The UFC Vegas 57 main card features six bouts, all of which will be previewed in this post. It will be headlined by a lightweight bout between rising stars Arman Tsarukyan (pictured above left) and Mateusz Gamrot (pictured above right). It will also feature a pivotal welterweight bout between rising Kazakh prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov and veteran Neil Magny. All win probabilities are based on a fighter’s CC Rating and their place in the CC Rankings.

[10] Chris Curtis vs. Rodolfo Vieira (Men’s Middleweight)

Chris Curtis

• Record: 28-8-0
• Division Ranking: 11/70 middleweights
• Vegas Odds: -130 (Favorite)

Rodolfo Vieira

• Record: 8-1-0
• Division Ranking: 38/70 middleweights
• Vegas Odds: +110 (Underdog)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: This will be a battle of styles. Vieira is a jiu-jitsu practitioner whereas people are beginning to discover the KO ability of Curtis through just two UFC fights. Curtis has finishing ability in his hands. As long as he avoids the early takedown, he can wear Vieira down with pressure and keep the fight standing where he’ll dominate.

Editor’s Pick: Curtis

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Nate Maness (Men’s Bantamweight)

Umar Nurmagomedov

• Record: 14-0-0
• Division Ranking: 26/70 bantamweights
• Vegas Odds: -900 (Favorite)

Nate Maness

• Record: 14-1-0
• Division Ranking: 25/70 bantamweights
• Vegas Odds: +600 (Underdog)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Maness is definitely a name to watch at bantamweight. He’s a perfect 3-0 in the UFC with his last two coming by finish. However, he’s running into a buzzsaw in Nurmagomedov. No one has been able to solve the Dagestani yet and it’s hard to imagine anyone who will anytime soon. It may be closer than the Vegas odds suggest, but expect Nurmagomedov to keep his perfect record.

Editor’s Pick: Nurmagomedov

Thiago Moises vs. Christos Giagos (Men’s Lightweight)

Thiago Moises

• Record: 15-6-0
• Division Ranking: 36/80 lightweights
• Vegas Odds: -240 (Favorite)

Christos Giagos

• Record: 19-9-0
• Division Ranking: 54/80 lightweights
• Vegas Odds: +200 (Underdog)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Moises is an elite level grappler. Unfortunately for him, he’s faced some elite level competition in the UFC, giving him a record that doesn’t truly reflect his ability. Moises can hang on the feet until he gets to the ground, where it should be his world all day.

Editor’s Pick: Moises

Josh Parisian vs. Alan Baudot (Men’s Heavyweight)

Josh Parisian

• Record: 14-5-0
• Division Ranking: 35/39 heavyweights
• Vegas Odds: -105 (Underdog)

Alan Baudot

• Record: 8-3-0
• Division Ranking: 37/39 heavyweights
• Vegas Odds: -115 (Favorite)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Both men desperately need a win. Parisian will be heavier, but Baudot should be able to utilize his speed. If this isn’t finished earlier, bank on Baudot’s stamina being able to carry him through the second and third rounds.

Editor’s Pick: Baudot

[5] Neil Magny vs. [8] Shavkat Rakhmonov (Men’s Welterweight)

Neil Magny

• Record: 26-9-0
• Division Ranking: 6/79 welterweights
• Vegas Odds: +350 (Underdog)

Shavkat Rakhmonov

• Record: 15-0-0
• Division Ranking: 9/79 welterweights
• Vegas Odds: -450 (Favorite)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: This is excellent matchmaking. Magny (#5 CC, #10 UFC) has been itching for a fight with anyone anywhere. He’s winner of five of his last six, trying to prove he still belongs in the top tier of this division. Rakhmonov (#8 CC, #15 UFC) is an undefeated 15-0 with all 15 wins being by finish. He is one of the hottest prospects in the sport. Rakhmonov is so well-rounded it’s tough to see any avenue to victory for Magny.

Editor’s Pick: Rahkmonov

[14] Arman Tsarukyan vs. [8] Mateusz Gamrot (Men’s Lightweight)

Arman Tsarukyan

• Record: 18-2-0
• Division Ranking: 14/80 lightweights
• Vegas Odds: -270 (Favorite)

Mateusz Gamrot

• Record: 20-1-0
• Division Ranking: 8/80 lightweights
• Vegas Odds: +220 (Underdog)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: This is more matchmaking brilliance from the UFC. Both men are highly regarded prospects who are perfect with the exception of debut losses that nevertheless earned each Fight of the Night honors. Tsarukyan (#14 CC, #11 UFC) is just 25 and is coming off of two straight TKO victories where he also showcased great wrestling. Gamrot (#8 CC, #12 UFC) has a decent jiujitsu background and has three straight finishes coming in. Both men are amongst the most talented up-and-comers in the division. One will punch their ticket higher. Given Gamrot’s extensive championship experience in Poland, bank on him being the smarter fighter over five rounds if it goes past the first couple. Don’t sleep on his skills just because of the odds.

Editor’s Pick: Gamrot

Photo Credit: ESPN