Four bold predictions for Saturday's UFC Vegas 71

Four bold predictions for Saturday's UFC Vegas 71,The MMA world leader will be back in Las Vegas for their latest card headlined by a major matchup at heavyweight. In the UFC Vegas 71 main event, a pair of top-five talents in the UFC heavyweight rankings go to war when Curtis Blaydes and Sergei Pavlovich clash in a likely title eliminator.

Four bold predictions for Saturday’s UFC Vegas 71

Get a round of bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s next event, UFC Vegas 71 on April 22.

The MMA world leader will be back in Las Vegas for their latest card headlined by a major matchup at heavyweight. In the UFC Vegas 71 main event, a pair of top-five talents in the UFC heavyweight rankings go to war when Curtis Blaydes and Sergei Pavlovich clash in a likely title eliminator.

The card from inside the UFC Apex also features several Octagon veterans and fan favorites in the likes of Brad Tavares, Bobby Green, Jared Gordon, and Christos Giagos. With all of that in mind, let’s make a few bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s event this weekend.

Sergei Pavlovich (17-1) vs. Curtis Blaydes (17-3)

Blaydes vs. Pavlovich is a fantastic matchup of two elite-level heavyweights right on the cusp of a title opportunity. “Razor” has been a top-five fighter for several years and has long seemed just one big win away from title contention. The Russian is on a five-fight win steak, all by first-round knockout.

As talented and gifted as the American is, it just feels like Pavlovich is a wrecking machine on an unstoppable path to a heavyweight title fight. Blaydes will bring a skillset that Pavlovich has never dealt with, but his Sambo background should be enough to stymie Blaydes’ wrestling and unload his serious power and get a KO win.

Odds: Pavlovich (+145) vs. Blaydes (-170)
Prediction: Pavlovich by KO, Round 2

Bobby Green (29-14-1) vs. Jared Gordon (19-6)

Green is one of the most experienced fighters currently on the UFC roster. The Californian has always been an exciting competitor and he will get a foe on Saturday that is also willing to engage in a firefight.

Green has lost four of his last six, but they have come to some pretty good fighters. While Gordon is a legitimate UFC-level talent, “King’s” striking will prove problematic on April 22. He won’t be able to finish the always-durable New Yorker, but Green should be able to run away with a decision win.

Odds: Green (-250) vs. Gordon (+210)
Prediction: Green by unanimous decision

Mohammed Usman (8-2) vs. Junior Tafa (4-0)

UFC Vegas 71 will feature a battle of UFC brothers when Mohammed Usman — brother of Kamaru Usman — faces Junior Tafa — the brother of Justin Tafa. Like his brother, Tafa is a heavy hitter with KO power. Usman also has similar thunder but likely might be the better athlete.

However, the oddsmakers see this one as a pick ’em and that may be due to Tafa’s kickboxing background and Usman’s cardio issues at times. If Usman can’t get this to the mat, expect “The Juggernaut” to showcase his superior striking for a TKO win on Saturday.

Odds: Usman (-110) vs. Tafa (-110)
Prediction: Tafa by TKO, Round 2

Brad Tavares (19-7) vs. Bruno Silva (22-8)

Tavares has long been a rock-solid UFC-level middleweight. However, at 35 and with 26 fights under his belt, he seems to be in the beginning stages of an age decline. The decline is likely from lacking power and often being in arduous fights that go the distance. Sixteen of his pro fights have gone to a decision.

The big question is on if Bruno Silva is good enough to take advantage of Tavares at this point in his career and get the win. Considering his KO power and his weaknesses aren’t a strength of Tavares, “Blindado” is getting the proven veteran at just the right time and will score the biggest win of his career this weekend.

Odds: Tavares (-175) vs. Silva (+150)
Prediction: Silva by TKO, Round 2