The UFC is out to deliver another solid fight card this weekend, when Derrick Lewis and Tallison Teixeira will go head to head. The event is slated for Saturday, July 12th, and will go down at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Lewis is nearing the end at age 40, but he’ll hope to stave off Father Time despite coming in as an underdog against the undefeated Teixeira. If you want to bet on this bout or any of the other UFC on ESPN 70 fights, this guide will go over the latest pricing and my preferred UFC picks for this particular event.

There are definitely some compelling UFC on ESPN 70 odds that could be worth taking advantage of, but some fights are also set up as traps. I’ll point you in the right direction every step of the way, so let’s dive into this week’s UFC betting slate and see which fighters you can trust.

Where To Watch UFC on ESPN 70?

UFC on ESPN 70 can be viewed on ESPN and ESPN+, or via streaming services that offer those channels.

When Is UFC on ESPN 70?

UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira will go down on Saturday, July 12th, starting with the Prelims at 6:00 pm EST, and ending with the main card at 9:00 pm EST.

Where Is UFC on ESPN 70?

If you want to take in UFC on ESPN 70 in person, head to Nashville, Tennessee. Derrick Lewis and co. will all wage ware at Bridgestone Arena this weekend.

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 UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira odds look pretty good for the main card. Teixeira has yet to lose and Lewis is now 40 years old, so nobody should be shocked by that line. It’s a fair price on both sides, all things considered, while Lewis does feel like a compelling underdog at that price.

You could say the same about Stephen Thompson, who also isn’t getting any younger, but is still one of the better MMA stars in recent history. He’s not what he once was, but getting him at +310 feels like robbery.

I could go either way on the Steve Garcia vs. Calvin Kattar bout, too. That match provides stellar value no matter who you like to win, while we can get nice odds from the Junior Tafa fight, too.

There’s only one UFC on ESPN 70 main card bout with silly odds, and that’s the one with Vitor Petrino coming in at an obscene -700. Austen Lane makes for an intriguing +500 dog, but this may just be a fight we don’t want to mess with.

You can use my UFC on ESPN 70 predictions above, or read on for further analysis for each bout. If you need even more assistance, be sure to get access to the best handicappers available to you online.

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UFC on ESPN 70 Predictions For The Main Card

The main card for UFC on ESPN 70 begins at 9:00 pm EST on ESPN and ESPN+.

Tallison Teixeira (-275) vs. Derrick Lewis (+225)

There’s no getting around the experience and KO power of someone like Derrick Lewis. He knows how to throw his weight around, and he can end fights in a hurry even at 40 years old. His 23 career KO wins tell us that, but he also earned a TKO win in his last bout in 2024.

Lewis can still get it done, but he’s definitely been inconsistent and has slowed down. He’s coming off a big win, but his recent form has still been spotty, with him going just 2-4 over his last six fights. And as nasty as he can be from a finishing perspective, he’s still taken his lumps (7 KO losses) and doesn’t have the strongest chin.

Insert Teixeira, who obviously lacks experience, but offers immense potential and has yet to lose a fight as a professional. Lewis is a stiff test, but Tallison has checked off every box to this point, finishing seven of eight opponents, with Justin Tafa (TKO) being his latest victim this past February.

Lewis can still ball, so Teixeira’s price stays reasonable enough. I say we take advantage, but I’m also game for KO props.

Bet: Tallison Teixeira (-275)

Gabriel Bonfim (-385) vs. Stephen Thompson (+310)

The death of The Wonderboy has (probably) not been greatly exaggerated. Stephen Thompson (17-8-1) was at one point a stud and he may still be able to pack a punch, but at 42, his best days are long gone.

Thompson hasn’t been able to deliver very often in recent years, as he got smoked by Joaquin Buckley in his most recent bout, and has gone just 1-4 since 2021. His resume is strong as far as who he’s faced and how he’s fared – for the most part – but age and chin are major concerns now.

On the other side is Bonfim (17-1), who has an impressive record, is 14 years younger, and is a stark contrast to what Thompson does best. Bonfim has the striking ability to hold his own if the fight stays on the feet, but if he works it to the floor he holds a monster edge.

Thompson is a big name, but he’s well past his prime and Bonfim has bigger fish to fry. I see a win here and I won’t be shocked to see it come via stoppage.

Bet: Gabriel Bonfim (-385)

Steve Garcia (-120) vs. Calvin Kattar (+100)

I’m not ready to quit Calvin Kattar (23-9) just yet. That time is coming soon for the 37-year old, to be sure, but he has the grit and striking to earn one last big win before his MMA career comes to an end.

That isn’t to disrespect Steve Garcia (17-5), but Kattar is as battle tested as they come. He’s admittedly fallen on rough times of late, as he’s dropped four fights in a row and has gone just 1-5 over his last six. However, just one of those defeats was by stoppage, and all of his losses have come against top shelf competition.

Garcia has a better record and is the younger fighter with more to lose, but the data has these guys pretty close, and it seems like the sportsbooks have given up on Kattar too quickly. Obviously Garcia has been a knockout machine (14 KOs), but he is a one-trick pony and if Kattar’s strong chin holds up, I can see him edging Garcia out on points.

Bet: Calvin Kattar (+100)

Morgan Charriere (-260) vs. Nate Landwehr (+220)

This fight feels a lot tougher to call than the line suggests. Morgan Charriere (20-11) has a middling record, but comes in as a sizable favorite to down Nate Landwehr (18-6). Charriere is just 1-2 over his last three fights (2-2 in the UFC), but brings 12 KOs to the table and has never been knocked out.

Charriere is the younger fighter by eight years and is the more accurate striker, but he doesn’t inflict as much damage as his opponent. He is better at getting the fight to the ground, however, as he’s been more aggressive and more successful in that regard.

Landwehr’s recent form is also spotty, as he’s 1-2 over his last three fights and got finished by Doo Ho Choi in his most recent fight last December. Landwehr still offers solid finishing ability, but he’s been finished four times in his career and is getting a bit long in the tooth at 37.

If this fight was a couple of years ago, I’d easily go with Landwehr. I still think this fight is mispriced, though, and he also has a three-inch reach edge. It’s a close one, but I like the value with Landwehr.

Bet: Nate Landwehr (+220)

Vitor Petrino (-700) vs. Austen Lane (+500)

I am typically game for heavyweight underdogs like Austen Lane, just because they tend to offer high upside, and it only takes one lucky punch in this weight class. That said, Lane has a middling 13-6 record with weak recent form (1-3 over his last four fights). More importantly, all six of his losses have come via KO, so this is not a guy we can trust.

Lane has a puncher’s chance, as he has 11 wins by knockout, but he hasn’t won in that fashion since 2022. Knocking out Vitor Petrino (11-2) won’t be easy, either. Petrino’s lone KO loss of his career came against a much better fighter in Dustin Jacoby, and he’s otherwise been dominant with seven KOs of his own.

Petrino is 10 years younger than Lane with better takedown offense, nasty striking, and a more impressive resume in the UFC. This one truly could go either way if things got crazy, but Petrino winning is the safest bet. To get any kind of value, of course, you need to hunt for the knockout.

Bet: Vitor Petrino (-700)

Junior Tafa (-160) vs. Tuco Tokkos (+140)

The last fight of the UFC on ESPN 70 main card has Junior Tafa (6-3) as a mild favorite to upend Tuco Tokkos (10-5). Tafa has less experience, but is seven years younger than his opponent and grades out as the more damaging striker.

Tafa has been all or nothing so far in his career, too. He only has six victories, but they all ended with knockouts. A 2-4 run over his last six bouts isn’t super encouraging, but Tokkos hasn’t been that much better and has been knocked out twice already in just 15 fights. He’s also 0-2 so far through two UFC bouts.

I don’t hate the value with Tokkos, but Tafa has a 100% hit rate with KOs in his wins so far and the step up to the UFC has been a tall ask for Tuco. I don’t think it’s safe, but I like Tafa by KO.

Bet: Junior Tafa (-160)

UFC Fight Night Preliminary Card Odds

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

The UFC on ESPN 70 odds for the Prelims aren’t as good as the main card’s are. We get a couple of interesting fights in terms of matchup and price, but a whopping four of these fights have a favorite billed at -315 or greater.

In fact, three are at -625 or higher, while Fatima Kline is the biggest of them all at -1200. That is about the highest we’ve seen anyone favored all year, although I can’t exactly knock the logic.

As usual, feel free to roll with my UFC Fight Night picks seen in the table, or read on for a little more insight before finalizing your wagers.

UFC on ESPN 70 Predictions For The Preliminary Card

The UFC on ESPN 70 kicks off with the Prelims at 6:00 pm EST on ESPN and ESPN+.

Chris Curtis (-315) vs. Max Griffin (+265)

The Prelims don’t have amazing odds, but all things considered, Chris Curtis looks like a solid bet at his -315 moneyline. Curtis (31-12) has an impressive record and seriously damaging striking, which has allowed him to accumulate 17 KO wins.

Curtis isn’t without his lumps, as the 37-year old has poor recent form (1-3-1 over his last five fights), and he offers no real versatility. However, he is a punisher with legit finishing ability, and he should have a chance to end his fight with Max Griffin early.

Griffin (20-11) is two years older with a mild reach advantage, but he’s not as menacing as his opponent. He got choked out by Michael Chiesa in his last bout, and while he has a solid nine knockouts to his name, he hasn’t been able to finish anyone since 2021.

I think Griffin is going to be in this more than anyone suspects, but this is still Curtis’s fight to lose.

Bet: Chris Curtis (-315)

Chidi Njokuani (-160) vs. Jake Matthews (+140)

We get a nice moneyline no matter who we roll with in this Njokuani vs. Matthews bout, but I lean Chidi’s way right away. He is six years older than his opponent and has more losses, but he has a sick eight-inch reach advantage that should help him considerably.

Chidi doesn’t have the same ground game Matthews can provide, but his length can off-set that, plus he is going to have the edge in the striking department. Njokauni (25-10) is getting older, but he’s heating up right now after rattling off three wins in a row.

He’s always been able to use his length in his favor, and it plays into his 15 KO wins. His style does leave him open for damage, though, and it’s worth noting that he’s been finished eight times. Jake Matthews (21-7) is no slouch, either, but his most likely path to a win will come on the canvas.

I do give Matthews a shot in this one, but Chidi’s striking and finishing ability are to be feared. As long as he avoids takedowns, I think he should control this one throughout and may even land a KO.

Bet: Chidi Njokauni (-160)

Eduarda Maura (-625) vs. Lauren Murphy (+450)

We have our first massive Prelims favorite in Eduarda Maura, who is 10 years younger than her geriatric opponent and boasts a stout 11-1 record. Maura offers more accurate striking than Lauren Murphy and better takedown offense, while she’s finished nine of 11 wins and has yet to be finished, herself.

I don’t like the looks of this for Murphy, who is a respectable veteran with a solid 16-6 record, but she’s also now 41 years old and hasn’t finished anyone since 2020. She is quite battle tested, though, as she’s been able to hang with the best of the best for her entire career, and she’s only lost by stoppage one time.

Due to that, I don’t know if a win comes super easy for Maura. I think she is the correct favorite due to her versatility and finishing ability, but she will likely need to grind this one out via points.

Bet: Eduarda Maura (-625)

Kennedy Nzechukwu (-205) vs. Valter Walker (+175)

The line is tight for this fight between Kennedy Nzechukwu (14-5) and Valter Walker (13-1), largely because they are very different fighters. Kennedy is a punishing striker that prefers to keep the fight on the feet (10 KOs), while Walker offers more versatility and likes to work the fight to the ground.

If the fight stays standing up, Kennedy has a shot at a knockout, but Walker’s size and strength should give him a chance to withstand some punishment, as well as continue fighting to get the fight to the floor. If he accomplishes that, he’d have a real shot at an upset.

Unfortunately, Kennedy’s length (five-inch reach edge) is a pretty big deal here, and the guy has only been submitted once in his career. His length and explosiveness give him the edge and I wouldn’t be shocked to see Walker taste a KO defeat for the first time in his MMA career.

Bet: Kennedy Nzechukwu (-205)

Mike Davis (-900) vs. Mitch Ramirez (+600)

Mike Davis (11-3) enters this week’s UFC event as a huge favorite, carrying the second biggest odds of the weekend. He and his opponent are the same age with similar reach, but he holds a clear advantage on the mat and also grades out as the more damaging striker.

Davis has been quite good at ending fights early, as he has seven KOs already, with nine of his wins coming via stoppage. He did lose his most recent fight to Fares Ziam, but that fight went the distance and was against a quality opponent. Davis has otherwise been fantastic with four wins in a row before that fight.

He’ll take on Mitch Ramirez (8-2), who got TKO’d by Thiago Moises in his UFC debut. That was his second career KO defeat in just 10 fights, and he’s gone 1-2 over his first three fights against UFC competition. The jump up in competition has been tough for Ramirez, so running into Davis doesn’t sound too promising.

Bet: Mike Davis (-900)

Fatima Kline (-1200) vs. Melissa Martinez (+800)

Lastly, we have the biggest favorite of UFC on ESPN 70, as Fatima Kline hopes to add to her 7-1 start. The 24-year old does have inferior striking numbers than her opponent, but should have the edge on the floor and showcased her upside in a TKO win her last time out.

Kline’s lone loss came in a Decision against the elite Jasmine Jasudavicius, which is further evidence of where she’s at as a fighter at such a young age. Melissa Martinez (8-1) has a good record, but she’s just 1-1 in the UFC and has yet to impress at this level.

If Martinez’s power can show up on the biggest stage of her life, then maybe we have a YOLO upset. I just tend to doubt it. Kline has looked better against more dangerous competition, and betting against her hefty -1200 line feels like a “getting too cute” proposition.

Bet: Fatima Kline (-1200)

The Best UFC Fight Night Picks

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

• Tallison Teixeira (-275)
• Calvin Kattar (+100)
• Chidi Njokauni (-160)

I like all of my picks for UFC on ESPN this week, but if you need to start with just three, I’d go with the list above. 

First off, I am definitely going against the aging Derrick Lewis. I know he can still swing it, but he is now 40 years old and facing a rising talent. With his best days behind him, it’s time to see what Teixeira is capable of, and a big win over Lewis is going to launch him to a whole new level.

Next, Kattar is a skilled, hard-nosed fighter I think has at least one more gritty win in him. He’s riding a losing skid to forget at the moment, but his defense, striking, and toughness should give him a shot to outlast an aggressive striker that could tire out if he doesn’t win early.

Chidi looks like a killer bet due to his KO potential, too, so long as he can keep the fight on the feet. 

UFC Fon ESPN 70 Card

Check out the updated UFC Fight Night fight card: