UFC 251 Predictions
06.11.2020 Brian Bychek
The stage is set. With the quarantine restricting travel for fighters, the UFC looked to Abu Dhabi as a means of hosting one of the biggest events in recent years.
Headlining the main card, the 8-4 Paige VanZant returns in her first fight since January 19, 2019 due to a series of injuries and surgeries. On the last fight of her UFC contract and has mentioned testing the free agency, VanZant faces off currently as a +570 underdog against the fresh 9-1 Amanda Ribas.
“Thug” Rose Namajunas (8-4) seeks redemption in her rematch against Jéssica Andrade (20-7) in the octagon after losing the UFC’s Strawweight Championship on May 11, 2019. Namajunas comes in as the slight betting favorite -190 and is confident in her return against the tough and powerful Andrade.
Petr Yan (14-1) looks to continue his undefeated UFC streak against tonight’s 28-6 2x former UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. The pair meet for the current vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship title with Yan the current -225 favorite. Yan coming off recent big wins against Urijah Faber, Jimmie Rivera and John Dodson.
UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski (21-1) faces off against in an immediate rematch against 21-5 former champion Max Holloway from their December 2019 bout. Holloway is out to reclaim the title that he officially held and defended three times since his TKO victory over Jose Aldo on June 3, 2017.
In one of the most hyped fights in years, UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman (16-1) faces off against UFC “BMF Champion” Jorge Masvidal (35-13). Masvidal, the +200 underdog, takes the fight on a less than a week notice for his shot at real UFC gold replacing Gilbert Burns due to a positive COVID-19 test. Masvidal has had a number of recent explosive and exciting fights and looks to continue that tonight after cutting nearly 21 lbs to make weight.
Unlucky Brian’s Picks
Ribas defeats VanZant by TKO
Namajunas defeats Andrade by TKO
Yan defeats Aldo by KO
Volkanovski defeats Holloway by split decision
Usman defeats Masvidal by decision
