UFC 255 Predictions Full Fight Card

I took another one on the chin last weekend with my UFC predictions. But I’ve got an iron jaw, so all is good. Time to dig out of this mess and have nothing but WINNING UFC predictions for this week’s UFC 255, which is headlined by two flyweight title fights.

Let’s get picking.

All odds courtesy of MyBookie

UFC 255 Predictions

Deiveson Figueiredo (-310) vs Alex Perez

This will be newly crowned UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo’s first title defense, as Alex Perez got his number called after original challenger Cody Garbrandt got injured. ‘Deus Da Guerra’ (God of War) has been an absolute wrecking ball in the UFC, and will have a three-inch reach advantage over his challenger, which will come in handy for him to utilize his explosive striking. I think the lines should be lower, as Perez is a live dog here, but the champ is my pick.

Valentina Shevchenko (-1800) vs Jennifer Maia

Speaking of wrecking balls, the women’s 125-pound champ is just that. Valentina Shevchenko has only lost to women’s GOAT Amanda Nunes in her UFC career (twice), and Jennifer Maia is no Amanda Nunes. In fact, it’s just a matter of “right place, right time” for her, as she’s only won one fight in a row and is 3-2 in her last five. Shevchenko will dominate, but I’m not going anywhere near that line (which is growing by the minute – it was only in the -1200 range earlier in the week)

Tim Means (+120) vs Mike Perry

I originally had the ultimate Florida Man, Mike Perry, as my winner here, but I’ve flipped to the underdog. Perry is just too volatile, inside and outside the cage, to count on, and ‘The Dirty Bird’ has the veteran savvy, four inches of reach, and striking stats in his favor to win us some plus money here.

Cynthia Calvillo (-270) vs Katlyn Chookagian

Calvillo is the obvious pick to me here, so the -270 line doesn’t surprise me (bettors agree – it was -220 at the starting of the week). She’s only lost once in the UFC, and that was to former champ Carla Esparza, and should have the striking and grappling advantage over former title challenger Chookagian.

Paul Craig (-180) vs Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua

The rematch we never knew we wanted – Rua vs Craig II. Their first encounter, last November, ended in a draw. I’m going with grappling ace Craig to get the W over the legendary Shogun, but it could be another close battle.

Brandon Royval (+155) vs Brandon Moreno

A battle of the Brandons, probably to determine who is next to challenge for the flyweight title. Royval has had a meteoric rise, albeit in a shallow weight class, considering a year ago he wasn’t even in the UFC. Since that time he’s gone 2-0, both ending in submissions. I’m liking his chances as a dog against fellow grappler Moreno.

Jordan Wright (+195) vs Joaquin Buckley

Buckley became a viral star after his Greatest Knockout in UFC History performance last month, so I think he’s overpriced here. ‘The Beverley Hills Ninja’ Jordan Wright is no slouch when it comes to the fancy stuff in the cage, and he’ll have a distinct size advantage over Buckley. Let’s roll the dice.

Antonina Shevchenko (-160) vs Ariane Lipski

The elder Shevchenko sister is also on this card in a flyweight fight, and I’m also picking her to come away with a win bonus. She’s got the striking and the grappling stats in her favor, so she should get by Lipski (more than likely via decision, if you want a prop bet here).

Daniel Rodriguez (-315) vs Nicolas Dalby

Rodriguez vs Dalby has Fight of the Night written all over it. ‘D-Rod’ has all the checkmarks in his column – striking, grappling, plus he’s younger. But putting away Dalby will be no easy task.

Jared Gooden (+120) vs Alan Jouban

Soon-to-be 38-year-old Jouban has been on the shelf with injuries for 18 months, and hasn’t won a fight since February 2018, so I think it’s worth rolling the dice on newcomer Gooden for plus money. He’s 12 years younger, which is a huge advantage, plus has three inches of reach on the veteran.

Kyle Daukaus (-315) vs Dustin Stoltzfus

The middleweight of the Daukaus brothers (older brother Chris is a UFC heavyweight) has seen his line jump from -235 a few days ago to -315 as of this writing. While I probably don’t like him at a number that high, I think he bests newcomer Stoltzfus nonetheless.