UFC 320 and PFL: MMA Betting and Expert Predictions

Ankalaev vs. Pereira: Stellar Clash at UFC 320

Magomed Ankalaev will seek his first defense of the UFC light heavyweight title against Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 320, which will be held on Saturday in Las Vegas. The fight is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on ESPN PPV. The prelims will air at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNEWS/ESPN+/Disney+/FX, and the early prelims at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+/Disney+/FX. In March, Ankalaev defeated Pereira by unanimous decision to obtain the belt at UFC 313. Ankalaev, ranked number 7 in ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings, has not lost a fight since March 2018. Pereira, former middleweight and light heavyweight champion, accumulated a streak of five consecutive victories before his defeat to Ankalaev. Currently, Pereira is ranked number 9 in ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Sandhagen vs. Dvalishvili: Battle for the Bantamweight Championship

In the co-main event, Cory Sandhagen will have his first opportunity for UFC gold as he faces Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight championship. Dvalishvili, number 3 in ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings, will seek his third title defense since winning the belt at UFC 306 in September 2024. Sandhagen, ranked number 5 in bantamweight by ESPN, earned his title shot after knocking out Deiveson Figueiredo in the second round at a UFC Fight Night in May.

PFL Champions Series Dubai: Nurmagomedov and Hughes Rematch

On Friday, PFL action returns with the PFL Champions Series Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited. In the main event, Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes will face off in a rematch for the lightweight title. Nurmagomedov won the first fight by majority decision in January.

Betting Predictions and Analysis

ESPN MMA analysts and commentators offer their predictions for the UFC title fights, and ESPN betting expert Ian Parker provides insights on the best bets available on both cards.

UFC Light Heavyweight Title Fight

I don’t like to make excuses, but I can’t ignore the fact that it was very clear that Pereira was extremely sick during the 10 days prior to the first fight. He was overworked and overloaded with travel. With a reset and some rest, I think he will show his true potential. Ankalaev fought at his maximum potential in the first one. Pereira wasn’t even close to his best level.

Anthony Smith

I almost always favor the guy who has more ways to win. Ankalaev fought the first fight during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, so with this fight outside of Ramadan, I think Ankalaev should have a little more energy, more enthusiasm. He should be faster this time. He will be able to get takedowns and connect more punches to win by decision.

Din Thomas

Betting Analysis Odds are accurate as of October 1st. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET. Parker: Ankalaev to win (-260); over 2.5 rounds. To win, Pereira must defend takedowns as well as he did in the first fight and let his hands go. He can’t allow Ankalaev to dictate the pace and narrative of the fight.

Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening for Pereira. I hope this unfolds like the first fight, with the possibility of Ankalaev connecting a couple of takedowns. Betting on Ankalaev to win with more than 2.5 rounds should give you almost the same odds, which is a great value bet if you believe this fight will go the distance.

UFC Bantamweight Title Fight

Sandhagen could be the most complete fighter in the division. He is definitely the most dangerous finisher, but he has a weakness and that is high-level, high-pressure fighters. I love Sandhagen’s game and style, but he hasn’t shown the ability to stop high-paced, well-conditioned fighters who engage a lot. He needs a finish to win, but Dvalishvili has been unstoppable.

Smith

Merab is constantly improving. Sandhagen is very good at solving puzzles, but Dvalishvili is always adding things to his game that Sandhagen probably hasn’t seen. Dvalishvili will be able to get the job done, by decision, obviously, we are talking about Merab here.

Thomas

Betting Analysis Parker: Dvalishvili to win by decision (-210). Dvalishvili has been impeccable in his reign as champion so far, and I think that streak continues against Sandhagen. While Sandhagen is good, Dvalishvili keeps moving forward. For Sandhagen to win, he will need a knockout or a chance to capitalize on a mistake by Dvalishvili. This fight should be fun, but it has Dvalishvili to win by decision written all over it.

Parker’s Best Bets on the Rest of the UFC 320 Card

Light Heavyweight: Jiří Procházka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. Rountree to win (+145). I’m surprised Rountree is the underdog in this matchup. Unless Procházka has become a phenomenal wrestler, this fight will stay standing, which favors Rountree, the better striker. Rountree is accurate and has tremendous power in both his hands and feet. Unless Procházka catches him early, the underdog will pull off the upset. Welterweight: Punahele Soriano vs. Nikolay Veretennikov

Soriano to win (-270). Soriano shouldn’t have any problems getting the victory here. He’s better in every aspect of the fight. Veretennikov has been rocked and nearly finished in his two fights this year, and if he gets rocked by Soriano, I doubt he’ll have the durability to recover. Soriano could also wrestle here, as Veretennikov doesn’t present any submission threats from his back. Bet on Soriano to win in your parlay, and if you want to grab a prop for positive odds, Soriano by knockout may be a good value bet.

Parker’s Top Bets for PFL Champions Series Dubai

Lightweight title fight: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes The fight goes the distance. This should be another epic five-round fight. The first fight is a contender for fight of the year, so I expect no less in the rematch. However, I don’t expect Nurmagomedov to underestimate Hughes in the same way he did in the first encounter. This time, Nurmagomedov knows what to expect, which will help him plan his game better. For Hughes, if he can defend the takedowns and keep the fight standing, it becomes an even matchup. But if he allows Nurmagomedov to implement his wrestling and dictate the pace of the fight, he will end up losing again. Considering how close the last fight was and how durable both fighters are, bet that the fight goes the distance. Light Heavyweight: Corey Anderson vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov Anderson to win by KO/TKO/decision. Another rematch will decide who wins the PFL light heavyweight championship. In the first fight at Bellator 257 in April 2021, Anderson dominated with his wrestling and won by TKO in the third round. Yagshimuradov then won last year’s PFL tournament with a victory over Impa Kasanganay, while Anderson moved up to heavyweight and defeated Denis Goltsov. In the rematch with Yagshimuradov, I’m going with Anderson. As long as Anderson avoids Yagshimuradov’s power, he shouldn’t have trouble closing the distance to utilize his wrestling and pace to tire out Yagshimuradov. Expect Anderson to win by TKO or decision.