Marking the promotion’s third trip to Missouri, UFC Kansas City sets the table for a climactic showdown between welterweight phenoms Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates. Before that, though, venerable light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith competes in his retirement bout opposite streaking prospect Zhang Mingyang.
UFC Kansas City Main Event
Seeking to rebound from his first ever loss last year to Shavkat Rakhmonov, Machado Garry finds himself battling another strong 170-lb bruiser with a penchant for finishing his opposition. With a win over the Fighting Nerds representative in the UFC Kansas City main event, “The Future” may just secure his place in a championship main event sometime later in 2025.
Logging four knockout stoppages in a row in his first year in the UFC, Prates has swiftly become a force in the welterweight category, notably being awarded the company’s Newcomer of the Year award for 2024. Now facing a man who has never been taken out by strikes or submissions, “The Nightmare” may just have his mettle finally tested in UFC Kansas City as he aims to contend for the belt in the near future.
UFC Kansas City Co-Main Event
Heading into his 60th and final fight, Smith stands as easily the most experienced competitor on the roster. While he will be making his last Octagon appearance in the UFC Kansas City co-main event, “Lionheart” will be remembered for his never-say-die attitude, which he will be looking to utilize one more time as he battles a burgeoning 205-lb power puncher.
Undefeated since 2019, Zhang has all the makings of becoming a bona fide UFC star as he eyes his chance at nabbing a spot in the stacked light heavyweight top 15. With all of his past victories ending in the first round, “Mountain Tiger” has the opportunity to kick off a monumental run towards contendership by vanquishing the savvy Smith in Saturday’s co-main event.
More Bouts On the UFC Kansas City Main Card
Rounding out the main card, Georgian kickboxing sensation Giga Chikadze faces David Onama. Then, the high-flying Michel Pereira locks horns with Abusupiyan Magomedov. Also, welterweight standouts Randy Brown and Nicolas Dalby come to blows. Finally, Ikram Aliskerov and André Muniz come to blows in an entertaining match between middleweight prospects.
UFC Kansas City 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 pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC Kansas City picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL 3 (2025):
- Hank Strandberg: 22-61
- Frazer Krohn: 17-51
- Drew Zuhosky: 14-69
- Jeremy Brand: 13-59
- Andrew Benjamin: 11-44
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Ikram Aliskerov -520
Vs.
André Muniz +390
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Aliskerov by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Aliskerov by first round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Aliskerov by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Aliskerov: 3
Staff picking Muniz: 0
Randy Brown -278
Vs.
Nicolas Dalby +225
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Brown by second round TKO
Hank Strandberg: Brown by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Dalby by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Brown: 2
Staff picking Dalby: 1
Michel Pereira -142
Vs.
Abusupiyan Magomedov +120
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Magomedov by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Pereira by second round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Magomedov by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Pereira: 1
Staff picking Magomedov: 2
David Onama -180
Vs.
Giga Chikadze +150
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Chiladze by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Onama by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Onama by second round Knockout
Staff picking Onama: 2
Staff picking Chikadze: 1
Zhang Mingyang -455
Vs.
Anthony Smith +350
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Mingyang by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Mingyang by first round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Smith by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Mingyang: 2
Staff picking Smith: 1
Ian Machado Garry -142
Vs.
Carlos Prates +120
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Prates by second round TKO
Hank Strandberg: Machado Garry by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Machado Garry by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Machado Garry: 2
Staff picking Prates: 1
