Home of Fight Expert Picks: UFC 320
Magomed Ankalaev looks to validate his March win and extend a reign built on command-and-control striking layered over suffocating defensive wrestling. Alex Pereira’s urgency is obvious after a tepid first meeting; expect more stance switches, calf kicks, and left-hook traps as he tries to puncture Ankalaev’s range management and counters.
In the co-main, Merab Dvalishvili’s cardio, chain wrestling, and clinch pressure get a precise striking test against Cory Sandhagen’s footwork, feints, and body attacks in a compelling striker-vs-grappler tempo war. If Sandhagen creates exits and elbows off frames, he can tax entries; if Merab rides mat returns and fence control, the grind becomes cumulative.
Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. is chaos with consequences: Prochazka’s unorthodox pressure and scrambling meet Rountree’s southpaw power and improved shot selection, with the winner poised to scream into 205-pound contention. Also watch Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal for Emmett’s nuke right hand versus Zalal’s movement and kicking diversity, plus Joe Pyfer vs. Abus Magomedov in a volatile middleweight clash.
Expect a methodical Ankalaev early, a surging Pereira mid-fight, and razor-margin moments in clinch breaks and counter windows. Two titles, live stakes, and stylistic contrasts make UFC 320 a high-wire PPV.
With a great fight card on tap, money can be made at the sportsbook this Saturday night. Home of Fight is here to help put money in your pockets and cash out at the window this Saturday night. Let’s take a look at the Home of Fight expert picks for UFC 320.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira
- HayJive – Magomed Ankalaev
“I don’t think Ankalaev should be this big of a favorite, as Pereira is always dangerous to land a KO. However, I do think Ankalaev should be the favorite and I think he could do more to separate himself in the rematch.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Magomed Ankalaev
“I don’t think Alex is improving, and Magomed might look even better in this spot. Possibly even wrestle heavier in the rematch.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Alex Pereira
“Their first fight was far more competitive than people remember with the scoring being quite close and essentially 3 very close rounds. Despite that, I believe Pereira’s minimal adjustments when it comes to striking will matter more than any adjustments Ankalaev could do.”
- Corrie – Magomed Ankalaev
“My heart always leans Chama, but my brain knows better here… Ankalaev just has more edges. He’s the cleaner minute-winner with better defense, solid wrestling to fall back on, and the durability to hang in striking exchanges and over five rounds, those tools give him the upper hand again.”
- The Fight Analyst – Magomed Ankalaev
“I believe the first fight was close because Ankalaev was timid going against the power of Pereira. Now that he knows he can take the power from Pereira, Ankalaev should be able to open up more and be more aggressive. Ultimately, Ankalaev comes away with his first of many title defenses, decisively with a finish of Pereira.”
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen
- HayJive – Merab Dvalishvili
“The line is wide, but I’m picking Merab to win, as he will always give himself a great chance to win by just doing more than his opponent. But Sandhagen is probably the toughest matchup I can think of for him with how well rounded he is.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Cory Sandhagen
“I’m going out on a limb here and backing the fighters who’s +320 in a championship fight. Cory needs to fight perfect.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Merab Dvalishvili
“Simply put, Cory’s got a few strikes that could win him this fight, though Merab’s style is far too aggressive and grueling for Cory, that either has an elite gameplan or struggles to adapt during the fight.”
- Corrie – Merab Dvalishvili
“I’ve learned my lesson and I’m done betting against Merab. The pace, pressure, and cardio are just overwhelming, and while I don’t see a finish here from here and I do think this fight is a little closer than the line suggests, I have to take the side of the man whose proved me wrong a million times.”
- The Fight Analyst – Merab Dvalishvili
“This fight will arguably be the toughest of Merab’s career. Sandhagen is crafty on the feet and is an underrated grappler in his own right. However, Merab’s pace and cardio are hard to match even for Sandhagen, who trains at elevation. It will be Merab’s continuous forward pressure mixing things up that will help him outpoint Sandhagen to a rather close title defense, which would solidify him as the bantamweight GOAT.”
Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree
- HayJive – Jiri Prochazka
“Rountree will be live for an early KO, Jiri has been tagged in almost every fight he’s had. Jiri has been able to overcome early adversity time and time again, and I expect him to overwhelm Khalil leading to a late TKO.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Jiri Prochazka
“Jiri can fight going forward here and give Khalil a lot of problems. I believe Jiri can take over with damage later in the fight as well.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Jiri Prochazka
“Jiri’s improved head-movement will be a key difference in this bout. His angles will bring problems for Rountree, that to his credit, is still quite dangerous.”
- Corrie – Jiri Prochazka
“Jiri’s bigger, more creative, and just flat-out dangerous everywhere, with only two losses since 2013 and both to Pereira… Rountree’s durable and has improved a ton, but to me, Jiri’s volume, accuracy, and chaos give him the edge in this matchup.”
- The Fight Analyst – Jiri Prochazka
“Jiri is a tough puzzle to solve, even for someone as technical as Rountree Jr. It also seems as if Jiri is controlling his chaos more inside the cage, which will serve him well against a fighter like Rountree Jr., who likes to counter off misses. It will be Jiri’s output and power that will be the difference maker, and being in a three-round fight, Jiri can sprint to the finish as he eventually puts Rountree Jr. away inside two rounds.”
Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal
- HayJive – Youssef Zalal
“Emmett at these odds is always tempting, but Zalal’s style is the kryptonite to Emmett’s Boxing/Wrestling style. I expect Zalal to be too elusive, and too good of a grappler for Emmett to expose him.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Youssef Zalal
“I think the footwork, speed, and cage awareness will make it hard for Josh to close the distance.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Youssef Zala
“While I am concerned about Emmet landing a nuclear power-bomb, Zalal’s ability to mix his wrestling with his range striking will be enough to outstrike an older Josh Emmett.”
- Corrie – Youssef Zalal
“I think Zalal takes this fight… He’s younger, faster, and more defensively sound and Zalal decision feels like the obvious side but the line is way too steep for me, and Emmett’s power plus the fact he can absolutely steal a round makes that point spread at plus money way more playable. Zalal to win, but only action is Emmett point spread at +100.”
- The Fight Analyst – Youssef Zalal
“If Zalal doesn’t dominate Emmett on the mat, it’s going to be a relatively close matchup. However, the output, speed, and footwork for Zalal will be key to picking Emmett apart from range to a closely contested decision as he continues to rise up the featherweight ranks.”
Joe Pyfer vs. Abus Magomedov
- HayJive – Joe Pyfer
“Abus could have some success if he is able to beat Pyfer from range with his kicks. But I expect Pyfer to use his explosiveness and power to make him uncomfortable and I could see him finding a finishing shot.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Joe Pyfer
“I think this is somewhat of an even fight, but the finishing equity lies with Joe Pyfer. I could see a KO or DEC coming for him.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Joe Pyfer
“Joe Pyfer is the more polished striker with the improved cardio, something both men have struggled with. We have seen Magomedov open for heavy shots in the past and I think Pyfer’s accuracy and durability will be a difference.”
- Corrie – Joe Pyfer
“I just don’t trust abus’ cardio, and i don’t trust him to eat Pyfer’s shots for 15 minutes and I don’t think Pyfer is going to give him the space for Abus to fight safe like he tend to. Joe’s power is different, and he’s coming into this fight with something to prove so Pyfer’s my pick to win, I personally like Pyfer by TKO.”
- The Fight Analyst – Abus Magomedov
“It’s hard for me to take Pyfer at his current price after his fight with Gastelum, where, aside from round one, he looked flat. Neither Magomedov nor Pyfer is great outside round one, as they both slow down mightily, which could make this fight a fun one-round fight or a sloppy three-round fight. It seems to me Magomedov has more tools in his arsenal to get the upset win, and if this fight goes deeper, his wrestling and grappling can zap the cardio of Pyder, eventually breaking him late to the submission or decision win.”
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