Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates are slated for a significant showdown. This Saturday, they will face off in the main event of UFC Kansas City, a welterweight headliner carrying major implications for the 170-pound division.
Should Garry emerge victorious, he will find himself right back in the mix for title contention, rebounding from his narrow loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov. Conversely, if Prates wins, it would mark his fifth consecutive victory, solidifying his status as a breakout star in 2024 and potentially continuing the “Fighting Nerds” momentum.
Who is likely to get their hand raised this weekend? Let`s delve into the best betting opportunities on the card.
Ian Machado Garry (-138)
Picking Garry feels somewhat contrary to rooting interests, as Prates is undeniably exciting to watch and support. However, it seems likely that the “Fighting Nerds” hot streak is about to hit its first major hurdle.
While Garry draws criticism for various reasons, his talent is undeniable. His recent fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov demonstrated just how skilled he is, as he came very close to handing Rakhmonov his first professional loss. While Rakhmonov may have been dealing with injuries, a significant part of that performance was due to Garry`s well-rounded game and his ability to pose problems in all areas. This versatility is the main concern for Prates.
Prates, a dynamic and dangerous striker, can sometimes be overly reckless. Garry is also dangerous on his feet but possesses a superior grappling game. Additionally, considering potential cardio advantages, Garry holds several small edges that, when combined, point towards a victory for him on Saturday.
Andre Muniz (+395)
Andre Muniz is set to fight Ikram Aliskerov. While Aliskerov is correctly favored, the odds for Muniz appear overly wide. Despite recent setbacks, Muniz remains a highly dangerous grappler. Aliskerov is a good wrestler, but not necessarily an elite one. If Muniz can successfully initiate grappling exchanges and get control, he has a decent chance of creating an opportunity for a finish or controlling rounds.
Chelsea Chandler (+245)
Chelsea Chandler faces Joselyne Edwards in the opening bout, and the betting lines seem significantly off here. Edwards is not an elite fighter and has notable weaknesses in defensive wrestling. Chandler, while not without her own flaws, has the ability to secure takedowns and turn the fight into a grueling affair. Chandler`s only losses have come against established contenders at 135 pounds. Edwards might deserve to be the favorite, but not by such a large margin.
Zhang Mingyang KO/TKO in Round 1 (+120)
Predicting this outcome is difficult emotionally, but it seems likely. Anthony Smith is scheduled to step into the cage, and it may not go well for him. Smith isn`t old in terms of age, but he has accumulated considerable damage throughout his extensive career, and his chin is not as durable as it once was.
Zhang Mingyang is a powerful puncher who consistently seeks early finishes. Remarkably, his last 15 fights have all concluded in the very first round. It is reasonable to expect this trend to continue in his upcoming bout.
Randy Brown by Points (+110)
This prediction boils down to simple factors: Randy Brown is the more complete fighter, and Nicolas Dalby is known for his toughness and is rarely finished. Combining these points leads to the conclusion that Randy Brown will likely win by decision. Dalby has had a solid run recently, but he is older, and Brown possesses more dynamic skills. A straightforward victory on the judges` scorecards for “Rude Boy” is the probable outcome.
