The greatest sport on the planet returns for the first time in 2025 this Sunday in the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The card is headlined by a Women’s Strawweight fight between two Brazilian’s in Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas.
UFC fans have been starved of fights in recent weeks but the wait is finally over with a stellar card in front of them this weekend.
We’ve completed our homework and our full preview and tips can be found below.
Mackenzie Dern vs Amanda Ribas
During her early MMA career Mackenzie Dern seemed destined to fight UFC gold as she won six of her first fights in the biggest promotion in the sport.
The only loss she had in that time was a decision to her opponent in this match up, Amanda Ribas.
She comes into this challenge having won three of her past seven and at 31 years of age it looms as an important one if she ever wants a title shot.
Amanda Ribas won her first four fights in the UFC, including that win over Dern, but has also won just three of her last seven.
Both of these women are excellent grapplers but are more than capable should the fight take place on the feet as well.
This is set to be a very competitive main event between two evenly matched opponents and I have it more even then the betting market suggests and therefore I recommend the underdog.
2 Units Mackenzie Dern @ $2.60
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Carlston Harris
A veteran of 37 career MMA fights, Santiago Ponzinibbio made his UFC debut way back in 2013 and actually beat a very young Sean Strickland in his third fight in the UFC.
At one stage he put together a seven fight win streak which included wins over Mike Perry and Neil Magny but has just two wins from his last seven heading into this co main event.
His opponent, Carlston Harris has a record of four wins and two losses in the UFC since debuting in 2021.
The 37 year old Brazilian is an inventive and unorthodox grappler who has three career wins via an anaconda choke submission so don’t be surprised if he takes this fight to the canvas.
Ponzinibbio is a season BJJ black belt so he may welcome the challenge should the ground game chess match be posed to him.
A very evenly matched fight between two dangerous and experienced men who are capable of a finish.
1 Unit Fight Not To Go The Distance
Cesar Almeida vs Abdul Razak Alhassan
Cesar Almeida is a Brazilian kickboxer who won 47 of his 57 professional kickboxing fights before winning a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023.
He has won two of his three fights inside the octagon, the only loss was a split decision to Roman Kopylov.
Abdul Razak Alhassan is a brutal striker himself, evident by his 100% knockout strike rate of 12 wins and 12 KO victories.
This includes a one punch KO of Niko Price and head kick KO of Alessio Di Chirico.
However he has managed just two wins in his last eight fights including a No Contest and a split decision loss.
While Alhassan is an excellent Muay Thai practitioner, Almeida is on another level and that is where my money will be.
2 Units Cesar Almeida By KO/TKO