UFC fans and bettors should be getting amped up for the next big MMA event, as we get a nice main event between HyunSung Park and Tatsuro Taira at UFC on ESPN 71.

The two men face off to cap this exciting card, which will touch down at the UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada on August 2nd, and will also include big names such as Esteban Ribovics, Karol Rosa, Neil Magny, and many more.

Looking for some quality UFC picks to lean on? I’ll walk you through the latest UFC on ESPN 71 odds, offer up my predictions, and preview each fight en route to the top bets for the week.

Where To Watch UFC on ESPN 71?

You can catch UFC on ESPN 71 on ESPN and ESPN+. Both the Prelims and main card will be shown on both channels.

When Is UFC on ESPN 71?

UFC on ESPN 71 fires off with the Prelims at 6:00 pm EST on ESPN and ESPN+, while the main card follows on both channels at 9:00 pm EST.

Where Is UFC on ESPN 71?

This week’s big MMA event will go down at the UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada.

UFC Fight Night Main Card Odds

Check out the latest UFC Fight Night odds for the Main Card, courtesy of the top sports betting sites: 

The odds are not out just yet for the main event, which isn’t terribly shocking considering Park is a replacement for Tatsuro Taira’s original opponent. This is still a pretty big fight and Park is undefeated, though, so I anticipate a fairly tight line.

The rest of the main card is priced pretty close to the chest. Kevin Vallejos is the biggest favorite, but he’s the only one over -255. That should make for good value across the board, but as always the case in situations such as these, it may also make successful betting harder to come by.

Fortunately you have my UFC on ESPN 71 main card predictions ready to rock, and I will also be going over every fight individually. Need more help before finalizing your bets for this card? Just check out what the best handicappers available online have to offer.

Step Inside

The Betting Octagon
For Elite UFC Picks!

Get Free Trial

UFC on ESPN 71 Predictions For The Main Card

The main card for UFC on ESPN 71 begins at 9:00 pm EST on ESPN and ESPN+.

HyunSung Park (N/A) vs. Tatsuro Taira (N/A)

The main event for UFC Vegas 108 doesn’t have odds as I write this, but given Park’s perfect 10-0 record, I won’t be shocked to see a tight line. I do still think Tatsuro Taira (16-1) should be favored, of course, as he was the headliner to begin with and has a bit more experience.

Park is a little older, but at 29 he remains in his physical prime, while he’s yet to be defeated. This isn’t the ideal spot for him, though, as Taira owns a four-inch reach advantage and is going to have more success and activity with takedowns.

It’s true that Park has the striking edge, but Taira is more versatile and has 12 finishes in his 16 wins, while never being finished, himself. I think the reach edge and his versatility win out here, but this one could go down to the wire.

Bet: Tatsuro Taira (N/A)

Mateusz Rebecki (-200) vs. Chris Duncan (+170)

Next up is a tense battle between Mateusz Rebecki and Chris Duncan. Rebecki (20-2) has the better record and more experience, so he does make sense as the favorite. However, he loses a whopping five inches in reach – which could be a big deal for a fight that otherwise looks pretty even.

Duncan (13-2) doesn’t have as much experience as his opponent, but he narrowly trails Rebecki across the board. Both of these guys offer solid striking and the ability to take the fight to the floor with ease, but their skill-set kind of cancels the other out.

Rebecki has better overall numbers, but the gap isn’t wide and when looking at recent form, I tip my cap to Duncan, who has gone 6-1 over his last seven fights. Rebecki is fine as the favorite, but I think this one is closer than the pricing indicates. When that’s the case, I don’t mind assuming some risk and taking a value like Duncan on.

Bet: Chris Duncan (+170)

Esteban Ribovics (-255) vs. Elves Brener (+215)

We have a similarly priced bout between Esteban Ribovics (14-2) and Elves Brener (16-5), but this is one where I think I’ll listen to the odds. Ribovics feels like the easy call here, as he has inflicted major damage (8.09 significant strikes landed per minute) across five UFC fights.

He’s just 3-2 in such bouts, but his versatility and the damage he can deliver has been obvious, and nothing reminds us of his upside more than his TKO win over Terrance McKinney last May. Ribovics offers solid versatility and elite finishing ability (12 finishes in 4 wins) and he’s been incredibly tough (0 losses by stoppage).

Brener is no chump and his takedown offense is a bit better than Ribovics’, but he really only has one path to a finish in this one. I’ll take the more well-rounded and dangerous fighter in this one.

Bet: Esteban Ribovics (-255)

Karol Rosa (-171) vs. Nora Cornolle (+146)

We get a top shelf female fight at UFC Vegas 108, which isn’t something we could say a lot in recent weeks. I am personally excited for this one, as Karol Rosa (18-7) is a seasoned bruiser who can take on a lot of damage, and dishes out plenty herself (6.22 significant strikes landed per minute).

While Rosa is the correct favorite, Nora Cornolle (9-2) is virtually impossible to finish and offers better form. She’s five years older and inflicts far less damage, on average.

Cornolle’s toughness and KO ability gives her a shot at a compelling dog, but I think this one is set up to go the distance. That favors Rosa, who should be able to dictate the pace, control the fight on the floor, and grind out a better score.

Bet: Karol Rosa (-171)

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (-200) vs. Neil Magny (+170)

We have two ageless wonders in this next fight, with the 37-year old Neil Magny trucking on with a bout against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. Magny is the underdog despite being a name we all recognize a bit better, but he also has a middling 29-14 record.

That’s a lot of MMA wins, but Magny has piled up a lot of losses and his recent form has been suspect. He dropped his last match against Carlos Prates, and he’s been KO’d in back-to-back fights. He did knock out Mike Malott three fights ago to remind us of his finishing ability (12 career finishes), but that’s the only time he’s done that since 2022. He’s otherwise just 3-5 in that span.

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is just as old, but has less experience and loses an insane seven inches in reach. He’s the more dangerous striker and brings an absurd 15 KOs to the table, though, so we know he can close that gap in a hurry.

Ultimately, we have two old dudes facing off and one of them is a legit finishing threat, and the other is past his prime. I don’t love the odds considering the risk, but I lean dos Santos due to his KO ability.

Bet: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (-200)

Kevin Vallejos (-400) vs. Danny Silva (+300)

The last fight of the UFC on ESPN 71 main card has Kevin Vallejos (15-1) taking on Danny Silva (10-1) in what could very well be a lopsided affair. Of course, both of these guys can dish out loads of punishment with their fists, and Silva’s takedown offense and five KOs could level the playing field.

So far in the UFC, Silva has been good, but not electrifying. He’s 2-0 under the UFC banner, but he has no finishes to his name where it counts. Vallejos is just the opposite. He TKO’d Seung Woo Choi this past March in his UFC debut, giving him 11 knockout wins in 15 bouts.

As impressive as his explosive fighting style can be, what’s even more impressive is that his lone loss came against the fiery Jean Silva, and it came down to a Decision.

Silva could be a pesky out, but Vallejos is a killer and at 23 he could be about to take the UFC by storm.

Bet: Kevin Vallejos (-400)

UFC Fight Night Preliminary Card Odds

Check out the latest UFC Fight Night odds for the Preliminary Card.

Much like the UFC on ESPN 71 main card, the Prelims don’t have many egregiously priced matchup. There are two still hefty betting favorites in Rinya Nakamura and Rafael Estevam, but they make sense as picks to win, and nobody is priced above -500.

Every other fight is -225 or better in regards to the favorite, so we should be in for some legit battles inside the Octagon this weekend. You can defer to my UFC Vegas 108 predictions in the table above, or read on for my breakdown and pick for each bout..

UFC on ESPN 71 Predictions For The Preliminary Card

The UFC on ESPN 71 kicks off with the Prelims at 6:00 pm EST on ESPN and ESPN+.

Rinya Nakamura (-400) vs. Nathan Fletcher (+300)

The first fight of the Prelims has Rinya Nakamura (9-1) as a sizable favorite to fend off Nathan Fletcher (9-2). Both fighters lack a ton of experience, but have solid records. Nakamura is the favorite despite being three years older and losing 2.5 inches in reach.

Nakamura dropped a Decision to Muin Gafurov last January, but has otherwise looked good (4-1) inside the UFC. His stay here includes two KO wins, giving him five in all for his career. His explosiveness and power give him the leg up against Fletcher, who is the better fighter (7 submissions) on the mat.

I do think Fletcher has a chance if he can get this thing to the ground, but it feels unlikely. Nakamura is a great athlete who does a great job at both creating and shrinking distance. He’s also incredibly explosive, so if/when Fletcher does look to bring the fight to the floor, he could counter with some menacing punches.

Nakamura is a great bet to win this one. He isn’t super alluring at his -400 ML, though, so I’d be hunting a KO win here.

Bet: Rinya Nakamura (-400)

Rodolfo Vieira (-225) vs. Tresean Gore (+190)

This fight has two guys slowly exiting their prime, but even though Rodolfo Vieira (10-3) is four years older, he will be favored to beat Tresean Gore (6-3). Gore is not very experienced even at 31 years of age, and he doesn’t really separate himself in any clear area against his opponent.

Gore has a two-inch reach advantage and is the younger fighter, but he’s already been KO’d twice in just nine bouts. He can end fights early (4 finishes), but he’s at his best on the mat and his recent form (2-3 over last five) isn’t very encouraging.

Vieira is a problem for Gore. His strength is also on the canvas, where he’s racked up an impressive nine submissions in his career. He’s more aggressive with his takedowns, albeit not nearly as accurate. Of course, he’s only been submitted once and he’s never been KO’d.

With both guys likely wanting to get to the ground, I favor Vieira’s aggressiveness and experience.

Bet: Rodolfo Vieira (-225)

Andrey Pulyaev (-150) vs. Nick Klein (+130)

This fight is tightly priced, as Andrey Pulyaev (9-3) is a very light favorite to edge out Nick Klein (6-2). Both of these guys lack high level experience, but are in their physical primes. Pulyaev grades out as the better striker and has five knockouts to his name, but he is coming off a Decision loss last March.

Klein isn’t too far behind in the striking department, but he’s much more aggressive with his takedowns and is arguably the more versatile fighter. He’s been knocked out twice in just eight matches, of course, so he is a bit risky.

That said, I like his floor game and overall versatility. His +130 price is solid in what looks to be a toss-up, too.

Bet: Nick Klein (+130)

Rafael Estevam (-460) vs. Felipe Bunes (+360)

The UFC on ESPN 71 fight with the largest spread has Rafael Estevam (13-0) probably staying perfect when he takes on Felipe Bunes (14-7). Bunes is seven years older and offers more overall experience, but he’s been finished three times in his career and only has one clear path to victory.

Bunes has nine submissions to his name, but that’s perhaps leading him down a dark path, seeing as Estevam loves fights going to the ground. He is super aggressive with his takedowns and so far he grades out as the more accurate striker as well.

Estevam doesn’t always have the ability to end fights when he should, so the big ticket for Bunes is getting some takedowns and just grinding his way through three rounds. That said, Estevam should be able to control this bout, so even if Bunes avoids being finished, I think he loses by points in the end.

Bet: Rafael Estevam (-460)

Piera Rodriguez (-190) vs. Ketlen Souza (+165)

Lastly, we get a second fight featuring two women, as Ketlen Souza (15-5) battles the favored Piera Rodriguez (10-2). Souza comes in as a mild underdog despite being two years younger and having a significant striking edge.

Souza is a pretty interesting bet here, as she does have nice finishing ability (8 KOs) and has held her own against some of the best in the business. She’s 2-1 over her last three fights, with her lone loss during that span being a Decision against the forever gritty Angela Hill. She did get submitted by Karine Silva in 2023, which keeps her at 2-2 under the UFC banner so far.

The upside exists with Souza’s striking, but Rodriguez has the edge on the mat. She is quite aggressive and accurate with her takedowns, and she has five KOs to her name. This is the ultimate contrast of styles, as Rodriguez will want to control the tempo and ultimately work the fight to the ground, and Souza will want to be aggressive and try to finish the fight fast with her power.

Rodriguez is the safe play, as her style probably limits a lot of the damage Souza will do, and if the fight goes to a Decision, she will probably have the edge there, too.

Bet: Piera Rodriguez (-190)

The Best UFC Fight Night Picks

The following is our best UFC Fight Night picks for this weekend’s event:

• Esteban Ribovics (-255)
• Kevin Vallejos (-400)
• Piera Rodriguez (-190)

I am not listing a true dog on my list of best bets for this card, but you do get solid value with a versatile beast like Ribovics, and considering the style contrast, I think Piera is a really nice value as well.

Ribovics is looking to make a name for himself. He’s coming off a loss and has otherwise looked good against some solid competition, but a big KO win here would really put him on the map.

Rodriguez is another fighter that not everyone is paying much attention to, but she has strong wrestling and can mix in some striking. I think she has what it takes to fend off a solid striker and add to her growing list of solid victories.

Vallejos is the meal ticket here, although I think the best way to bet on him is undeniably hunting the KO. Whether you go that route or not, he is a really good bet to win, so shopping alternative lines or betting on the fight going inside the distance could also be viable options.

UFC on ESPN 71 Card

Check out the updated UFC Fight Night fight card: