UFC Vegas 118 Staff Picks: Former Champion Meets Surging Contender
UFC Vegas 118 happens tonight. Our staff picks are in. Who did our guys choose?
Welterweight contenders collide in the main event of UFC Vegas 118, as former champion Belal Muhammad attempts to defend his position in the top five when he faces Brazilian standout Gabriel Bonfim. In the second to last bout of the evening, middleweight luminary Brendan Allen continues his warpath towards a title shot as he trades blows with Edmen Shahbazyan.
UFC Vegas 118 Main Event
Making his way back into the spotlight, Muhammad is seeking to realize his first victory since dropping his previous championship at UFC 315. More motivated than ever to take back his throne, “Remember the Name” is eager to play spoiler for the ascension of the rising Bonfim.
Riding a four-fight win streak, Bonfim has emerged as one of the 170-lb division’s top athletes. Coming off of an amazing knockout win over the durable Randy Brown, “Marretinha” is looking to add a former title-holder to his growing resume.
UFC Vegas 118 Co-Main Event
Since suffering a disappointing setback to Anthony Hernandez in early 2025, Allen has rattled off two spectacular wins in a row, including a main event triumph over Reinier de Ridder in his last time out. Wanting to make his case for a shot at the belt, “All In” is on a mission to put on a monumental performance this Saturday.
Following a long string of ups and downs in the Octagon, Shahbazyan has finally rediscovered his stride as a fighter. Winning his last three consecutive matches, including two by knockout, “The Golden Boy” now finds himself just a single punch away from retaking his place in the middleweight top 15.
More Bouts On the UFC Vegas 118 Main Card
Rounding out the main card, French sensation Farès Ziam battles Tom Nolan. Then, Ultimate Fighter alum Bryce Mitchell takes on Santiago Luna. Finally, Polish wrecking ball Iwo Baraniewski locks horns with late-replacement Junior Tafa.
UFC Vegas 118 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
-
UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
-
PFL picks from main cards for both pay-per-views and regular events.
-
ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.
Find our UFC Vegas 118 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Macau:
1. Hank Strandberg: 84-40
2. Frazer Krohn: 69-55
3. Drew Zuhosky: 58-69
4. Andrew Benjamin: 18-18
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Iwo Baraniewski -360
Vs.
Junior Tafa +295
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Baraniewski by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Tafa by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Baraniewski by First Round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Williams by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Baraniewski: 2
Staff picking Tafa: 1
Bryce Mitchell -125
Vs.
Santiago Luna +105
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg:Mitchellby First Round Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Mitchell by First Round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Mitchell by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Cuamba by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Mitchell: 3
Staff picking Luna: 0
Farès Ziam -300
Vs.
Tom Nolan +250
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Ziam by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Ziam by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Ziam by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Edwards by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Ziam: 3
Staff picking Nolan: 0
Brendan Allen -175
Vs.
Edmen Shahbazyan +150
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg:Allen by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Allen by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Allen by Second Round Submission
Andrew Benjamin: Díaz by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Allen: 3
Staff picking Shahbazyan: 0
Belal Muhammad -110
Vs.
Gabriel Bonfim -110
WELTERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg:Bonfim by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Muhammad by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Bonfim by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Santos by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Muhammad: 1
Staff picking Bonfim: 2
