What a night of fights it will be as MMASucka staff picks get set for the final card of this triple-header weekend. The incredibly-stacked UFC 263 will take place later tonight, June 12 from the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. This will be the promotion’s second appearance at the Gila and its return to Arizona for the first time since February of 2019. Tonight’s main card will begin at 10:00pm ET (7:00pm PT) live on pay-per-view.
Make sure to check out our staff picks from Thursday night’s PFL 4 2021 in Atlantic City and Friday night’s Bellator 260 in Uncasville.
UFC 263 Fights
Two sensational title fights are official, the main event for middleweight gold between current champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Marvin Vettori. The two had met once prior in April of 2018, Adesanya taking the close three-round, split decision. After the fight, “The Last Stylebender” would go on to claim the promotional championship over Robert Whittaker and later securing two title defenses. In his last octagon appearance, Adesanya would fall short at becoming a two-divisional king versus light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. Vettori, meanwhile, has remained undefeated following his loss to Adesanya with five straight wins. Dominant five-round decisions over Jack Hermansson and Kevin Holland have led the Italian to his first UFC title shot in hopes to avenge his prior defeat.
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The co-main event sees our second title fight as UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and challenger Brandon Moreno rematch. Their meeting last December may have resulted in a majority draw, but the fight will live on as one of the greatest in both flyweight and promotional history. Brazil’s Figueiredo will look for a potential second title defense and a 21st win in his 23rd professional fight. Mexico’s Moreno aims, once again, to capture his first ever UFC title at just 27 years old.
Also on the main card includes the return of fan-favorite Nate Diaz, 38-fight veteran Demian Maia, and the undefeated Jamahal Hill against their respected opponents. Who comes out victorious? See our staff picks for UFC 263 further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the calendar year, staff picks will be composed of main card fights from UFC and Bellator events and a variety of fights from PFL MMA. Dana White’s Contender Series will make its debut in the summer months.
The WINNER of staff picks in 2021 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or chain from Championship Chains. For the third straight year, Michael DeSantis captured the 2020 victory compiling a record of 201-88.
See our UFC 263: Adesanya vs. Vettori II staff picks below.
Staff Records after UFC Vegas 28:
1T. Wesley Riddle: 76-52
1T. Nate Freeman: 76-52
3T. Michael DeSantis: 74-54
3T. Frazer Krohn: 73-55
5T. Ash Camyab: 70-53
5T. Joshua Yule: 70-53
7. Jeremy Brand: 69-60
8. Mike Lynch: 65-58
9. Mitchell Banuelos: 63-61
10. Kenny Lee: 58-51
11. Andrew Benjamin: 53-61
12. Tim Wheaton: 51-43
13. Matt Bricker: 49-55
14. Brandon Joint: 2-3
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
*Note – PFL 4 2021 & Bellator 260 picks will be added to the above records NEXT weekend*
Paul Craig (14-4-1) vs. Jamahal Hill (8-0, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Hill via UD
Wesley Riddle: Hill via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Hill via Round 1 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Hill via UD
Ash Camyab: Craig via Round 1 SUB
Andrew Benjamin: Hill via UD
Frazer Krohn: Craig via Round 2 SUB
Mike Lynch: Hill via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Hill via Round 2 TKO
Kenny Lee: Hill via Round 1 TKO
Tim Wheaton: Hill via Round 2 TKO
Brandon Joint: Hill via UD
Staff picking Craig: 2
Staff picking Hill: 10
Demian Maia (28-10) vs. Belal Muhammad (18-3, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Muhammad via UD
Wesley Riddle: Muhammad via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Muhammad via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Muhammad via UD
Ash Camyab: Muhammad via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Muhammad via UD
Frazer Krohn: Muhammad via UD
Mike Lynch: Muhammad via UD
Nate Freeman: Muhammad via UD
Kenny Lee: Muhammad via UD
Tim Wheaton: Maia via UD
Brandon Joint: Muhammad via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Maia: 1
Staff picking Muhammad: 11
Leon Edwards (18-3, 1 NC) vs. Nate Diaz (21-12)
Jeremy Brand: Diaz via UD
Wesley Riddle: Edwards via Round 3 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Edwards via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Diaz via UD
Ash Camyab: Edwards via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Diaz via SD
Frazer Krohn: Edwards via UD
Mike Lynch: Diaz via UD
Nate Freeman: Edwards via UD
Kenny Lee: Edwards via Round 2 TKO
Tim Wheaton: Edwards via Round 3 TKO
Brandon Joint: Edwards via UD
Staff picking Edwards: 8
Staff picking Diaz: 4
Deiveson Figueiredo (20-1-1) vs. Brandon Moreno (18-5-2)
Jeremy Brand: Moreno via UD
Wesley Riddle: Figueiredo via Round 4 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Figueiredo via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Figueiredo via Round 3 TKO
Ash Camyab: Figueiredo via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Moreno via Round 4 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Figueiredo via UD
Mike Lynch: Figueiredo via UD
Nate Freeman: Figueiredo via UD
Kenny Lee: Figueiredo via Round 2 TKO
Tim Wheaton: Figueiredo via Round 4 TKO
Brandon Joint: Figueiredo via Round 3 SUB
Staff picking Figueiredo: 10
Staff picking Moreno: 2
Israel Adesanya (20-1) vs. Marvin Vettori (17-4-1)
Jeremy Brand: Adesanya via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Adesanya via Round 5 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Adesanya via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Adesanya via Round 3 TKO
Ash Camyab: Adesanya via Round 5 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Vettori via UD
Frazer Krohn: Adesanya via Round 4 TKO
Mike Lynch: Adesanya via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Adesanya via Round 3 TKO
Kenny Lee: Adesanya via Round 2 TKO
Tim Wheaton: Adesanya via Round 5 TKO
Brandon Joint: Adesanya via UD
Staff picking Adesanya: 11
Staff picking Vettori: 1
UFC 263 FEATURED IMAGE:
Embed from Getty Images
