UFC Fight Night odds, predictions: Full card picks and best bets for Perez vs. Taira

Admin June 15, 2024

Finally, some fights to wager on after a tumultuous week in the UFC.

Multiple fights have been called off, Conor McGregor’s fight will be pushed back, and Khamzat Chimaev is out of his bout with Robert Whittaker.

It’s been a brutal week to be a fan, but entertaining, at least.

Rest assured, McGregor will fight before year-end, and the sport’s biggest return will happen.

Until then, we get another fight night, again getting primetime treatment on ESPN2 starting at 7 p.m. ET.

UFC Fight Night picks

Alex Perez is back in the UFC after multiple layoffs and cancellations ruined what many expected to be a a fruitful career.

Perez is in an intriguing spot as an underdog here; he’s talented but constantly pulls out of bouts; frankly, he reminds me of Charles Oliveira.

The underdog is reinventing himself at the back end of his career.

Taira is an excellent grappler and will submit Perez if given the opportunity.

However, Perez is the better striker and has solid takedown defense.

Perez also has five-round experience, unlike Taira.

I’m finding it difficult to not unload the clip on Perez on Saturday, he’s one of the better underdog picks of the weekend.

PICK: Alex Perez ML (+170, DraftKings) | Perez by decision (+500, BetRivers)

Tatsuro Taira of Japan has a tough test in front of him. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Douglas Silva de Andrade faces Miles Johns in the bantamweight division.

Andrade is 40 now, which is probably why we see Johns as the surging favorite in this bout.

BetMGM tells The Post that 76 percent of the money is on Johns in this matchup and there’s plenty of reason to agree with that.

Johns is in his physical prime, very talented and a strong wrestler, although he never seems to use it.

This is a coin-flip flight and the odds are getting a little crazy on Johns.

The preferred bet is for this fight to go to a decision, as both of the prior two bouts for these fighters have gone the distance.

PICK: Fight goes the distance (-142, FanDuel)

Alex Perez (+170) vs. Tatsuro Taira: Alex Perez ML (+170, DraftKings) | Perez by decision (+500, BetRivers)
Douglas Silva de Andrade (+120) vs. Miles Johns: Fight goes the distance (-142, FanDuel)
Timmy Cuamba (-192) vs, Lucas Almeida: Lucas Almeida ML (+170, Caesars, by decision +600, Fanatics)
Brady Hiestand (+160) vs. Garrett Armfield: Armfield ML
Asu Almabayev (-600) vs. Jose Johnson: Pass
Josh Quinlan (-125) vs. Adam Fugitt: Fugitt: Fugitt ML (+110, BetMGM)
Tagir Ulanbekov (-205) vs. Joshua Van: Ulanbekov by decision (+230, FanDuel)
Jimmy Flick (+425) vs. Nate Maness: Flick by submission (+725, Caesars) – small bet
Carli Judice (+136) vs. Gabriella Fernandes: Judice over 65.5 significant strikes, Fernandez over 52.5 significant strikes (-115, DraftKings and Bet365)
Jeka Saragih (-360) vs. Westin Wilson: Wilson by submission in round 1 (+900, ESPN BET)
Melquizael Costa (-192) vs Shayilan Nuerdanbieke: Costa by decision (+185, Bet365)
Josefine Knutsson (-180) vs. Julia Polastri: Pass