Saturday will mark the end of the UFC’s four-week, three-event stay at the APEX in Las Vegas as it jets off to the Etihad Arena (Abu Dhabi) for UFC 294 next weekend. The headline event for this weekend’s Fight Night features a thrilling Featherweight bout between Nigeria’s Sodiq Yusuff and Brazil’s Edson Barboza among the 12 exciting fights on the card. In this preview, we’ll delve into this main event and other key fights, offering betting tips and a breakdown of the various betting offers available on BetKing. **Sodiq Yusuff vs. Edson Barboza (Featherweight)** Lagos-born Sodiq Yusuff will make his Octagon return after more than a year away, stepping into the cage against the seasoned fighter Edson Barboza, who boasts an impressive 28 UFC appearances. This bout promises to be an exciting showdown, as both fighters are known for their striking prowess and have achieved TKO/KO victories throughout their careers, each also having a single submission win to their name. Notably, Yusuff lands an average of 5.29 Significant Strikes Per Minute (49%), while Barboza is close behind with 4.0 (44%). These stats strongly suggest that the fight is unlikely to go the distance and could potentially be decided in under three rounds. BetKing is currently offering the best odds for this prop at 1.66. Sodiq Yusuff, boasting a UFC record of 6-1, views this upcoming fight as a golden opportunity to break into the Top 10 of the Featherweight division. Impressively, he has emerged victorious in 8 of his last 9 bouts, with the only exception being a unanimous decision loss to Arnold Allen in 2021. Yusuff’s fighting style often involves delivering punishing leg kicks from a distance while maintaining a dynamic posture with a high guard, enticing his opponents to close the gap. Once they do, he unleashes lightning-fast and powerful combinations that frequently target both the body and the head. It is our expectation that he will employ this strategic approach in the APEX. At 37, Edson Barboza is experiencing a slight decline in his performance, but he remains a formidable force in the Octagon. As his career trajectory has showed, he’s a knockout specialist who should be approached with caution. Barboza secured a knockout victory in his last bout against Billy Quarantillo, but it’s worth noting that he had previously suffered losses in 7 of his last 10 fights. To put this in perspective, he began his career with an impressive record of 15 wins and 2 losses. Over the years, his age has affected his reactions, stamina, and his ability to land combinations under pressure, rendering him susceptible to opponents who are typically much younger and at the peak of their careers. So, forgive us if we have little faith in the veteran. **Bet Prediction:**
**Jennifer Maia vs. Viviane Araújo (Flyweight)** “She is a hard opponent, but I think I’m better.” Those were Jennifer Maia’s words on Wednesday when asked about this fight with compatriot, Viviane Araújo. Now, all she has to do is back up those words on Saturday night. Jennifer Maia is 6-5 since joining the UFC (and 21-9-1 overall), though it must be said that all 5 losses have come against opponents who were ranked in the Top 5 at the time of their bouts. If she can secure a win over Araújo, it would mark her first set of three straight wins in the UFC. After her loss to Valentina Shevchenko in her bid for the Flyweight Championship in 2020, she has had to earn her way back to another title opportunity. Currently ranked 9th in the division, she believes that a win this weekend could pave her path towards another title shot. Maia possesses remarkable durability and deploys an aggressive Muay Thai striking style, featuring powerful knees and sharp elbows, particularly when engaged in the clinch near the cage. Her innate strength and resilience play a crucial role as she pressures her opponents, working to secure the clinch and effectively landing a series of knees and elbows. The Brazilian fighter boasts a well-rounded jiu-jitsu skill set, complete with a diverse range of submission techniques at her disposal. Similar to Maia, Viviane Araújo is a potent striker who also possesses a formidable submission game and, notably, more wrestling skills compared to her opponent. However, one recurring issue that has troubled Araújo in her career, and is likely to become more challenging as she ages, is her cardio. Currently ranked 11th in the division, she is coming off a two-fight losing streak against Amanda Ribas and Alexa Grasso. Going up against a better and younger Maia could mean a long night for her. It’s worth highlighting an interesting aspect of both Brazilian fighters’ UFC careers. In Jennifer Maia’s 11 fights since joining the UFC, 10 of them have reached the judges’ decision, with the victor typically earning a unanimous decision. The only exception to this pattern was her submission victory over Joanne Calderwood via armbar in 2020. Similarly, in Viviane Araújo’s 9 UFC fights, 8 of them have also gone the distance, with the winner also securing a unanimous decision. Given this consistent trend, it certainly appears to be an easy decision for our online sports betting community to bet on this fight going the distance. **Bet Prediction:**
**Jonathan Martinez vs. Adrian Yanez (Bantamweight)** In what is arguably the most evenly matched fight of the day, fans can look forward to an all-American showdown as the 13th ranked Jonathan Martinez faces off against the 14th ranked Adrian Yanez in the Bantamweight division. Adrian Yanez is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Rob Font at UFC 287, which marked the end of his impressive 5-0 start to his UFC career. Meanwhile, Jonathan Martinez secured a win in his last bout, a unanimous decision victory against Said Nurmagomedov, extending his winning streak to an impressive 5 fights. Adrian Yanez is a true knockout specialist, boasting a remarkable 63% victory rate via KO/TKO (in contrast to Martinez’s 47%). Before his setback against Rob Font, Yanez had been riding a sensational 9-fight winning streak across various MMA promotions, with an impressive 7 of those victories coming through KO/TKO. His left jab is masterfully timed, and he uses it to draw his opponent in. As they attempt to counter, he skilfully dips his head off the centreline and responds with a counter combination of his own. Yanez’s relentless pressure and unwavering toughness are integral elements of his fighting strategy, as he is more than willing to absorb shots in order to deliver his own, rarely finding himself pushed onto the defensive. Jonathan Martinez’s grappling skills have primarily been used in a defensive capacity, but they are notably sharp. He averages just 0.46 **Successful Takedowns per 15 Minutes**, showing his preference to avoid taking the fight to the ground. Instead, he excels in controlling his opponents along the cage by utilizing under-hooks and maintaining strong head position under their chin. In contrast to Yanez, Martinez adopts a more patient approach in his fights. Since joining the UFC, the California native has seen 7 of his 11 bouts go the distance, with 4 of his last 5 wins coming unanimous decision. This trend is further highlighted by the average fight time for both fighters, with Jonathan Martinez averaging 13:31 mins, in contrast to Adrian Yanez’s 6:07 mins. As we mentioned earlier, this is likely the most challenging fight to predict today, but we’ll give a slight edge to Jonathan Martinez. His fighting style and endurance could prove to be the deciding factors. As he has showed in his recent bouts, he stands a better chance when the outcome is determined by the judges, and his durability makes him well-suited for a fight that might go the distance. **Bet Prediction:**
**Andre Petroski vs. Michel Pereira (Middleweight)** Both fighters enter this bout with impressive 5-fight winning streaks each. However, for Andre Petroski, his presence on this fight card is rather unexpected. Originally, Michel Pereira was slated to face Marc-Andre Barriault this weekend, but Barriault withdrew early last week. With just 10 days to prepare, Petroski, who had recently defeated Gerald Meerschaert in UFC 292 this August, was given the opportunity to step in as a replacement. Initially, Petroski contemplated declining the offer, but upon further consideration, he accepted the challenge. He’s expressed a strong desire to establish himself as the best grappler in the division and believes that a victory against fan-favorite, Michel Pereira could open doors to bigger fights, particularly one against the accomplished wrestler Bo Nickal, a matchup he has yearned for. Michel Pereira has the benefit of adequate preparation, but this will be his first foray into the Middleweight division after moving up from the Welterweight division. Pereira is primarily known for his striking prowess, averaging 5.09 **Significant Strikes landed per minute** at a 54% accuracy rate, whereas Petroski lands 3.68 at a 51% accuracy rate. Petroski excels in as a grappler, boasting an impressive **Takedown Average** with an accuracy of 4.56/54%, while Pereira’s takedown figures are 1.58/55%. Additionally, Petroski also has a superior **Submission Average** of 2.53 per 15 minutes compared to Pereira’s 0.57. The clash of styles in this bout, pitting a grappler against a striker, indeed promises an intriguing spectacle. However, it’s important to acknowledge that the limited preparation time is often a deciding factor in such scenarios, and Andre Petroski enters this fight with a significant disadvantage due to the lack of adequate time to prepare. **Bet Prediction:**
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