Jared Cannonierlooks out over the crowd before the start of his middleweight main bout against Nassourdine Imavov at the UFC Fight Night mixed martial arts event Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
- UFC Vegas 96 goes down this Saturday (August 24) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas
- Jared Cannonier vs Caio Borralho headlines the ESPN+ main card
- Read below for UFC Vegas 96 odds, picks and predictions
UFC Vegas 96 goes down this Saturday, August 24, 2024 at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The prelims kick off at 7pm ET on ESPN, with the main card following at 10pm ET on ESPN+.
In the main event, top middleweight contenders collide as #5 ranked Jared Cannonier takes on surging #12 Caio Borralho. The co-main spotlights a pivotal strawweight clash between #9 Angela Hill and #11 Tabatha Ricci.
Let’s break down the key matchups and best bets for this Fight Night card. All odds referenced are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
UFC Vegas 96 Odds – Main Card
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | -345 | O 1.5 +110 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | +275 | U 1.5 -140 |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Neil Magny | +600 | O 2.5 -180 |
| Michael Morales | -900 | U 2.5 +140 |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Kaan Ofli | +164 | O 1.5 -238 |
| Mairon Santos | -198 | U 1.5 +180 |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Ryan Loder | +136 | O 2.5 +124 |
| Robert Valentin Frey | -162 | U 2.5 -160 |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Angela Hill | +114 | O 2.5 -600 |
| Tabatha Ricci | -135 | U 2.5 +390 |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Jared Cannonier | +210 | O 4.5 -110 |
| Caio Borralho | -258 | U 4.5 -120 |
The biggest favorite on the UFC Vegas 96 main card is Michael Morales at -900 over Neil Magny (+600). Those odds imply Morales has a 90% chance of winning the fight, while Magny has just a 14.29% probability of pulling off the upset.
The tightest odds on the main card are for the Hill vs Ricci co-headliner. Ricci is a slight -135 favorite, giving her a 57.45% implied chance of victory. Hill comes back at +114, equating to a 46.73% win probability.
Odds as of August 24, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim the DraftKings promo code to bet on UFC Fight Night tonight.
Cannonier vs Borralho Prediction
Middleweight gatekeeper Jared Cannonier (#5) welcomes his stiffest test in years against surging prospect Caio Borralho (#12). The UFC Vegas 96 odds price the Texas native as a notable +210 underdog in this bout.
At 40 years old and on a quick turnaround from a TKO loss in June, I have doubts about Cannonier’s ability to hang with the younger, hungrier Brazilian over five rounds.
| 40 | Age | 31 |
| 17-7 | Record | 16-1 (1 NC) |
| 5’11” | Height | 6’1″ |
| 77″ | Reach | 75″ |
| 4.62 | Strikes Landed Per Min | 2.91 |
| 61% | Takedown Defense | 76% |
| KO Power | Best Weapon | Grappling |
| #5 | UFC Middleweight Rank | #12 |
Sure, Cannonier has ridiculous KO power and Borralho hasn’t faced a striker of this caliber yet. But “The Natural” has an insane motor, technical striking of his own, and a suffocating top game.
Borralho may eat a few shots early, but look for him to weather the storm, dominate grappling exchanges, and pour it on late for a statement win. Don’t be shocked if he taps out a fading Cannonier down the stretch.
The value is too good to pass up here. I’m predicting Borralho gets it done via submission and announces himself as a serious title threat at 185lbs.
Cannonier vs Borralho Pick:
- Caio Borralho via Submission (+300)
Hill vs Ricci Prediction
Angela Hill returns for her 25th UFC bout, tying Jessica Andrade for most appearances by a female fighter. She’ll need every bit of that experience against Brazilian submission threat Tabatha Ricci.
While Ricci has outstanding BJJ and lives to grapple, I don’t see her taking down Hill consistently or controlling her on the mat. Hill’s 76% takedown defense is legit and she’s a master at winning grueling decisions.
I’m banking on “Overkill” to do what she does best – push the pace on the feet, mix in her own grappling, and outwork Ricci down the stretch. It won’t be a cakewalk, but Hill is battle-tested in this exact type of matchup.
Hill vs Ricci Pick:
- Angela Hill ML (+114)
Quick Hits: Other UFC Vegas Bets to Consider
Aside from the top two fights, there’s still plenty of betting value to be found on this card. Here are some of my other favorite plays for UFC Fight Night this Saturday:
Morales vs Magny Over 2.5 Rounds (-180)
Michael Morales is a monster prospect, but laying -900 on the moneyline is just silly. I actually don’t hate Neil Magny at +600 for a huge upset, but the safer play is over 2.5 rounds at -180.
Dennis Buzukja (+130) vs Francis Marshall
If you’re looking for a slobberknocker, look no further than Dennis Buzukja vs Francis Marshall at lightweight. I slightly favor Buzukja as a +130 underdog, thanks to his slick striking and training at Xtreme Couture.
Cong Wang To Win By KO/TKO/DQ (-110) vs Leonardo
Undefeated Wang Cong makes her UFC debut against Victoria Leonardo in a gross mismatch. Bet on Kong via KO/TKO at -110, as Leonardo has major defensive flaws and likely can’t hang at this level.
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
UFC Fight Night is set to showcase some exciting matchups, with two fights in particular catching the attention of fans and bettors alike. In the middleweight division, Jared Cannonier will face off against Bruno Borralho, while Angela Hill will take on Sam Ricci in the women’s strawweight division. Let’s take a closer look at these matchups and analyze the odds, picks, and predictions for each fight.
Jared Cannonier vs Bruno Borralho
Jared Cannonier is coming off a dominant win over Kelvin Gastelum and is looking to continue his momentum against Bruno Borralho. Cannonier is known for his striking prowess and knockout power, making him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the middleweight division. On the other hand, Bruno Borralho is a relatively unknown fighter making his UFC debut. While he may be a talented fighter, he will have his work cut out for him against a seasoned veteran like Cannonier.
The odds for this matchup heavily favor Cannonier, with most sportsbooks listing him as a heavy favorite. With his experience and skill set, it’s not hard to see why. Cannonier should be able to control the pace of the fight and eventually find a way to finish Borralho, either by knockout or submission.
Prediction: Jared Cannonier wins by TKO in the second round.
Angela Hill vs Sam Ricci
In the women’s strawweight division, Angela Hill will face off against Sam Ricci in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Hill is a veteran of the sport and has faced some of the best fighters in the division. She is known for her striking and aggressive fighting style, which has earned her a reputation as a tough opponent to face. Sam Ricci, on the other hand, is a rising star in the division and will be looking to make a statement with a win over Hill.
The odds for this fight are much closer than the Cannonier vs Borralho matchup, with both fighters having a decent chance of coming out on top. Hill’s experience and striking ability give her a slight edge in this matchup, but Ricci’s youth and hunger could make for an interesting fight. Ultimately, it could come down to who can impose their game plan more effectively.
Prediction: Angela Hill wins by unanimous decision.
In conclusion, these two matchups have the potential to be highly entertaining and could provide some great betting opportunities for fans. While Cannonier is the heavy favorite in his fight against Borralho, Hill vs Ricci is a much closer matchup that could go either way. Regardless of the outcomes, UFC Fight Night promises to deliver some thrilling fights for fans to enjoy.