UFC 286 Full Card Predictions: Main Card, Prelims, Betting Odds

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns with yet another massive PPV event: UFC 286: Edwards vs Usman 3. While the main focus will always be on the title fight, this is one of the best cards we have seen in a while and we have selected the best fights for analysis and predictions.

UFC 286 Full Card Predictions: Analysis, Betting Odds, and Picks

Jake Hadley vs Malcolm Gordon

Jake Hadley Preview

A 26-year-old fighter from Birmingham, who trains and represents the Fearless MMA gym. His professional record is 9-1 with seven stoppage wins and  is a former British Cage Warriors champion. Jake entered the UFC in 2021 through the Contender Series and made his debut in 2022. Despite failing to weigh in at the Contender Series, Hadley was eventually signed to the UFC by submission via rear naked choke, defeating former The Ultimate Fighter contestant Mitch Raposo in the second round. In his debut fight in the UFC, he came across the uncompromising Brazilian Allan Nascimento, whom Jake lost by decision. However, six months later he was back on the winning streak by choking out Carlos Candelario in the second round.

Malcolm Gordon Preview

Gordon is 32 years old, a Canadian born in Calgary lives in Ontario, and trains at Adrenaline MMA Training & Fitness. Malcolm's professional record is 14-6 and he is a former CES organization champion. Of the 14 victories, he finished the opponent 11 times and 8 of them in the first round, while Gordon never lost by the decision of the judges, all defeats came ahead of schedule. He made a very poor UFC debut in 2020, bouncing back from two straight losses in the octagon and scoring two straight victories over Francisco Figueiredo and Denis Bondar. Then, a young prospect Muhammad Mokaev appeared on the horizon, to whom Gordon lost by submission in the third round.

Hadley vs Gordon Prediction

Both fighters are strong grapplers, Hadley has an advantage in boxing and offensive wrestling, in turn, Gordon is a cunning, black belt in jiu-jitsu. Gordon's main problem is the lack of stamina and he simply does not have a jaw, also, it was noticed behind him that if the fight does not go according to his scenario, then he is able to break down mentally and give up. Hadley, on the contrary, is tireless in cardio and he showed one of the best forms in his entire career at the weigh-ins, while Gordon did not make weight and will give 30% of the fee to his opponent. With native stands, Hadley will constantly look for the finish line and he has every chance to finish off, as always a tired Canadian, in the 2-3rd round.

Sam Patterson vs Yanal Ashmouz

Sam Patterson Preview

Another local fighter representing England will make his debut this Saturday. Patterson, 26, from Walford, represents Team Crossface. Sam's professional record is 10-1-1 with nine stoppage wins. Prior to UFC, Patterson competed in the Arab promotion Brave CF, where he scored a record of 5 wins and one fight ended in a draw, after which he received a place at the Contender Series in 2022. It's not often we see a lightweight this size, Patterson is 191cm tall and has a 198cm span despite his size, Sam looked great at the weigh-in and confirmed in an interview after the ceremony that he is in the best shape of his career.

Yanal Ashmouz Preview

Yanal Ashmoz, nicknamed “Red Fox”, will also make his debut in the UFC. The Israeli has an unbeaten professional record of 6-0, won five wins ahead of schedule, and is 27 years old. Ashmoz scored three stoppage victories in 2017 before being sidelined for almost 4 years. In 2021, Yanal returned to performances and since then has won 3 victories, in the last fight he defeated Dennis Hughes in the PFL by decision. Ashmouz trains in New Jersey and represents the K-Dojo Warrior Tribe. He will be 16 cm shorter than Patterson, which also, a big difference in arm span in favor of the Briton.

Patterson vs Ashmouz Prediction

Sam Patterson's strengths are stamina, the clinch, and jiu-jitsu, where he has a brown belt. What makes Patterson so dangerous is that his size forces opponents to break into close range and they get into a brutal clinch where they eat knees and elbows, and Sam also heavily loads and exhausts his opponent from the clinch. In case the opponent gets tired of the blows from the clinch and decides to fight, then Patterson has a deadly guillotine. In addition, Ashmouz has shown in his PFL fight that getting stuck in these clinch positions can be a problem for him. Ashmouz has heavy hands, but it will be difficult for him to land these blows. Ashmouz hasn't fought in a year, and he's going to have a tough fight in enemy territory.

Muhammad Mokaev vs Jafel Filho

Muhammad Mokaev Preview

Mokaev is a real flyweight phenomenon that already has all the necessary skills in order to topple the best from their places. He has incredible footwork, quick change of stance, and positions, and a huge arsenal of strikes. Mokaev will be many times faster than Filho and will not let him move in the stance. But even when the fight goes to the ground, Muhammad will put pressure on the opponent and also enter a position convenient for himself.

Jafel Filho Preview

A classic BJJ specialist that tries to pretend to be able to compete with experienced boxers. So far, like Mokaev, he is dealing with the less fortunate middle-ranked fighters and extending his winning streak. But he has no idea what the constant pressure of Mohammad is and the level of his combinations. Jafel obviously won't be able to counter all of his attacks, and is unlikely to deal damage in return.

Mokaev vs Filho Prediction

One gets the impression that this fight will be even easier for Mokaev than the last fight against Gordon. Filho does not have such a form and physical strength to provide worthy resistance to Muhammad.

Yes, we will not see a quick finish on the ground, and Filho will do everything to stay in the attacking position for as long as possible and save points. But I'm afraid that by the end of the 3rd round he will have tried all the options and will try to “survive” the fight to the gong. Of course, the odds of Mokaev's victory are critically low.

Marvin Vettori vs Roman Dolidze

Marvin Vettori Preview

After a disastrous fight against the great Whittaker, Vettori radically changed his approach to training camp. He promised to fix all the mistakes in the form of stagnation, a sense of distance, and movement around the octagon. It is noteworthy that this time his opponent will be the same slow and accurate fighter. But now Marvin will definitely not be afraid of sharp jabs and jumps, he will start working as the first number and will do everything to get ahead on points in the 1st rounds.

Roman Dolidze Preview

Roman is an incredibly strong, accurate, and cold-blooded puncher who knows how to catch opponents on mistakes. He successfully defeated the unprincipled Hermanson and is now counting on a quick title run. The problem is that the classic counter-two tactics may not be enough to knock down the aggressive Marvin. For each such blow, the Italian will inflict 3 of his own, and if he doesn’t knock him out, then he will definitely deprive Dolidze of the cherished points.

Vettori vs Dolidze Prediction

I am ready to believe in the new version of Vettori, but I doubt very much that we can say the same about Dolidze. No matter how good Roman is, so far his arsenal and gameplay look weak to compete in the tops. I won't be surprised if the fight goes to a decision, but I have no doubt that due to his rich experience, motivation, and physical form, Marvin should take the fight on points.

Jennifer Maia vs Casey O'Neill

Jennifer Maia Preview

Jennifer Maia is ranked eighth in the women's flyweight division. The 34-year-old Brazilian has 20 wins (1 by knockout, 11 by decision, 9 by submission) and nine losses (1 – 7 – 1). The Latin American in the last fight defeated the Ukrainian Marina Moroz. However, before that, she lost to Manon Fioro (unanimous) from France and American Kathleen Chookagian (unanimous).

Casey O'Neill Preview

Casey O'Neill is ranked 11th in the division. The 25-year-old representative of Australia has not yet suffered a single defeat in the strongest league in mixed martial arts. O'Neill has had five fights in the UFC. In the last fight, she defeated Roxanne Modafferi (separate) from the USA in February 2022. And before that, she defeated the titled Antonina Shevchenko (knockout). She has 12 wins (6 – 3 – 3) and one defeat (1) in MMA.

Maia vs O'Neill Prediction

Bookmaker analysts consider O'Neill to be the clear favorite for the upcoming fight. You can agree with them. She is taller than her rival and has a slightly larger arm span. In addition, for the Australian her age. Maia, of course, is a more experienced fighter, but in this case, the youth should win. What's more, Casey is better on the stand and stronger in wrestling. In addition, O'Neill always strives to win early. The duel will not last the entire distance.

Gunnar Nelson vs Bryan Barberena

Gunnar Nelson Preview

Gunnar Nelson played football and hockey as a child. At the age of 13, he began training in Goju-ryu karate and won the Icelandic Underage Kumite Championship. At 17, the Icelander quit karate to train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling.

The 34-year-old fighter has 18 wins (three by knockout) and five losses. In the last fight, he defeated Takashi Sato (unanimous decision) from Japan in March 2022.

Bryan Barberena Preview

Bryan Barbarena started his professional mixed martial arts career in late 2009. At first, he trained mainly at the MMA Lab in Arizona, and also participated in the Dakota Fighting Championships and King of the Cage. All but one of his victories came before the final gong.

The 33-year-old American has 18 wins (11 by KO) and nine losses. In a duel in December 2022, he lost to Rafael dos Anjos (submission).

Nelson vs Barberena Prediction

Analysts of bookmakers consider Nelson the undisputed favorite of the upcoming fight. You can agree with them. According to anthropometric indicators, the mute Icelander is superior to his rival. He has a more impressive range of arms and legs, and he is heavier.

Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev

Justin Gaethje Preview

Justin Gaethje is third in the lightweight division. The 34-year-old American has won one victory in his last three bouts, defeating Michael Chandler in November 2021 (unanimous decision). But before that, he lost to the Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov, and in May 2022, to the Brazilian Charles Oliveira (submission).

Gaethje has 23 wins (19 by KO) and four losses. The US fighter is a former interim UFC lightweight champion and ex-WSOF champion.

Rafael Fiziev Preview

Rafael Fiziev ranks sixth in the division ranking. In his debut fight in the UFC in April 2019, the Azerbaijani in St. Petersburg could not defeat the Russian Magomed Mustafayev (technical knockout). His winning streak is already six fights. In the last one in July 2022, he defeated Rafael dos Anjos from Brazil. Faziev has 12 wins (eight by knockout) and one loss.

Gaethje vs Fiziev Prediction

Analysts of bookmakers consider Fiziev the clear favorite of the upcoming fight. It's hard to disagree with them. Gaethje, by the way, has never lost a decision in his career. The American does not have any special technique. He will choose some simple tactics – he will get into a fight and will try to break down his opponent. But the Azerbaijani has always loved to win by knockout. Everything goes to the fact that this time the fight will not last the entire distance.