UFC Vegas 121 Staff Picks: Top Bantamweight Contenders Clash
UFC Vegas 121 offers fans a main event clash between two standout bantamweight contenders, with the streaking Raul Rosas Jr. locking horns with veteran athlete Raoni Barcelos.
In the co-main event, women's bantamweight stalwarts Norma Dumont and Ailín Pérez throw down in a pivotal matchup in the division.
UFC Vegas 121 Main Event
In five short years, Rosas Jr. has soared to massive mainstream success in mixed martial arts, currently occupying a coveted spot in the UFC’s 135-lb top 15. Winner of five straight, “El Niño Problema” is looking to extend his already impressive warpath and bring himself to the forefront of the weight class.
At 39-years-old, Barcelos has begun to hit an extraordinary second win in his career after losing to previous title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov in 2023. Getting his hand raised in his last five fights himself, the Brazilian luminary has proven to be a bane on younger competitors, including Cristian Quiñónez, Payton Talbott, and Cody Garbrandt.
UFC Vegas 121 Co-Main Event
Over the course of her run in the company, Dumont has always stood as a top-notch name at women’s bantamweight, with the South American logging huge triumphs over Germaine de Randamie, Irene Aldana, and Ketlen Vieira. At UFC Vegas 121, “The Immortal” is looking to derail the hype train of the surging Pérez.
Following her defeat at the hands of Stephanie Egger in 2022, Pérez has run roughshod over the female 135-lb class, winning her last six contests in a row. On a mission to break into championship contention, “Fiona” will stop at nothing to put on a statement this weekend in Las Vegas.
More Bouts On the UFC Vegas 121 Main Card
Rounding out the main card, Luis Hernandez battles Sedriques Dumas. Then, Mehemmedeli Osmanli goes toe-to-toe with Ilimbek Akylbek uulu. Also, Melissa Amaya comes to blows with Valesca Machado.
UFC Vegas 121 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 Vegas 121 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC 331:
1. Hank Strandberg: 179-89
2. Frazer Krohn: 137-109
3. Drew Zuhosky: 136-134
4. Andrew Benjamin: 29-27
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Tina Black -210
Vs.
Melissa Amaya +177
WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Black by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Black by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Black by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Black: 3
Staff picking Amaya: 0
Mehemmedeli Osmanli -279
Vs.
Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu +231
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Osmanli by Second Round Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Osmanli by First Round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Uulu by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Osmanli: 2
Staff picking Uulu: 1
Luis Hernandez -245
Vs.
Sedriques Dumas +205
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Hernandez by First Round Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Hernandez by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Hernandez by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Hernandez: 3
Staff picking Dumas: 0
Ailin Pérez -165
Vs.
Norma Dumont +140
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Pérez by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Dumont by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Dumont by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Pérez: 1
Staff picking Dumont: 2
Raul Rosas Jr. -161
Vs.
Raoni Barcelos -137
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Rosas Jr. by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Rosas Jr. by Second Round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Rosas Jr. by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Rosas Jr.: 3
Staff picking Barcelos: 0
