UFC Vegas 106 staff picks, Gilbert Burns to end Michael Morales streak, Bellato to win and more predictions

UFC Vegas 106 is the next big event from the UFC, and there are some exciting fights ready to go at the UFC Apex.

Undefeated star Michael Morales faces his biggest threat yet as he takes on Brazilian fighter Gilbert Burns in the main event.

Both men are looking to climb the rankings with the view to a future title shot, in a bout that was initially planned for both UFC 314 and UFC 315.

Elsewhere, the co-main event sees Paul Craig taking on Rodolfo Bellato. Craig is on a bad run of form, having lost 5 of his last 6 fights, while Bellato has won one and drawn one of his first two fights in the UFC and looks to have a bright future.

Meanwhile, other bouts include Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mairon Santos, Dustin Stoltzfus vs. Nursulton Ruziboev, and Julian Erosa vs. Melquizael Costa on a packed card in Las Vegas.

Ahead of UFC Vegas 106, the experts at Bloody Elbow have made their staff picks for the two main event fights, as well as the Performance of the Night and their Fight of the Night.

• READ MORE – Gilbert Burns names the most overrated contender in the welterweight division… ‘Easiest fight right now’

Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales predictions

• Kyle Dimond – Michael Morales
• Jamie Theodosi – Gilbert Burns
• Harvey Leonard – Gilbert Burns

The Bloody Elbow experts are split on who will win the main event of UFC Vegas 106.

Kyle sees the undefeated Morales continuing his streak and continuing to climb the rankings, with the hope of securing a title fight against Jack Della Maddalena in the near future.

The Ecuadorian fighter is coming off a big victory where Morales knocked out Neil Magny to extend his undefeated streak in the UFC to 5 wins without defeat.

However, Jamie and Harvey agreed with Burns that he “cannot afford to lose” to Morales and back the Brazilian to put his losing streak to an end in Las Vegas.

Losses to Sean Brady, Della Maddalena, and Belal Muhammad have seen him go tumbling down the rankings, and the 38-year-old’s career could be in jeopardy if he doesn’t win this fight.

The experts think that it will be enough to motivate him to win the main event of UFC Vegas 106.

Paul Craig vs Rodolfo Bellato predictions

• Kyle Dimond – Rodolfo Bellato
• Jamie Theodosi – Rodolfo Bellato
• Harvey Leonard – Rodolfo Bellato

The co-main event seems to be a foregone conclusion, as the Bloody Elbow experts are sure that Bellato will beat Craig in an easy victory in Las Vegas.

With his best years behind him and a bad record in the past few years, Craig doesn’t seem to have much of a chance against his Brazilian opponent.

Despite Joe Rogan complimenting Craig’s guard, the 37-year-old has age and form going against him in this fight. Bellato should be too much for the Scot, and the experts predict that the result is clear – Bellato wins.

Fight of the Night

• Kyle Dimond – Julian Erosa vs. Melquizael Costa
• Jamie Theodosi – Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mairon Santos
• Harvey Leonard – Park Hyun-sung vs. Carlos Hernandez

With three different choices for fight of the night, UFC Vegas 106 looks to have an exciting card for the UFC fans to enjoy.

Kyle is most looking forward to seeing Julian Erosa vs. Melquizael Costa. Erosa has struggled to maintain a presence in the UFC over the past 5 years, and this fight against Costa could be his last chance at cementing himself in the major promotion.

This motivation may not be enough to beat the younger, more athletic Costa, although this could be a close fight that will wow fans in Vegas.

Meanwhile, Jamie predicts Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mairon Santos will win the cash bonus for the Fight of the Night. This is an important fight for both men, as Yusuff has suffered back-to-back defeats in his last two fights, while Santos wants to keep his undefeated streak since joining the promotion alive.

It should be a close fight where anything could happen, making it an exciting prospect for Fight of the Night.

Finally, Harvey’s pick to win the award will be the clash between Park Hyun-sung and Carlos Hernandez. Park won the Fight of the Night in his last bout and will look to do the same when he faces Hernandez in Las Vegas.

Performance of the Night

• Kyle Dimond – Sodiq Yusuff
• Jamie Theodosi – Melquizael Costa
• Harvey Leonard – Melquizael Costa

Kyle is excited to see Yusuff bounce back from recent defeats and predicts he’ll put on a Performance of the Night against Santos.

While Santos may be the favorite based on recent records, a big upset could be on the cards for Yusuff. Santos has been sharp in his fights so far and has a history of big KO’s, something Yusuff will be looking to counter at UFC Vegas 106 with his own knockout win

However, Jamie and Harvey think the Brazilian Costa could make it four in a row against Erosa with a great performance.

With both men boasting two submission wins in their last three fights, this should be an exciting, technical contest for fans of the UFC.

They think that Costa will come out on top in what will be a huge undertaking and a Performance of the Night at UFC Vegas 106.