UFC 253 prelims predictions & betting odds

UFC 253: Adesanya vs Costa Latest Odds & Fight Info
Main Event odds	Adesanya -181.82 at Bovada | Costa +145 at Bovada
When	Sunday, September 27 – main card from 6am GST
Where	UFC Fight Island – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Watch Live	ESPN+ (US), BT Sport (UK), Main Event (AU), UFC Fight Pass, UFC.com

UFC 253 preliminary card preview

As the Ultimate Fighting Championship makes its return to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi this month, the promotion wanted to start things off with a bang in UFC 253. This weekend’s bill is loaded from top to bottom, with a strong set of preliminary bouts leading into the main card headlined by the Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa fight. Here’s a look at the four fights scheduled to take place before the pay-per-view begins.

Brad Riddell (-330) vs Alex da Silva (+270)

Brad Riddell (8-1-0) has made the successful transition from kickboxing into mixed martial arts, compiling an 8-1 record as a professional with five straight wins including a 2-0 start with the UFC. Riddell has struggled a bit with his takedown defense, but fortunately for him, Alex da Silva (21-2-0) hasn’t shown himself to be too dangerous of a grappler at this level.

With 13 of his 21 career wins coming by knockout, da Silva does have the power potential to pull off the upset if the match shakes out perfectly. But Riddell is the superior striker and, barring any big surprises, should succeed with more of his offensive arsenal to pick up a win in this one.

Jake Matthews (-750) vs Diego Sanchez (+525)

Jake Matthews (16-4-0) is the biggest favorite on the UFC 253 card this Saturday, and for good reason. The 26-year-old has really come into his own of late with a 5-1 record over his last six fights. Meanwhile, his 38-year-old opponent’s best years are long behind him. Diego Sanchez (30-12-0) is 9-10 over his last 19 fights and hasn’t shown us anything in recent years to suggest he can hang in a match where he will be physically overpowered by Matthews.

Ludovít Klein (-115) vs Shane Young (-105)

This fight has the potential to steal the show on the preliminary card. Ludovit Klein (16-2-0) makes his UFC debut as he steps in to take Nate Landwehr’s spot after Landwehr was forced to pull out of this PPV due to COVID-19. Klein has won each of his last seven fights, with six of those wins coming by way of knockout.

Shane Young (13-4-0) is 7-1 over this last eight fights, with his only loss over that stretch coming in his promotion debut against the current UFC Featherweight Champion, Alexander Volkanovski. Young has since bounced back with wins over Rolando Dy and Austin Arnett, showing off an impressive arsenal and aggressive pace along the way. 

This should be a banger of a bout between two fighters that will be looking to settle the score before it gets to the cards. We lean ever so slightly towards Klein, but take your pick.

Aleksa Camur (-160) vs William Knight (+140)

Aleksa Camur (6-0-0) picked up a win in his top-flight debut at UFC 246 in January. The 24-year-old beat Justin Ledet by decision after winning each of his first five professional fights by knockout. William Knight (8-1-0) will be making his UFC debut in this one and has seen all nine of his fights decided by knockout with eight KO wins and one KO loss.

Camur is a promising prospect who is still quite raw. Fortunately for him, his opponent in this fight is also extremely raw; Knight has solid power, but his MMA game is still quite underdeveloped. This one could go either way, but Camur’s superior boxing ability and reach advantage should help him to stay undefeated.