UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. Taira predictions, odds, props: MMA expert releases surprising fight card picks

Veteran flyweight contender and former title challenger Alex Perez will look to gain the upper hand for another title shot on Saturday when he faces undefeated Tatsuro Taira. The UFC main fight card is scheduled for 10pm ET at the Apex facility in Las Vegas. Perez, ranked fifth, has lost three of his last four, but in the flyweight division, which lacks depth, he likely remains just a win or two away from being considered for another title shot. To do so, he must tarnish the unbeaten record of 13th-ranked Taira, who has won all five of his UFC matches and will emerge as a new title contender should he record a landmark victory.

Taira is a -180 favorite (risk $180 to win $100), while Perez comes back at +150 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. UFC odds. The co-main event features a middleweight clash, with Ikram Aliskerov (-900) taking on Antonio Trocoli (+600). Before securing your picks for UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. be sure to see MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani.

From analyzing film and closely following fighters and their camps, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the entire breadth of the MMA betting landscape, from top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and regularly talks to MMA fighters to understand the nuances of the sport.

Vithlani made his SportsLine debut in January 2023 and won the UFC 283 main card with a 5-0 record and has been a consistent winner ever since. Over the last 12 UFC pay-per-view events, Vithlani has had an 8-4 record on main event picks and his main card selections over that span have netted his followers a profit of more than $1,500.

His highlights include predicting an upset for Sean O’Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292 as part of a 4-1 main card and his UFC 299 winners included underdog selections in Poirier (+190 ) against Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130). Anyone who followed him saw massive returns.

Now, with UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. Taira in sight, Vithlani studied the card from top to bottom and revealed his top UFC picks. You can only see these picks on SportsLine.

UFC Fight Night: Perez vs Taira preview

It’s rare that a fighter with losses in three of his last four fights can still maintain a top-five ranking in the UFC, but such is the state of the lack of depth in the flyweight division. The 125-pound division has been repeatedly considered for elimination by UFC bosses, but survived the most recent audit because of an increase in fighters with star potential.

To be fair, Perez (25-8) is 7-4 in 11 UFC starts since his debut in 2017, and three of his four losses have come to former champions or title contenders. Still, a three-game losing streak over a four-year period would normally be enough to at least send a prominent contender to the bottom of the top 15 rankings.

Perez’s misfortune began with a title fight loss to Deiveson Figueiredo, who has since moved up to bantamweight. Perez then lost fights to current champion Alexandre Pantoja and Muahmmad Mokaev, who is currently ranked 6th in the category.

Because of his opponents’ pedigree and lack of competition, the 32-year-old Californian was still considered a viable flyweight contender. He finally backed up that claim with a second-round knockout of eighth-ranked Matheus Nicolau in April, earning a performance bonus in the process.

Now, Perez serves as a litmus test for a rising prospect in a division that desperately needs new blood at the top. Taira (15-0) is a former champion of the Shooto promotion who impressed by winning his first five UFC fights, with three stoppages on his record.

The 24-year-old Japanese fighter showed off a strong stand-up game with a second-round knockout over fellow fighter Carlos Hernandez last September. He has four knockouts and seven submissions among his 15 professional wins, and an impressive performance on Saturday could propel him into the top five in the rankings. You can only see who to support at UFC Fight Night here.

UFC Fight Night Predictions

We’ll share one of Vithlani’s UFC Fight Night picks here: He goes with Garrett Armfield (-175) to raise his hand against Brady Hiestand (+150) in a battle of bantamweight prospects to kick off the main card.

Armfield (10-3) is a versatile fighter who joined the UFC after successful stints in promotions such as Shamrock FC and Cage Fury Fighting Championships. The 27-year-old Missouri native has won two fights in a row following a loss in his UFC debut and is coming off a decision win over fellow fighter Brad Katona in January.

Hiestand (7-2) is an explosive fighter and powerful puncher who has also reeled off two straight wins after losing a split decision in his UFC debut. The 25-year-old Washington native is looking to build on a third-round stoppage over Batgerel Danaa last April.

“On the feet, I give Armfield a clear advantage. Hiestand’s attacking defense is porous and Armfield’s boxing continues to improve. Hiestand hasn’t given up, but I feel he will be outclassed,” Vithlani told SportsLine. See who else can return here.

How to make choices in UFC Fight Night

Vithlani also has strong choices for Perez vs. Taira and other fights on the UFC Fight Night card. He is also backing a fighter who “has superior talent and well-rounded skills” to emerge with a dominant victory. These picks and Vithlani’s analysis are only available on SportsLine.

Who wins UFC Fight Night: Perez vs Taira, and how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now for in-depth UFC Fight Night picks, all from the MMA expert who cashed in more than $1,500 on UFC main card picksand find out.

UFC Fight Night odds, fight card

See all the UFC Fight Night picks, predictions and best bets here.
Tatsuro Taira (-180) x Alex Perez (+150)
Ikram Aliskerov (-900) vs Antonio Trocoli (+600)
Timóteo Cumaba (-195) x Lucas Almeida (+165)
Douglas Silva de Andrade (+105) x Miles Johns (-125)
Assu Almabayev (-550) x José Johnson (+410)
Brady Hiestand (+150) vs.
Tagir Ulanbekov (-245) vs.
Nate Maness (-450) vs.
Adam Fugitt (+105) vs.
Carli Judice (+200) x Gabriella Fernandes (-240)
Jeka Saragih (-355) vs.
Josefine Knutsson (-245) x Julia Polastri (+200)