UFC Kansas City betting picks & main card preview

The UFC returns to Missouri with a stacked fight night in Kansas City, headlined by a high-stakes welterweight bout between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates.

Also on the card, we’ve got rising knockout artists, resurgent veterans, and dangerous debuts that promise plenty of fireworks.

Let’s break down each of the six main card matchups with a fighter-by-fighter preview and UFC betting picks.

Ian Machado Garry vs Carlos Prates

Ian Machado Garry (15-1) enters this short-notice main event looking to bounce back from the first loss of his career against Shavkat Rakhmonov. The Irishman is a rangy, tactical striker with underrated grappling, and his cardio and IQ held up in a tough five-rounder last time out. Garry will need to use his distance management and mixing of attacks to avoid the power shots of Prates while banking rounds behind his jab and low kicks.

Carlos Prates (21-6) has steamrolled his way into the welterweight rankings with four straight UFC knockouts, including brutal finishes of Neil Magny and Li Jingliang. The Brazilian Muay Thai machine has devastating power and timing, but questions remain about his ability to fight past the second round. This is his first five-round main event, and if he doesn’t land early, Garry’s pace could prove too much.

See our UFC Fight Night: Garry vs Prates main event preview and betting predictions here

Anthony Smith vs Mingyang Zhang

Anthony Smith (37-21) will make his final walk to the Octagon after nearly a decade at the top of the light heavyweight division. A former title challenger, “Lionheart” has fought the best of the best, but recent losses and wear and tear may signal the end is near. He still has a slick ground game and fight-ending guillotine, but durability and speed are no longer on his side.

Zhang Mingyang (18-6) is one of China’s most promising knockout artists, winning all 11 of his last fights inside the first round. “The Mountain Tiger” brings serious power and aggression, and against a slowing Smith, that could spell an early finish. Zhang’s pressure and striking output make him a nightmare for ageing veterans, and this fight feels like a passing of the torch.

Giga Chikadze vs David Onama

Giga Chikadze (15-4) remains one of the UFC’s most dangerous kickboxers when healthy, using slick movement and vicious body kicks to control range. The Georgian striker has been inactive in recent years, but he’s only ever lost to elite competition and can break opponents down methodically when he’s in rhythm. This is a big spot for him to reassert himself at featherweight.

David Onama (13-2) is a surging featherweight with explosive power and solid all-around skills. The Factory X product is younger, more active, and lands at a higher rate than Chikadze, but has struggled defensively in brawls. If he can turn this into a high-tempo fight, Onama could outwork the veteran and score a statement win on points or by late TKO.

Michel Pereira vs Abus Magomedov

Michel Pereira (31-12) is chaos personified, blending unpredictable striking with acrobatic flair and brute strength. Now fighting at middleweight, he’s found new power and durability, but his wild style can cost him in longer fights. Pereira will need to manage his gas tank and avoid takedowns, but if he connects early, he can end this in spectacular fashion.

Abus Magomedov (27-6-1) is a technical and composed fighter with sneaky power and a dangerous submission game. He’s coming off a confidence-boosting win over Brunno Ferreira and may look to slow down the fight by clinching and grappling. If Pereira fades or gives up position on the ground, Magomedov can make him pay with control and damage over three rounds.

Randy Brown vs Nicolas Dalby

Randy Brown (19-5) is a long and crafty striker with slick counters, underrated grappling, and a high-volume kickboxing game. He’s been knocking on the door of the welterweight rankings and will look to use his height and reach advantage to keep Dalby at bay. If he fights smart behind his jab and works the body, he could cruise to a clean decision.

Nicolas Dalby (23-5-1) is the definition of grit, bringing a grinding, pressure-heavy style backed by elite cardio and toughness. The Danish veteran thrives in wars of attrition and has a knack for making fights close and ugly. Dalby will need to close the distance and wear on Brown in the clinch to pull the upset.

Ikram Aliskerov vs Andre Muniz

Ikram Aliskerov (15-2) is a powerful striker with explosive takedown defence and big finishing ability. After a short-notice loss to Robert Whittaker, the Russian will be out to prove he’s still a middleweight contender. If he can stuff Muniz’s takedowns and keep this standing, his pressure and striking should overwhelm.

Andre Muniz (24-6) is a slick submission artist who’s dangerous whenever a fight hits the mat. With 15 career submission wins, Muniz can end it quickly if he finds an arm or neck. But his striking and wrestling are limited, and if he can’t impose his grappling early, he may be overwhelmed by Aliskerov’s pace.

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