{"id":336956,"date":"2025-12-10T14:29:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/336956\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T14:29:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:29:16","slug":"ufc-vegas-112-main-card-odds-breakdowns-and-predictions-x-factor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/336956\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Vegas 112 main card odds, breakdowns and predictions | X-Factor"},"content":{"rendered":"

This weekend (Sat., Dec. 13, 2025), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return home to UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for UFC Vegas 112<\/a>. One last visit to the Apex before the holidays, shall we? In fact, this is the last UFC card until the big Paramount+ debut<\/a> on Jan. 24, 2026 (details here<\/a>) \u2014 that\u2019s FIVE Saturdays without any UFC fights! Given the circumstances, how can I possibly criticize this thoroughly standard Apex event? It reads like a fun card, but either way, I intend to savor every bit of action.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dig into the analysis and predictions of the four main card fights leading up to the co-main event:<\/p>\n

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

Photo by Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

Featherweight: Kevin Vallejos (-260)<\/a> vs. Giga Chikadze (+196)
<\/a>Best Win for Vallejos? Danny Silva For Chikadze? Edson Barboza
Current Streak: Vallejos is 2-0 in the UFC, whereas Chikadze has lost two straight
X-Factor: Chikadze is 14 years older with far more miles on the tracks
How these two match up: This should be a lovely striking match, yet still a great clash of styles.<\/p>\n

Vallejos is a great young talent rising up the Featherweight ranks. At 23 years of age, he follows in the mold of Ilia Topuria, a shorter boxer who builds powerful combinations in a really intelligent way. He\u2019s a consistent pressure fighter, one who looks to draw offense from his opponent and then counter in a big way.<\/p>\n

Chikadze, conversely, is a decorated kickboxer. He likes to pick at his opponents from long range with powerful kicks and straight punches, which can really wear down opposition as they try to find their way to the Georgian standout.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m really torn on this one. On one hand, Vallejos is obviously the man on the rise, and he has really great fundamentals. If you take a long term perspective and think about two years from now, he\u2019s very obviously going to be in a better position than Chikadze. At the same time, Chikadze gave Arnold Allen hell just two fights ago. Allen barely won that fight, and he\u2019s a genuinely elite contender and great boxer himself.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to side with the veteran here. Chikadze won\u2019t have to worry about the takedown threat, and this fight is only three rounds. He should be able to blast kicks and keep his feet moving well enough to win at least two rounds, and those kicks should take some of the sting off Vallejos\u2019 punches when he does start landing.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Chikadze via decision<\/p>\n

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

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 11: Cesar Almeida of Brazil reacts after a knockout victory against Abdul Razak Alhassan of Ghana in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on January 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Zuffa LLC via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Middleweight: Cesar Almeida (+126)<\/a> vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk (-162)
<\/a>Best Win for Almeida? Abdul Razak Alhassan For Oleksiejczuk? Tom Breese
Current Streak: Almeida has won two in a row, while Oleksiejczuk debuts having won four straight
X-Factor: Once more, we\u2019re looking at a huge age difference, as Oleksiejczuk is 12 years younger
How these two match up: This is an under-the-radar scrap that should be great fun.<\/p>\n

Almeida is a decorated striker who only recently transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA). He\u2019s still figuring out the ground aspects of fighting, but the Brazilian knockout artist definitely has that explosive fluidity in his strikes that really stands out. Oleksiejczuk \u2014 younger brother of long-time UFC veteran, Michael Oleksiejczuk \u2014 is an aggressive boxer with better ground skills than his brother. Though this is his Octagon debut, Oleksiejczuk has fought a really good level of competition, and he\u2019s only lost once in the last five years.<\/p>\n

In the prediction above, I backed Chikadze in a similar matchup because he didn\u2019t have to be concerned with Vallejos\u2019 ground game. Conversely, I think Oleksiejczuk will mix it up well. He has the pressure boxing and takedowns to really throw off Almeida\u2019s game, as well as the general advantage of being a younger talent.<\/p>\n

He\u2019ll have to keep his chin tucked the whole time, but he should have an advantage overall.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Oleksiejczuk via decision<\/p>\n

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

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 17: (R-L) Melquizael Costa of Brazil kicks Julian Erosa in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n

Featherweight: Morgan Charriere (+106)<\/a> vs. Melquizael Costa (-136)
<\/a>Best Win for Charriere? Nate Landwehr For Costa? Julian Erosa
Current Streak: Charreire won his last bout, while Costa has won four straight
X-Factor: This is Costa\u2019s fourth fight of 2025
How these two match up: A pair of very skilled Featherweights just outside the rankings with a good deal of experience? This feels like a guaranteed banger.<\/p>\n

Charriere is a former Cage Warriors champion. He\u2019s well-rounded, but really excels on the feet, making use of powerful range kicks to help line up heavy counter connections. He\u2019s not the most high-volume fighter on the roster, but he sets a good pace for a counter puncher. Costa, conversely, is a non-stop numbers fighter. He likes to work at the edge of his kicking range, but he\u2019s really proven himself dangerous and active in all ranges.<\/p>\n

The question here is whether Charriere\u2019s boxing and power edges overcome Costa\u2019s volume, and the tight odds help demonstrate the answer. I could see Charriere timing Costa, interrupting his shots and really punishing his activity with impactful blows. Simultaneously, it\u2019s easy to imagine Costa winning on the scorecards just by throwing more shots, which is so often the case.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, I\u2019m siding with the Brazilian to sway the judges. He\u2019s proven himself durable in multiple bloody scraps this year, and it\u2019s not like he\u2019s throwing softballs. In addition, Charriere will have to press through Costa\u2019s kicks to maximize his boxing edge, and that feels like a tall ask from a man who usually does his best work from the outside.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Costa via decision<\/p>\n

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

LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 07: (R-L) Kennedy Nzechukwu kicks Dennis Bryant in their light heavyweight fight during Dana White\u2019s Tuesday Night Contender Series at the TUF Gym on August 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger\/DWTNCS LLC) DWTNCS LLC via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Heavyweight: Kennedy Nzechukwu (-156)<\/a> vs. Marcus Buchecha (+122)
<\/a>Best Win for Nzechukwu? Ion Cutelaba For Buchecha? Amir Aliakbari
Current Streak: Both men lost their last bout
X-Factor: This fight hinges entirely on the takedown
How these two match up: A clear striker vs. grappler match will kick off the main card.<\/p>\n

Nzechukwu jumped to Heavyweight after a couple consecutive losses at 205 pounds, but it\u2019s not like \u201cAfrican Savage\u201d is undersized. Standing at 6\u20195\u201d with an 83-inch reach, Nzechukwu is still a physical force with serious power behind his punches. Buchecha, conversely, is the career Heavyweight, yet will be the smaller man. A genuine master of jiu-jitsu, the rest of Buchecha\u2019s MMA game is thoroughly average.<\/p>\n

This is going to be extremely definitive in one direction or the other. If Nzechukwu stops the shot, he\u2019s going to chew up Buchecha on the feet, and that man hits hard. Conversely, Buchecha will dominate if able to gain top position, so a quick tapout is very possible as well.<\/p>\n

Historically, Nzechukwu is quite difficult to take down, and Buchecha\u2019s wrestling is very inconsistent. After Buchecha\u2019s uninspired debut, I\u2019ll trust the more proven UFC fighter to keep this one standing and land his power shots. There\u2019s a chance that Buchecha shows up in better shape without such a long layoff, but it\u2019s just hard to have confidence in him right now.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Nzechukwu via knockout<\/p>\n

\u2018X-Factor\u2019 Picks for 2025: 60-34<\/p>\n

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

VEGAS VELOCITY!<\/a> Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to action on Sat., Dec. 13, 2025, with its final event of the ESPN+ era, UFC Vegas 112<\/a>, which will take place inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. In UFC Vegas 112\u2019s main event, Flyweight contenders Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape<\/a> clash in a high-stakes, five-round bout. The co-main event features a high-octane Featherweight showdown between Giga Chikadze vs. Kevin Vallejos, with potential title implications on the line. The card will also showcase a Middleweight showdown pitting Cesar Almeida vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk, a Featherweight collision featuring Melquizael Costa vs. Morgan Charriere, and much more! The start time is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (\u201cPrelims\u201d undercard) and 10 p.m. ET (main card).<\/p>\n

Read MoreTo checkout the latest UFC Vegas 112 fight card and rumors click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This weekend (Sat., Dec. 13, 2025), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return home to UFC Apex in Las…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":336957,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[444],"tags":[49,48,641,33601,638,82,37644,17056,17055,8729,4454],"class_list":["post-336956","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mma","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-fighting","tag-latest-ufc-mma-news","tag-mma","tag-sports","tag-ufc-on-espn-fight-night","tag-ufc-odds","tag-ufc-predictions","tag-ufc-previews","tag-upcoming-ufc-events"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336956","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=336956"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336956\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/336957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=336956"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=336956"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=336956"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}