UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Simon odds, predictions, time: MMA expert reveals surprising fight card picks
Rising bantamweight contenders headline the UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Simon fight card when Yadong Song meets Ricky Simon in the main event. The main UFC fight card is set for 7 p.m. ET from the Apex facility in Las Vegas. The winner will gain some traction in what many MMA observers believe is the most talent-rich division in the UFC. The No. 8-ranked Song is known for his lethal striking and fearlessness. He has won three of his past four, with two stoppages among the victories. The No. 10-ranked Simon is a versatile talent who is considered one of the division's better grapplers. The winner could crack the top-five rankings in the top-loaded division.
Simon is a -115 favorite (risk $115 to win $100), while Song is priced at -105 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Simon odds from Caesars Sportsbook. The co-main event showcases middleweight prospects as Caio Borralho (-365) battles Michal Oleksiejczuk (+285). Before locking in any UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Simon picks, make sure you see the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani.
Vithlani is a highly analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances.
In his SportsLine debut at UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his 5-0 mark included advising SportsLine members to back Jamahal Hill (-125) against Glover Teixeira (+105) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Simon approaching, Vithlani has scoured the card top to bottom for value and released his top MMA picks. Vithlani's UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Simon preview
Both Song and Simon have had stretches in which they were considered arguably the bantamweight division's hottest prospect. As it stands now, Saturday's main event is among the most intriguing non-title bantamweight matchups that could be made.
Simon (20-3) made his UFC debut in April 2018 to some fanfare following a run in the Legacy Fighting Alliance that saw him become the promotion's bantamweight champion. He won by submission against Merab Dvalishvili, who hasn't lost since and is now the division's top-ranked contender behind a nine-fight winning streak.
Simon won his first three UFC outings but saw his momentum halted by an upset loss to veteran Uriah Faber and another to veteran contender Rob Font. But the 30-year-old Oregon native has since ripped off five consecutive victories and earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his second-round submission of Jack Shore last July, his lone performance in 2022.
Song (19-7-1) went 5-0-1 in his first six UFC fights and quickly gained a reputation for action-packed fights and a relentless disposition in the cage. The 25-year-old Chinese fighter had won three straight before dropping his headlining debut last September to Cory Sandhagen, who is now ranked No. 3.
The winner of Saturday's main event won't see a title shot anytime soon because of the logjam at the top. Champion Aljamain Sterling will defend his belt against Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 next month and there will be a long line of candidates to face the winner. They include Dvalishvili, Sandhagen and Sean O'Malley. But either Song or Simon will likely get a top-five opponent in his next fight and could be headed toward a title eliminator. You can only see who to pick at UFC Fight Night here.
UFC Fight Night predictions
We'll share one of Vithlani's top UFC Fight Night selections here: He is going with Martin Buday (-105) to get past Jake Collier (-115) in a heavyweight matchup on the preliminary card.
Collier (13-8) is a nine-year UFC veteran who has shown a versatile skill set by notching five knockouts and four submissions while facing some of the division's toughest competitors. The 34-year-old St. Louis native is looking to snap a two-fight losing streak.
Buday (11-1) is an alum of "Dana White's Contender Series" who has scored narrow victories in each of his first two official UFC appearances. The 31-year-old is coming off a split decision against Lukasz Brzeski last August.
"Buday will apply forward pressure and look to make this nasty in the clinch. Despite having some bizarre performances, I feel Buday has more ways to win," Vithlani told SportsLine. See who else to back here.
How to make UFC Fight Night picks
Vithlani also has strong picks for Song vs. Simon and other bouts on the UFC Fight Night card. He's also backing a fighter who "has a great all-around MMA game" to emerge with a dominant victory. Vithlani's picks and MMA analysis are only available at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night odds, fight card
See full UFC Fight Night picks and best bets here.Yadong Song (-105) vs. Ricky Simon (-115)Caio Borralho (-365) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (+285)Rodolfo Vieira (-260) vs. Cody Brundage (+210)Marcos Rogerio de Lima (-170) vs. Waldo Acosta (+145)Natan Levy (-240) vs. Pete Rodriguez (+200)Jake Collier (-115) vs. Martin Buday (-105)Charles Johnson (-150) vs. Cody Durden (+125)Julian Erosa (-170) vs. Fernando Padilla (+145)Stephanie Egger (-320) vs. Irina Alekseeva (+250)
Brian Kelleher (-150) vs. Journey Newson (+125)
