/p>\n

I can see Barcelos getting his head on Jackson\u2019s chest and forcing him to have a dirty, ugly fight against the cage. Jackson won\u2019t like that and I don\u2019t think he has the physicality or the will to force a guy like Barcelos to back off of him.<\/p>\n

Jackson has a ton of size on Barcelos. But, he had that on Figureido, too. And Barcelos has had success as the smaller man, too.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Raoni Barcelos moneyline (+150)<\/p>\n

Marcus Buchecha (-155) vs. Ryan Spann (+130)<\/p>\n

The Buchecha experiment has not gone well in UFC<\/a>. In his debut, he was picked apart by Martin Buday for a decision loss. After that he fought to a very forgettable draw with Kennedy Nzechukwu. He would have lost that if not for the point deduction Nzechukwu received for an eye poke.<\/p>\n

Spann moved up to Heavyweight last year. In his first bout he was TKO\u2019d by Waldo Cortes-Acosta. No shame in that given Waldo\u2019s 2025 run. Spann rebounded by beating Lukasz Brzeski with his trademark guillotine.<\/p>\n

Buchecha got his takedowns in round one against Nzechukwu, but couldn\u2019t do anything with them. And Spann is a better grappler than Nzechukwu. Buchecha was then tired in the second round. That\u2019s an improvement on him being tired in the first round, which we saw in his debut. I think Spann\u2019s speed and athleticism is going to make Buchecha struggle for his early takedowns and the cardio gap will be significant after that.<\/p>\n

A tired Buchecha really lurches into his takedowns. If he does that, his neck is going to be out there for that \u2018Spann-atine\u2019. I know, the idea of Buchecha being submitted in the Octagon seems strange. But we\u2019ve seen submission aces come into the UFC and get finished on the ground before (see Rodolfo Vieira, who fights later on this card).<\/p>\n

Buchecha\u2019s lack of striking is also a big factor in this fight. He has offered zero offense on the feet in his first two fights. His lack of striking means his takedowns are totally naked and thus easier to avoid. In this fight, it\u2019s another reason why Spann might be able to stay on his feet.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think this will be a fun one, but I think there\u2019s a chance this could be the last act in the Buchecha-UFC era.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Ryan Spann moneyline (+130)<\/p>\n

UFC Vegas 116 \u2018Prelims\u2019 Under Card Odds<\/p>\n

\"Sedriques<\/a><\/p>\n

Sedriques Dumas and Jackson McVey get a make-up date at UFC Vegas 116. Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Jackson McVey (-205) vs. Sedriques Dumas (+170)<\/p>\n

Dumas was supposed to be McVey\u2019s debut opponent in UFC. But, Dumas\u2019 ankle monitor<\/a> scuppered that deal. McVey would end up debuting opposite Brunno Ferreira one month later and was quickly submitted. McVey was then submitted by Zach Reese back in Nov. 2025 (see that here<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Dumas fought Reese after his canceled fight with McVey. That ended with a nut shot from hell, which rendered Dumas unable to compete and possibly reproduce<\/a>. After that, he lost to Donte Johnson by guillotine (see it here<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Dumas is the underdog \u2014 what\u2019s up with that?<\/p>\n

I know he\u2019s an odd duck and all and plenty of folks want to see him lose due to his off-field problems. But McVey hasn\u2019t shown us anything in the Octagon yet, albeit against opponents better than Dumas.<\/p>\n

McVey is yet to stop a takedown in UFC \u2014 he\u2019s 0-4 in attempts to do so. I think Dumas probably gets him down and then tests McVey\u2019s submission defense (which has failed thus far in his UFC outings).<\/p>\n

Dumas is not good on the feet, so there\u2019s a chance McVey finds success there. In the Reese fight, McVey favored a Muay Thai clinch approach. Being that close to Dumas puts him at risk of being wrestled down to the ground, though.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll take Dumas here, since we\u2019re still waiting to see what McVey actually does well.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Sedriques Dumas moneyline (+170)<\/p>\n

\"Rodolfo<\/a><\/p>\n

Rodolfo Vieira comes into UFC Vegas 116 off a brutal KO loss. Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Rodolfo Vieira (-278) vs. Eric McConico (+225)<\/p>\n

Vieira suffered a scary knockout in his last fight. Bo Nickal was beating him to the punch early on and then he laid him out with a brutal head kick (see it here<\/a>). That dropped the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace to 6-4 in UFC. He had won his last fight, a unanimous decision over Tresean Gore. Before that, he was decisioned by Andre Petroski.<\/p>\n

McConico was floored by hot prospect Baisangur Susurkaev in Nov. 2025 (see it here<\/a>). He was doing well up to that third round finish, though. Before that, he earned his first UFC win with a split decision over Cody Brundage. McConico was signed to the promotion, on short notice, last year to take on Nursulton Ruziboev. He lost that fight via knockout.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think the odds should be this far apart on this.<\/p>\n

I think Vieira is going to be desperate for takedowns in this one. He might get them. McConico\u2019s takedown defense isn\u2019t exactly elite. But if he misses early and tires himself out, he might see himself getting pot-shotted from range (McConico has a four inch reach advantage) and then losing a decision.<\/p>\n

If Vieira can get the takedown, though, then he should be able to control McConico on the ground. I expect Vieira might go into this one knowing that he needs to utilize his BJJ in MMA to be successful and that he can\u2019t risk getting hurt like he did against Nickal again.<\/p>\n

Though, it\u2019s a bit of a toss-up, I\u2019m going to go for Vieira here and think he\u2019s going to go with a grapple forward approach and that McConico is just not potent enough to starch him on the feet as he tries to do that.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Rodolfo Vieira moneyline (-278)<\/p>\n

\"Michelle<\/a><\/p>\n

Michelle Montague gets UFC appearance number two at UFC Vegas 116. Ed Mulholland\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Mayra Bueno Silva (+320) vs. Michelle Montague (-410)<\/p>\n

Bueno Silva is winless since she lost to Raquel Pennington in 2024 for the vacant UFC Bantamweight title. Since that awful fight, she was stopped by Macy Chiasson due to a brutal cut (see it here<\/a>) and lost dominating decisions to rising talents Jasmine Jasudavicius and Jacqueline Cavalcanti.<\/p>\n

Montague stayed undefeated when she took a decision over Luana Carolina in her promotional debut in Sept. 2024. Prior to that, she had impressed in PFL\/Bellator, scoring finishes over Abby Montes and Marilia Morais.<\/p>\n

MBS has really slow down lately and she\u2019s looked quite inert in recent bouts. She moves forwards well, but just hasn\u2019t been pulling the trigger much. She landed just 39 sig. strikes on Cavalcanti. Cavalcanti lit her up for 80, mostly while moving backwards. Bueno Silva landed even less against Jasudavicius.<\/p>\n

Montague is big and strong and she\u2019s also active. She moves forwards and is very aggressive with her body lock takedowns. She doesn\u2019t just lay and pray either, she is busy with her ground strikes and was able to really wear down Carolina in her debut.<\/p>\n

If Bueno Silva is going to plod forwards in this one, I think she\u2019s going to walk right into Montague\u2019s bodylock. Montague has a lot of size over her, so I think she\u2019s probably going to be taking her for a ride. I see this being a pretty dominant decision win for Montague. I\u2019d take her minus the points if it were available.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll go with the over here, since I do respect Bueno Silva\u2019s submission defense.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Over 2.5 rounds (-215)<\/p>\n

\"Jafel<\/a><\/p>\n

Jafel Filho gets a short notice opponent at UFC Vegas 116. Ed Mulholland\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Jafel Filho (-625) vs. Cody Durden (+455)<\/p>\n

Filho was due to meet Lucas Rocha before his countryman pulled out. Filho won his last fight back in Oct. 2025, submitting Clayton Carpenter with a kimura. Before that, he lost a fun decision to Allan Nascimento. The Nova Uniao man is now 3-2 in UFC.<\/p>\n

Durden badly needs a win. He\u2019s lost his last four fights and six of his last seven. That poor run started with Durden believing he had those Canelo hands, before being dropped and beat up by guys like Bruno Silva, Joshua Van and Jose Ochoa. He\u2019s gone back to his wrestling since then, but that hasn\u2019t helped much. Last time out he was totally out-grappled by Nyamjargal Tumendemberel.<\/p>\n

This is a horrible match-up for Durden. He\u2019s been schooled on the ground by Nascimento and Tumendemberel lately. And Filho is a terror down there. If Durden takes him down, I think Filho is going to sweep him or put him in trouble off his back.<\/p>\n

If Durden tries to stand and bang, I don\u2019t think he can overwhelm Filho there. And if things are getting too spicy in the exchanges, I think Filho is capable of wrapping up Durden and getting him in danger with his grappling.<\/p>\n

I only have the moneylines available right now, but I would take Filho by submission. Or I would look at the under, especially if the total is set at 2.5.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Jafel Filho by submission<\/p>\n

\"Talita<\/a><\/p>\n

Talita Alencar will look for another submission win at UFC Vegas 116. Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n

Talita Alencar (+215) vs. Julia Polastri (-265)<\/p>\n

Alencar has won two in a row. In Nov. 2025, she submitted Ariane Carnelossi. Before that, she took a decision over Vanessa Demopoulos. She\u2019s 3-1 in UFC with the other win being a split decision over Rayanne dos Santos and the loss being to Stephanie Luciano (who she drew with on Contender Series<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Polastri looked great in her last fight. She stalked and beat up former title challenger Karolina Kowalkieiwicz before putting her down with a head kick in the third (see it here<\/a>). That evened her UFC record at 2-2. Her two losses are to Loopy Godinez and Josefine Knutsson, both by decision.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been impressed with Alencar lately, but not as impressed as I was with Polastri in her last fight. Polastri is really versatile. Her striking was on point in her last fight, but she also has good takedowns. Alencar is going to be desperate for a takedown, but I think Polastri and stay standing long enough to cause some damage on the feet. She\u2019ll also have a six inch reach advantage to help her in that endeavor.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Julia Polastri moneyline (-265)<\/p>\n

\"Max<\/a><\/p>\n

Max Griffin is a late addition to UFC Vegas 116. Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Max Griffin (+124) vs. Victor Valenzuela (-148)<\/p>\n

Griffin is on a two fight losing skid. His last fight was all the way back in July. That\u2019s when he dropped a split decision to Chris Curtis. Before that he was submitted by Michael Chiesa, in the penultimate fight of the Maverick\u2019s career. Griffin is now 8-10 in UFC action.<\/p>\n

Valenzuela lost his Contender Series fight back in October, by TKO. He\u2019s been signed here, though, since this card was light on fights due to other pull-outs. He\u2019s 32 and 13-4 as a pro. Most of his work has been done in Combate.<\/p>\n

Valenzuala is a wild man. He swings for the fences and leaves his chin out there to be touched. I\u2019m not sure if Griffin is the guy to make him pay for that, though.<\/p>\n

Valenzuela is also very small for this division. He\u2019s just 5\u20199\u201d with only 71 inches of reach. Griffin will be taller and much longer. Given that Valenzuela\u2019s best punches are his hooks, I think he will struggle to land those in this fight. And if he does land, Griffin should be able to eat it. He\u2019s only been stopped once in his career; a TKO on the ground to a prime Colby Covington. He\u2019s gone the distance with Michael Morales, Carlos Condit, Alex Oliveira, Mike Perry and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.<\/p>\n

I think Griffin is probably going to be able to stay out of trouble and force this fight into the fence and onto the ground to earn a decision.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Max Griffin moneyline (+124)<\/p>\n

\"Francis<\/a><\/p>\n

Francis Marshall is an even later addition to UFC Vegas 116. Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Lucas Brennan (+410) vs. Francis Marshall (-550)<\/p>\n

\u201cSkywalker\u201d Brennan gets a short notice call-up here to help make up the numbers at UFC Vegas 116. He\u2019s never appeared on a UFC property before. He did go 9-0 in Bellator, though he didn\u2019t fight anyone recognizable over there. He\u2019s 25 and 11-2.<\/p>\n

\u201cFire\u201d Marshall improved his record to 9-3 in February, taking out Erik Silva with a first round submission. Before that, he lost a split decision to Mairon Santos. That was a robbery, though.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t see any reason to doubt the lines here. I\u2019ve liked what I\u2019ve seen from Marshall. He\u2019s a good wrestler who doesn\u2019t totally rely on the wrestling and is willing to mix it up on the feet to create openings for his takedowns. Brennan does over rely on his wrestling and is very raw on the feet. I think Marshall gets him out of there relatively early.<\/p>\n

Best bet: Under 2.5 rounds (-120)<\/p>\n

\"Ryan<\/a><\/p>\n

Ryan Spann\u2019s special move could make an appearance at UFC Vegas 116. Getty Images<\/p>\n

UFC Vegas 116 Long Shots!<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a couple of long shots for Saturday night\u2019s action …<\/p>\n

Ryan Spann to win by submission (+800)<\/p>\n

I really don\u2019t rate Marcus Buchecha as a UFC fighter. He has looked out of shape and painfully one-dimensional so far. I think he gasses out and leaves his neck out there for a famous submission loss on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Two-bet parlay: Raoni Barcelos + Eric McConico (+712)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an underdog I like and an underdog I really like. I think Barcelos is a terrible match-up for Montel Jackson. I can see him being a bulldog and taking Jackson totally out of his comfort zone (something Jackson seems to really rely on). McConico is more of an outside shot. He\u2019s shown improvement, but he\u2019s still got a tough task in the form of Rodolfo Vieira. If McConico can stay on his feet, though, I think he\u2019s got a chance of earning a decision.<\/p>\n

Joselyne Edwards to win by KO\/TKO\/DQ (+1200)<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sold on Edwards. I think she\u2019s really worked on her craft and she\u2019s got some of the best power in her division. Dumont looked great a few years ago, but she\u2019s so inactive and inconsistent that it\u2019s hard to ever get too high on her.<\/p>\n

To checkout the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 116: \u201cSterling vs. Zalal\u201d news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"UFC Vegas 116 is live this weekend (Sat., April 25, 2026) inside the familiar META APEX and streaming…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":624990,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[570],"tags":[64,63,786,40762,785,85,1396,179146,19458,19457,7990],"class_list":["post-624989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mma","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-fighting","tag-latest-ufc-mma-news","tag-mma","tag-sports","tag-ufc-news","tag-ufc-on-paramount","tag-ufc-odds","tag-ufc-predictions","tag-ufc-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/624989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=624989"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/624989\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/624990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=624989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=624989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=624989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}