Well fights we made it. The Xmas lull in violence is officially over. It’s officially fight week and on Saturday night we head to The Apex for the 1st UFC card of 2025. Now this year this article of mine is gonna change up a little. I’m going to preview each fight on the main card, and then for you betting degenerates, I’ll give you my best bets at the end.

So let’s get into it.

First up we head to the welterweight division.

UROS “The Doctor” MEDIC V PUNAHELE “Puna” SORIANO.

A couple of southpaw fighters who love to throw leather open up the main card for us. Both coming in off a win. So confidence will be high, and if we go off their past fights, this one isn’t going the distance.

I don’t think we need to complicate matters here. Both guys are strikers. If anyone is going to look to take it to the ground it’s going to be Puna. But he likes a firefight too much to do that! This is going to just be who connect first, and/or who’s got the better chin.

I think both guys have KO power, so I am going to side with the guy with the better chin, and the better gas tank. That’s Medic. In 12 fights he’s never been knocked out. Whilst he isn’t the most polished fighter, I have to side with the guy who can take a hit best. Plus Puna has a long history of issues with his gas tank. He did look better last time out as he went 3 rounds. But I can’t forget the multiple times he’s gassed out after round 1. It won’t be easy, but I think Medic will get the job done. Possibly even by KO in the later rounds.

Pick – UROS MEDIC TO WIN.

Next up, it’s all about the featherweight division.

CHRISTIAN “Ceerod” RODRIGUEZ V AUSTIN BASHI.

Fresh off his contract winning performance on DWCS Austin Bashi enters the octagon for the first time as a UFC fighter. Standing across from him is the super talented American Christian Rodriguez. Ceerod will be looking to get back to winning ways, following his upset submission loss to Julian Erosa last time out.

This is a really intriguing one. Bashi is very well regarded at present and the kid has some serious skills. His wrestling in particular is hugely impressive. This is kind of the ultimate acid test to see if the hype is real right off the bat. As Rodriguez is the guy who ended Raul Rosas Jr’s unbeaten start in the UFC. So Ceerod is no stranger to welcoming prospects to the division. I just don’t happen to think Bashi’s pace will drop off in the later rounds. This kid has dedicated his life to becoming a UFC champion, and will be fully prepared for his full debut.

I think we will see some impressive wrestling defence from Rodriguez, but ultimately I just think Bashi’s skills on mat will give him the edge. He’s just going to keep coming. I’m not totally sure Bashi can get the finish, but he will definitely do enough with his relentless wrestling to get the nod on the judges scorecards.

Pick – AUSTIN BASHI TO WIN 

3rd fight on deck, its middleweights baby!

CHRIS “Action Man” CURTIS V ROMAN KOPYLOV

I love this fight. It’s just a banger. Two men who are brilliant strikers, and don’t mind throwing it down for our viewing pleasure.

Chris Curtis is a guy people love to hate. But I don’t know why. Having chatted to him online a number of times, he’s a solid dude. He has no problem playing the villain role though. He comes into the fight off the back of a main event war with Brandon Allen. It’s also his first fight back since he seriously injured his hamstring in that same fight. But surgery and rehab done, the action man is ready to go.

Roman Kopylov and his team of Russian spies (LOL), roll into this one fresh off the back of a super bounce back win over Cesar Almeida. Kopylov is an elite kick-boxer and has absolute dynamite in his fists. He can put your lights out if you can’t take a hit. Luckily for us Chris Curtis is one of the most durable guys around. 3 round war anyone? We shall see.

I flipped and flopped on my winner in this one. I really like Chris, he’s got great boxing and can stand and bag with the best of them. I just worry that at 37 and coming into the cage off a war and surgery, that he cant take out someone as skilled as Kopylov. I hope I’m wrong. My heart says Chris, but my head is shouting Mother Russia. For us the fans I think we will get a great fight. It just happens to be one where I think Kopylov is winning.

Pick – ROMAN KOPYLOV TO WIN.

Is it the 4th fight already? Let’s keep them coming! We stick around at 185lbs!

ABDUL “Judo Thunder” RAZAK ALHASSAN V CESAR “Cesinha” ALMEIDA.

This is another under the radar banger of a match up! The outcome of the fight to me depends completely on the first round.

Alhassan starts fast. Really fast. As in he’s going to come out on fire, march forward and try to take your head off. The guy might mix in his judo, but I’m not sold on him having any joy with that. As Almeida is a strong dude and has solid take down defence. I think it’s going to be business as usual, and Alhassan will look to end this as early as possible.

Thing is if he doesn’t get Almeida out in round 1, he’s losing this fight. Cesar is an extremely talented kick-boxer, and unlike his opponent, he has cardio to go 3 rounds. Even not relying on that, Almeida is still dangerous in Rd 1 cos his striking is crisp! Really crisp. But if you’re putting any faith in the underdog Judo Thunder, it’s Rd 1 or BUST.

I have zero faith in the underdog. So I’ll be taking Almeida to get this one done. He’s just the better fighter and athlete. I’ll probably sprinkle on the 2nd round finish too.

Pick – CESAR ALMEIDA TO WIN

It’s time for the co main event of the evening! 3 rounds in the welterweight division!

SANTIAGO “Argentine Dagger” PONZINIBBIO V CARLSTON “Mocambique” HARRIS.

Now I’ll admit from the off here. I am a HUGE Ponzinibbio fan! I believe if he hadn’t had injury and health problems back in 2018, he would have gone on to bigger things. But that lay off for over 2 years really seemed to affect his trajectory. On his day he’s a problem for anyone. He has great boxing and is literally as tough as nails! The guy is a real fighter. Not the most technically gifted but he can bang, and can bite down and get it done when he needs to. Which I think will serve him well here.

Carlston Harris is a really well rounded fighter. He’s is 4-2 in the UFC and has the skills to get the job done on the feet, or on the floor. He has 11 finishes from his 19 pro wins, split into 5 KOs and 6 submission’s. He lost his last fight though, getting knocked out in the 1st round by Khaos Williams last May. For his sake, I hope his chins recovered because Ponzi can still bang. In 7 months you would think it would have. But he does have a history of getting put out early. In his last 3 loses all of them have been finishes in the 1st round. Admittedly 1 was against Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Im riding with my boy Santiago to get the win here. But I think it will be a war of attrition. I see 3 rounds of action, and a split decision win for the Argentine Dagger!

Pick – SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO TO WIN.

ITS TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING! 5 rounds for the who’s the best Brazilian female fighter at a 115 pounds!

AMANDA RIBAS V MACKENZIE DERN 

It’s number 6 ranked Dern v the number 8 ranked Ribas in what should be an entertaining 5 round affair! And that’s not just because it involves 2 ladies who are fan favourites shall we say.

This is the 2nd time the pair are throwing it down. But the 1st time over 5 rounds. They met back in 2019 with Amanda Ribas taking a unanimous decision win over Dern.

Fast forward 5 years and what’s changed from the first fight? I’d say both have improved. Dern’s stand up game certainly has. Her BJJ has always been the best in the division. But Amanda Ribas is certainly no slouch on the mat either. Ribas has a great BJJ game. It’s just not as good as Derns.

Whilst Mackenzies standup has improved it’s not as good as Amanda’s. But I think if Dern can at least hang it out with her on the feet this time, then she has a chance of doing enough to get the win this time. Her best route to victory is still on the ground, but if she can pose a threat on the feet, it will give her more opportunities to land the take down. I think Ribas will want to keep it standing. Unless ego takes over.

Call it a hunch, call it heart over head. But I think Dern lands the underdog win here. Plus it plays nicely into the hands of a decider further down the line between two fan favourites, who put bums on seats. It won’t be easy, but I’m taking Mackenzie Dern to get this one won.

Pick – MACKENZIE DERN TO WIN 

Finally my best bet for the card. I present to you this parlay for the main card. For more plays checkout my social media @PPDSPORTS X/Insta.

Enjoy the violence.

Phillip Dean @PPDSPORTS for Fight Bananas.