Marvin Vettori and Jared Cannonier both failed in their first attempt to capture the UFC middleweight championship. They attempt to move a step closer to earning another opportunity when they do battle in the main event of the UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Cannonier fight card on Saturday. Both fighters lost their previous title shot against current champion Israel Adesanya but remain among the top fighters in the division, with Vettori ranked third and Cannonier just one spot lower. The main UFC Fight Night card begins at 10 p.m. ET.
Vettori is a -125 favorite (risk $125 to win $100), while Cannonier comes back at +105 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Cannonier odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, eighth-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan (-1100) takes on Joaqium Silva (+700). Before locking in any UFC Fight Night picks, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine combat expert Daniel Vithlani.
Vithlani is a highly-analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport’s nuances.
In his SportsLine debut for UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his predictions included advising SportsLine members to back Jamahal Hill (-125) against Glover Teixeira (+105) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Cannonier in sight, Vithlani has scoured the UFC fight card from top to bottom and released his top MMA picks. Vithlani’s UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Cannonier preview
Vettori (19-6-1) is aiming to earn another shot at the middleweight title after losing to champion Israel Adesanya in June 2021. The 29-year-old Italian has won two of his three outings since that fight, including a unanimous-decision triumph over Roman Dolidze on March 18.
The loss to Adesanya was Vettori’s second in two career meetings with the Nigerian, who also won a split decision in April 2018. Vettori won each of his five fights between those matchups, with four being unanimous decisions.
Cannonier (16-6) has a goal similar to Vettori’s after having won three of his last four matches. The 39-year-old native of Dallas’ only defeat in that span came via unanimous decision in his first title shot against Adesanya last July.
Less than six months after that loss, Cannonier rebounded to register a split-decision victory versus Sean Strickland, who currently is ranked seventh in the division. Cannonier possesses some power as 10 of his 16 victories have been by knockout, with the last being a triumph over Derek Brunson at UFC 271 in February 2022 that earned him Performance of the Night honors. You can only see who to pick at UFC Fight Night here.
Top UFC Fight Night predictions
We’ll reveal one of Vithlani’s UFC Fight Night predictions here: He is going with Alessandro Costa (-260) to record a victory over Jimmy Flick (+210) in a flyweight matchup on the preliminary card.
Costa (12-3) is seeking his first UFC victory after losing to the third-ranked Amir Albazi in his debut with the promotion in December. The 27-year-old Brazilian won each of his seven fights prior to that match, with three coming via knockout and another being by submission.
Flick (16-6) also had a winning streak halted the last time he stepped into the Octagon as he lost to Charles Johnson this past January. It was the first fight in more than two years for the 32-year-old Oklahoman, whose submission victory against Cody Durden in his UFC debut in December 2020 was his fourth in a row.
“Costa is a powerful striker who will have the boxing advantage,” Vithlani told SportsLine. “He also is a strong grappler, but he would be wise to keep this fight on the feet and look to close distance and strike in the pocket.” See who else to back here.
How to make UFC Fight Night picks
Vithlani also has strong picks for Vettori vs. Cannonier and other bouts on the UFC Fight Night card. He’s backing a fighter who “has an ability to wear on opponents” to emerge with a win. Vithlani’s picks and MMA analysis are only available at SportsLine.
Who wins UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Cannonier, and how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Cannonier, all from the MMA expert who profited more than $6,200 in 2022, and find out.
UFC Fight Night odds, fight card
See full UFC Fight Night picks, predictions, best bets here.
Marvin Vettori (-125) vs. Jared Cannonier (+105)
Arman Tsarukyan (-1100) vs. Joaquim Silva (+700)
Armen Petrosyan (+126) vs. Christian Duncan (-150)
Pat Sabatini (-190) vs. Lucas Almeida (+160)
Manuel Torres (-180) vs. Nikolas Motta (+155
Nicolas Dalby (+160) vs. Muslim Salikhov (-190)
Jimmy Flick (+210) vs. Alessandro Costa (-260)
Kyung Ho Kang (+140) vs. Cristian Quinonez (-165)
Carlos Hernandez (+110) vs. Denys Bondar (-130)
Zhalgas Zhumagulov (-165) vs. Felipe Bunes (+140)
Tereza Bleda (-230) vs. Gabriella Lawrence (+190)
Dan Argueta (+160) vs. Ronnie Lawrence (-190)
Zac Pauga (+170) vs. Modesta Bukauskas (-200)