UFC Fight Night 178 Preliminary Card Betting Preview

Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 178 in Las Vegas features a packed card with 13 fights before the main event of Tyron Woodley vs. Colby Covington. Here’s a quick look at the seven fights on the preliminary card.

Women’s Flyweight: Mayra Bueno Silva (-255) vs. Mara Romero Borella (+215)

Mayra Bueno Silva (5-1-0) opened her professional career with a 5-0 record including an impressive first-round submission win over Gillian Robinson in her UFC debut. But a knee injury sustained in that bout forced her out of the octagon for 18 months, and she suffered a decision loss to Maryna Moroz in her return to action in March. Mara Romero Borella (11-8-0) has lost three straight fights and is the perfect fighter to get Silva back on track.

Mayra Bueno Silva v Mara Romero Borella Prediction

Flyweight: Jordan Espinosa (-110) vs. David Dvorak (-110)

This bout between Jordan Espinosa (15-7-0) and David Dvorak (18-3-0) is probably the toughest on the entire card to predict, as evidenced by the pick’em line. Dvorak has won 14 straight fights including his UFC debut in March, but Espinosa is clearly the more athletic fighter of the two. We lean towards Espinosa’s athleticism carrying him to a win, but it’s anyone’s guess.

Jordan Espinosa v David Dvorak Prediction

Women’s Bantamweight: Jessica-Rose Clark (-230) vs. Sarah Alpar (+190)

Sarah Alpar (9-4-0) makes her UFC debut against Jessica-Rose Clark (9-6-0) on Saturday. Clark has lost each of her last two fights since winning her first two fights in the UFC, but she’s a much more polished fighter than Alpar and should pick up the win as long as she keeps this one off the ground.

Jessica-Rose Clark v Sarah Alpar Prediction

Bantamweight: Journey Newson (-135) vs. Randy Costa (+115)

Journey Newson (9-2-0) and Randy Costa (5-1-0) are both 1-1 in the UFC, but Newson is officially 0-1 with the promotion after having his 38-second knockout win over Domingo Pilarte overturned due to a failed marijuana test. Costa will have a clear height and reach advantage in this one, but Newson has shown us more to date.

Journey Newson v Randy Costa Prediction

Bantamweight: Andre Ewell (-225) vs. Irwin Rivera (+185)

Andre Ewell (16-6-0) and Irwin Rivera (10-5-0) both enter this bout coming off of wins in their last fights. Ewell has more UFC experience with a 3-2 record with the promotion and will likely win this fight. But on a prelim card lacking many live dogs, the price may be right to take a stab on Rivera here, as Ewell could get flustered if he can’t control the fight at range.

Andre Ewell v Irwin Rivera Prediction

Featherweight: T.J. Laramie (-320) vs. Darrick Minner (+260)

At just 22 years old, T.J. Laramie (12-3) has already fought in 15 professional MMA bouts. He faces submission specialist Darrick Minner (24-11) in his UFC debut on Saturday. Minner likes to go for the quick submission finish and is usually toast if he doesn’t get it. Look for Laramie to fend off the early onslaught and to score a submission win of his own.

Andre Ewell v Irwin Rivera Prediction

Flyweight: Tyson Nam (-185) vs. Jerome Rivera (+160)

Tyson Nam (19-11-0) snapped a two-fight losing streak with an impressive 32-second knockout win in his last bout in June. Jerome Rivera (10-2) makes his UFC debut and could make the fight interesting with his grappling skills, but Nam should be able to take advantage of his defensive liabilities.

Tyson Nam v Jerome Rivera Prediction