by UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Barber is Saturday Night from the UFC Apex Center in Las Vegas. After a weekend off, the UFC will be cooking with this loaded card. Here are 6 quick predictions to wager on Saturday Night.
Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber
Prediction – Erin Blanchfield
Reason – The best thing for the UFC is Maycee Barber continuing to win. She is extremely hot and very marketable, so having her towards the top of the card will always draw. Barber has won six straight fights and appears to be on top of her game right now! Blanchfield has won 11 of her last 12 and is considered one of the best pound for pound fighters in the women’s flyweight division. The issue being she came in two pounds heavy, causing it to be moved to catchweight. Does that mean Blanchfield is looking past Barber? Time will tell…
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Ludovit Klein
Prediction – Klein
Reason – Klein is undefeated in his last 7 fights and has looked extremely sharp along the way. He also holds a slight reach advantage over the veteran Gamrot. The fight is pretty much even as both guys bring a lot to the table and are about the same size as well. Gamrot is 7-2 in the UFC and 24-2 overall, despite coming off of a loss to Dan Hooker in his last fight all the way back in March of 2024. Will the layoff hurt Gamrot coming into this one?
Dustin Jacoby vs. Bruno Lopes
Prediction – Bruno Lopes
Reason – Jacoby has been with the promotion since 2011 and has seen his share of ups and downs but has never truly been in any title contention. With his career beginning to wind down, he is relishing the chance to stay relevant a bit longer. He still has knockout power and can end a fight in a flash as that part of his game has never left. At 14-1, Bruno Lopes is off to a hot start in his career and Jacoby presents his first true chance for a marquee win, I think he takes advantage of it.
Zach Reese vs. Dusko Todorovic
Prediction – Zach Reese
Reason – Todorovic has lost 3 of his last 4 and 6 of his last 8, and yet, he remains on the main card here. Perhaps this is his last chance to keep his UFC contract in place. Reese is 8-2 overall but has lost 2 of his last 3, and hasn’t looked impressive doing it. I feel as though Reese has more to gain with a win and wants it more.
Macy Chiasson vs. Ketlen Vieira
Prediction -Macy Chiasson
Reason – Vieira has some big wins on her record against the likes of Miesha Tate, Holly Holm, Sara McMann and Cat Zigano. However, she has lost 3 of her last 6 fights and hasn’t finished a fight since 2018. Her last 6 bouts have gone to the cards. Meanwhile, Chiasson is still looking for that first signature win despite starting her career 10-3. I feel as though Chiasson is on the upswing while Vieira’s best days are well behind her.
Kurt Holobaugh vs. Jordan Leavitt
Prediction – Kurt Holobaugh
Reason – At 38 years of age, he is old for the fight game but Kurt Holobaugh would simply tell you that just means he is seasoned. Leavitt has lost two of his last 3, both times by submission early into the fight. Despite being the underdog due to age, I actually think Holobaugh has the tools needed to pull the upset here and will do so by decision.
