UFC 320 Picks and Predictions

I'm absolutely stoked for this fight card. It feels like it’s been a long time since Dana White has delivered a truly entertaining event worthy of "PPV" status. We’ve got two title fights here: a highly anticipated rematch in Ankalaev vs. Pereira, and Cory Sandhagen finally getting a title shot against the dominant Merab Dvalishvili. Not to mention, there’s a banger of a co-main in Jiří Procházka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., a matchup destined for fireworks.

There are other solid fights sprinkled throughout the card, but the top three are something special. My hope is that everyone makes weight — if they do, we’ll have 14 fights on the card. That alone is something to get excited about. All in all, UFC 320 looks extremely promising, and hopefully it lives up to the hype.

So, let’s dive into the picks and breakdowns.

Note: Due to time constraints, I won't be spending as much time on the preliminary breakdowns, as the fights higher up the card are more significant.

Veronica Hardy vs. Brogan Walker – Women’s Flyweight (125 lbs)

This breakdown is going to be short and straightforward. Hardy is a solid fighter in the flyweight division — nothing spectacular, but she definitely has the potential to linger within the top 25. She has decent grappling and striking, nothing elite, but good enough to win fights at this level.

Brogan Walker, on the other hand, simply isn't UFC-caliber. If she doesn’t get cut after this fight, it’s likely because the UFC needs bodies in the women’s divisions. I expect Hardy to win based purely on the fact that she’s miles better than Walker, who isn’t close to the level needed to compete in the UFC.

My Pick: Veronica Hardy
Best Bet: Hardy by KO +600 (worth a shot)

Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Austin Vanderford – Welterweight (170 lbs)

Another middle-of-the-pack welterweight matchup. Both fighters are relatively similar in skill and style, so I’m not sure why the odds are as wide as they are — maybe people are just high on Vanderford. Both have good fundamentals in jiu-jitsu and okay striking.

The key difference is that Vanderford is the better pure wrestler, which makes him the superior "MMA grappler." His ability to land takedowns should be the deciding factor here.

My Pick: Austin Vanderford
Best Bet: No pick

Punahele Soriano vs. Nikolay Veretennikov – Welterweight (170 lbs)

Another mid-tier welterweight matchup. Veretennikov is a flashy striker who loves unnecessary spinning attacks but has weak ground defense. He recently squeaked out a split decision over Francisco Prado, which could’ve gone either way. Before that, he was finished by Austin Vanderford and lost another split decision to Danny Barlow — who might not be as good as once thought.

Soriano, on the other hand, is a grappler at heart, though he’s been more willing to engage in striking lately — scoring a KO win over Uros Medic with big looping punches. I’m picking Soriano here, though with low confidence. He’s a talented fighter but has an unpredictable approach. Still, he’s a big welterweight and should be able to impose his physicality against Veretennikov.

My Pick: Punahele Soriano
Best Bet: Soriano by KO/TKO or Sub -110

Patchy Mix vs. Jakub Wikłacz – Bantamweight (135 lbs)

Patchy Mix's UFC debut was one of the most disappointing debuts in recent memory. Jakub is also making his UFC debut and was a former champion in a European promotion (can’t recall which).

I think this is a showcase fight for Patchy. Even if he struggles in the striking, Jakub is nowhere near the level of Mario Bautista. I expect Patchy to get takedowns and eventually find a submission, as he often did in the PFL.

My Pick: Patchy Mix
Best Bet: Mix by Submission +185

🔥 Preliminary Card

Macy Chiasson vs. Yana Santos – Women’s Bantamweight (135 lbs)

This is the only other women’s fight on the card. Once again, I disagree with the odds. Some are picking Yana Santos based on her range control and striking, and the fact that control time doesn’t weigh as heavily with Vegas judges — a disadvantage for Macy.

But I think Macy is simply the better fighter. She’s only losing to the elite right now and is a top-6 bantamweight. She’s effective both on the feet and the ground — just look at her doctor stoppage win over Mayra Bueno Silva, where she opened her up with elbows. I expect a similar performance here.

My Pick: Macy Chiasson
Best Bet: Chiasson by Decision +160

Daniel Santos vs. Joo Sang Yoo – Featherweight (145 lbs)

This is an interesting featherweight fight. Yoo is a rising prospect who starched Jeka Saragih with a check hook in under a minute in his debut. He fights out of a wide stance, much like Pereira, and uses pressure and precision striking.

Santos is your classic Chute Boxe fighter — he’s all pressure, all violence, no matter how the fight is going. His Muay Thai is solid, and his BJJ is slick, but he often plays guard rather than working to stand up. I think Yoo will surprise the oddsmakers here. His striking is cleaner, and Korean fighters have been on fire lately.

My Pick: Joo Sang Yoo
Best Bet: Yoo by KO +400

Chris Gutierrez vs. Farid Basharat – Bantamweight (135 lbs)

Great matchup between two top-25 bantamweights. Gutierrez is a technical striker with some of the best low kicks in the UFC. Basharat is undefeated (14–0) and has slick movement, solid Taekwondo-based striking, and high-level grappling.

I don’t think Basharat will outstrike Gutierrez, but I do expect his movement and wrestling to win him the control time needed to earn rounds. I like Basharat to stay unbeaten.

My Pick: Farid Basharat
Best Bet: Basharat by Decision -160

Edmen Shahbazyan vs. André Muniz – Middleweight (185 lbs)

Interesting matchup. Muniz is a solid grappler, but Shahbazyan has rebounded from his losing skid and looks like he's regained his confidence. He still struggles on the ground, but I think he can defend enough to keep it standing — where he holds the advantage.

I’ll take Shahbazyan here, mostly due to momentum and Muniz's declining durability.

My Pick: Edmen Shahbazyan
Best Bet: Shahbazyan ML -280

Ateba Gautier vs. Tre’ston Vines – Middleweight (185 lbs)

This one’s a mismatch. I haven’t seen the odds, but I expect Gautier to be around -2000. Vines is a regional prospect stepping in on short notice.

Gautier is a tank — think mini-Ngannou. He hits like a truck and has surprisingly clean striking. I expect him to sleep Vines early and make a statement in the division.

My Pick: Ateba Gautier
Best Bet: Gautier Round 1 KO (Odds N/A)

🏆 Main Card

Joe Pyfer vs. Abus Magomedov – Middleweight (185 lbs)

Fun fight. Pyfer’s looking to rebound after a loss to Hermansson. He’s a power striker with sneaky-good BJJ, training alongside Sean Brady and Pat Sabatini. Abus is similar stylistically but not as dangerous.

I think Pyfer’s the better version of what Abus tries to be. Both have cardio issues, but Pyfer should get it done with power and pressure.

My Pick: Joe Pyfer
Best Bet: Pyfer by KO +150

Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal – Featherweight (145 lbs)

This is a meaningful fight at 145. Emmett has transitioned from wrestling to a KO-hunter, relying on big power shots. Zalal, in his second UFC stint, has looked excellent — picking up finishes and decisions. He even gave Ilia Topuria a tough fight before being cut.

Zalal has great movement, solid grappling, and can fight off the back foot. Emmett’s wild overhands could leave him open, and I trust Zalal to avoid danger and win with volume and control.

My Pick: Youssef Zalal
Best Bet: Zalal by Decision -190

Jiří Procházka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. – Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)

Let’s go! This one’s a certified banger. Both guys are pressure-heavy strikers who love chaos. Jiri finished Jamahal Hill, and Rountree dominated him over three rounds.

I like Jiri here. He’s more durable, applies relentless pressure, and I don’t think Khalil thrives when backing up. Jiri could even mix in grappling if he chooses to.

My Pick: Jiří Procházka
Best Bet: Over 1.5 Rounds -150

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen – Bantamweight Title Fight (135 lbs)

Finally, Sandhagen gets a title shot. He’s flashy, creative, and skilled everywhere. But Merab? He’s a cardio monster who just breaks guys. He did it to Umar Nurmagomedov, and even choked out Sean O'Malley in his last fight.

Despite Cory’s talent, I don’t think he can match Merab’s pace. I expect Merab to grind out another dominant win, possibly 49–46, with nonstop pressure and wrestling.

My Pick: Merab Dvalishvili
Best Bet: Dvalishvili by Decision -195

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira – Light Heavyweight Title Fight (205 lbs)

As much as it pains me to say it... I’m leaning Ankalaev. He’s well-rounded, composed, and can wrestle if needed. Pereira is the best striker in the division, but his hesitancy last time cost him.

This time, if Pereira lets his hands go more, he’ll open up counter opportunities — for both men. Ankalaev still found success in the first fight and racked up control time. I expect a similar result: Ankalaev neutralizing Pereira’s offense and getting his first title defense.

My Pick: Magomed Ankalaev
Best Bet: Ankalaev by TKO/KO +290