UFC Fight Night: Holloway v Zombie main card betting picks

The main card for UFC Fight Night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Saturday features some top-end talent, including a clash between top-10 light heavyweights Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann. All eyes will be on Japanese sensation Rinya Nakamura as he aims to continue his unbeaten run, and on budding star Erin Blanchfield as she moves towards a title shot in the women’s flyweight division.

Max Holloway v The Korean Zombie

Max Holloway vs Jung Chan-sung

Can The Korean Zombie get back into the winner’s circle with an upset win over Max Holloway? See our UFC Singapore main event preview here.

Anthony Smith v Ryan Spann

Anthony Smith vs Ryan Spann

Anthony Smith (36-18-0) won via first-round submission when these two fighters met in September 2021. The Texan has endured a rough patch both in and out of the octagon in recent times, battling home invaders and serious health issues while compiling a 3-4 record since 2020. Smith has dropped his last two contests and appears to have lost a yard or two following numerous wars against the best light heavyweights on the roster.

Ryan Spann (21-8-0) has not seen a second round in his last six UFC appearances. He has recorded three wins and three losses from these brief contests, and his chances would be enhanced if he could demonstrate additional caution during the opening minutes. At his best, Spann is a powerful striker with a great record of submitting opponents. The 31-year-old has also struggled to make weight in recent times, and punters would be wise to see him safely hit the 205-pound mark before investing in his chances.

Rinya Nakamura v Fernie Garcia

Rinya Nakamura vs Fernie Garcia

Unbeaten prospect Rinya Nakamura (7-0-0) looks to continue his impressive run after earning a contract via the Road to UFC series. The former wrestling champion switched to MMA in 2020 and has the skills to rapidly earn a ranking in the bantamweight division before pressing for a contender position. The Japanese fighter will enjoy strong support from the Asian crowd in attendance and is widely considered a complete young athlete with untapped potential.

Fernie Garcia (10-3-0) has dropped his last two UFC fights via unanimous decision and will need to find additional urgency in Singapore against a dangerous opponent. The American lacks finishing power and therefore relies on octagon control and output as his most likely paths to victory. Garcia’s early career featured a run of three straight submission victories, but such talents might be negated by the high-level wrestling of Nakamura.

Erin Blanchfield v Taila Santos

Erin Blanchfield vs Taila Santos

Erin Blanchfield (11-1-0) is a star on the rise, and it is surprising to see this contest tucked away on a UFC Fight Night card. She is ranked third in the women’s flyweight division and should only be a single fight away from a shot at the title. The 24-year-old American is riding an eight-fight winning streak and could not have been more impressive in finishing JJ Aldrich, Molly McCann, and Jessica Andrade at her most recent appearances. She is a submission specialist with a deadly ground game that sets her apart from many other would-be challengers at 125 pounds.

Taila Santos (19-2-0) is the fourth-ranked women’s flyweight and looked solid in a close split-decision loss to then-champion Valentina Shevchenko when the pair met in June 2022. The Brazilian earned her title shot with wins over McCann, Gillian Robertson, Roxanne Modafferi, and Joanne Wood. Santos is no slouch on the mat, and it will be interesting to see how her ground game measures up against the elite skills of Blanchfield.

Junior Tafa v Parker Porter

Junior Tafa vs Parker Porter

Junior Tafa (4-1-0) is a hard-hitting Australian heavyweight who faded late to lose his UFC debut via decision in April. Prior to that loss, the 24-year-old had produced four early knockout wins as he rose through the grades. Tafa will be looking to land a big early shot and finish the show in dynamic fashion after the disappointing effort against Mohammed Usman, and this appears to be a favourable matchup for his combat style.

Parker Porter (13-8-0) scored a tidy first-round knockout over Braxton Smith in his most recent appearance after enduring a pair of stoppage losses. The American is a somewhat lumbering sight in the octagon, slow to move his feet but capable of throwing heavy leather. The matchup promises to deliver either a high-reel KO, or a plodding decision result as the big men tire across 15 minutes of action.

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