Octagon Report’s predictions for UFC Fight Island 2

UFC on ESPN Fight Night takes place Saturday at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This will mark the third consecutive event at Fight Island. The main event will be contested by Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo for the vacant UFC flyweight title. 

The rematch will headline the stacked card. Figueiredo finished Benavidez in February following an accidental headbutt. Both men made weight Friday and the winner will be crowned the new UFC flyweight champion. 

Octagon Report’s analysts, writers, and editors have made their predictions below.

Main event: Deiveson Figueiredo is a 2-1 favorite but our team has the underdog Joseph Benavidez winning. 

Co-Main event: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Jack Hermansson promises to be a fight of the night candidate. The fight odds are practically even for this fight. Our team has Kelvin Gastelum winning.

Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Fiziev: Marc is the favorite to win this fight on the betting odds but Rafael is a tough contender. Our team picked Marc Diakiese to take the win.

Launa Caroling vs. Ariane Lipski: This women’s flyweight scrap has Lipski as just a slight favorite. Our team has also selected Ariane Lipski as the favorite to win this fight. 

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Askar Askrov: Pantoja is the betting favorite but he faces a game Askar. Our team has Pantoja winning this fight. 

 

Main card (ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET)

Deiveson Figueiredo (125) vs. Joseph Benavidez (125)

Jack Hermansson (186) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (186)

Marc Diakiese (156) vs. Rafael Fiziev (156)

Ariane Lipski (126) vs. Luana Carolina (126)

Alexandre Pantoja (125) vs. Askar Askarov (126)

Preliminaries (ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET)

Roman Dolidze (206) vs. Khadis Ibragimov (206)

Grant Dawson (150) vs. Nad Narimani (150) — 150-pound catchweight bout

Joseph Duffy (155.5) vs. Joel Alvarez (156)

Brett Johns (136) vs. Montel Jackson (136)

Malcolm Gordon (135) vs. Amir Albazi (136)

Davi Ramos (156) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (156)

Carlos Felipe (261) vs. Serghei Spivac (240)