UFC Fight Night: Dern vs Ribas – Full Main Card preview & odds

Veteran welterweights Santiago Ponzinibbio and Carlston Harris take center stage in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas, set to unfold this Saturday night at the Apex in Las Vegas. The card also promises fireworks with a potential middleweight clash between Chris Curtis and Roman Kopylov, alongside the highly anticipated appearance of undefeated prospect Austin Bashi, who faces Christian Rodriguez. Dive into BettingSites’ expert fight previews and top UFC betting tips for all the action.

Mackenzie Dern vs Amanda Ribas

Mackenzie Dern vs Amanda Ribas

The headline bout features a highly anticipated rematch between top 10 women’s strawweights Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas. Dern aims to settle the score from their 2019 encounter, but overcoming Ribas will require adjustments to her strategy against another elite BJJ specialist. Check out our in-depth Dern vs. Ribas betting preview here.

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Carlston Harris

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Carlston Harris

Santiago Ponzinibbio (30-8-0) has struggled for consistent form in recent years with just one win and four losses since 2021. The Argentinian struggles to impress the judges across three rounds, with three of his recent losses coming via split decision. The 38-year-old has lost some of his dynamic power and needs to lift his output against a versatile opponent here.

Carlston Harris (19-6-0) boasts a more appealing recent record with four wins and two losses since making his UFC debut in 2021. The losses both came via first-round knockout, and the 37-year-old will need to start with a solid defensive posture to avoid the same outcome. Harris should finish the stronger of the two and appears good value to win via the scorecards with the top MMA sportsbooks.

Cesar Almeida vs Abdul Razak Alhassan

Cesar Almeida vs Abdul Razak Alhassan

Cesar Almeida (6-1-0) has made an impressive start to his UFC career, securing two victories and suffering one narrow defeat since earning his contract through Dana White’s Contender Series. The Brazilian boasts heavy hands and devastating elbows in the clinch, paired with a slight height and reach advantage over his opponent. Fans can expect an explosive encounter that could conclude in the blink of an eye.

Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-6-1) has struggled with consistency in recent years, recording two wins, three losses, and one no-contest since 2022. Known for his all-action style, the 39-year-old has finished all 12 of his professional victories inside the distance. However, to prevail here, the Ghanian will need to establish early dominance and avoid cardio fatigue that could impact his effectiveness in the later rounds.

Chris Curtis vs Roman Kopylov

Chris Curtis vs Roman Kopylov

Chris Curtis (31-11-0) remains one of the most durable and resilient middleweights in the UFC. The 37-year-old has shown he can compete with elite opponents, narrowly losing to Brendan Allen and Kelvin Gastelum in close contests that could have gone his way with a bit of luck. Known for his powerful striking, Curtis has the tools to deliver an upset in this matchup, offering solid value through the top online casinos.

Roman Kopylov (13-3-0) enters the fight in excellent form, boasting five wins and just one loss since 2022. The Russian leverages his technical striking to craft effective combinations of punches and kicks, which have led to 11 knockout victories in his professional career. However, Kopylov has struggled on the ground, with two submission losses, including a defeat to Anthony Hernandez in February 2024, highlighting a potential vulnerability against grappling-heavy opponents.

Christian Rodriguez vs Austin Bashi

Christian Rodriguez vs Austin Bashi

Christian Rodriguez (11-2-0) enters this bout looking to rebound from a tough submission loss to Julian Erosa in July 2024, which snapped an impressive four-fight winning streak. Among those victories was a dominant decision over highly regarded prospect Raul Rosa Jr. The 27-year-old’s experience in high-stakes fights makes him a credible threat, and at +210 with Bovada, Rodriguez presents a compelling underdog option.

Austin Bashi (13-0-0) steps into the UFC spotlight for the first time following an impressive submission win on Dana White’s Contender Series. The undefeated 23-year-old has demonstrated exceptional physicality and composure, positioning himself as one of the most exciting prospects on the card. However, this fight will test whether Bashi can handle the pressure of a seasoned opponent and rise to the occasion under the bright lights of the UFC.

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