Can Leon Edwards unseat the reigning UFC welterweight king? And is Paulo Costa ready to deliver another brutal knockout? Below, the MMA Empire staff and our special guest analyst lay out their forecasts for every bout on the five-fight main card.
Joining us as guest predictor for this card is UFC vet and Canadian middleweight KB Bhullar (11-4). After leaving the UFC, Bhullar has posted a 3-2 record while looking to earn another shot at the octagon. He'll step back inside the cage next month at Unified MMA 46, where he'll face fellow former UFC fighter Curtis Millender in a highly anticipated clash.
2022 standings through UFC on ESPN 41
1. Noah Edwards (95-54) N/A in 2021
T2. Ava Foster (94-55) 122-99-3 in 2021
T2. Kylan Knowler (94-55) 128-93-3 in 2021
4. Olivia Davis (92-57) 138-83-3 in 2021 *Champion
T5. Maya Turner (91-58) 135-86-3 in 2021
T5. Sofia Bennett (91-58) 136-85-3 in 2021
7. Leo Anderson (90-59) 134-87-3 in 2021
8. Ethan Clarke (88-61) 113-108-3 in 2021
9. Guest picker (81-68) 115-106-3 in 2021
Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards
Noah Edwards: Kamaru Usman by decision.
Ava Foster: Kamaru Usman by decision.
Kylan Knowler: Kamaru Usman by decision.
Olivia Davis: Kamaru Usman by decision.
Maya Turner: Kamaru Usman by decision.
Sofia Bennett: Kamaru Usman by decision.
Leo Anderson: Kamaru Usman by decision.
Ethan Clarke: Calls Kamaru Usman to win by decision.
KB Bhullar: Takes Leon Edwards to earn a decision victory.
Picks – Kamaru Usman: 8, Leon Edwards: 1
Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold
Noah Edwards: Predicts Paulo Costa finishes the fight by knockout.
Ava Foster: Has Paulo Costa ending it via knockout.
Kylan Knowler: Goes with Paulo Costa by TKO.
Olivia Davis: Selects Paulo Costa to win by knockout.
Maya Turner: Picks Paulo Costa via knockout.
Sofia Bennett: Favors Paulo Costa by TKO.
Leo Anderson: Chooses Paulo Costa to win by TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Leans toward Luke Rockhold to win by decision.
KB Bhullar: Calls for Luke Rockhold to go the distance.
Picks – Paulo Costa: 7, Luke Rockhold: 2
Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Noah Edwards: Takes Merab Dvalishvili to win by decision.
Ava Foster: Has Merab Dvalishvili going the distance.
Kylan Knowler: Picks Jose Aldo by decision.
Olivia Davis: Selects Jose Aldo to win on the scorecards.
Maya Turner: Favors Merab Dvalishvili by decision.
Sofia Bennett: Goes with Jose Aldo via decision.
Leo Anderson: Chooses Jose Aldo to win by decision.
Ethan Clarke: Calls for Jose Aldo by decision.
KB Bhullar: Has Jose Aldo winning on points.
Picks – Jose Aldo: 6, Merab Dvalishvili: 3
Wu Yanan vs. Lucie Pudilova
Noah Edwards: Predicts Lucie Pudilova to win by decision.
Ava Foster: Has Lucie Pudilova going the distance.
Kylan Knowler: Takes Lucie Pudilova to win by decision.
Olivia Davis: Selects Lucie Pudilova by decision.
Maya Turner: Favors Lucie Pudilova to win on points.
Sofia Bennett: Goes with Lucie Pudilova via decision.
Leo Anderson: Chooses Lucie Pudilova to win by decision.
Ethan Clarke: Picks Wu Yanan to win by decision.
KB Bhullar: decides in favor of Wu Yanan.
Staff Picks – Wu Yanan: 2, Lucie Pudilova: 7
Tyson Pedro versus Harry Hunsucker
Noah Edwards: knockout victory for Tyson Pedro.
Ava Foster: decision win for Tyson Pedro.
Kylan Knowler: TKO finish in favor of Tyson Pedro.
Olivia Davis: knockout triumph for Tyson Pedro.
Maya Turner: knockout result for Tyson Pedro.
Sofia Bennett: knockout outcome in favor of Tyson Pedro.
Leo Anderson: TKO win for Tyson Pedro.
Ethan Clarke: TKO result for Tyson Pedro.
KB Bhullar: knockout decision for Tyson Pedro.
