Ahead of UFC Vegas 61, we take a look at the odds and predictions for the main card
The UFC returns this weekend with an action-packed card this weekend. The event will be headlined by the main event showdown between Mackenzie Dern and Yan Xiaonan. In the co-main event, Randy Brown will aim to continue his good form and run when he clashes against Francisco Trinaldo in the welterweight division. The card also features a thrilling featherweight bout between Sodik Yusuff and debutant Don Shainis. Heavyweight veteran Ilir Latifi will lock horns with grappling specialist Aleksei Oleinik in a featured bout on the card.
Derns made her professional MMA debut fighting at Legacy FC back in July 2016. She went 4-0 under the banner before roping in her Invicta FC deal. The Brazilian fought only once in the company before being signed by the UFC.
She made her UFC debut at UFC 222 against Ashley Yoder, and won the fight by split decision. She went 2-0 in the UFC before losing a unanimous decision fight to fellow Brazilian Amanda Ribas. She went on a brilliant four-fight win streak which came to an end in her last outing against Marina Rodriguez.
Derns has been working relentlessly to develop her overall game, and has been training boxing with Jason Parillo [ famous for training Michael Bisping, BJ Penn, Marlon Chito Vera, and Cris Cyborg]
Her opponent Yan Xiaonan is a Chinese mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the Strawweight division where she is ranked sixth in the division.
Yan began her martial arts training at the age of 13. She started her professional MMA career in 2009 and she has fought in various promotions, most notably Road Fighting Championship. She had a professional record of 7-1 (NC), before signing with the UFC.
Yan holds the distinction of being the first female Chinese fighter to sign with the UFC. She made her UFC debut on November 25, 2017 against Kailin Curran at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Her next fight came on June 23, 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Edwards against Nadia Kassem; however she was replaced by Viviane Pereira due to injury. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Yan next faced Syuri Kondo on November 24, 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 and won the fight via unanimous decision.
She is currently on a two-fight losing slump and will be looking forward to bouncing back with a statement this Saturday against a popular name in Dern.
Odds: Dern is the -220 favorite, while Yan is the +180 underdog.
Our Prediction: Derns looks like she has finally got her weight cut, training regime, and her pathway forward dialed in. Her grappling is truly elite buy she needs to be wary of Yan’s power and ferocity. With that in mind, we think Derns pulls off a submission victory in the first or second round.
The co-main event features Randy Brown, a Jamaican-American mixed martial artist currently competing as a welterweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2014, he has formerly competed for Ring of Combat and became the Welterweight Ring of Combat Champion in 2015.
Brown began his professional fighting career in 2014, and made his professional debut at Ring of Combat 48. Brown won the fight against Steve Tyrrell via submission in round one. He trains out of Budokan Martial Arts Academy, a Renzo Gracie BJJ affiliate.
Brown had 6 fights in the promotion winning all 6 by stoppage in the first or second round. He won the Ring of Combat welterweight belt by beating Mike Winters by second-round TKO. He is on an impressive three fight winning run and will look to improve his streak come Saturday.
He will face Francisco Trinaldo, a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2006, he has also competed for Jungle Fight in his native Brazil, where he is the former Lightweight Champion, and was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.
Trinaldo’s professional career began in the Fight Club Tournament promotion, where he won his opening bout via unanimous decision. This was followed by a TKO due to corner stoppage. Trinaldo then fought twice more, securing a submission victory via arm-triangle choke and another victory via TKO due to punches and soccer kicks after 12 seconds.
Odds: Randy Brown -300 and Francisco Trinaldo +240
Our Prediction: Randy Brown wins the fight by knockout.
Raoni Barcelos -225 and Trevin Jones +187
Sodiq Yusuff -1000 and Don Shainis +600
John Castaneda -1880 and Daniel Santos +162
Mike Davis -175 and Viacheslav Borshchev +150
Ilir Latifi -175 and Aleksei Oleinik +150
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