UFC 305 is tonight with early prelims going on at 6pm, prelims expected at 8pm, and the main card expected to start at 10pm on Pay-Per-View.
The main event marks the highly anticipated return of one of the UFC’s biggest stars, Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya. After suffering a shocking defeat at the hands of Sean Strickland nearly a year ago, Adesanya is back, hungry for redemption. He’ll be facing South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis, who is making his first title defense in the middleweight division after a close bout vs. Strickland.
Below are my picks for the main card, complete with the latest Vegas odds for each fight. . Take my picks below if you enjoy winning! (All odds per ESPN at 2:00pm ET Saturday, August 17).
Li Jingliang (+275) vs. Carlos Prates (-370)
- Prates is currently on a 9-fight win streak and a streak of 8-straight finishes. Jingliang is a UFC Vet and has proven he is not an easy fight.
- Prates has proven he has great striking ability and I see his striking being too much for Jingliang to handle in this one.
- Prediction: Going with Carlos Prates (-370) by KO in round 2, which will certainly be his first statement win in his 3rd fight in the UFC
Tai Tuivasa (+190) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (-235)
- Tai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa is currently on a 4-fight losing streak, and has not looked the same since the loss he had at the hands of Cyril Gane back in 2022. Tuivasa has lost to only the best fighters in the Heavyweight division, and will look to get back on track vs another great striker and great fighter in Jairzinho Rozenstuck.
- This fight is sure to be a banger, and someone is certainly going to leave the octagon separated from consciousness.
- Prediction: I am going with Rozenstruik (-235) to win by first round KO. Tuivasa is desperate to get back in the win column. And I see him getting too eager, dropping his guard, and getting put down by a huge right hand.
Mateusz Gamrot (-425) vs Dan Hooker (+315)
- Give credit to Dan Hooker. He’s always down to fight the best in the division.
- Gamrot may not be the biggest name in the lightweight division, but he is undoubtedly one of the best lightweights alive. With wins over names like Rafael dos Anjos, Rafael Fisiev and Arman Tsarukyan, he has proven he can beat some of the best fighters in the division.
- Prediction: I see Mateusz Gamrot (-425) dominating Dan Hooker in a win by decision.
Kai Kara-France (+165) vs Steve Erceg (-195)
- If one of these two fighters puts on a show, it’s almost guaranteed their next fight will be for the flyweight belt.
- Steve Erceg’s last fight was a championship fight vs. the current champion Alexandre Pantoja in which many people (including myself) thought he did enough to win.
- The UFC is going to make him earn it against Kai Kara-France, who has proved he is one of the top fighters in the division.
- Prediction – I’m taking Erceg (-195) to put on a show and win by UD, giving him another shot at the belt!
Isreal Adesanya (-115) vs Dricus Du Plessis (-105)
- The main event! This one will be fun.
- Izzy’s last performance was the worst performance of his career, by far. Was Strickland just that good that night? Or has Izzy lost his step? We will find out tonight.
- Prior to his fight vs Strickland last September, Izzy gave us one of the most iconic KO’s off all time when he brutally knocked out his rival Alex Pereira. What version of Izzy will we see tonight? If it’s the version that fought Pereira than I will take Izzy all day.
- I’ve been going back and forth with this one all week in terms of my pick. I was leaning towards Izzy, but after Dricus made him cry at the press conference I changed my mind. However, I have since changed my mind (again).
- Prediction – After taking a closer look at the careers of the two fighters, I’m having a hard time betting against Izzy. I’ve been burned too many times betting against him in the past. I’m taking Adesanya (-115). Give me Adesanya by KO in round 2.
Good Luck with your picks and enjoy the fights!
