UFC Vegas 109 Preliminary Card Best Bets: Walker to Smash, Edwards to School Opponent
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David Manyun
- August 8, 2025
The UFC is back in the trusty Apex this weekend, and I’m here with the best value plays from top sportsbooks for a Vegas fight card stacked with top-ranked talent from top to bottom.
Let’s waste no more time and dive right into the most noteworthy betting picks and latest odds for the UFC Vegas 109 preliminary card bouts.
UFC Vegas 109 Event Information
- Date & Time: Saturday, August 9, 2025 – 04:00 PM EDT
- Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas
- Scheduled Fights: 12
- Main Event: Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez (UFC Middleweight Bout)
Julius Walker vs. Rafael Cerqueira
UFC Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout
Julius Walker
Failing 90% of his takedown attempts in his UFC debut earlier this year wasn’t a great beginning for Julius Walker. Still, a scrap with Alonzo Menifield in said debut was also a difficult outing for the now 6-1 fighter.
With a huge drop in competition lined up this weekend, can this 26-year-old newcomer finally display what we saw on the regional scene? A lot of wrestling and a lot of violence on the ground!
- Walker Pro Record: 6-1
- Walker KO/TKO Wins: 4
- Walker Submission Wins: 2
Rafael Cerqueira
He is 35, he missed three Dana White Contender Series appearances, and he’s lost both of his UFC bouts inside the distance. We have no idea how this man still holds a contract for the promotion, but do you believe the conspiracy theory that he’s nothing but a lamb to the slaughter for the more promotable and younger 205er in Walker this weekend?
- Cerqueira Pro Record: 11-2-0
- Cerqueira KO/TKO Wins: 8
- Cerqueira Submission Wins: 2
Walker vs. Cerqueira: Fight Tape Analysis
Menefield has never been an easy foe to take down, so we can’t knock Walker for failing at this path to victory. However, is he going to change the blueprint this weekend? It isn’t very likely. Cerqueira’s best path to victory would be to bring back those highlight-reel knockouts he delivered on the Brazilian regional scene, so we should expect his American foe to show him all about freestyle wrestling this weekend.
Thus far, at a UFC level, Cerqueira has shown little tenacity or willingness to stay in the fight when it gets rough. Should Walker get this fight to the mat – which I think he will – then I envision him looking for a way out.
UFC Vegas 109 Preliminary Card Odds & Prediction
The UFC odds make Walker a huge betting favorite, which I don’t agree with. That said, I’m still favoring the younger, faster, more athletic fighter in this bout, who has finished all of his career wins inside the distance.
As mentioned, should this fight hit the ground, Cerqueira will be in trouble. Better yet, I’m not even sure he can hang around on the feet at this level. This doesn’t necessarily mean that I visualize Walker as some top prospect, but with size, strength, youth, and speed all on his side, I like him to find his fifth stoppage win by knockout this weekend over an opponent that’s easily wilted [1.8u returns 1u profit].
Joselyne Edwards vs. Priscila Cachoeira
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Preliminary Bout
Joselyne Edwards
At 29 years old, we’re looking at a prime version of Joselyne Edwards, and that was proven last time out when she completely destroyed Chelsea Chandler in the first round. She’s truly evolved since her early outings, and with five wins from her last seven, including back-to-back stoppage wins, we should be excited to see what she can accomplish this weekend.
- Edwards Pro Record: 15-6
- Edwards KO/TKO Wins: 6
- Edwards Submission Wins: 4
Priscila Cachoeira
She isn’t getting any younger (36), but that didn’t prevent her from walloping Josiane Nunes with a round one knockout in her last bout. She’s certainly fought a higher level of competition than Edwards, but a 5-6 record displays constant inconsistency. And that, my friends, could be a problem versus an opponent high in confidence.
- Cachoeira Pro Record: 13-6
- Cachoeira KO/TKO Wins: 8
- Cachoeira Submission Wins: 0
Edwards vs. Cachoeira: Fight Tape Analysis
Edwards’ high output and five-inch reach advantage will be huge in this fight, where we should anticipate striking exchanges for the most part. And while I know everyone expects lightning to strike thrice with Edwards finding her third straight finish, Cachoeira’s kryptonite has been jiu-jitsu, and her durability on the feet should be commended (0 KO losses).
I expect a jab fest from Edwards where she’ll out-score the Brazilian in every round, but I do not expect this offense to secure a stoppage win. Historically, Cachoeira has won or lost the majority of her bouts via knockout or submission. Still, styles make fights, and once Edwards realizes she has the advantage standing, she won’t need to squander energy by attempting to grapple.
UFC Vegas 109 Preliminary Card Odds & Prediction
The UFC odds make Edwards a significant favorite, and rightfully so. Size, age, speed, and technical striking ability all favor a Panamanian native. We will, however, go against the trend and pick her to win on the scorecards with an even-money price tag [1u returns 1u profit].
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
