UFC 285 Preliminary & Early Prelims Predictions, Odds & Picks

The UFC invades T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, March 4 for UFC 285. There’s something for everyone on the jam-packed pay-per-view card, especially pertaining to the main card. Having said that, there are also early prelims and preliminary card bouts that you won’t want to miss.

Fortunately, Betting News has gathered the latest odds for all of UFC 285’s preliminary and early prelims fights, along with our prediction for each matchup.

UFC 285 Preliminary Card and Odds (Odds as of Friday, March 3)

The UFC 285 odds listed below are via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Bantamweight: Cody Garbrandt (-178) vs. Trevin Jones (+144)

Cody Garbrandt (12-5) looks to break out of a slump this Saturday in ‘Sin City.’ The former UFC Bantamweight Champion has lost five of his last six fights, suffering KO/TKO losses in five defeats — including a first-round knockout loss to Kai Kara-France in his last outing back at UFC 269.

Meanwhile, Trevin Jones is also in a bit of a slump of his own. The 32-year-old has suffered three consecutive losses, most recently falling to Raoni Barcelos by unanimous decision.

Fighting as a flyweight didn’t work out for Garbrandt, so a return to the bantamweight division could help turn things around. I don’t think that Jones will be able to handle his barrage, so expect Garbrandt to bounce back with a knockout win.

Best Bet: Cody Garbrandt by KO/TKO (+125)

Middleweight: Derek Brunson (+186) vs. Dricus du Plessis (-235)

UFC 285 features some middleweight action as Derek Brunson (23-8) looks to take on the surging Dricus du Plessis (18-2). Brunson is out for revenge after a KO loss to Jared Cannonier ended the former’s winning streak at five straight fives.

Meanwhile, nobody has been able to stop du Plessis recently. The talented South African fighter is a perfect 4-0 since joining the UFC, finishing off three of his opponents thus far. His last outing saw him submit former welterweight title challenger Darren Till in the third round.

While Brunson has more experience, he’s also been knocked out six times in his career. Considering how du Plessis has been finishing off opponents lately, I can’t go against the hotter fighter.

Best Bet: Dricus du Plessis by KO/TKO (+125)

Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araujo (-102) vs. Amanda Ribas (-120)

Oddsmakers are expecting a close fight when Viviane Araujo (11-4) and Amanda Ribas (11-3) meet in a women’s flyweight showdown. For Araujo, she’s looking to bounce back after her return to the flyweight division saw her lose by split decision to Katlyn Chookagian.

On the other side, Ribas is also coming off a loss — a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Alexa Grasso in the main event of UFC Vegas 62. She’s now lost two of her last three bouts, making it clear that she can’t afford to let another victory slip away.

In a fight that could go either way, I’m siding with Ribas. She absorbs way less of a beating than Araujo due to her superior strike defense, which helps in what will likely be a lengthy bout.

Best Bet: Amanda Ribas to Win (-120)

Middleweight: Julian Marquez (+124) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (-152)

The UFC 285 preliminary card also sees some middleweight fun as Julian Marquez (9-3) faces off against Marc-Andre Barriault (14-6). Marquez didn’t have much luck in his last outing, suffering a first-round KO loss to Gregory Rodrigues at UFC Austin.

Barriault was also finished in his last bout, losing by submission to Anthony Hernandez. The Gatineau, Quebec native has now lost two of his last three fights, losing the other by knockout.

I’m looking at Marquez to pull off the upset here. Barriault is looking vulnerable lately while Marquez has finished seven of the last nine opponents he’s faced. It’s going to be a competitive bout, but I like the underdog.

Best Bet: Julian Marquez to Win (+124)

UFC 285 Early Prelims Card

Welterweight: Ian Garry (-850) vs. Song Kenan (+540)

Ian Garry (10-0) heads into UFC 285 with a perfect MMA record, improving to 3-0 in the UFC with a unanimous decision win over Gabriel Green back in July 2022. Needless to say, this fight is going to be a challenge for Song Kenan (18-6), who’s coming off a first-round KO loss to Max Griffin.

With the odds being this lopsided, it’s hard to bet against Garry. He’s undefeated for a reason and now gets to take on Song, who’s been knocked out three times over his carry. Back the heavy favorite to end this one early.

Best Bet: Ian Garry by KO/TKO in Round 1 or 2 (+105)

Bantamweight: Cameron Saaiman (-290) vs. Leomana Martinez (+225)

Cameron Saaiman (7-0) looks to keep his undefeated streak going after knocking out Steven Koslow in the former’s UFC PPV debut. Meanwhile, Leomana Martinez (10-3) has some momentum stemming from a split decision win against Brandon Davis back in October.

Martinez just hasn’t been impressive in the UFC, going 2-1 with both wins coming by split decision. Meanwhile, Saaiman has looked terrific in his young MMA career, knocking out five of the seven foes he’s gone up against. I don’t see him suffering his first loss this weekend, so look for Saaiman to knock Martinez out.

Best Bet: Cameron Saaiman by KO/TKO (+180)

Women’s Strawweight: Jessica Penne (+245) vs. Tabatha Ricci (-320)

Jessica Penne (14-6) heads into UFC 285 on a skid, dropping to 2-4 in her last six fights with a unanimous decision loss to Emily Ducote at UFC on ABC 3. Standing in her way is Tabatha Ricci (7-1), who has won back-to-back outings since debuting in the promotion with a loss.

Momentum is on Ricci’s side, so I’m sticking with her. Penne just hasn’t looked all that impressive since failing to win the strawweight gold back in 2015. Her best days are behind her and Ricci will make that known.

Best Bet: Tabatha Ricci by Points (-125)

Bantamweight: Da’Mon Blackshear (+360) vs. Farid Basharat (-500)

Da’Mon Blackshear (12-4-1) hopes to get back on track after fighting Youssef Zalal to a majority draw in his UFC debut. Unfortunately, the 28-year-old must deal with the undefeated Farid Basharat (9-0), who has six finishes (five by submission, one by KO/TKO) in his last eight outings.

While both men are talented submission artists, Basharat has dominated everywhere he’s gone and I don’t expect that to change on Saturday. It’s going to be a competitive fight, but “Ferocious” is too much of a beast to be stopped.

Best Bet: Farid Basharat by Points (-105)

Lightweight: Esteban Ribovics (+210) vs. Loik Radzhabov (-265)

Esteban Ribovics (11-0) looks to continue his winning ways when he takes on Loik Radzhabov (16-4-1) at UFC 285. For Radzhabov, this is his UFC debut, whereas Ribovics previously defeated Thomas Paull by KO on Dana White’s Contender Series 2022.

I’m going with the favorite here as Radzhabov has never been finished in his career. He’s a tough fighter who’s heating up at the right time and has the finishing skills to hand Ribovics his first-ever defeat.

Best Bet: Loik Radzhabov by KO/TKO (+240)

UFC 285 Event Details

When is UFC 285?

UFC 285 will take place on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

Where is UFC 285?

UFC 285 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What time does UFC 285 start?

• UFC 285 Early Prelims Start Time: 6:15 p.m. ET
• UFC 285 Prelims Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Start Time of UFC 285’s Main Card: 10 p.m. ET

How can I watch UFC 285?

The early prelims will be available on UFC Fight Pass, while the prelims will be available on both ESPN and ESPN+, and the main card will be available via pay-per-view (which can be ordered through the ESPN+ app).