UFC in Vegas 16 Free Betting Tips and Predictions: Jack Hermansson vs. Marvin Vettori

01 December 2020
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UFC Octagon

The Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) returns this weekend for another highly anticipated fight card. Read on for our betting picks and free UFC predictions for UFC in Vegas 16: headlined by Jack Hermansson and Marvin Vettori.

Damon Jackson vs. Ilia Topuria

UFC Featherweight Bout

UFC in Vegas 16 takes place on Saturday, December the 5th, live from the UFC Apex Centre in Las Vegas

Damon Jackson

  • Age: 32
  • Nationality: USA
  • Record: 18-3-0
  • Height: 5ft 11"
  • Reach: 71"
  • Gym: Fortis MMA
  • Notable Gym Members: Uriah Hall, Geoff Neal & Ryan Spann
  • Current Streak: 2 wins
  • Wins by KO/TKO: 3
  • Wins by Submission: 14
  • Decision wins: 1


Two fresh-faces to the UFC featherweight division will cross paths this weekend, and the older – more experienced competitor in Damon Jackson will undoubtedly be hoping to shock critics as the heavy underdog, for the second time in the UFC.

From twenty-two professional MMA bouts Jackson has achieved fourteen wins by way of submission, which can explain his nickname 'The Leech'.

Topuria

  • Age: 23
  • Nationality: Georgia
  • Record: 9-0-0
  • Height: 5ft 7."
  • Reach: 69"
  • Gym: Climate Club
  • Notable Gym Members: N/A
  • Current Streak: 9 wins
  • Wins by KO/TKO: 1
  • Wins by Submission: 7
  • Decision wins: 1

Former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion and new UFC featherweight challenger Ilia Topuria will make a quick turnaround after his successful UFC debut less than eight weeks ago. After an ultra-impressive introduction to the UFC fans, the Greco-Roman wrestler in Ilia Topuria will be welcoming the style of Jackson after the performance versus Misrad Bektic.

When you combine a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a robust Greco-Roman wrestling offence, you are gifted with the highlight reels of Ilia Topuria. Still young (25) in age and experience, you would not know the difference in watching his in-octagon achievements.

Fight Prediction

Contrary to what your wife tells you, size is not everything, and I believe Ilia Topuria will prove that this weekend. Giving up the heigh and reach advantage should not become an issue when Jackson has penetrated the canvas.

UFC Vegas 16 Free Betting Pick: Ilia Topuria to win @ 1.45 [-222] with Unibet

Jordan Leavitt vs. Matt Wiman

UFC Heavyweight Bout

UFC in Vegas 16 takes place on Saturday, December the 5th, live from the UFC Apex Centre in Las Vegas

Jordan Leavitt

  • Age: 25
  • Nationality: USA
  • Record: 7-0
  • Height: 5ft 9"
  • Reach: 71"
  • Gym: Syndicate MMA
  • Notable Gym Members: Michael Chiesa, Joanne Calderwood & John Makdessi
  • Current Streak: 7 wins
  • Wins by KO/TKO: 0
  • Wins by Submission: 5
  • Decision wins: 2


Seven professional fights and seven wins, the 'Dana Whites Contender Series' standout Jordan Leavitt should be comfortable making his official UFC debut this weekend. The Apex Centre is a familiar setting and in a battle of ground transitions and positioning, Leavitt is an expert and will not stray from what he knows best.

An evident heavy grappling presence is Khabib-esque, not in style but work rate – Leavitt doesn't stop pressuring his game plan until his hand is raised. He's no stranger to a finish either, finishing five of his seven pro fights.

Matt Wiman

  • Age: 37
  • Nationality: USA
  • Record: 16-9-0
  • Height: 5ft 10".
  • Reach: 68"
  • Gym: Ironside MMA
  • Notable Gym Members: James Vick? Maybe…
  • Current Streak: 2 losses
  • Wins by KO/TKO: 4
  • Wins by Submission: 5
  • Decision wins: 7


Matt Wiman has been on the UFC roster for over a decade and has all the experience a typical UFC veteran has to offer, but with such a long layoff during his career – I fear that long-term ring rust and set in and there isn't a can of WD40 that could fix these problems.

We saw the return of Wiman in 2019, after a five-year absence and a TKO loss, it became clear that the level of competition had surpassed him.

Now faced with a relentless grappler in his mid-20's, the thirty-seven-year-old is going to struggle in maintaining the pace.
Fight Prediction

After the beating Luis Pena put on Matt Wiman, it isn't easy envisioning a comeback of any kind. If Dana doesn't sympathise with Wiman and cancel his contract, he'll be used as nothing more than bait for new contenders to make a name *cough* Leavitt *cough*.

Still young, but with a great team around him, Jordan Leavitt has the tools to get the job done, and I cannot see this fight playing out any other way. Relentless takedowns and submission attempts will tire Wiman into making a mistake - Leavitt for the submission win.

UFC Vegas 16 Free Betting Pick: Jordan Leavitt to win inside the distance @ 1.91 [-104] with Bet365 (visit our Bet365 Review)