UFC 329 Prelims Card Odds, Picks & Predictions (2026)
Following an off-week in the UFC, the promotion returns with an absolutely loaded UFC 329 event in Sin City on Saturday night. The headliner pits Conor McGregor against Max Holloway in a Welterweight bout; but don't just tune in for that one, as this card has bangers sprinkled all throughout. That includes the prelims, which is where my focus is for Saturday. Below, you'll find my top bets and analysis for the UFC 329 preliminary fights.
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UFC 329 Prelims Card Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Nikita Krylov (+105) vs. Robert Whittaker (-125)
Let's start at the top of the prelims and work our way backwards. The featured prelim comes in the Light Heavyweight division, where (#12) Nikita Krylov will take on Robert Whittaker. Whittaker, a former Middleweight champion, is a slim -125 moneyline favorite in this bout. His Russian counterpart comes back at +105 to get his hand raised.
This weight jump to 205 Lbs. for Robert Whittaker is interesting, and one of the only reasons that I'm not looking to pick him outright here is because he'll likely be the smaller fighter in this bout.
However, one edge that I think we can exploit is that Whittaker will be the speedier of the two fighters. Considering he's a very crisp striker, I think we're going to see "Bobby Knuckles" rack up the significant strikes. I'm backing him to clear 39.5 strikes against Nikita Krylov.
Across their last three fights each, the two competitors have only one combined takedown. This will likely be a stand-up kickboxing match, so Whittaker should find his way to 40+ significant strikes. He has done so in seven of his last 10 fights, as well as in eight of his last nine victories.
Bet: Robert Whittaker Over 39.5 Significant Strikes (-115)
Cody Garbrandt (+330) vs. Adrian Yanez (-425)
Cody Garbrandt snapped a two-fight skid last time out, beating Xiao Long in a contest where he was out-struck 59 to 28. Long was docked two points, which completely swung the fight in Garbrandt's favor. Saturday's clash in the Bantamweight division has Garbrandt priced as a sizable +330 underdog against Adrian Yanez, with the latter sitting at -425.
I have no faith in Cody Garbrandt at this stage of his career. Since his epic championship win over Dominick Cruz in 2016, the now-35-year-old has gone 4-7 and gotten knocked out four times.
Adrian Yanez should find a lot of success striking in this matchup. He's a high-volume striker, averaging 5.96 significant strikes per minute. The 32-year-old is 17-6-1 in his career with 11 knockout wins. Six of his last seven wins have come via KO. This is an opportunity to bury a big name in Garbrandt, and I expect Yanez to take advantage. Let's lock in Yanez by knockout at -105.
Bet: Adrian Yanez To Win By Knockout (-105)
Ryan Gandra (-135) vs. Zachary Reese (+114)
I'm going all the way to the early prelims for this final bet, which comes in the second fight of the night at T-Mobile Arena. The oddsmakers suggest we should be in for a good one in the Middleweight division, as Ryan Gandra enters as a small -135 favorite against Zach Reese (+114).
I'm riding with Ryan Gandra to build on his first-round knockout win over Jose Daniel Medina in his UFC debut in February. The Brazilian is off to a great 9-1-0 start in his MMA career, racking up seven finishes, courtesy of five knockouts and two submissions. This includes a streak of four consecutive knockout victories for the 31-year-old.
Gandra draws a favorable opponent in Zachary Reese. Reese is tough and has an edge in height with his 6' 4" frame, but the American doesn't do well to avoid getting hit. His strike defense rate is only 43%, meaning 57% of his opponents' strike attempts are landing! That's not a great sign with an elite striker standing across the cage. I'll lay the -135 vig with Gandra.
Bet: Ryan Gandra Moneyline (-135)