UFC Macau Staff Picks: Bantamweight Contenders Clash in China
UFC Macau takes place Saturday from Galaxy Arena. Who did the MMA Sucka staff pick to win?
From the venerable Galaxy Arena, UFC Macau is looking to bring the action with a special early morning show. Taking top billing for the event, Chinese striking specialist Song Yadong aims to kickstart another run toward the belt when he faces former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. In the co-main event, light heavyweight finishers Zhang Mingyang and Alonzo Menifield collide in an exciting scrap between two stellar knockout artists.
UFC Macau Main Event
Starting off his 2026 run this last January at UFC 324, Yadong suffered a controversial unanimous decision to previous 135-lb king Sean O’Malley. Now locking horns with another man who once held UFC gold, “The Kung Fu Kid” is out to prove that he does have what it takes to reach the next level in the division.
In his short almost three year stint with the bantamweight class, Figueiredo has shared the Octagon with some of the best the weight category has to offer, garnering an overall divisional record of 4-3. Despite his advanced age of 38, “Deus Da Guerra” still holds the power to end bouts in a matter of seconds, something he is seeking to do against the hometown defender in Yadong.
UFC Macau Co-Main Event
Popular for his penchant for first round stoppages, Mingyang is welcomed for his second straight contest on home soil. Coming off of the first loss of his UFC tenure last year, he is back to show that the fans haven’t seen the best of the “Mountain Tiger
A staple addition of the light heavyweight elite for a handful of years, Menifield has produced a litany of high light reel finishes. Back in the top 15 after procuring a 2-1 record in his last three fights, “Atomic” is on a mission to spoil the comeback of his Chinese adversary.
More Bouts On the UFC Macau Main Card
Rounding out the main card, Sergei Pavlovich and Tallison Teixeira trade blows. Then, Kai Asakura and Cameron Smotherman clash. Also, Jake Matthews and Carlston Harris face off. Finally, Alex Perez and Su Mudaerji kick off the main card festivities.
UFC Macau 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).
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UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
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PFL picks from main cards for both pay-per-views and regular events.
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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 Macau picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL MENA 9:
1. Hank Strandberg: 80-39
2. Frazer Krohn: 66-53
3. Drew Zuhosky: 57-65
4. Andrew Benjamin: 18-18
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Alex Perez -127
Vs.
Su Mudaerji +107
FLYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Perez by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Perez by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Perez by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Perez: 3
Staff picking Mudaerji: 0
Jake Matthews -500
Vs.
Carlston Harris +375
WELTERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Matthews by Second Round Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Harris by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Harris by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Matthews: 1
Staff picking Harris: 3
Kai Asakura -250
Vs.
Cameron Smotherman +210
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Asakura by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Smotherman by First Round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Asakura by First Round Knockout
Staff picking Asakura: 2
Staff picking Smotherman: 1
Sergei Pavlovich -600
Vs.
Talison Teixeira +425
HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Pavlovich by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Teixeira by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Pavlovich by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Pavlovich: 2
Staff picking Teixeira: 1
Mingyang Zhang -240
Vs.
Alonzo Menifield +205
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Zhang by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Zhang by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Zhang by Second Round Submission
Staff picking Zhang: 3
Staff picking Menifield: 0
Yadong Song -600
Vs.
Deiveson Figueiredo +425
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Song by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Song by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Song by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Song: 3
Staff picking Figueiredo: 0
