The UFC returns to its desert stronghold with a bantamweight showcase headlining the event, which also features two “Ultimate Fighter” finales. UFC Fight Night 289 will be held this Saturday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas and is available to stream on Paramount+.
Below are the fight previews along with predictions from 11 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts, and videographers.
Melissa Amaya vs. Valesca Machado
- Records: Amaya (8-0 MMA, UFC debut), Machado (15-4 MMA, UFC debut)
- Division: Women’s Strawweight
- Odds (as of 09.26.26): Amaya +170, Machado -205
- MMA Junkie picks: Machado 6 votes, Amaya 5 votes
Mehemmedeli Osmanli vs. Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu
- Records: Osmanli (12-1 MMA, UFC debut), Akylbek Uulu (10-3 MMA, UFC debut)
- Odds (as of 09.26.26): Osmanli -300, Akylbek Uulu +240
- MMA Junkie picks: Osmanli 11 votes, Akylbek Uulu 0 votes
Sedriques Dumas vs. Luis Hernandez
- Records: Dumas (10-5 MMA, 3-5 UFC), Hernandez (8-0 MMA, UFC debut)
- Odds (as of 09.26.26): Dumas +205, Hernandez -250
- MMA Junkie picks: Hernandez 11 votes, Dumas 0 votes
Norma Dumont vs. Ailin Perez
- Records: Dumont (13-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC), Perez (13-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC)
- Division: Women’s Bantamweight
- Rankings: Perez No. 3, Dumont No. 5 and an honorable mention in women’s pound-for-pound
- Odds (as of 09.26.26): Dumont +140, Perez -165
- MMA Junkie picks: Dumont 7 votes, Perez 4 votes
Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Raoni Barcelos
- Records: Rosas Jr. (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), Barcelos (22-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC)
- Rankings: Barcelos No. 14, Rosas Jr. honorable mention
- Odds (as of 09.26.26): Rosas Jr. -155, Barcelos +130
- MMA Junkie picks: Rosas Jr. 7 votes, Barcelos 4 votes
Main Card Picks by MMA Junkie Staff:
- Readers’ consensus (157-82): Rosas (54%), Perez (55%), Hernandez (73%), Osmanli (77%), Amaya (54%)
- Staff predictions feature a mix, with most favoring Osmanli, Hernandez, and mixed opinions on Rosas Jr. and Dumont vs. Perez.
Preliminary Card Picks:
Although they don’t affect official standings, staff also made selections for the prelim fights, leaning mostly toward Nakamura, Vieira, Bellato, Brener, Jackson, Castaneda, and Jauregui.
Source: Originally published on MMA Junkie as “UFC predictions for Rosas-Barcelos, Dumont-Perez, Cop-Criminal, more”
Fan Take: This upcoming UFC event signals a thrilling phase for the bantamweight division, spotlighting both rising stars and established contenders. The outcomes here could shift the landscape significantly, providing fresh matchups and momentum that fans of MMA simply can’t afford to miss.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
