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Action returns to the Octagon Saturday night with a UFC fight night that boasts a six-fight card.
The headlining showdown will be between fourth-ranked Calvin Kattar and seventh-ranked Josh Emmett, both in the featherweight division, while lightweights, welterweights, and middleweights will all be in action during the build-up.
Here is how the fights shape up.
When: Saturday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Moody Center, Austin, Texas
Watch: ESPN+, pay per view
Julian Marquez vs. Gregory Rodrigues Prediction
Odds: Marquez (+150) vs. Rodrigues (-175)
Marquez’s career was put on pause after he had to recover from a gruesome injury that caused him to lose out on two years in the ring; he pulled off two comeback victories upon his return but pulled out of his two most recent fights since then for undisclosed reasons and will look to get back on track here.
Rodrigues, meanwhile, had won four straight bouts before falling in his most recent one.
At 30 years old, he will be desperate to build some momentum against Marquez, who is also looking to solidify his standing.
Best Bet: Gregory Rodrigues (-175)
Damir Ismagulov vs. Guram Kutateladze Prediction
Odds: Ismagulov (-155) vs. Kutateladze (+135)
An Ismagulov win would mark his fifth straight in the UFC as he continues to ascend in the featherweight division. The Russian has won 15 straight combat fights but notably missed weight in his last assignment, an October matchup in the octagon.
Kutateladze, meanwhile, knocked off Mateusz Gamrot, making him the only person ever to do so, in his debut, announcing himself in grand fashion.
He has not appeared since that 2020 fight, but that win alone has expectations at a high for his return.
Best Bet: Guram Kutateladze (+135)
Joaquin Buckley vs. Albert Duraev Prediction
Odds: Buckley (+190) vs. Duraev (-225)
Buckley is a fighter that goes for the throat from the opening bell all the way until the end; he only recently went the distance for the first time and has won four of his last five fights.
Duraev has done an even better job, reaching double-digits for his personal win streak, but his last fight came with far more of a struggle than many expected and left a bad taste in bettors’ mouths.
Best Bet: Albert Duraev (-225)
Tim Means vs. Kevin Holland Prediction
Odds: Means (+235) vs. Holland (-280)
Means is a tall fighter with a near-two-to-one loss ratio in his last 20 fights, making him a solid gauge to see where other fighters are at. An experienced professional, Means is always ready to throw strikes or get on the ground, depending on what the fight calls for.
Holland recently relocated to the Welterweight after two losses, and a no-contest abruptly ended a ridiculous hot streak, and he needs a win badly to re-establish his reputation in the UFC.
Best Bet: Kevin Holland (-280)
Donald Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon Prediction
Odds: Cerrone (-165) vs. Lauzon (+140)
“Cowboy” Cerrone is back in the 155-pound division to face off with Lauzon, a 37-year-old who is ending a two-year-plus dry streak with his return to fighting.
Cerrone, 39, has not earned a victory in his last six fights, but the two prominent figures seem to always deliver entertaining fights.
Neither one is exactly the future of the UFC, but their history and prestige will make this a great spectacle.
Best Bet: Joe Lauzon (+140)
Calvin Kattar vs. Josh Emmett Prediction
Odds: Kattar (-230) vs. Emmett (+195)
Kattar took a year break after a 2021 defeat but returned to the ring in dominating fashion, earning a unanimous decision against Giga Chikadze early this year.
He has experience dueling with top-ranked fighters and, if anything, has done himself a disservice with the amount of grueling bouts that he has taken, but he will be prepared nonetheless. Watch for him to try to use his striking ability to his advantage.
Emmett is making his second appearance in a UFC main event and has won four straight fights since dropping his previous headliner.
He is likely one win away from contending for the top spot in the division, but he has a dangerous and favored opponent blocking his path. Emmett is also an excellent striker that will look to detonate whenever given the opportunity.
Best Bet: Calvin Kattar (-230)
