UFC Fight Night 178 Main Card Betting Preview

This Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas is shaping up to be one of the best free cards of 2020. Khamzat Chimaev, Mackenzie Dern, Johnny Walker, and Ryan Spann highlight an impressive main card in the lead up to the co-main event between Donald Cerrone and Niko Price and the main event between Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington.

Khamzat Chimaev (8-0-0) became an overnight sensation after his brilliant performance on the UFC Fight Island in July. Chimaev entered the promotion with a 6-0 record as a professional and submitted John Phillips in the second round of his UFC debut in July 15. Ten days later, he recorded a first-round technical knockout win over Rhys McKee. The sky looks to be the limit for Chimaev. Gerald Meerschaert (31-13-0) won’t be the pushover that Chimaev’s opponents on fight island were, but he isn’t likely to pose much of a threat in this one either.

Khamzat Chimaev versus Gerald Meerschaert Prediction

Johnny Walker (17-5-0) entered the UFC with a bang, scoring three straight first-round knockout wins in his first three fights with the promotion. But since then, he’s suffered two straight losses to Corey Anderson and Nikita Krylov. Ryan Spann (18-5-0) meanwhile has won each of his last eight fights including a 4-0 start in the UFC. Walker’s incredible athleticism and highlight-reel knockout power will make him a more popular pick in this one than the less flashy Spann, but this is a pretty even matchup. Take the value on the underdog.

Johnny Walker versus Ryan Spann Prediction

Mackenzie Dern (8-1-0) is an excellent young prospect with fantastic submission skills, which she most recently showed off in a first-round win with a kneebar over Hanna Cifers in May. But Dern’s MMA skills are still extremely raw, and a veteran like Randa Markos (10-8-1) might be able to outlast her in the same way that Amanda Ribas did last year. One false move could land her in one of Dern’s lethal submissions, but we see Markos keeping this one off of the mat and doing enough to earn a win on points.

Mackenzie Dern versus Randa Markos Prediction

Kevin Holland (18-5-0) and Darren Stewart (12-5-0) both picked up a win on the same fight card in August and will try to make the most of a quick turnaround in this bout. This just looks like a bad matchup for Stewart; Holland has more skill on the mat and a seven-inch reach advantage standing up. Holland has won five of his last six fights and he should find another win here.

Kevin Holland versus Darren Stewart Prediction