The UFC octagon continues its road trip, with the promotion setting up shop in Louisville, Kentucky’s KFC Yum! Center this weekend. It’s a typical UFC Fight Night card with middleweights headlining, the only difference being these are actually two pretty good middleweights. Here are my UFC Louisville predictions and best bets.
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UFC Louisville Predictions & Best Bets
Nassourdine Imavov (-120) vs. Jared Cannonier
Those aforementioned 185-pounders would be #4 ranked Jared Cannonier and #7 Nassourdine Imavov, and the fight should be a good one, with close odds heading into it. I’m siding with the favored – and much younger – Frenchman to win it.
While Cannonier has more knockout power, Imavov is the more well-rounded fighter, dangerous on the feet and on the ground. He’s also a better all-around striker and is four inches taller than the American. Perhaps most importantly, he’s 11 years younger than the 40-year-old Cannonier. That could make the difference in this five-round fight.
Dustin Jacoby (-225) vs. Dominick Reyes
Things get pretty dire in the co-main event between light heavyweights Dustin Jacoby and Dominick Reyes. One, Jacoby, is a kickboxing knockout artist; the other, Reyes, has been knocked out in three straight fights and hasn’t had his hand raised in victory in four straight fights dating back to his last win in October 2019.
Jacoby is the obvious play here, and -225 is actually a decent number for him. If you want an even better line, sprinkle on Jacoby via T/KO at +133.
Julian Marquez (-135) vs. Zachary Reese
‘The Cuban Missile Crisis’ Julian Marquez hasn’t fought since March 2023 and got knocked out in his last two fights, but I think he’s getting a nice welcome-back fight against Zachary Reese.
Reese was dropped in both his Dana White’s Contender Series fight and his UFC debut, which he lost. Marquez can really crack, so if you have a suspect chin going up against him, you’re in trouble.
Carlos Prates (-225) vs. Charles Radtke
Speaking of guys who can really crack, Carlos Prates has 13 knockouts in 18 professional MMA wins. He’s won eight straight fights, the last seven via knockout.
It will be advantageous for him that he has a six-inch reach advantage over his opponent on Saturday, Charles Radtke. There’s a good chance he knocks him out, so T/KO at +115 is a good play.
Andrea Lee (-150) vs. Montana De La Rosa
In what will probably be a “loser leaves town” match, Andrea Lee and Montana De La Rosa face each other, both desperate for the win. And as is always the case with me, I’m taking the striker over the grappler in this matchup.
Lee will surely pick apart De La Rosa on the feet, as the latter needs to take fights to the ground to have any hopes of winning. Lee is used to people trying to take her down and subsequently has solid takedown defense.
If you’d like even more information on UFC Louisville, be sure to check out the MMA Gambling Podcast. The guys are dropping five episodes weekly to make you the smartest guy at the bar.
