UFC Austin Predictions: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan Prelims Odds & Picks

bettingnews.com

01 December 2023

UFC Austin Predictions: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan Prelims Odds & Picks

The combat sports world turns to Austin, TX on Saturday as UFC on ESPN 52 is scheduled to air live from the Moody Center. While most of the attention will be on the massive lightweight main event, MMA bettors can find strong betting opportunities throughout the prelims fights, too.

Getting in on the action might be intimidating to some, but that’s why Betting News is here to make life easier. Continue reading for my UFC Austin predictions as we dive into each of the seven prelims fights.

UFC Austin Predictions: Prelims Odds & Picks

Miesha Tate vs. Julia Avila Prediction — Women’s Bantamweight

Miesha Tate (+110)
Julia Avila (-136)

Miesha Tate’s (19-9) UFC return hasn’t gone as planned, featuring back-to-back losses in her last two fights. She now gets to face Julia Avila (9-2), who’s gone 3-1 to begin her UFC tenure but hasn’t fought since she defeated Julija Stoliarenko back in June 2021.

While Tate isn’t fresh, she’s at least fought more recently (July 2022) than Avila. The former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion also has something to prove after two straight losses and I won’t be shocked if that determination helps lead her to victory.

With that being said, I’m taking Tate to win by going the distance as the best bet. She has a lot of experience in lengthy fights, whereas Avila lost in her last fight that reached the time limit (vs. Sijara Eubanks at UFC Vegas 10).

Tate vs. Avila Prediction: Tate via Decision (+185)

Zach Reese vs. Cody Brundage Prediction — Middleweight

Zach Reese (-225)
Cody Brundage (+185)

Cody Brundage (9-5) has struggled to find success, losing three straight fights before defeating Jacob Malkoun… by disqualification due to an illegal elbow. Meanwhile, Zach Reese (6-0) is making his UFC debut following a perfect start to his young MMA career.

It’s hard to have much faith in Brundage when he’s been knocked out twice (three times if you count the illegal elbow) in less than one year. I just don’t see him surviving against a prospect like Reese, who finished each of his first six opponents.

I’m taking Reese to win in Round 1 as the best prop bet. Each of his fights has ended in the opening frame with only one of those opponents lasting longer than 1:32. Throw in the fact that Brundage has two first-round losses in his career and it’s easy to see why this is the perfect bet.

Reese vs. Brundage Prediction: Reese in Round 1 (+135)

Drakkar Klose vs. Joe Solecki Prediction — Lightweight

Drakkar Klose (-134)
Joe Solecki (+111)

Drakkar Klose (13-2-1) has enjoyed a strong start to his UFC career, going 7-2 in his last nine fights with victories in the most recent two. Joe Solecki (13-3), however, is no slouch, having tasted victory seven times in his eight previous outings.

This is a fairly even matchup on paper. Klose is the superior striker, landing 4.38 significant strikes per minute — nearly twice as many as his opponent. But at the same time, Solecki has the grappling advantage, averaging 2.51 takedowns and 1.6 submissions per 15 minutes.

I don’t like one fighter more than the other, which is why I’m taking the fight to go the distance as a neutral bet. After all, nine of Klose’s last 11 fights went the distance while four of Solecki’s latest six did the same.

Klose vs. Solecki Prediction: Fight to Go the Distance (-135)

Steve Garcia vs. Melquizael Costa Prediction — Featherweight

Steve Garcia (+205)
Melquizael Costa (-250)

After a back-and-forth start to his run, Steve Garcia (14-5) is coming off back-to-back TKO victories over Chase Hooper and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. Melquizael Costa (20-6), on the other hand, is the clear favorite after his unanimous decision win against Austin Lingo back in July.

Costa is dangerous when he’s on his game, but let’s not pretend like Garcia is some random person off the street. The 31-year-old has TKO’d six of his last eight opponents and isn’t afraid to throw barrages with the best of them. If he can establish his offense early on, he’ll take control of Costa for the rest of the way.

Considering how Costa still doesn’t have a ton of UFC experience under his belt, I like the value that comes with a Garcia upset in Austin.

Garcia vs. Costa Prediction: Costa ML (+205)

BetDSI 100% Sports Bonus

Before we keep rolling with these UFC Austin prelims predictions, BetDSI’s sports bonus promotion can help you get a better bang for your buck.

If you use the promo code ‘SPORT100’ when making a deposit, BetDSI will match 100% of that up to $1,000. That means a $100 deposit will leave you with $200 to play with in no time.

UFC Austin Prelims Predictions Cont.

Rodolfo Bellato vs. Ihor Potieria Prediction — Light Heavyweight

Rodolfo Bellato (-400)
Ihor Potieria (+390)

Rodolfo Bellato (11-2) is set to make his debut at UFC Austin on the back of a three-fight winning streak. Meanwhile, Ihor Potieria (19-4) is struggling to find consistency, having lost two of three fights for the first time in his career.

Given that Potieria has been TKO’d twice in his last three outings, I don’t like his chances of survival. Bellato is a machine, boasting a 90.9% finish rate. In fact, only four of his first 13 opponents even survived the first round with him.

Don’t overthink things here: look for Bellato to win by KO/TKO and move on.

Bellato vs. Potieria Prediction: Bellato via KO/TKO (+125)

Wellington Turman vs. Jared Gooden Prediction — Welterweight

Wellington Turman (-200)
Jared Gooden (+166)

Despite being the odds-on favorite, Wellington Turman (18-7) hasn’t fought like one, fighting to a 2-4 record in his last six outings. He’s going up against Jared Gooden (22-9), who lost his UFC return to Carlston Harris (via UD) following a two-year absence.

Neither of these fighters do much for me, which is why I’m taking the fight to go the distance here, too. Not only has Turman gone the distance in three of his last four bouts, but he’s also done so in 44.0% of his career fights. Additionally, four of Gooden’s five UFC fights also went the distance.

With neither man producing consistently at the highest level of MMA, it’s clear that a neutral bet is the way to go.

Turman vs. Gooden Prediction: Fight to Go the Distance (-130)

Veronica Hardy vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth Prediction — Women’s Flyweight

Veronica Hardy (+151)
Jamey-Lyn Horth (-175)

Veronica Hardy (7-4-1) returned to the octagon after three years in March, defeating Julianna Miller by unanimous decision. She’ll have her hands full with Jamey-Lyn Horth (6-0) following the Canadian’s successful debut win over Hailey Cowen seven months ago.

Hardy tends to fair well against weaker fighters but crumbles once the competition level is increased. She’s going to have a tough time with Horth, who landed 76 significant strikes with 73% accuracy in her win against Cowen despite only controlling the fight for 1:07.

I can see Hardy — who’s fought just once in nearly four years — having a hard time before Horth finishes her.