UFC 287: Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez Picks and Predictions

UFC 287 has produced a hell of a card, with Font and Yanez going to war on the undercard. Although our UFC betting picks expect a Yanez win, we aren't anticipating a stoppage.

Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez is scheduled for three rounds in the bantamweight division as a featured attraction on the UFC 287 undercard, taking place at the Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida

Font and Yanez are bangers who are set to clash for bantamweight bragging rights, and this battle could end up being the fight of the night. UFC odds see Yanez as a -180 favorite, while the veteran Font is a +155 underdog.

Here are our UFC betting picks and predictions for Font vs. Yanez at UFC 287 in Miami.

Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez fight odds

Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez method of victory odds

Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez picks

Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

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Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez betting preview

As John Travolta once said, “It’s like looking in a mirror only…not.” That sums up what we have in this fight. Two strikers who fight almost the same, though some subtle differences will greatly influence the outcome.

Yanez has been on a tear, having won all six of his UFC fights thus far with five ending inside the distance. 

Everything Yanez fires has evil intentions, even under duress, displaying excellent counter-striking skills and a solid chin. He’s a volume striker by nature, but he’s shown that he can plant his feet and deliver some huge shots.

Unlike most volume strikers, Yanez actually has stopping power. He’s landing 6.62 significant strikes per minute and his fights last six-and-a-half minutes, so he’s essentially a buzzsaw. This isn't that complex of a fight for Yanez to prepare for, especially as Font should be right there and will try to beat him at his own game. 

Font is the action man at bantamweight and he’s starting to show the wear of his battles. He’s coming into this fight on a two-fight skid where the normally durable striker has been knocked down five times.

The beatings he suffered at the hands of Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera highlighted his toughness but indicated that he was at the end of his rope. You never would guess from looking at him that he actually outlanded both of them in each fight.

It will take a true veteran performance from Font to beat a younger fighter in a similar mold. Font’s primary offense is through his high work rate, opting to stifle and overwhelm with activity. Because he knows what to expect from Yanez, Font would be wise to utilize his BJJ skills and try to find a way to get his opponent on the ground to eat up the clock.

This should turn out to be an exciting fight where both fighters are going to take turns blasting each other out. Typically, bouts between volume strikers are won by whoever fires first and stunts the other’s activity. 

While Yanez has speed and power, Font’s time against the division's best fighters gives him an experience advantage.

Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez tale of the tape

Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez UFC prediction and best bet

Fight prediction: Yanez ML

This could be a fun fight, but the kind of fun fight that is one-sided. Yanez has all the tools here with none of the wear and tear. He’s sharper, faster, stronger, and a solid finisher who doesn’t let his opponents off the hook when he hurts them. If they trade, Yanez will get the better of it.

That’s not to dig at Font, especially when his last two losses came against excellent fighters. It’s just that when fighters of his ilk start to lose their chin, and by proxy, their damage threshold, there’s no turning back. He can certainly compete with Yanez, but it’s hard seeing him win with how he’s looked recently.

I'm going with Yanez to get the win

Prediction: Yanez moneyline (-180 at DraftKings)

Fight best bet: Yanez to win by decision

If this was a five-round fight, I’d be inclined to pick Yanez to score a doctor or corner stoppage. With this being a three-round fight, Font could still come forward and show some offense — even if it’s looking like a wipeout. He is notoriously hard to stop.

Yanez could run into stretches where he’s actively fighting Font off his back foot, or they clinch to stunt the other’s activity. Vera and Aldo threw the kitchen sink and the neighbor’s cat at Font, and he still went the distance.

I'm expecting Font to survive, but Yanez will win by decision.

Pick: Yanez to win by decision (+240 at DraftKings)