UFC 282 Prelims & Early Prelims Predictions, Odds & Picks

UFC 282 is just over 48 hours away, leaving MMA fans buzzing for the upcoming event. Most eyes will be on the main card, specifically to see whether Jan Blachowicz or Magomed Ankalaev wins the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. However, the preliminary and early prelim cards also offer some intriguing bouts that you won’t want to miss.

Regardless, that’s a lot of fights to monitor. Fortunately, Betting News has gathered the latest odds for all of the event’s preliminary and early prelims fights, along with our prediction for each matchup.

UFC 282 Preliminary Card and Odds (Odds as of Thursday, December 8)

The UFC 282 odds listed below are via BetOnline Sportsbook.

Heavyweight: Jairzinho Rozenstruik (-186) vs. Chris Daukaus (+144)

Jairzinho Rozenstruik enters UFC 282 having lost four of his last six matchups, including three of the last four. He was just knocked out by Alexander Volkov back in June, leaving time to tell how he rebounds from just the second TKO loss of his career.

Fortunately for Rozenstruik, Chris Daukaus hasn’t had much luck either. After looking like he was on the rise in UFC, the 33-year-old veteran has since picked up back-to-back losses, getting knocked out in both of those fights.

Though both men haven’t had much success, I just can’t back Daukaus after how he lost his last two fights. I’ll take Rozenstruik getting back on track here, further adding to Daukaus’ KO woes.

Best Bet: Jairzinho Rozenstruik by KO/TKO (-120)

Lightweight: Raul Rosas Jr. (-250) vs. Jay Perrin (+190)

Raul Rosas Jr. made a name for himself in Mexico as a bit of a submission expert. He won four of his first five MMA bouts by submission before being victorious on Dana White's Contender Series 2022 with a unanimous decision win over Mando Gutierrez back in September. Now, Rosas makes his UFC pay-per-view debut.

Though Jay Perrin has more experience here, he’s also had more bad lack as of late. “The Joker” is winless in his last two outings, picking up back-to-back unanimous decision losses to Mario Bautista and Qileng Aori.

Rosas has more to prove here and is hungrier for a better showing. I could see this one going the distance, so give me Rosas winning by decision.

Best Bet: Raul Rosas Jr. by Decision (+190)

Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan (-320) vs. Dalcha Lungiambula (+235)

Edmen Shahbazyan aims to put his losing streak to bed at UFC 282. The Glendale, California native began his MMA career 11-0 but has lost three straight fights — with two of those losses coming by TKO.

Dalcha Lungiambula has also been taking some losses lately, also losing his last three fights. What makes matters worse is that Lungiambula hasn’t even lasted longer than 28 seconds into the second round in either of his last two fights.

Neither man has momentum here, however, I’m siding with Shahbazyan. He’s shown better endurance than Lungiambula lately and also has the four-inch height advantage. With how easily the latter has been defeated, I’m taking Shahbazyan for the KO/TKO win.

Best Bet: Edmen Shahbazyan by KO/TKO (+110)

Middleweight: Chris Curtis (+132) vs. Joaquin Buckley (-170)

Chris Curtis is hungry for more success after a loss to Jack Hermansson five months ago ended his eight-fight winning streak. He knocked out six different opponents during his run-in with success, so don’t be surprised if he looks for the KO early on.

Meanwhile, Joaquin Buckley had a three-fight winning streak ended by Nassourdine Imavov (via unanimous decision) in September. Buckley has looked special at times during his UFC run, making it interesting to see if he can get back on track at T-Mobile Arena.

Though Curtis has 18 more fights under his belt, I’m going with Buckley here. The latter has never lost back-to-back outings in his career and should be able to bounce back due to his youth. Nevertheless, I still see this one going the distance.

Best Bet: Joaquin Buckley by Decision (+390)

UFC 282 Early Prelims Card

Featherweight: Billy Quarantillo (-180) vs. Alexander Hernandez (+140)

A former King of the Cage, Billy Quarantillo has lost two of his last three fights, including a unanimous decision loss to Shane Burgos in his last outing (November 2021). He’ll have his hands full with Alexander Hernandez, who’s been alternating between wins and losses for some time, entering UFC 282 following a submission loss to Renato Moicano.

Hernandez’s latest submission loss showed a weakness that Quarantillo will exploit. The latter is a well-rounded fighter who’s won five times via submission in his career. Considering how Hernandez doesn’t have the greatest takedown/submission defense, I can see him submitting to Quarantillo on Saturday.

Best Bet: Billy Quarantillo by Submission (+700)

Featherweight: T.J. Brown (-111) vs. Erik Silva (-115)

After winning back-to-back fights, T.J. Brown picked up a unanimous decision loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke back in June to end his momentum. Getting back on track won’t be easy, especially as Brown must take on Erik Silva, who’s been victorious in each of his last eight appearances.

Although the odds show that this UFC 282 bout could go either way, I’m going with Silva as the winner. He has more momentum on his side and has the bigger incentive to win as he’s set to make his UFC PPV debut.

Best Bet: Erik Silva Moneyline (-115)

Flyweight: Vinicius Salvador (-250) vs. Daniel Lacerda (+190)

Vinicius Salvador enters UFC 282 on one of the better runs of his career, having won each of his last four fights by TKO. Standing in his way of continuing that streak is Daniel Lacerda, who’s dropped three consecutive outings — the longest losing streak he’s ever faced.

Unfortunately for Lacerda, this just isn’t a great matchup for him. He’s been knocked out in two of his last three losses and must face Salvador, who’s achieved 13 of his 14 career wins by KO/TKO. I predict he’ll add to that total, knocking Lacerda out this weekend.

Best Bet: Vinicius Salvador by KO/TKO (-145)

Bantamweight: Cameron Saaiman (-400) vs. Steven Koslow (+285)

Lastly, Cameron Saaiman looks to improve his MMA record to 7-0 when he makes his UFC PPV debut, too, recently scoring a KO win over Josh Wang Kim on Dana White's Contender Series 2022. He must now face an opponent who’s also 6-0 as Steven Koslow is set to make his company debut on Saturday.

As far as the winner goes, I’m going with Saaiman. Koslow hasn’t had much time to prepare for this fight, only stepping in for the sidelined Ronnie Lawrence on Nov. 30. With Saaiman as heavily favored as he is, I’ll take him winning by knockout.

Best Bet: Cameron Saaiman by KO/TKO (+100)

UFC 282 Event Details

When is UFC 282?

UFC 282 will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022.

Where is UFC 282?

UFC 282 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

What time does UFC 282 start?

• UFC 282 Early Prelims Start Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
• UFC 282 Prelims Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Start Time of UFC 282’s Main Card: 10 p.m. ET

How can I watch UFC 282?

The early prelims will be available on UFC Fight Pass, while the prelims will be available on both ESPN2 and ESPN+, and the main card will be available via pay-per-view (which can be ordered through the ESPN+ app).

Other UFC 282 Articles on Betting News

• UFC 282: Błachowicz vs. Ankalaev Full Fight Card, Betting Odds & Date
• Jan Blachowicz vs Magomed Ankalaev UFC 282 Betting: Who Takes Home the Light Heavyweight Championship?