UFC Vegas 104 | HOF
UFC Vegas 104
This weekend’s UFC Vegas 104 promises to be an electrifying event, headlined by the highly anticipated rematch between Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze. Their first encounter in March 2023 saw Vettori secure a unanimous decision victory, but Dolidze has since rebounded with impressive wins over Anthony Smith and Kevin Holland. This fight could be pivotal for both fighters’ title aspirations in the middleweight division.
The co-main event features a welterweight showdown between Chidi Njokuani and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, both coming off recent victories. Njokuani’s decision win over Jared Gordon and dos Santos’s TKO victory against Zach Scroggin highlight their form.
Other notable matchups include Alexander Hernandez facing Kurt Holobaugh in a lightweight bout and Da’Mon Blackshear taking on Cody Gibson in bantamweight action. The preliminary card offers intriguing fights like Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Ryan Spann and Josiane Nunes vs. Priscila Cachoeira. With a mix of rising stars and seasoned veterans, UFC Vegas 104 is set to deliver an action-packed night of MMA. The event will be streamed live on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, starting with prelims at 4 pm ET.
The Home of Fight Experts are here to help put cash into your pockets for this stacked fight night event, so let’s see what they have cooking for this weekend!
Dolidze vs Vettori | HOF
Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze
- HayJive – Roman Dolidze
“The first fight was very close and since then I’ve seen improvements on the Dolidze. Vettori is coming off a beating from Cannonier and a major shoulder surgery. If Dolidze cardio can hold up I like him to win this one.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Roman Dolidze
“Their fist fight wasn’t a blowout, and Roman has been the more active fighter. I also thinks he holds more damage has the advantage in the grappling. Underdog or pass for me here.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Marvin Vettori
“Vettori can keep this standing and has the better overall striking for 5 rounds. Dolidze’s ability to take it to the ground is not the best, and Vettori’s cardio is also superior.”
- Austin Swaim – Roman Dolidze
“Eric Nicksick is the sport’s best coach, and that’s the huge change for Dolidze from a lackluster 2023 loss to Vettori. I think a combination of improved endurance and more of a plan when striking can help him crack Vettori to eke out a decision. Vettori’s long layoff after the Cannonier beating is a red flag.”
- Corrie – Roman Dolidze
“Dolidze has been the more active fight, and is on a bit of a win streak with a mix of finishes. Their last fight was super close and I still think he should’ve won but with Vettori’s time off and Dolidze coming in hungry for revenge, I’ve gotta go with Dolidze.”
- The Fight Analyst – Roman Dolidze
“Roman Dolidze may have hit his stride with back-to-back wins coming into this matchup. Meanwhile, Vettori has been out since June 17, 2023 and is coming off of a lopsided fight against Jared Cannonier in his last fight. I thoroughly expect Dolidze to avenge one of his UFC losses against Vettori this weekend and keep it moving up the middleweight rankings.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Chidi Njokuani vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
- HayJive – Chidi Njokuani
“Chidi at 170lbs seems like a good restart. I expect him to have success at range with his size and be strong in the clinch. If he can avoid the takedowns/ Jiu Jitsu game on the ground I see him winning this.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
“Zaleski has so much experience and the ground game should be too good for Chidi. On the feet Zaleski is a junkyard dog too.”.
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
“Njokuani can be involved into some crazy brawls, and Zaleski is great at finding shots, despite his age. He knows how to defend himself quite well, and can be dynamic with strikes.”
- Austin Swaim – Chidi Njokuani
“Both fighters in the co-main should get the lackluster, low-volume striking match they want. I’m not sure why the guy with a 7-inch reach is an underdog to win it — especially when he’s showed a decent ability to stay safe of the ground. Njokuani’s decision prop is the single best bet on Saturday’s board.”
- Corrie – Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
“Chidi’s in this lower weight class is just a bit questionable to me, and his wins against Reese McKee and Goodwn don’t impress me so I like ZDS for this… If he ZDS attempts the takedown then I feel like Chidi could be cooked.”
- The Fight Analyst – Chid Njokuani
“This fight has FOTN written all over it. Both fighters can bang on the feet, but it will be the intangibles of Njokuani that will be the difference maker in this matchup against ZDS. Having 4” of height and 7” of reach will serve Njokuani well where he will be able to land his power shots at range until he lands something flush sitting ZDS down and putting him away midway through this fight.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Alexander Hernandez vs. Kurt Holobaugh
- HayJive – Kurt Holobaugh
“Kurt is that trusty old vet you can count on to bring a hard nosed approach to every fight. If he maintains his forward pressure with boxing combinations and maybe mix in some grappling I think he can wear down Hernandez here and find a W.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Kurt Holobaugh
“Kurt’s one of this fighters who will fight for your money every single time. I think the pressure will cause Hernandez problems. “
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Alexander Hernandez
“Hernandez has the ability to make this fight close and edge out close decisions. Holobaugh is solid all around, but the age and endurance for Hernandez at 155 is better.”
- Austin Swaim – Kurt Holobaugh
“Alexander Hernandez’s performance isn’t linear, and I’m fearful for him another few months away from Factory X. We know Holobaugh will bring striking volume, and he’s got some sneaky subs when Alex has been caught before. I’ve got Kurt the Hurt modeled at +115.”
- Corrie – Kurt Holobaugh
“I think that Holobaugh’s volume, pace, forward pressure, and durability make all the difference here. Hernandez just has not impressed me and Holobaugh can definitely outwork him.”
- The Fight Analyst – Kurt Holobaugh
“This is the type of matchup that works wonders for Kurt Holobaugh fighting against Hernandez who tends to fade as the fight progresses. Hernandez has had trouble with volume-pressure fighters and that’s exactly what Holobaugh is. Holobaugh will push a crazy pace, making this fight a gritty brawl until Hernadez can’t take it anymore and folds in the latter portion of the fight as Holobaugh gets the late finish or the unanimous decision.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson
- HayJive – Da’Mon Blackshear
“Cody has looked solid as of late but this is a big step up from his last 2 opponents. Blackshear should have him covered in nearly every aspect and I could see him finding a finish here.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Da’Mon Blackshear
“This could end up a grappling match where Damon will be stronger and more explosive. I also believe on the feet he holds more power and has also been fighting higher levels of completion.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Da’Mon Blackshear
“Blackshear has fought great names and his loss to Montel Jackson saw him bounce back with a submission win over Stamaan. Gibson is tough but he has shown to have openings for submissions, with 6 SUB losses (60% of his losses).”
- Austin Swaim – Da’Mon Blackshear
“Brutal matchup for Cody Gibson against a younger, more athletic version. My model has Blackshear at -180, so while this number is out of control, he’s still a modest bet to land takedowns and win grappling exchanges.”
- Corrie – Da’Mon Blackshear
“Feels like Blackshear is on the up and up in his prime and Gibson is hitting the end of his plus, being 37 at bantamweight usually isn’t a great sign especially against someone like Blackshear… Gibson isn’t afraid to go by the mat by any means but whether there’s a finish or if this goes the decision, I still see Blackshear getting the W.”
- The Fight Analyst – Da’Mon Blackshear
“While Cody Gibson has looked good as of late, this is a tough stylistic matchup for him against Da’Mon Blackshear. Blackshear can matchup with him in the grappling and is the more technical striker on the feet. Expect Blackshear to mix in the grappling with his striking to where he eventually gets the finish on the mat and gets back on track this weekend.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Diyar Nurgozhay vs Brendon Ribeiro
- HayJive – Diyar Nurgozhay
“Nurgozhay isn’t gonna blow you away with anything but he’s a very effective fighter who understands range and how to win without being overly aggressive. I’ll take Nurgozhay by KO or decision.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Diyar Nurgozhay
“I think he’s too well rounded to get beat by a wild fighter like Ribeiro. He’s also got power, and technical striking which I think will lead him to the win and possibly finish.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Diyar Nurgozhay
“I think he’s too well rounded to get beat by a wild fighter like Ribeiro. He’s also got power, and technical striking which I think will lead him to the win and possibly finish.”
- Austin Swaim – Diyat Nurgozhay
“This is a volatile fight, but Nurgozhay’s kickboxing and cardio seem superior. Ribeiro’s outperformed my expectations in UFC, but he’s still defensively unsound. Not sure this is the spot to go hard at from a betting perspective.”
- Corrie – Diyar Nurgozhay
“I’m sticking with the favorite here… Nurgozhay targets all areas on the body, he goes for takedowns, and Ribeiro has literally no takedown defense and overall Diyar just has more ways to win overall in my opinion.”
- The Fight Analyst – Diyar Nurgozhay
“While Diyar Nurgozhay may not have as much experience as Brendson Ribeiro, he is the more technically sound fighter. He may not be as physically imposing as Ribeiro but he makes up for it with his power which will be on full display when he knocks out Ribeiro early in this fight to remain unbeaten.”
Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage. Enjoy the fights, let us know how you’ll be watching!
