UFC Fight Night 179 prelims betting predictions

UFC Fight Night 179 prelims betting preview

The action on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi continues this weekend with UFC Fight Night 179. The preliminary card is packed with seven fights including four with an undefeated fighter. Here’s a look at the start of the card, with odds from the best UFC betting sites for gamblers in United States.

Tom Breese (-260) vs KB Bhullar (+220)

Tom Breese (11-2-0) opened his professional MMA career with a 10-0 record and three wins in the UFC. But since then he’s lost two of his last three fights, most recently suffering a TKO loss to Brendan Allen at UFC Fight Night 169. KB Bhullar (8-0-0) is undefeated through his first eight professional fights but will be taking a huge jump up in competition here in his UFC debut. Breese’s experience at this level should help guide him to a win, but betting on him at this price isn’t particularly attractive.

Rodrigo Nascimento (-260) vs Chris Daukaus (+220)

Rodrigo Nascimento (8-0-0) has opened his professional career with eight straight wins, including a victory over Don’Tale Mayes in his UFC debut at UFC on ESPN 8 in May. Nascimento has earned wins via stoppage in all eight of his fights with each of his last five wins coming by way of submission. Chris Daukaus (9-3-0) also won his UFC debut in August and his impressive knockout power with eight of his nine professional wins coming by KO. Daukaus could pull off the upset with a well-timed shot, but Nascimento’s clear advantage on the mat should lead to a win.

Impa Kasanganay (-240) vs Joaquin Buckley (+205)

Impa Kasanganay (8-0-0) is yet another undefeated fighter on the preliminary card with an 8-0 record as a professional including a win at UFC Fight Night 175 over Maki Pitolo in his first fight in the UFC. Joaquin Buckley (10-3-0) suffered a knockout loss in his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 174 against Kevin Holland. While Buckley has the edge in power (seven of his 10 wins have been knockouts), Kasanganay is a significantly more polished fighter that should be able to out-point his opponent en route to another victory.

Tony Kelley (-224) vs Ali AlQaisi (+189)

Tony Kelley (5-2-0) suffered a decision loss in his UFC debut at UFC 252 against Kai Kamaka III in August. Ali AlQaisi (8-4-0) also lost by decision in his first UFC fight at UFC Fight Night 174, breaking up a run of five straight wins leading into that fight. Kelley’s height and reach advantages could lead to a win, but if AlQaisi can get this fight to the mat, he’s got a legitimate shot at an upset. AlQaisi is worth a shot at this price.

Omar Morales (-150) vs Giga Chikadze (+130)

This should be a fantastic fight between Omar Morales (10-0-0) who is 2-0 in the UFC and Giga Chikadze (10-2-0) who has won five straight fights including his first three fights in the UFC. Chikadze will try to keep this fight standing while Morales will look to take it to the mat. It’s too close to call, making Chikadze the play getting underdog odds.

Tracy Cortez (-190) vs Stephanie Egger (+165)

Tracy Cortez (7-1-0) has won seven straight fights since losing in her first fight as a professional. Stephanie Egger (5-1-0) enters the UFC on a three-fight winning streak. Rust could be a factor in this one as Cortez hasn’t fought since last November, but if she returns in form she should cruise to an easy win here.

Tagir Ulanbekov (-405) vs Bruno Silva (+335)

Tagir Ulanbekov (10-1-0) is the biggest favorite on the preliminary card, and it’s hard to argue with the sportsbooks in this one. Ulanbekov is an impressive looking prospect making his UFC debut while Bruno Silva (10-4-0) has lost each of his first two UFC fights and didn’t look good in either of them. This should be an easy one for Ulanbekov.