The UFC returns to its home base this week, featuring an exciting lineup of flyweight contenders headlining the event. UFC Fight Night 253 is set to take place this Saturday at the renowned UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Fans can expect thrilling matchups as our team of 11 editors, writers, radio hosts, and videographers provide their expert analysis and fight predictions.
Here’s a detailed look at the main card fights scheduled for UFC Fight Night 253:
Danny Barlow vs. Sam PattersonRecords: Barlow (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Patterson (12-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Past five fights: Barlow 5-0, Patterson 4-1
Division: Welterweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 03.01.25): Barlow -305, Patterson +245
Junkie pick results: Barlow 11, Patterson 0
Hyder Amil vs. William GomisRecords: Amil (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Gomis (14-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC)
Past five fights: Amil 5-0, Gomis 5-0
Division: Featherweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 03.01.25): Amil +170, Gomis -205
Junkie pick results: Amil 8, Gomis 3
Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban RibovicsRecords: Haqparast (17-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC), Ribovics (14-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Past five fights: Haqparast 4-1, Ribovics 4-1
Division: Lightweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 03.01.25): Haqparast +210, Ribovics -260
Junkie pick results: Ribovics 9, Haqparast 2
Cody Brundage vs. Julian MarquezRecords: Brundage (10-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC), Marquez (9-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC)
Past five fights: Brundage 2-3, Marquez 2-3
Division: Middleweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 03.01.25): Brundage +100, Marquez -120
Junkie pick results: Brundage 8, Marquez 3
Manel Kape vs. Asu AlmabayevRecords: Kape (20-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC), Almabayev (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC)
Past five fights: Kape 4-1, Almabayev 5-0
Division: Flyweight
Rankings: Kape No. 6, Almabayev No. 14
Odds (as of 03.01.25): Kape -220, Almabayev +180
Junkie pick results: Kape 10, Almabayev 1
While the preliminary fights do not affect the standings, our MMA Junkie staff members have made their picks for these bouts as well. Here are the results:
Austen Lane vs. Mario Pinto: Pinto 11, Lane 0 Chepe Mariscal vs. Ricardo Ramos: Mariscal 11, Ramos 0 JJ Aldrich vs. Andrea Lee: Aldrich 11, Lee 0 Lucas Almeida vs. Danny Silva: Silva 7, Almeida 4 Charles Johnson vs. Ramazan Temirov: Johnson 8, Temirov 3Fans have also weighed in with their consensus picks for the main card fights. Here are the results:
Kape: 19-11 (61%) Brundage: 21-9 (64%) Ribovics: 19-11 (76%) Gomis: 20-10 (66%) Barlow: 22-6 (83%)Join us for an action-packed night at UFC Fight Night 253, where the stakes are high, and the competition is fierce!
