UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs Gaziev main card preview & picks

The main card for UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs Gaziev at the Apex in Las Vegas is stacked with undefeated talent. Exciting Brazilian prospect Vitor Petrino will be tested by the proven Tyson Pedro, surging British grappler Muhammad Mokaev will also need to rise a level when he faces veteran Alex Perez, and Umar Nurmagomedov is expected to remain unbeaten against UFC newcomer Bekzat Almakhan. Read on for our top UFC betting picks and fight predictions.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik v Shamil Gaziev

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs Shamil Gaziev

Veteran heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik will be looking to get back to winning ways when he takes on Shamil Gaziev in this weekend’s main event. See our free betting preview and fight predictions here.

Vitor Petrino v Tyson Pedro

Vitor Petrino vs Tyson Pedro

Vitor Petrino (10-0-0) has a perfect 3-0 record in the UFC and appears to have a bright future. The Brazilian is primarily a knockout artist but does have a solid ground game to complement his striking skills. The 26-year-old looked unstoppable in his most recent appearance against the much-improved Modestas Bukauskas and is expected to emerge as a potential threat within the light heavyweight division.

Tyson Pedro (10-4-0) has built a strong winning record since 2022 with three knockout wins and one decision loss to show for his efforts. Like his opponent, Pedro has a well-rounded arsenal that includes powerful striking and a competent submission game. He is blessed with a solid chin and has only been knocked down once during his professional career. This looks like a compelling contest that may earn Fight of the Night status.

Alex Perez v Muhammad Mokaev

Alex Perez vs Muhammad Mokaev

Alex Perez (24-7-0) has been submitted in his last two trips to the cage — by current flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and former champ Deiveson Figueiredo. These losses broke a three-fight winning run, forcing the American to tackle a rising star here. Despite his experience advantage, this is a tough matchup that will test the veteran.

Muhammad Mokaev (11-0-0) is an emerging talent with six submission wins on his record, including his last three UFC victories. The 23-year-old has been stamped as a future contender and gets a huge opportunity to mount his case against a proven flyweight commodity. Mokaev is still learning his craft and can appear a little too linear in the striking department, but with proper training, he has the athletic tools to continue his rapid improvement.

Umar Nurmagomedov v Bekzat Almakhan

Umar Nurmagomedov vs Bekzat Almakhan

Umar Nurmagomedov (16-0-0) first appeared in the UFC in 2021 and has strung together a tidy 4-0 record since. The Russian has seven professional wins via submission and employs a heavy top game that can prove exhausting for his opponents. The 28-year-old brings the aura of being undefeated and is the shortest-priced favourite on this card.

Bekzat Almakhan (14-1-0) makes his UFC debut and brings a strong record from provincial promotions. This type of form is difficult to accurately assess, but the 26-year-old has won eight fights straight with six knockouts, one submission, and one decision. The Kazakhstani fighter looks like an emerging talent, although there are question marks concerning his grappling game.

Matt Schnell v Steve Erceg

Matt Schnell vs Steve Erceg

Matt Schnell (16-7-0) has returned two wins, two losses, and one no-contest since 2021 and might be in danger of being cut from the UFC roster. The 34-year-old is an accomplished grappler but struggles for consistency across 15 minutes. His chin is also growing increasingly suspect, and Schnell’s most recent appearance ended in a second-round knockout loss to Matheus Nicolau.

Steve Erceg (11-1-0) has fought twice in the UFC, producing a pair of grinding decision victories. The Australian is riding a 10-fight win streak, and a victory against a higher-ranked opponent here would push into the top 10. The 28-year-old is most comfortable on the mat, and although he looked a little vulnerable late against Alessandro Costa in his most recent bout, he is still improving at this stage of his career.

Sports betting picks