UFC Vegas 85 Predictions: Dolidze vs. Imavov Prelims Picks & Odds

These UFC Vegas 85 prelims predictions and best bets are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sportsbooks, offering a variety of options from the UFC to the NFL and everything in between.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is back at the Apex in Las Vegas this Saturday for UFC Vegas 85 (also known as UFC Fight Night 235).

It’s going to be an exciting night filled with some of the best MMA fighters in the world. Although most UFC bettors are focused on the main card, the preliminary matchups also boast their fair share of betting opportunities.

Saturday, #UFCFightNight: Dolidze vs Imavov live from UFC APEX in Las Vegas

Prelims, 4p ET | Main Card, 7p ET@ESPNPlus, Sirius XM Ch 156

More: https://t.co/AWlMd8e7q9 | #UFCVegas85 | @espnmma pic.twitter.com/T4k6Od0P8E

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 2, 2024

For those unsure of where to get started when it comes to prelim betting, you’ve come to the right place. Keep scrolling for my UFC Vegas 85 preliminary card predictions and best bets.

2024 UFC Prelims Best Bet Record: 4-3-0

UFC Vegas 85 Predictions: Dolidze vs. Imavov Prelims Odds & Picks

The UFC Vegas 85 preliminary card odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Friday, Feb. 2 at 10:57 a.m.

Molly McCann vs. Diana Belbita Prediction — Women’s Strawweight

• Molly McCann (-263)
• Diana Belbita (+223)

Even though Molly McCann (13-6) is the clear-cut favorite, she hasn’t looked that way lately, losing back-to-back outings via submission. Having said that, Diana Belbita (15-8) has lost four of her last six fights, most recently falling to Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision in October.

Having said that, I expect McCann to win. She’s feeling great after cutting weight to make this fight and she’ll be determined to return to the win column. Belbita is tough, but I don’t have a ton of faith in her considering that she was planning on retiring before accepting this fight.

With Belbita having not been finished in nearly four years and Bovada favoring this fight to go the distance, let’s take McCann to win via points.

McCann vs. Belbita Pick: McCann via Points (+100)

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Azat Maksum vs. Charles Johnson Prediction — Flyweight

• Azat Maksum (-225)
• Charles Johnson (+190)

Azat Maksum (17-0) remained undefeated through his UFC debut, scoring a split-decision win over Tyson Nam last July. Meanwhile, Charles Johnson (13-6) hopes to avoid a fourth straight loss when he steps into the octagon this weekend.

Based on how Johnson has performed lately, I can’t doubt Maksum. “Kazakh” has proven to be quite the talented prospect and shouldn’t struggle much against Johnson, who’s 2-4 at the UFC level. It also helps that the odds-on favorite has the four-year youth advantage on his side, too.

Nevertheless, I won’t be surprised if this fight goes the distance, too. On top of Maksum reaching the round limit in his debut, five of Johnson’s last six outings — and each of the last three — featured some form of decision. In other words, take Maksum to win by points at UFC Vegas 85.

Maksum vs. Johnson Pick: Maksum via Points (-125)

Themba Gorimbo vs. Pete Rodriguez Prediction — Welterweight

• Themba Gorimbo (-250)
• Pete Rodriguez (+210)

Themba Gorimbo (11-4) returns to the cage for the first time since a unanimous decision win over Takashi Sato last May. On the flip side, Pete Rodriguez (5-1) is fighting for the first time since knocking out Mike Jackson in October 2020.

Considering how Rodriguez hasn’t fought in over a year, I’m siding with Gorimbo. “The Answer” has a lot going for him, including four- and six-inch advantages when it comes to height and reach, respectively. Rodriguez also absorbs 11.69 significant strikes per minute, which isn’t exactly a winning recipe.

With Gorimbo also being the superior grappler of the two, I smell a submission victory. Rodriguez will do what he can to remain on his feet, but one takedown from the favorite could see this fight end in a flash.

Gorimbo vs. Rodriguez Pick: Gorimbo via Submission (+135)

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Jeong Yeong Lee vs. Blake Bilder Prediction — Featherweight

• Jeong Yeong Lee (-160)
• Blake Bilder (+140)

Jeong Yeong Lee (10-1) heads into UFC Fight Night 235 with a ton of momentum on his side, having won seven consecutive outings. Blake Bilder (8-1-1), on the flip side, is coming off a UD loss to Kyle Nelson at UFC 289 — the first defeat of his career.

I’m unsure how I feel about this fight. Both fighters own near-perfect records but haven’t competed in quite some time. It’s been nearly one year since Lee last fought while Bilder hasn’t been in action since June.

With that in mind, I feel like going with a neutral bet, so let’s predict that this fight won’t go the distance. After all, only two of Lee’s last seven fights went the distance whereas Bilder has only reached the round limit twice in his six previous outings. Regardless of who wins, expect someone to be lying on the mat at the final bell.

Lee vs. Bilder Pick: Fight to Go the Distance? — No (-140)

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UFC Vegas 85 Predictions: Dolidze vs. Imavov Preliminary Picks Cont.

Luana Carolina vs. Julija Stoliarenko Prediction — Women’s Flyweight

"I think they are all sleeping on my striking."

Julija Stoliarenko (@JulijaMMA_LT) aims to prove that she is a well-rounded fighter as she is set to take on Luana Carolina at #UFCVegas85🔊🆙

Fight Card Preview ➡️: https://t.co/xhPJ7AT9Ip

— UFC News (@UFCNews) February 1, 2024

• Luana Carolina (+129)
• Julija Stoliarenko (-149)

Following back-to-back losses, Luana Carolina (9-4) rebounded with a UD victory over Ivana Petrovic last July. Meanwhile, Julija Stoliarenko (11-7-2) pulled off a submission win over Molly McCann in her flyweight debut at UFC London.

I’m going with the favorite here, too. Stoliarenko didn’t look out of place as a flyweight, submitting McCann in less than two minutes. For reference, McCann knocked Carolina out when they clashed in March 2022.

Stoliarenko is a submission expert and will do whatever it takes to get Carolina down to the mat. The underdog has been taken down twice in each of her last four fights, so I won’t be shocked if Stoliarenko follows that game plan en route to another submission victory.

Carolina vs. Stoliarenko Pick: Stoliarenko via Submission (+130)

Landon Quinones vs. Marquel Mederos Prediction — Welterweight

• Landon Quinones (+115)
• Marquel Mederos (-135)

Landon Quinones’ (7-2-1) UFC debut didn’t go as planned as he fell to Nasrat Haqparast, via unanimous decision, five months ago. Marquel Mederos (8-1), meanwhile, makes his debut at UFC Vegas 85 after knocking out four of his last six opponents.

Both welterweights are solid, but I’m taking Mederos. Quinones showed a lack of defense in his debut, absorbing a whopping 11.4 significant strikes per minute. That isn’t a good look as he prepares to face Mederos, who has a 75.0% finish rate with six KO/TKO victories under his belt.

Regardless of how he gets it done, I’m confident that Mederos will win this fight inside of the distance.

Quinones vs. Mederos Pick: Mederos Inside the Distance (+150)

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Thomas Petersen vs. Jamal Pogues Prediction — Heavyweight

• Thomas Petersen (-163)
• Jamal Pogues (+143)

UFC Vegas 85 is filled with debuts, including that of Thomas Petersen (8-1), who’s on a three-fight winning streak. On the other side, Jamal Pogues (10-4) is on bounce-back watch after losing to Michael Parkin (via UD) last July.

Even though I see both brawlers having a decent future in the heavyweight division, I’m backing Petersen. While both heavyweights are great strikers, the Farmington, MN native is the vastly superior wrestler of the two and should be able to take advantage of Pogues’ 66% takedown defense.

At the same time, Petersen doesn’t have the best cardio, so he’ll try to finish this rather than go the distance. I like to throw one juicy betting pick in with my UFC predictions, so let’s take Petersen winning via submission. After all, Pogues has been submitted twice.

Petersen vs. Pogues Pick: Petersen via Submission (+500)

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UFC Vegas 85 Preview FAQ

When is UFC Vegas 85?

• UFC Vegas 85 will take place on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024.

Where is UFC Vegas 85?

• UFC Vegas 85 will take place at the Apex in Las Vegas, NV.

What time does UFC Vegas 85 start?

• Preliminary Card Start Time: 4 p.m. ET
• Main Card Start Time: 7 p.m. ET

How can I watch UFC Vegas 85?

• Preliminary Card Channel: ESPN+
• Main Card Channel: ESPN+

How can I bet on UFC Vegas 85?

• All of the top online sports betting sites will have UFC Vegas 85 odds, but here are some of the sites we recommend most for MMA betting enthusiasts.