Bantamweight Clash Headlines UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas

A highly anticipated bantamweight clash between Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez headlines UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Get the latest odds, predictions, and expert analysis for all the fights.

A highly anticipated bantamweight matchup between Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez headlines UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Other exciting fights on the undercard include Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Anthony Smith, Tim Elliott vs. Su Mudaerji, Nasrat Haqparast vs. Jamie Mullarkey, Jun Yong Park vs. Andre Muniz, and Kevin Jousset vs. Kenan Song. Check out the latest odds for each fight.

A highly anticipated bantamweight matchup is set to take place on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The bantamweight division is known for its depth and excitement in the world of mixed martial arts. This weekend, two top-ranked fighters in the UFC bantamweight rankings will look to end the year on a high note when Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez face off in the main event of UFC Fight Night.

Originally scheduled to be held in Shanghai, the event was moved to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This decision was made shortly after Yadong and Gutierrez were announced as the headliners. Gutierrez, ranked 15th in the division, is determined to have a successful 2023 campaign after starting the year with a loss to Pedro Munhoz. He aims to bounce back from this setback and continue his winning streak, which was interrupted by his UFC debut loss in 2018. Gutierrez’s last fight in October resulted in a decision victory over Alateng Heili.

On the other hand, Yadong currently holds the 7th spot in the bantamweight rankings with a 9-2-1 record in the Octagon. His only fight in 2023 was a fifth-round TKO win against Ricky Simon. This victory helped Yadong recover from a TKO loss to Cory Sandhagen in September 2022. The fight with Gutierrez will be Yadong’s third consecutive main event.

The undercard also features exciting matchups, including a clash between veteran light heavyweights Khalil Rountree Jr. and Anthony Smith. Rountree Jr., who is on a four-fight winning streak, aims to maintain his position in the rankings. Smith, a former title challenger, believes that a win on Saturday could put him back in contention for the championship.

Let’s take a closer look at the rest of the undercard and the latest odds before making predictions for the main event.

The event will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on December 9, with the main card starting at 10 p.m. ET. Viewers can watch the fights on ESPN+.

In the main event, Yadong has several advantages working in his favor. The smaller Octagon at the Apex will limit the space for Gutierrez’s kicking and counter-striking abilities, giving Yadong an edge. Additionally, Yadong’s experience in previous main events should make him more comfortable in a five-round fight. If Yadong can capitalize on the smaller cage and engage in close striking exchanges, he should come out on top. His wrestling skills, honed through training with Team Alpha Male, will also help him defend against any takedown attempts from Gutierrez.

Prediction: Song Yadong wins via TKO in the third round.

To get detailed picks for every fight at UFC Fight Night and to find out who wins the matchup between Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez, visit SportsLine now. This MMA expert has profited over $6,200 in 2022.