Rafael Fiziev says he won’t take the elevated platform for granted when he closes the card for the first time in his career Saturday against former champion Rafael Dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev. The important battle of ranked lightweight anchors the main UFC Fight Night card (9 p.m. ET) from the Apex facility in Las Vegas. Although the No. 10-ranked Fiziev is widely regarded as one of the loaded division’s most promising prospects, he is still relatively unknown to the public. He hopes to change that by defeating the No. 7-ranked Dos Anjos, who hopes to regain traction toward another title shot with an impressive outing of his own.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Fiziev as a -210 favorite (risk $210 to win $100), while Dos Anjos is priced at +185 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev odds. In the co-main event, middleweight prospects square off as Caio Borralho (-200) takes on Armen Petrosyan (+175). Before locking in any UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev picks, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Andrew Gombas.
Gombas is a former NCAA wrestler who taps into his experience on the mat to help understand and dissect the X’s and O’s of MMA matchups in a manner that sets him apart from other MMA analysts. He started the MMA handicapping service MMA Knockout Bets in 2018 and has shown a profit every year since.
With more than 1,400 selections tracked by the third-party monitoring service Bet MMA, he has shown a 6 percent return on investment for his followers. Over the past two years, his followers have netted a profit of more than $10,000.
Just last month at UFC 275, Gombas swept the board with his main-card picks, and the five-fight sweep included advising SportsLine members to back Jake Matthews (+125) against Andre Fialho (-145) in a matchup of welterweight prospects. Matthews dominated from the outset and scored a second-round stoppage to provide Gombas’ backers with another easy winner. Anyone who has followed Gombas already has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev looming, Gombas has studied the card from every angle and released his top MMA picks. Those picks are only available at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev preview
The main event Saturday should provide some clarity, at least for the two combatants, in a division that is rich with decorated veterans but also chock full of talented prospects who are determined to show that they belong at the top.
With a victory, Dos Anjos (31-13), 37, could prove that he still belongs in the crowded mix for title consideration. However, a loss might push him to the role of top-10 gatekeeper for prospects such as Fiziev (11-1), who is taking a major step forward in competition by facing the former champion.
Dos Anjos won the lightweight title with a decision over Anthony Pettis in March 2015 and defended it once by beating Donald Cerrone before relinquishing the crown to Eddie Alvarez. His resume also includes wins over Nate Diaz and former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler.
The Brazilian moved to welterweight five years ago, but found it difficult to compete with the division’s elite while posting a 4-4 record. He came up short against the likes of current champion Kamaru Usman and top-ranked contender Colby Covington. But he has won two straight since returning to lightweight and is coming off a win against veteran Renato Moicano in March.
Fiziev has shown a lethal blend of mastery in numerous disciplines including Muay Thai, combat sambo, boxing and wrestling. The 29-year-old Kyrgyzstani dropped his UFC debut by first-round stoppage to Magomed Mustafaev in April 2019 but has since reeled off five straight victories.
Fiziev has earned performance bonuses in each of his past four fights and showed all his tools in an explosive knockout of fellow prospect Brad Riddell in December. You can only see who to back at UFC Fight Night here.
Top UFC Fight Night picks
We’ll share one of Gombas’ UFC Fight Night selections here: He is backing Cynthia Calvillo (-145) to get her hand raised against Nina Nunes (+125) in a battle of women’s flyweight prospects on the main card.
The No. 11-ranked Calvillo was one of the division’s hottest prospects behind a four-fight unbeaten streak before a rise in competition level that has now seen her lose three straight. The versatile California native is coming off a stoppage loss to fellow veteran Andrea Lee in their November fight.
Nunes (10-7) similarly had a four-fight win streak halted by an upgrade in opposition and she is looking to reverse a two-fight skid. The Florida native is coming off a submission loss to grappling ace Mackenzie Dern last April.
“I think the best chance for this fight to end in a finish is Calvillo getting on top of and mauling Nunes. Neither of these fighters have much punching power, but I’m slightly leaning with Calvillo because of her wrestling upside,” Gombas told SportsLine. See who else to pick here.
How to make UFC Fight Night picks
Gombas also has strong picks for Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev and other fights on the UFC Fight Night card. He’s also backing a fighter who will “get his grappling going” and emerge with a dominant victory. Those UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine.
Who wins Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev? And what other picks do you need to make? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed top picks for UFC Fight Night, all from the insider who’s up more than $10,000 on MMA picks the past two years, and find out.
UFC Fight Night odds, fight card
Get full UFC expert picks and predictions here.
Rafael Fiziev (-210) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (+185)
Caio Borralho (-200) vs. Armen Petrosyan (+175)
Said Nurmagomedov (-265) vs. Douglas Silva (+225)
Jared Vanderaa (-180) vs. Chase Sherman (+160)
Jamie Mullarkey (-240) vs. Michael Johnson (+200)
Cynthia Calvillo (-145) vs. Nina Nunes (+125)
Ricky Turcios (-190) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (+170)
Antonina Shevchenko (-170) vs. Cortney Casey (+150)
Tresean Gore (-135) vs. Cody Brundage (+115)
Kennedy Nzechukwu (-135) vs. Karl Roberson (+115)
Ronnie Lawrence (-135) vs. Saidyokub Kakhramono (+115)
