UFC Fight Night 248 Odds and Predictions

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It’s going to be awfully tough to follow up the UFC 309 theatrics. Anytime you have a card with Jon Jones, whatever comes next just won’t have the same electricity.

While true, UFC Fight Night 248 actually has an amazing headliner and a pretty solid overall fight card. The action fires off at 2:00 am EST at the Galaxy Arena in Cotai, Macau, with the main card starting at 5:00 am EST and all fights going down on ESPN+.

My aim is to deliver some winning picks to go along with the latest UFC Fight Night 248 odds, which I was fortunate enough to do a week ago.

My UFC 309 picks were very much on point, as I went 5-1 during the main card and a perfect 5-0 for the Prelims (10-1 overall!). It was an epic night of fights, but it was made even better if you rolled with my MMA betting picks.

There’s more where that came from, so dive into this week’s event with me, starting with the main card’s odds and winner predictions.

UFC Fight Night 248 Odds

Here are the latest UFC FN odds at the top MMA betting sites. 

This is a terrific card, and if you weren’t sure about it, just look at the main card. You’re getting more main card fights than we saw at UFC 309, while most of the prices are a bit more palatable, too.

The headliner is a nasty showdown between two elite MMA fighters, and just one of these bouts has an underdog greater than +300.

I’ll help you decide how to bet on UFC Fight Night 248, but I understand if some bettors want even more assistance. If that’s the case for you, check out our guide to the top sports betting handicappers online.

UFC Fight Night 248 Main Card Predictions

As noted, the main card gets rolling at 5:00 am EST on ESPN+.

Petyr Yan (-300) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (+250)

It’s been rough sledding for Petyr Yan, who started out at a dominant 15-1 for his pro MMA career, but is just 2-4 across his last six bouts.

The good news? He hasn’t been getting man-handled, and the competition has been as nasty as it gets. Decision losses to the likes of Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley, and Aljamain Sterling (twice) are nothing to sulk over, and he’s taken out Yadong Song and Cory Sandhagen as well.

Getting wins is still the name of the game, and Yan hasn’t been able to get the job done. He does sport 7 KO wins and he’s the younger fighter in this bout, but he’s no lock even at his -300 odds.

On the other side is Figueiredo, who gives up two inches in height but makes up for it with a one-inch reach advantage. He’s another highly skilled MMA star who has fallen on harder times, but the 36-year old already rebounded from his rough patch and is now 4-1 over his last five fights.

That hot run includes big wins over Marlon Vera and Cody Garbrandt, while his elite finishing ability and versatility (9 KOs and 9 submissions) makes him as dangerous as anyone. Yan is younger and has the slight offensive edge by the numbers, but I am trusting the overall skill-set, recent form, and sheer value here.

I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t pounce on Deiveson Figueiredo at this insane +250 price tag.

Bet: Deiveson Figueiredo +250

Yan Xiaonan (-200) vs. Tabatha Ricci (+170)

Another big fight on the UFC Fight Night 248 main card has us heading to the women’s Strawweight division, where Yan Xianon looks to defend a stout 18-4 record.

Xiaonan has a four-inch height advantage and two-inch reach edge, plus the striking numbers favor her considerably. You’re also getting some KO upside with her (8 career knockouts), while she’s as tough as they come (one career KO loss).

Her recent form is a little suspect, as she’s just 2-3 over her last five bouts. Two of those losses at least went the distance, however, and she knocked out Jessica Andrade two fights ago.

Ricci is a lot younger and she averages more takedowns (2.99), but she lacks power or consistent finishing ability. She is a solid 11-2, though, and has some nice wins recently over Angela Hill and Tecia Pennington.

There is not a ton of early finishing upside in this bout. I think Yan is the play in terms of upside and safety, but the best bet may be for this one to go the distance.

Bet: Yan Xiaonan -200

Muslim Salikhov (-180) vs. Song Kenan (+155)

We get two very experienced fighters for this third main card showdown, as Muslim Salikhov (20-5) will look to add to the win column against Song Kenan (22-8).

Salikhov is favored despite coming in at 40 years of age, and he also is at a mild disadvantage as the shorter fighter with weaker reach. He even grades out as the weaker striker in terms of significant strikes landed per minute.

This one feels like a toss-up, so I think I’ll go with the value via Kenan. He doesn’t have the most reliable chin (4 KO defeats), but he has major finishing upside (18 career wins by stoppage) and he’s 2-1 over his last three fights.

Salikhov obviously has staying power (13 knockout wins), but he’s not as versatile as Kenan and he’s far older. When it’s this tight, I favor the younger, more skilled mixed martial artist who offers the superior price at online sportsbooks.

Bet: Song Kenan +155

Wang Cong (-800) vs. Gabriella Fernandes (+550)

Wang Cong hopes to stay undefeated (6-0) this weekend, as she prepares for a reasonably stiff test against Gabriella Fernandes (9-3). Wong is one year older and has a minor reach edge, but so far she has simply been the much more dominant fighter.

She only has two UFC fights, but she is averaging an astonishing 7.07 significant strikes per minute during her 2-0 run (both wins via early stoppage).

The sample size is small, but she has four wins by stoppage and appears to have an eclectic, dominant skill-set. Her takedown offense also projects better than Fernandez, while the Brazilian has been semi-exposed recently (1-2 over her last three bouts).

Fernandez is also pretty versatile and dangerous in her own right, plus she’s never been finished across 12 career MMA fights. However, the jump to the UFC (1-2) has been a bit much for her, and Cong profiles as the more daunting task.

This could be a fun spot to hunt a finish via Cong, as her -800 moneyline is obviously egregious. That said, she is likely the correct winner pick in this matchup.

Bet: Wang Cong -800

Mingyang Zhang (-280) vs. Ozzy Diaz (+240)

Ozzy Diaz is a sizable underdog heading into UFC FN 248, where he will make his UFC debut. He’s 9-2 for his career and has impressed with seven KO wins, but the 33-year old appears to be overmatched here.

Diaz does have a huge edge in both height and reach, but the striking numbers greatly support a Mingyang victory. There’s no denying Diaz’s tear outside of the UFC, as every single one of his wins have come very early stoppage.

However, Ozzy has been stopped twice himself, and that could be bad news going up against someone as lethal as Mingyang (17-6 with 11 KOs) who has 17 wins via stoppage of his own.

Mingyang comes in as the more experienced fighter, and the Mountain Tiger has learned from his mistakes. The man hasn’t tasted defeat since 2019, as he’s won each of his last 10 bouts and is now 2-0 under the UFC banner.

He’s been impressive in those two fights, too, winning both via KO and bringing a 58% striking accuracy to the table and averaging an insane 9.23 significant strikes per minute.

Diaz’s KO ability keeps him in the conversation as a fun +240 underdog, but I trust Zhang’s resume considerably more.

Bet: Mingyang Zhang -280

Carlos Ulberg (-233) vs. Volkan Oezdemir (+198)

The last fight on the main card is a pretty good one, as the seasoned Carlos Ulberg (11-1) hopes to keep things going in a positive direction against Oezdemir (20-7).

Ulberg gives up some experience here, but he has the height and reach advantage and is simply the more dangerous fighter. He’s favored for good reason, as he’s landed an impressive 7.41 significant strikes per minute with 60% accuracy during a 6-1 start in the UFC.

He’s been on fire since dropping his debut back in 2021, making a name for himself across six consecutive wins – five by early stoppage.

Volkan is still live for the upset, though. He is prone to getting tripped up (four losses by early stoppage), but he’s also a nasty striker with 13 KOs. His recent form and overall talent isn’t quite as tantalizing as Ulberg’s, however, so I won’t go away from the favorite in this one.

Bet: Carlos Ulberg -233

UFC Fight Night 248 Preliminary Card Predictions

You can catch the early action at 2:00 am with the Prelims on ESPN+.

SuYoung You (-150) vs. Baergeng Jieleyisi (+130)

We start off the UFC Fight Night 248 Prelims with SuYoung You (13-3) trying to edge out Baergeng Jileyisi (18-5). You loses three inches in height and another five in reach, so at first glance, this could be a tough spot to trust the betting favorite.

You has had a successful career thanks to a versatile skill-set, however, and he’s so far 2-0 under the UFC banner. He doesn’t blow you away with his striking, but his takedown numbers are exceptional and that’s where he can inflict the most damage (5 submissions).

Baergeng is even more problematic on the canvas, though, as he’s earned 10 career submission wins and has only been submitted twice. He’s also 2-0 in the UFC and he’s on a roll with four straight wins and nine in his last 10.

I actually like the underdog here. These fighters may both look to take things to the ground, and sheer volume points to Baergeng being the more appealing bet.

Bet: Baergeng Jieleyisi +130

DongHun Choi (-127) vs. Kiru Sahota (+107)

DongHun Choi will put his undefeated 8-0 record on the line at UFC FN 248. He’s 2-0 so far in the UFC and has thus far been fairly one-dimensional, while he loses seven inches in reach and five inches in height to his challenger.

Sahota is four years older, but he obviously has some clear advantages in this one and he’s been pretty good (12-2) through 14 matches. He has more experience and offers a bit more upside and versatility with eight wins via early stoppage (two via submission).

He’s also 2-0 in the UFC so far and he grades out as a comparable striker at the very worst. This one is priced pretty close to the chest, so you could go either way. I’m riding with the more experienced and more versatile fighter who offers the superior price.

Bet: Kiru Sahota +107

Feng Xiaocan (-340) vs. Shi Ming (+265)

Bettors could trust in a pretty big favorite for this next bout, which matches up Feng Xiaocan (10-2) and Shi Ming (16-5).

Xiaocan has a serious height advantage (five inches) and a 6.5-inch reach, while she grades out as the vastly superior striker with 57% striking accuracy and 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute. 

The 22-year old has been tough to figure out, as she’s scored four KO wins and hasn’t lost since 2021. Her form is fantastic, but you can say the same about her opponent, as Bunny Bomb has won four in a row and is the more dangerous fighter on the ground (6 submissions).

It’s a contrast of styles, but with the size and reach edge, I find it hard to get away from the favorite in this one.

Bet: Feng Xiaocan -340

Carlos Hernandez (-200) vs. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel (+170)

Another undefeated fighter will put their perfect mark on display at UFC FN 248, as Nyamjargal Tumemdemberel (8-0) hopes to keep it going against Carlos Hernandes (9-4).

Despite no losses on his ledger, Tumendemberel is not favored here, as he’s a little less experienced than his opponent. Even so, he has a four-inch reach advantage and grades out as the better striker and takedown artist.

Tumendemberel has won seven of eight via early stoppage, proving he is a dangerous threat that isn’t to be trifled with. Hernandez is no slouch, of course, as he’s proven to be crafty (4 submissions) on the floor and offers much more experience under the UFC banner.

Experience hasn’t translated to success, though. Hernandez has suffered three of his four career losses in his last four outings. He’s fared decently against some solid names, but the recent form and clear gaps in this matchup make him a tough favorite to trust.

All things considered, I don’t mind rolling the dice with Tumendemberel’s value at +170.

Bet: Nyamjargal Tumendemberel +170

Lone’er Kavanagh (-355) vs. Jose Ochoa (+280)

Want more undefeated MMA fighters trying to prove their worth? You got it. This next fight has two mixed martial artists who have yet to lose, as both Kavanagh and Ochoa come into this bout at 7-0.

Ochoa has a three inch height advantage in this one, and to this point has been pretty lethal with four KOs in his seven wins (and 5 via stoppage). Ochoa has been even nastier with his fists (6 KOs), but it’s tough to go against Kavanagh’s versatility.

Bet: Lone’er Kavanagh -355

Xiao Long (-122) vs. Quang Le (+102)

From an inexperienced bout we go to one with loads of experience, as the 26-year old Xiao Long already has an insane 34 bouts under his belt. He’s also won 26 of them, with 13 coming via early stoppage.

Long has proven to be a very versatile fighter, but it’s worth noting that 13 of his fights have gone the distance, and he’s also been KO’d three different times. It’s been mostly good for him of late, though, as he dropped his most recent match via Decision, but is 4-1 over his last five bouts.

Le is seven years older with far fewer fights on his resume, and he comes in as the interior striker by the numbers. He’s still gone an impressive 8-1, with his lone career loss coming via Decision against Chris Gutierrez in his UFC debut in August.

This is a close one to call, but I prefer the experience and versatility Long offers.

Bet: Xiao Long -122

Maheshate (-190) vs. Nikolas Motta (+165)

Lastly, we have Maheshate (10-3) versus Nikolas Motta (14-5), which pits two Orthodox fighters up against each other. Maheshate is the sizable favorite with a slight edge in height and reach, and grades out as the better striker by the numbers.

The 24-year old has four career KOs and did take out Gabriel Benitez in his last bout, but is just 1-2 over his last three fights. Motta’s recent form isn’t much better (2-2-1 over his last five), but he’s proven to be the more dangerous fighter (13 KOs) to this point.

Motta has a soft chin (four KO losses), but I like his style and upside here. Give me the value with his +165 price.

Bet: Nikolas Motta +165

Complete UFC Fight Night 248 Fight Card