UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs. Prochazka odds, top predictions: MMA insider reveals surprising fight card picks

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Dominick Reyes concedes a slight lapse in mental preparation likely cost him his last fight, and the third-ranked light heavyweight has vowed to never repeat the mistake. The former title contender starts this quest Saturday against No. 5-ranked Jiri Prochazka in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs. Prochazka in Las Vegas. Their important showdown tops the UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs. Prochazka fight card from the Apex facility in Las Vegas, and the main card is set for 10 p.m. ET. Last February, Reyes nearly unseated iconic former champion Jon Jones but came out on the short end of a razor-thin decision. He was then stopped by Jan Blachowicz in a fight for the vacant title, and Reyes told the media this week that his focus for the latter was affected by the disappointment of the loss to Jones. Reyes says he will have no such issue against Prochazka, who many observers believe has potential to be a champion.

Prochazka is a -145 favorite (risk $145 to win $100), while Reyes is priced at +125 in the latest Reyes vs. Prochazka odds from William Hill Sportsbook. In the co-main event, rising prospect Giga Chikadze is the -190 favorite in the latest UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs. Prochazka odds as he faces the resilient Cub Swanson (+170) in a matchup of ranked featherweights. Before locking in any UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs. Prochazka picks, make sure you see the latest MMA predictions from SportsLine insider Ian Parker.

A former fighter who’s been in the industry for 15 years, Parker has managed some of the world’s best, including former UFC middleweight champ Chris Weidman, Costas Philippou and Gian Villante. Parker trained alongside UFC Hall of Famer Matt Serra. Now, Parker breaks down fights and makes betting picks for the Voice of the UFC, Jon Anik.

Parker is coming off a mind-boggling 2020 season. On the Anik & Florian Podcast, Parker went an astounding 58-14, returning $9,465 to $100 bettors who followed him. He hit 11 of his 17 underdog picks and 19 of 30 main events. Overall, Parker nailed an astonishing 81 percent of his plays.

Parker has already proven his mettle to SportsLine members. Last week at UFC, he posted a 9-4 record to give his followers another profitable night. His winners included advising a play on Randy Brown (-135) against Charles Oliveira (+115) in a welterweight matchup. Brown won by first-round submission to provide an easy winner. Moreover, Parker is 8-1 on Bellator picks since joining SportsLine for a profit of nearly $800. Anyone who has followed Parker already has seen massive returns.

Now, with UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs. Prochazka fast approaching, Parker has studied the MMA odds and matchups from every angle and released his top selections. A successful parlay of those selections would result in a payday of better than 13-1. Those UFC picks are available here.

UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs. Prochazka preview

Reyes (12-2) memorably took Jon Jones to the wire last February in a five-round battle that saw Jones narrowly earn the nod on the scorecards. However, many observers believed Reyes won the first three rounds and should have been crowned the new champion.

Jones has since vacated the title for his move to heavyweight, though he has yet to sign a fight in his new division. Reyes fought Jan Blachowicz for the vacant title in September and lost by second-round stoppage. A third consecutive defeat would likely send the 31-year-old Californian plummeting in the UFC rankings and out of the title picture for the foreseeable future.

Even so, Reyes will be right back in the title picture should he get his hand raised. This won’t be an easy task against the versatile and explosive Prochazka (27-3-1), who enters the Octagon on an 11-fight win streak.

The 28-year-old Czech Republic native is in the rare position of competing in a UFC main event in just his second fight with the promotion, not to mention carrying a top-five ranking with just one fight under his belt.

However, few MMA observers question his credentials. His dominant run through the Rizin promotion included a stoppage win over current Bellator heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov and another against former UFC contender C.B. Dollaway. His lone UFC appearance resulted in a second-round stoppage of former title contender Volkan Oezdemir last July. You can only see who to back here.

UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs. Prochazka predictions

We’ll give away one of Parker’s UFC Fight Night picks here: He is backing Dustin Jacoby (+110) to get his hand raised against Ion Cutelaba (-130) in a clash of light heavyweight prospects on the main card.

The winner has a chance to crack the rankings in the loaded division, and Parker says he believes the matchup could emerge as a Fight of the Night candidate.

Cutelaba (15-6-1) is known as a fierce striker and fearless brawler who comes after his opponent immediately upon hearing the opening bell. The 27-year-old Moldovan fighter had won three of four before dropping back-to-back bouts against rival Magomed Ankalaev. All but one of his 15 professional MMA victories have come by stoppage.

Jacoby (14-5) is similarly regarded as a dangerous striker, but tends to exhibit more poise and patience than Cutelaba. He has won four straight and is coming in on relatively short preparation time following a decision win over Maxim Grishin in February.

“If Jacoby, who is the more technical and accurate striker, can keep his distance and not engage in a brawl, he should be able to weather the storm early and pick his opponent apart,” Parker told SportsLine.

How to make UFC Fight Night: Prochazka vs. Reyes picks

Parker also has strong picks for Reyes vs. Prochazka and other fights on the UFC fight card. He’s backing a fighter who is the “better and more accurate striker” to deliver an emphatic victory. Those selections are only available at SportsLine.

Who wins Reyes vs. Prochazka? And which fighter is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed UFC Fight Night picks, all from the ultimate insider who was up nearly $9,500 on MMA picks last year, and find out.