Home of Fight Expert Picks: UFC Paris
UFC Paris promises fireworks for fight fans, as the promotion returns to the Accor Arena on September 6 with a card stacked in every weight class. The main event sees top-10 middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov battling rising Brazilian standout Caio Borralho—a true clash of styles that could propel the winner into title contention. Imavov’s sharp, controlled striking and home crowd advantage will be tested by Borralho’s relentless pressure, slick grappling, and composure against adversity.
France’s own Benoit Saint Denis takes center stage in the co-main event, meeting knockout artist Maurício Ruffy in a high-stakes lightweight showdown. Saint Denis brings pressure, durability, and a well-rounded skillset, while Ruffy’s knockout power threatens to silence the Parisian faithful at any moment. The main card also features Bolaji Oki taking on Mason Jones in a meaningful lightweight tilt, and a fascinating light heavyweight scrap between Modestas Bukauskas and submission wizard Paul Craig, both hunting to break into the UFC’s upper echelon.
Featherweight legend Patrício Pitbull collides with Losene Keita, infusing the lineup with pound-for-pound storylines, while local and international talent create one of the most compelling European cards of the year. With French prospects like Oumar Sy, William Gomis, and Axel Sola all featured, UFC Paris is set for an electric, unpredictable night.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 Paris.
Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho
- HayJive – Nassourdine Imavov
“I don’t think Borralho will be able to get his grappling going here so I’ll take Imavov in a mostly striking match.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Caio Borralho
“Caio hasn’t lost in 10 years and is a master of game planning. I think that mixed with the grappling will be enough.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Caio Borralho
“Borralho is the better mixed-martial artist, has the better IQ and better power. Imavov will have moments and yes, has fought better opposition, though Borralho is far better using his tools to find a result through the path of least resistance.”
- Corrie – Caio Borralho
“Caio’s defense is just so clean and he mixes in his wrestling at a way higher clip than Imavov… I feel like it’s actually going to be a pretty close fight overall but coming off landing 153 sig strikes on Cannonier, I trust his efficiency and fight IQ to edge this.”
- The Fight Analyst – Caio Borralho
“This is the coming-out party for Borralho. He gets a big fight on a big stage in his opponent’s backyard. Borralho does a great job at mixing up his striking with his grappling, making it difficult for someone like Imavov to tee off on him. If Borralho can utilize his distance management to keep away from the power of Imavov and mix in the grappling, he should outwork him to a decision and a potential title shot.”
Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Mauricio Ruffy
- HayJive – Mauricio Ruffy
“Ruffy’s ground game is a relative unknown however his range management and sharp counters should help him avoid Saint Denis takedowns. I’ll take Ruffy.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Mauricio Ruffy
“Ruffy is too accurate while BSD is extremely hittable. I think BSD’s chin can be cracked once again here.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Mauricio Ruffy
“While the least experienced of the Nerds inside the UFC, Ruffy is unanimously claimed as the more talented by those in the inside. With great takedown defense as we saw in the Contender Series, there is nothing holding him back from a highlight KO win over a vulnerable BSD.”
- Corrie – Mauricio Ruffy
“That man is SHARP and CALCULATEDDD. He also defends way better than BSD, is currently riding a 5-fight streak so personally I’m leaning him with the sharper striking but if we’re going to be honest, BSD’s pressure/wrestling threat means that if there’s an upset, I wouldn’t be shocked.”
- The Fight Analyst – Mauricio Ruffy
“Much like his training partner Borralho, this is Ruffy’s coming-out party. Gets a big fight against a hometown guy in Saint-Denis. Ruffy’s technical striking and movement will make it difficult for Saint-Denis to close the distance. As long as Ruffy maintains that distance and keeps this fight standing, he should win with ease and continue his rise in the lightweight rankings.”
Modestas Bukauskas vs. Paul Craig
- HayJive – Modestas Bukauskas
“Bukauskas should be able to get this done as long as he avoids the ground like Lava. Craig hasn’t shown a great ability to get it there either.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Modestas Bukauskas
“Paul Craig hasn’t looked great in a few years. Moddy B is the opposite where he’s starting to gain traction. I think Modestas can win where this fight goes.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Modestas Bukauskas
“Craig is great if the flight hits the mat, though his inability to land takedowns costs him. Bukauskas, with positive momentum, should bring this one home.”
- Corrie – Paul Craig
“Bukauskas might have the cleaner striking numbers, and he may be the smarter choice in this matchup, and I do honestly believe that… But I am such a Paul Craig believer at this weight class and I think that between him having been itching to fight and just getting a new contract – I think he’s so live and he can drag chaos and snatch something, and after that Bellato fiasco, I’m happy to ride the dogshot.”
- The Fight Analyst – Modestas Bukauskas
“Not entirely sure why Paul Craig got a new contract, but here we are. Bukauskas has good enough takedown defense to keep the fight standing, where he should knock Craig into another dimension and get the win.”
Bolaji Oki vs. Mason Jones
- HayJive – Bolaji Oki
“Jones is a good fighter but he can rely on his durability to walk through his opponents shots and I don’t think he’ll be able to do that against Oki. I’ll take Oki here.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Mason Jones
“Jones is a junkyard dog with a chin, and a relentless style. I think the cardio and pressure can get to Oki here.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Mason Jones
“Jones is more well rounded and has the upper hand when it comes to Fight IQ towards getting this one done.”
- Corrie – Mason Jones
“I’m personally not tooo keen on either of these guys here but I do like Jones’ durability and I said it last time we talked about him: I really respect that he left the UFC, on his own accord, to gain more experience and come back. That self-awareness plus pressure is what gets it done but I think between his grinding nature and durable we’ll see him find a late finish or take the decision win.”
- The Fight Analyst – Mason Jones
“I am not particularly high on Oki, whose only wins came against short-notice featherweights whom he lost minutes and rounds against both. Oki is also known to slow down as fights progress, which is where Jones is at his best. Expect Jones’ durability, cardio, and pace to drown Oki and get an emphatic finish late.”
Axel Sola vs. Rhys McKee
- HayJive – Rhys McKee
“Sola up a weight class isn’t ideal, and McKee is a large Welterweight. I’ll take McKee to get it done here and lean on that UFC experience agains the debuter.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Rhys McKee
“I think Rhys will be a bit more experienced and has the power like we saw his last fight. These debutants seem to crumble to the pressure.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Rhys McKee
“Short-Notice for both men, but I do believe more in the skills of a tested Rhys McKee.”
- Corrie – Alex Sola
“One of my current favorite guys to keep an eye on… This man is out here playing full ballads on the piano and reading sheet music, playing chess, and is one of the most interesting people to listen to when he talks about his mental aspect/preparation in MMA… He’s so tactful and calculated in everything he does that his fight IQ follows the same trend and this being his debut? God bless Rhys McKee… Sola is the pick.”
- The Fight Analyst – Rhys McKee
“Short-notice fight for both, but only McKee is in his natural weight class. The size difference will be imperative. I expect McKee to put it on Sola at range and outstrike throughout the fight to continue his winning ways.”
Patricio Pitbull vs. Losene Keita
- HayJive – Losene Keita
“Pitbull has so much more experience however Keita will be much bigger, faster, and stronger and I don’t think Pitbull will be able to overcome that. Give me Keita.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Losene Keita
“I don’t normally take debutants against veterans but Patricio gets cracked in alot of fights. The power of Keita seems different and like it will produce problems here.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Patricio Pitbull
“While a dangerous fight, Keita leaves good openings for Pitbull to take him down. Not to be ignored is Pitbull’s power, who has been underrated at times.”
- Corrie – Losene Keita
“Another debut I can’t wait for… I like Keita’s speed and power A LOT. I also think he’s creative and that his striking will look like a little too much to handle for Pitbull who’s slowing down a bit. As long as Keita handles the takedown threat early, his pressure and cardio should carry him, which is why he’s another one of my fave debuts this week.”
- The Fight Analyst – Losene Keita
“It’s been a long time coming for Keita to make his UFC debut. He’s a prospect to watch out for, which is why they gave him Bellator veteran Pitbull as his first fight inside the octagon. As long as Keita doesn’t get put on his back, his speed and power will be too much for Pitbull putting him away and making a statement at UFC Paris.”
Photo | UFC YT
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