UFC Showdown Forecast: Burns versus Brady Battle Predictions

Rewritten Article:

UFC Vegas 97: Burns and Brady Battle for Welterweight Dominance

Gilbert "Durinho" Burns, former welterweight title challenger, steps into the Octagon once more, this time versus rising star Sean Brady in the main event of UFC Vegas 97 on Saturday night (Sunday morning for South African fans), writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

This intense showdown in the 170-pound division won't be short on action. In the co-headliner, former strawweight queen Jessica Andrade dukes it out with Natalia Silva in an enticing flyweight contest. The featured bout features featherweights Steve Garcia and Kyle Nelson, while lightweight tilts between Trevor Peek and Yanal Ashmouz, and Rongzhu vs. Chris Padilla, round out an exciting card.

Place Your Bets: UFC Fight Night

Main Card: (from 1 AM Sunday SA time)

Gilbert Burns (2.50) v Sean Brady (1.55) (Welterweight)

Veteran Burns (22-7) seeks redemption after losing back-to-back bouts, the first time in his 12-year career. He was outworked by Belal Muhammad last May, and nearly had a decision win over Jack Della Maddalena in March before the Australian rallied to score a third-round knockout. However, Burns boasts a pedigree, having taken down legendary fighters like Jorge Masvidal, Stephen Thompson, and Tyron Woodley at the highest level.

Meanwhile, Brady (16-1) aims to capitalize on the biggest fight of his career, hell-bent on becoming the first man to submit Burns. The eighth-ranked hopeful bounced back from his sole career loss (a TKO defeat at the hands of Muhammad) with a submission win over Kelvin Gastelum in December. A cardio machine and jiu-jitsu specialist, Brady will look to maximize his chance at the main event by earning a top-tier victory.

Prediction: Burns by decision.

Best Bet: Burns at 2.50.

Alternative Bet: Burns by decision at 6.00.

Jessica Andrade (3.50) v Natalia Silva (1.32) (Flyweight)

Departing from her prime, Andrade (26-12) is still a force to be reckoned with, sitting fourth in the flyweight rankings following her current two-win streak against Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez. With a respected reputation in the MMA world, "Bate Estaca" is a powerful striker and gifted grappler.

Silva (17-5-1), an undefeated UFC competitor, has surged up the rankings, earning her eighth spot in the division after str MacKenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez in five straight wins since joining the promotion in 2022. If anyone can challenge Andrade, it's likely Silva, who boasts impressive striking and submission skills, and an advantage in speed, reach, and size.

Prediction: Andrade by decision.

Best Bet: Andrade at 3.50.

Alternative Bet: Andrade by decision at 7.00.

Steve Garcia (1.54) v Kyle Nelson (2.54) (Featherweight)

This featured bout pits two streaking featherweights against each other. Steve Garcia (16-5) has won four straight fights, all by knockout, while Kyle Nelson (16-5-1) is unbeaten in his last four bouts, having outworked Blake Bilder and Fernando Padilla before knocking out Bill Algeo in March.

Garcia, a savage southpaw striker with powerful punches, has never looked better and is primed for another big performance. Nelson, a solid all-arounder with undeniable cardio, will rely on his ability to outwork Garcia and weather the powerful strikes.

Prediction: Garcia by knockout.

Best Bet: Garcia by KO/TKO/DQ at 1.74.

Alternative Bet: Garcia at 1.54.

Trevor Peek (1.80) v Yanal Ashmouz (2.05) (Lightweight)

A Fight of the Night contender is in store for this lightweight showdown between Peek and Ashmouz, both men coming off defeats and determined to get back on track. Peek, a pure striker with an 88% takedown defense, has struggled against smoother stand-up fighters due to technical deficiencies. Ashmouz, a decent grappler, enjoys a strong reach advantage and has an impressive knockout record.

Prediction: Peek by knockout.

Best Bet: Peek at 1.80.

Alternative Bet: Peek by KO/TKO/DQ at 3.75.

Rongzhu (1.43) v Chris Padilla (2.90) (Lightweight)

The main card opener features the return of Rongzhu, a promising young fighter who once competed in the UFC and is now back for redemption. With a four-fight win streak and a victory in the Road to UFC 2 lightweight tournament, the 24-year-old aims to make a successful comeback to the promotion. Standing in his way is Padilla, who earned an upset submission win in his UFC debut against James Llontop in April and plans to use his grappling skills once again.

Prediction: Rongzhu by decision.

Best Bet: Rongzhu by decision at 3.50.

Alternative Bet: Rongzhu at 1.43.

About the Author:Quintin van Jaarsveld, a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year, provides expert analysis on UFC Vegas 97. With over 15 years of experience in the sports writing industry, he currently works as a freelance sports journalist. Stay tuned for more UFC action!

For rugby enthusiasts eager to try their hand at sports betting, the upcoming UFC Vegas 97 event offers odds on several fights, including the main event between Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady, with Burns currently priced at 2.50.
Besides betting on the main event, rugby fans can also place wagers on the co-headliner featuring Jessica Andrade and Natalia Silva in a flyweight contest, with Andrade currently priced at 3.50 by sportsbooks.