UFC Winnipeg Staff Picks: Exciting Welterweight Prospect Looks to Shine
UFC Winnipeg is set to go down this weekend, with Canadian folk hero Mike Malott gearing up for a major main event showcasing opposite Brazilian legend Gilbert Burns. Before that, the bantamweights take over the cage, with Kyler Phillips and Charl...
UFC Winnipeg is set to go down this weekend, with Canadian folk hero Mike Malott gearing up for a major main event showcasing opposite Brazilian legend Gilbert Burns. Before that, the bantamweights take over the cage, with Kyler Phillips and Charles Jourdain meeting in a pivotal clash between prospects in the UFC Winnipeg co-main event.
UFC Winnipeg Main Event
For much of his run at welterweight, Burns has remained one of the most elite fighters in the weight class, with him even challenging for the belt in what became the hardest defense of then champion Kamaru Usman’s reign. Recently, however, a four-fight losing skid has seen “Durinho” begin to slip away from top-contender status, with two of his last losses ending in knockouts ahead of UFC Winnipeg.
For the fifth straight time, Malott steps into the Octagon inside a Canadian venue. Compiling a splendid three-fight win streak, “Proper” is seeking to record another fantastic performance in his first promotional main event.
UFC Winnipeg Co-Main Event
Joining the UFC in 2020, Phillips has remained a stellar competitor at 135-lb, proven by his triumphs over fellow organizational veterans in Pedro Munhoz and Song Yadong. Over the last year, however, “The Matrix” has been unable to get much momentum going up the stacked bantamweight ladder, with disappointing losses to Rob Font and Vinicius Oliveira keeping him from entering the upper echelon of the division.
Following an extensive run at featherweight that saw him go 6-6-1 in his last 13 contests, Jourdain opted instead to move down in weight for the very first time in his career. Although he had more pounds to cut as a bantamweight, the transition has paid off in dividends for “Air,” with him winning his last two consecutive bouts, stopping both Victor Henry and Davey Grant by submission.
More Bouts On the UFC Winnipeg Main Card
Rounding out the UFC Winnipeg main card, Mandel Nallo and Jai Herbert face off. Then, Jasmine Jasudavicius and Karine Silva collide in a fun women’s flyweight scrap. Also, lightweight luminary Thiago Moisés battles Gauge Young. Finally, New York fighter Dennis Buzukja clashes with Márcio Barbosa.
UFC Winnipeg Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate 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 Winnipeg picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL Belfast:
- Hank Strandberg: 45-26
- Frazer Krohn: 41-31
- Drew Zuhosky: 31-39
- Andrew Benjamin: 11-10
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Márcio Barbosa -450
Vs.
Dennis Buzukja +350
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Barbosa by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Barbosa by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Barbosa by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Barbosa: 3
Staff picking Buzukja: 0
Gauge Young -133
Vs.
Thiago Moisés +113
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Moisés by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Young by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Moisés by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Young: 1
Staff picking Moisés: 2
Jasmine Jasudavicius -300
Vs.
Karine Silva +250
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Jasudavicius by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Jasudavicius by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Jasudavicius by Split Decision
Staff picking Jasudavicius: 3
Staff picking Silva: 0
Mandel Nallo -170
Vs.
Jai Herbert +145
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Nallo by Second Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Herbert by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Herbert by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Nallo: 1
Staff picking Herbert: 2
Charles Jourdain -145
Vs.
Kyler Phillips +125
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Jourdain by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Jourdain by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Jourdain by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Jourdain: 3
Staff picking Phillips: 0
Mike Malott -280
Vs.
Gilbert Burns +240
WELTERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Malott by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Malott by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Burns by Third Round Knockout
Staff picking Malott: 2
Staff picking Burns: 1
