UFC Vegas 88 Predictions: Tuivasa vs Tybura Prelim Odds & Picks

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15 March 2024

UFC Vegas 88 Predictions: Tuivasa vs Tybura Prelim Odds & Picks

These UFC Vegas 88: Tuivasa vs Tybura prelims predictions and best bets are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sportsbooks, offering a variety of options from the UFC to the NFL and everything in between.

The MMA world is buzzing with UFC Vegas 88 (UFC Fight Night 239) taking place in just over 24 hours. It’s going to be a thrilling night headlined by a massive heavyweight fight between Tai Tuivasa and Marcin Tybura.

There’s also a ton of betting action worth getting in on — especially when it comes to the preliminary card.

Betting News always has your MMA betting needs covered and this week isn’t any different. Let’s get into my UFC Vegas 88 predictions and best bets for all seven preliminary card fights.

2024 UFC Prelims Best Bet Record: 16-21-1

UFC Vegas 88 Predictions: Tuivasa vs Tybura Preliminary Card Odds & Picks

The UFC Vegas 88 preliminary card odds are as of Friday, March 15 at 11:04 a.m.

Thiago Moises vs Mitch Ramirez Prediction — Lightweight

Thiago Moises (-370)
Mitch Ramirez (+295)

Thiago Moises (17-7) looks to get back on track this weekend after suffering a TKO loss to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris. He’s up against the debuting Mitch Ramirez (7-1), who owns a career finish rate of 87.5%.

Although Moises hasn’t been perfect lately, he has much more experience than Ramirez. It’s also worth noting that “The Fight Stalker” was knocked out by Carlos Prates on Dana White’s Contender Series back in August.

Ramirez is going to look to start this fight with a bang and that could lead to him making a crucial mistake that opens the door for Moises to lock in a submission hold for the victory.

Moises vs Ramirez Pick: Thiago Moises via Submission (+115)

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Natan Levy vs Mike Davis Prediction — Lightweight

Natan Levy (+375)
Mike Davis (-500)

After a year-plus hiatus, Natan Levy (8-1) returns to the octagon on Saturday. It won’t be an easy fight, though, as he goes up against Mike Davis (10-2), who also hasn’t fought in over a year.

With both men missing an extended period, I’m not a huge fan of wagering on this fight. It’s been too long since we’ve seen Levy or Davis in action, so I’m going to roll with a neutral bet this time around to favor that the fight will go the distance.

After all, six of Levy’s last seven fights went the distance while both of Davis’ last two outings reached the time limit.

Levy vs Davis Pick: Fight to Go the Distance? — Yes (-170)

Josiane Nunes vs Chelsea Chandler Prediction — Women’s Bantamweight

Josiane Nunes (-141)
Chelsea Chandler (+121)

Josiane Nunes (10-1) has been on fire, racking up nine wins in a row ahead of UFC Fight Night 239. She’s going head-to-head against Chelsea Chandler (5-2), who’s coming off a unanimous decision loss to Norma Dumont last July.

Chandler might have the six-inch height advantage, but I have a tough time doubting Nunes. The Brazilian combatant has been flawless since joining the UFC and has averaged more than twice as many significant strikes per minute than her opponent (7.22 vs. 3.12), which could be more overwhelming for Chandler as the fight goes on.

Chandler is durable and has yet to be finished, though, so it’s most likely that Nunes will win by points in Vegas.

Nunes vs Chandler Pick: Josiane Nunes via Points (+225)

Jafel Filho vs Ode’ Osbourne Prediction — Flyweight

Jafel Filho (-153)
Ode’ Osbourne (+133)

After losing his UFC debut to Muhammad Mokaev, Jafel Filho (15-3) got into the win column with a submission victory over Daniel Barez in July. Meanwhile, Ode’ Osbourne (12-6, 1 NC) could use a win this weekend after being finished twice in his last three fights.

Filho is a fantastic grappler and that should give him the advantage over Osbourne, who’s lost thrice via submission — including twice in his last eight outings. Osbourne’s 68% takedown defense rate also isn’t anything to get excited about.

If Filho can get Osbourne down to the ground early on, I like the favorite’s odds to win this fight by submission.

Filho vs Osbourne Pick: Jafel Filho via Submission (+140)

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Now, back to more UFC Vegas 88 predictions.

UFC Vegas 88 Predictions: Tuivasa vs Tybura Prelims Odds & Picks Cont.

Joshua Culibao vs Danny Silva Prediction — Featherweight

UFC Vegas 88 predictions for preliminary card fights

Joshua Culibao (-180)
Danny Silva (+155)

Joshua Culibao (11-2-1) saw his three-fight winning streak halted with a unanimous decision loss to Lerone Murphy last summer. He will try to get back to the win column when he takes on Danny Silva (8-1) — a debuting fighter with five KO/TKO victories to his name.

Although Culibao has the experience edge, Silva looks impressive. He’s averaging a whopping 13.6 significant strikes per minute with 64% accuracy and even though he absorbs nearly as much punishment as he dishes out, I’m not too worried. Culibao hasn’t had a knockout win in over five years.

I see Silva catching the favorite off guard at UFC Vegas 88 before pulling off the upset.

Culibao vs Silva Pick: Danny Silva ML (+155)

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Cory McKenna vs Jaqueline Amorim Prediction — Women’s Strawweight

Cory McKenna (-175)
Jaqueline Amorim (+150)

After suffering her first UFC loss in March 2022, Cory McKenna (8-2) has responded with back-to-back wins over Miranda Granger and Cheyanne Vlismas. On the other hand, Jacqueline Amorim (7-1) is no slouch after finishing seven of her first eight MMA opponents.

After her first six fights ended in Round 1, Amorim has now been taken to the third round twice since joining the UFC. Unfortunately for her, McKenna knows how to extend about and has more success in lengthier fights, going 3-1 in her last four outings that went the distance.

In what should be a competitive matchup, McKenna’s experience with longer outings will help her prevail.

McKenna vs Amorim Pick: Cory McKenna via Points (+130)

Charalampos Grigoriou vs Chad Anheliger Prediction — Bantamweight

Charalampos Grigoriou (-170)
Chad Anheliger (+145)

Charalampos Grigoriou (8-3) makes his highly anticipated debut at UFC Vegas 88 after knocking out each of his last four opponents. He’ll look to make it five in a row against Chad Anheliger (12-7), who’s lost back-to-back fights.

I just don’t see Grigoriou losing his debut. “Ferocious” is taller, has a longer reach, and is also six years younger than Anheliger. The underdog also didn’t look good in his latest two outings and there’s a decent chance that he might not fight in the UFC again if he loses a third in a row.

With how he’s dominated the competition left and right leading up to this fight, I see Grigoriou winning in Sin City — whether that’s inside or outside the distance.