After a rare week off, the UFC returns with a Middleweight main event taking place in Paris in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Russian born Frenchman Nassourdine Imavov brings a four fight win streak into this headline fight against Brazilian Caio Barralho in what shapes as a massive fight for the division top end.
There are plenty of Europeans on this card and plenty of opportunities to build a bank.
My best betting plays can be found below.
Imavov made his UFC debut in October 2020 and has enjoyed a steady rise in the division ever since.
He lost a majority decision in just his second appearance in the UFC but has just one other loss in 11 total fights in the promotion.
Since the start of 2024 he has beaten Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, Brendan Allen and Israel Adesanya.
The 30 year old will now make a very real case for a title shot should he get the victory in front of his home fans.
A part of the ever popular ‘Fighting Nerds’ Caio Barralho is on a tear of his own in the division and is now unbeaten in his last 17 pro MMA fights since 2016.
The 32 year old won a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021 and has passed every test since entering the biggest promotion in the sport.
Five of his last seven fights have required the judges decision but he has both a black belt in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
This will be a cracking main event but I’m sticking with the local who has fought and beat better quality fighters in recent times.
Former French Army Special Forces soldier Benoit Saint-Denis entered the UFC in 2021 and lost his very first fight in the promotion via decision.
He then went on a five fight winning streak which earned him a shot against Dustin Poirier, a fight which he lost via second round knock out.
Just six months later he lost to Renato Moicano via a doctor’s stoppage but he broke that losing streak with a submission win just two months ago in Canada.
Mauricio Ruffy will be another representative of the Fighting Nerds and is looking to continue the amazing run of success for that gym in recent times.
With just one loss on his pro MMA resume, Ruffy has won all three of his fights in the UFC since making his debut in May 2024.
A vicious spinning wheel kick KO of Bobby Green in Vegas in March has catapulted Ruffy into title contention but he will need to get over the local to keep that consideration alive.
BSD is a dangerous and experienced grappler but we have seen in recent times that his chin may be suspect with the right shot.
Mauricio Ruffy has the striking ability to trouble his opponent and I’m expecting his momentum to continue.
There haven’t been many UFC fighters from Belgium over the years but Bolaji Oki will represent the country on this card and doesn’t have to travel far!
He made his UFC debut at the start of 2024 and has gone 2-1 in that time.
That loss came against an experienced fighter in Chris Duncan via submission but he bounced back with a professional decision win in May.
Mason Jones is a Welsh fighter who holds a black belt in Judo and BJJ.
The 30 year old had mixed results during his initial contract in the UFC back in 2021/22 with one win, two losses and a no contest from four fights before being dropped by the promotion.
He then won four fights in a row in Cage Warriors and beat veteran Jeremy Stephens upon return to the UFC earlier this year.
A much more polished, experienced and determined Mason Jones has my money in what looks a great match up on paper.