As Saturday evening's main card of UFC on ESPN 18 kicks off, the MMA Empire team and a special guest contributor will deliver their selections and analysis for every main card matchup.
This weekend's featured guest picker is Canadian amateur flyweight Mitch Wiles, fresh off a knockout triumph against Lorin Motruk at Unified MMA 38. Based out of Edmonton, Alberta, Wiles is working hard to advance his mixed martial arts career toward the professional ranks.
Also worth watching: Canadian Malcolm Gordon steps into the flyweight division to face Su Mudaerji on the preliminary card, so don't miss it.
Anthony Smith vs Devin Clark
Maya Turner – "This matchup presents a serious challenge for Clark, but I believe he possesses everything needed to pull off the victory. His striking looks sharper and more deliberate compared to Smith, and he brings a more formidable grappling foundation as well." Pick: Devin Clark via unanimous decision.
Sofia Bennett – "In what has been a strong night of fight booking, this is easily my favourite bout on the card. After enduring a couple of difficult defeats, I expect Smith to rediscover the measured, accurate version of himself that climbed through the light heavyweight rankings — the same fighter who finished Alexander Gustafsson." Pick: Anthony Smith via unanimous decision.
Isabella Harris – "Smith ends his two-fight skid, using his reach edge and diverse striking toolkit to control the outcome." Pick: Anthony Smith via TKO.
Leo Anderson – "Clark is stepping up significantly in competition here. Even though Smith is struggling right now, his seasoned big-fight pedigree should give him the edge he needs to bounce back." Pick: Anthony Smith via TKO.
Mitch Wiles – "This is a huge chance for Clark, but I anticipate Smith arriving fired up and delivering a classic performance to reclaim a spot in the win column." Pick: Anthony Smith via TKO.
Miguel Baeza vs Takashi Sato
Maya Turner – "A brilliant matchup and my top pick for Fight of the Night — both warriors thrive on standing and trading. I see Baeza's speed tipping the scales here, landing a clean strike on Sato." Pick: Miguel Baeza via knockout.
Sofia Bennett – "Baeza just earned an impressive win over UFC veteran Matt Brown, but I suspect Sato will identify and exploit some defensive gaps in Baeza's striking game." Pick: Takashi Sato via unanimous decision.
Isabella Harris – "Could be Saturday's premier fight. Baeza's size edge proves decisive as he connects with a hook or combination sequence to secure the stoppage." Pick: Miguel Baeza via knockout.
Leo Anderson – "Baeza has been outstanding since securing his UFC contract on The Contender Series, and I expect that momentum to carry forward in a stand-up clash against a tough-as-nails Sato." Pick: Miguel Baeza via unanimous decision.
Mitch Wiles – "Both fighters will come out swinging from the opening bell. Sato boasts more than twice the professional bouts of his opponent, but I see Baeza walking away still unbeaten with his third consecutive UFC finish." Pick: Miguel Baeza via knockout.
Josh Parisian vs Parker Porter
Maya Turner – "The only thing guaranteed in this contest is it won't go to the judges' scorecards. Two heavy hitters who throw with intent. I believe Porter's striking is underrated, and I picture him catching Parisian with a devastating shot." Pick: Parker Porter via knockout.
Sofia Bennett – "Both fighters are cutting down to the heavyweight division and both carry serious knockout potential. I believe Porter's superior striking technique will ultimately decide this one." Pick: Parker Porter via TKO.
Isabella Harris – "Parisian enters his UFC debut with seven consecutive victories under his belt. His towering 79-inch frame and relentless ground-and-pound should overwhelm Porter, possibly ending this fight before it truly begins." Pick: Josh Parisian via TKO.
Leo Anderson – "To be completely upfront, I'm not very familiar with either competitor, but I'm backing the bigger puncher in Parisian to secure a quick win." Pick: Josh Parisian via TKO.
Mitch Wiles – "A single clean strike can end a fight, particularly at heavyweight. Parisian holds advantages in both height and reach against Porter, and I picture him landing the opening blow and earning his first octagon win." Pick: Josh Parisian by TKO.
Bill Algeo vs Spike Carlyle
Maya Turner – "Carlyle is famous for his blistering opening rounds, but he tends to fade as fights go deeper. I imagine Algeo surviving that initial onslaught from Carlyle, then wearing him down with volume striking and mixing in takedown attempts." Pick: Bill Algeo via unanimous decision.
Sofia Bennett – "Carlyle comes out blazing and carries plenty of power for his weight class. This matchup is perfectly suited for the opening slot on the main card and should deliver plenty of excitement." Pick: Spike Carlyle via TKO.
Isabella Harris – "Algeo will land an early combo that stuns Carlyle, leaving 'The Alpha Ginger' unable to mount a response. I expect Carlyle to fade in round two as Algeo cruises to a comfortable victory." Pick: Bill Algeo via unanimous decision.
Leo Anderson – "Carlyle thrives on action and Algeo isn't afraid to stand and exchange, which could produce a Fight of the Night caliber featherweight battle. I see Carlyle outstriking Algeo and taking the decision." Pick: Spike Carlyle via unanimous decision.
Mitch Wiles – "Both competitors impressed me in their most recent outings despite coming up short, so I'm anticipating a rapid-paced affair. Each possesses the skill set to prevail, but I think Carlyle's athletic edge proves too much for Algeo." Pick: Spike Carlyle via unanimous decision.
Ashlee Evans-Smith vs Norma Dumont
Maya Turner – "This feels like a near coin toss to me. I don't see a finish developing, but Evans-Smith appears to be the more active and precise striker." Pick: Ashlee Evans-Smith via unanimous decision.
Sofia Bennett – "I'm tempted to pick Evans-Smith given her UFC experience, but I think promising prospect Dumont will rebound nicely following her difficult debut against Megan Anderson." Pick: Norma Dumont via unanimous decision.
Isabella Harris – "Neither competitor has tasted victory since 2018, so both are desperate for a win. I'll give Evans-Smith the nod, primarily due to her greater cage experience." Pick: Ashlee Evans-Smith via unanimous decision.
Leo Anderson – "Evans-Smith's UFC career has been inconsistent, while Dumont faced a challenging opponent in her debut. This essentially comes down to a pick 'em that could swing either direction." Pick: Ashlee Evans-Smith via unanimous decision.
Mitch Wiles – "There's a notable experience disparity between these two women, and I see Evans-Smith leveraging that advantage to return to the win column against Dumont." Pick: Ashlee Evans-Smith via unanimous decision.
Kai Kamaka III vs Jonathan Pearce
Maya Turner – "This matchup screams Fight of the Night for me. Both fighters love to engage standing and both have iron chins. I expect Kamaka's volume and pace to overwhelm Pearce en route to victory." Pick: Kai Kamaka III via unanimous decision.
Sofia Bennett – "Kamaka edges Pearce in every department. He should gradually wear Pearce down and finish the job." Pick: Kai Kamaka III via TKO.
Isabella Harris – "Pearce suffered a ground-and-pound loss in his UFC debut last year. Meanwhile, Kamaka rides a six-bout winning streak backed by solid wrestling and boxing credentials. This looks like a terrible matchup for Pearce." Pick: Kai Kamaka III via TKO.
Leo Anderson – "Pearce delivers heavy hands and finishes most of his wins, but Kamaka is resilient and riding momentum. He should extend his current winning streak." Pick: Kai Kamaka III via unanimous decision.
Mitch Wiles – "Kamaka's one of my favorites to watch—he brings relentless energy and has a strong wrestling foundation, so I think he's going to keep Pearce on his heels throughout this bout and find a way to take it. I'm expecting something really competitive here."
My call: Kai Kamaka III wins by unanimous decision.
