Saturday brings UFC 332 from Salt Lake City, where a vacant title fight, a crossroads bout, and a full set of betting lines highlight the card. The main event features Natalia Silva taking on Wang Cong for the women’s flyweight championship. Payton Talbott meets two-time former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the co-main event.
The Title Spot
Valentina Shevchenko was sidelined by an injury that will keep her out for at least a year, which required her to give up the women’s flyweight title. A new champion had to be named, and UFC 332 did so. The pairing for the fight put Silva against Cong, with Silva favored at -110 odds.
Silva holds a perfect mark in the UFC and has taken down three straight opponents, all former champions. Cong is an aggressive striker who hits hard and throws a lot of strikes, but she has competed in two fights at a weight outside the standard division, with one of those being her own doing, and she lost a point in her most recent bout. Silva’s defensive discipline should slow Cong, and the selection is Silva by decision.
Talbott’s Crossroads
Talbott sits as a heavy favorite over Figueiredo, but the pick is Talbott via decision at +140. Talbott’s loss to Raoni Barcelos was jarring. He was a massive favorite that night and simply couldn’t handle Barcelos’ takedowns and ground game.
Figueiredo is tough as hell and isn’t an easy out, but he doesn’t carry much power and can’t muscle anyone around at 135 pounds. Talbott has the edge in size, power, reach and strength. He should be able to dictate where the fight takes place, whether that means offensive wrestling or striking.
Gautier’s Durability
Gautier Ateba meets Roman Kopylov in a bout at middleweight, and the choice is Over 1.5 rounds at -155. Gautier is a scary man who has finished nearly all of his wins, while Kopylov has never been stopped by strikes in his career. That durability on Kopylov’s part should carry the contest into its second half.
Soldic’s Punches
Khaos Williams meets Roberto Soldic at -150 odds, with the outcome decided by KO, TKO, or DQ. Soldic carries a solid knockout record, backed by several professional boxing knockouts. Among his 21 pro MMA wins, 18 came by way of KO or TKO. Williams accepts 5.34 strikes per minute, a figure that makes him vulnerable to a fighter as heavy-handed as Soldic.
Green’s Discipline
Esteban Ribovics is the man standing across from King Green, and the pick is Green at +190. Green has won his last four fights, and the two-fight losing run that preceded that stretch does not look so bad when compared to where Mauricio Ruffy and Pimblett sit in the division. Green is simply more disciplined and more defensively sound than Ribovics, who throws strikes without restraint.
Odds and Picks
All bets must be at odds of -250 or better. The picks come via DraftKings Sportsbook, and the selections are designed to get the paper back in the black after a rough 1-3 result for UFC 331.
This season’s record currently stands at 24 wins and 22 losses, which puts the team at a winning percentage of .917. The objective for the upcoming games is straightforward: secure a victory.
The Bottom Line
CBS broadcasts UFC 332 live starting at 8 p.m. ET. Viewers can also stream it on Paramount+, which carries every other UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night.
Most of the picks favor the favorites, but the over-under on Gautier-Kopylov stands apart from the rest, and the Green pick at +190 offers the greatest value available anywhere on the board.
The paper argues the card pairs established stars with rising contenders. The championship bout serves as the main event, while the crossroads fight delivers a rematch of sorts between a former champion and a rising star.
Key Facts Box
– UFC 332: Saturday, Salt Lake City
– Main event: Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong, -110 Silva
– Co-main event: Payton Talbott vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, +140 Talbott via decision
– Gautier-Kopylov: Over 1.5 rounds -155
– Soldic-Williams: Soldic via KO/TKO/DQ -150
– Green-Ribovics: Green +190
– Live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET, also on Paramount+
The selections have been made public. The playing pieces are arranged. The contest is about to begin.
Source material: “UFC 332 predictions, odds, best bets: Natalia Silva, Payton Talbott props, underdog among picks to consider,” CBS Sports.
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