UFC Fight Night: Magny vs Prates main card preview & free picks

After a last-minute reshuffle, Ricky Turcios and Benardo Sopaj slot into the co-main event for UFC Fight Night: Magny vs Prates in Las Vegas this Saturday night. Other highlights include a top-15 contest between Luana Pinheiro and Gillian Robertson, and a showdown between elite grapplers Gerald Meerschaert and Reinier de Ridder. Read on for our full breakdown and free betting picks for the main card.

Neil Magny vs Carlos Prates

Neil Magny vs Carlos Prates

Veteran welterweight Neil Magny will try to wind back the clock when he takes on the hard-hitting Carlos Prates in Saturday’s main event. See our full Magny vs Prates betting preview here.

Ricky Turcios vs Benardo Sopaj

Ricky Turcios vs Benardo Sopaj

Ricky Turcios (13-4-0) is looking to bounce back from a submission loss to the highly touted Raul Rosas Jr. The 31-year-old is not a proven finisher, with eight of his professional wins coming via the scorecards. While he is a tight and technical bantamweight with sharp reflexes and lasting stamina, Turcios faces a tough test against a more powerful athlete and is a considerable underdog with leading UFC bookmakers.

Benardo Sopaj (11-3-0) suffered a last-minute knockout loss in his most recent appearance, succumbing to the flying knee of Vinicius Oliveira. His previous form was very solid and included three consecutive knockout wins, albeit over inferior opposition. The 24-year-old boasts enormous upside and may emerge as a serious contender at 135 pounds if he can continue to add to an already dangerous arsenal.

Gerald Meerschaert vs Reinier de Ridder

Gerald Meerschaert vs Reinier de Ridder

Gerald Meerschaert (37-17-0) has shared the octagon with some of the UFC’s most talented athletes, including Khamzat Chimaev, Kevin Holland, and Joe Pyfer. The 36-year-old veteran is coming off a pair of submission wins over Edmen Shahbazyan and Bryan Barberena. Meerschaert’s chin is a little suspect these days, but with an astounding 29 professional wins via submission, he remains a constant threat whenever he laces up the gloves.

Reinier de Ridder (17-2-0) makes his UFC debut after a long and successful career in the One Championship. The 34-year-old is no slouch on the mat, with 11 submissions on his record, and should enjoy an advantage in the striking portion of this contest. The Dutchman is expected to make waves in the UFC middleweight division, and top UFC betting sites have him as a warm favourite to prevail here.

Luana Pinheiro vs Gillian Robertson

Luana Pinheiro vs Gillian Robertson

Luana Pinheiro (11-3-0) has dropped her last two bouts after building an imposing eight-fight win streak. The 31-year-old is a well-rounded strawweight with quick hands and relentless volume, but she can struggle when forced onto the back foot. At big odds with Bovada, Pinheiro will need to overcome the disappointment of recent setbacks if she is to compete against a tough and confident opponent.

Gillian Robertson (14-8-0) has won four of her last five UFC appearances as she closes in on a top-10 ranking at 115 pounds. The 29-year-old’s early career losses resulted from a lack of belief in her abilities, but recent improvements in skill and mindset have made her a more ominous threat. The Canadian does produce bursts of activity that can fail to impress the judges, and she will be sure to press for an early finish to avoid playing scorecard roulette.

Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Dusko Todorovic

Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Dusko Todorovic

Mansur Abdul-Malik (6-0-0) makes his UFC debut after impressing with a second-round knockout win on Dana White’s Contender Series. That was the first time the 27-year-old had seen a second round, with a perfect record of early stoppages to launch his career. The lanky American is a short-priced favourite with online bookies as he looks to produce another highlight-reel finish inside the Apex.

Dusko Todorovic (12-4-0) has fought seven times in the UFC, recording three wins and four losses. The 30-year-old is coming off a disappointing TKO defeat after suffering a knee injury in the opening round against Christian Leroy Duncan. The Serbian is a heavy striker but lacks defensive skills, and this might be a brief affair if both men let their hands fly.

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