UFC 319 Prelims Card Odds, Picks & Predictions (2025)
This The last time the UFC was in Chicago was June 2019 for UFC 238. Henry Cejudo faced Marlon Moraes for the vacant bantamweight title. That tells you how long ago it was in the MMA world. Both fighters have fallen from the top to give rise to the new era of fighters.
UFC 319 brings the return of Khamzat Chimaev, who will challenge Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title. It is one of the most anticipated fights of the year, and comes along with a stacked card. The early prelims begin at 6 p.m. EDT, the prelims at 8 p.m., and the main card at 10 p.m. on pay-per-view.
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UFC 319 Prelims Card Picks & Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Bryan Battle (-170) vs. Nursulton Ruzioboev (+142)
Bryan Battle is moving up to middleweight to fight Nursulton Ruziboev. Battle has missed weight at welterweight on multiple occasions and is moving up to make weight easier. He usually has the physicality advantage, but he will not against the 6-foot-5 Ruziboev.
These two have similar wrestling ability, but Ruziboev could have some success if he is offensive with his wrestling. Battle is not accurate when he shoots, and he only defends 53% of takedowns.
Ruziboev is the faster striker and likely has the edge on the feet, especially with his punch power. He fights well at range and will not let Battle clinch along the fence. It is a good spot to take the underdog, with Battle moving up to middleweight.
Pick: Nursulton Ruziboev Moneyline (+142)
Jessica Andrade (+130) vs. Lupita "Loopy" Godinez (-155)
Jessica Andrade has been a staple in the UFC since 2013, but has dropped five of her last seven and two consecutive. She is only 33, but she is not the same fighter she used to be after 40 professional fights. Godinez won her last fight and is 8-5 since joining the UFC in 2021.
Godinez is consistently improving, especially as a striker. Her wrestling has always been solid. She should be able to mix in takedowns against Andrade, who defends 71% of takedowns. She should also hold her own against Andrade, who absorbs 5.49 significant strikes per minute. Godinez is very defensive on the feet, defending 61% of opponents' significant strikes. Godinez can get the job done against the UFC veteran.
Pick: Loopy Godinez Moneyline (–155)
Gerald Meerschaert (+195) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (–238)
Gerald Meerschaert is fighting Michal Oleksiejczuk, who is notoriously bad at jiu-jitsu. He has lost via submission five times in the UFC, while Meerschaert has 21 submission victories in the UFC alone (29 as a pro).
Oleksiejczuk must defend takedowns in this matchup, or he is going to get submitted. He only defends 48% of takedowns in the UFC, while Meerschaert averages 1.86 takedowns landed per 15 minutes.
Oleksiejczuk is a good boxer and capable of finishing Meerschaert on the feet. Meerschaert is known as a grappler and is willing to take a beating before winning by submission. His jiu-jitsu skills are elite, and Oleksiejczuk is going to struggle on the mat. It is a great spot to bet the underdog.
Pick: Gerald Meerschaert Moneyline (+195)