UFC 256 Prelim Card Bouts Betting, Predictions & Picks

UFC 256: Preliminary Card Preview

COVID-19 took a heavy toll on the UFC 256 card, whittling it down to just 10 fights. Here’s a look at the five fights on the preliminary card this Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Daniel Pineda (27-13-0) left the UFC back in 2014 on the heels of a 1-4 slump within the promotion. Since then, Pineda is 9-2 with five straight wins including a technical knockout win over Herbert Burns in his return to the UFC in August. Cub Swanson (26-11-0) snapped a four-fight losing streak with his win back in October of 2019 over Kron Gracie. This is an interesting veteran vs. veteran matchup that could easily go Swanson’s way if it goes the distance, and Swanson’s takedown defense and tough chin make that a realistic possibility.

UFC 256 Pineda vs Swanson Prediction

Rafael Fiziev (8-1-0) has bounced back from a loss in his UFC debut to Magomed Mutafaev with back-to-back wins over Alex White and Mark Diakiese. Renato Moicano (14-3-0) moved up to lightweight after suffering back-to-back losses at featherweight to Jose Aldo and Chan Sung Jung and scored a victory in 44 seconds over Damir Hadzovic in his lightweight debut. This fight will be a good test for both and an interesting one stylistically with Fiziev hoping to keep it on his feet and Moicano hoping to take it to the mat where he has seven career submission finishes. Fiziev’s takedown defense and striking edge should lead to a win in this one.

UFC 256 Fiziev vs Moicano Prediction

Billy Quarantillo (15-2-0) is 8-0 over his last eight fights including a 3-0 start to his UFC career. Gavin Tucker (12-1-0) is 3-1 in the UFC with two straight submission victories. This fight will be an excellent test for both Quarantillo and for Tucker who was a hot prospect before being forced out of action for two years after his loss against Rick Glenn. Tucker has looked good since his return and offers too much value as an underdog to pass on here.

UFC 256 Quarantillo vs Tucker Prediction

Tecia Torres (11-5-0) snapped a four-fight losing streak with her win over Brianna Van Buren back in June. Sam Hughes (5-1-0) will make her UFC debut here in place of Angela Hill, who was forced to pull out of this fight due to a positive COVID-19 test. Torres hit a wall when going up against the division’s top talent, but against less strong and athletic competition like Hughes, she should win easily as the betting odds suggest.

UFC 256 Torres vs Hughes Prediction

Featherweight: Chase Hooper (-355) vs. Peter Barrett (+280)

Chase Hooper (9-1-1) suffered the first loss of his career in his last fight against Alex Caceres. The 21-year-old will look to rebound against Peter Barrett (11-4-0) who is just 3-4 over his last seven fights including a loss in his UFC debut in August against Youssef Zalal. Caceres revealed some holes in Hooper’s all-around game outside of grappling, but Barrett isn’t likely to take advantage of that gameplan. His straight-forward attack should fall right into Hooper’s comfort zone.

UFC 256 Hooper vs Barrett Prediction