UFC Las Vegas Prelims Predictions & Picks – Best Bets Include Schnell vs Costa

• Saturday’s UFC Las Vegas Prelims feature seven fights, including the Matt Schnell vs Alessandro Costa catchweight bout
• Costa’s volatile fight history and Schnell’s compromised chin makes under 1.5 rounds an enticing wager
• See my UFC Las Vegas prelims predictions, picks and best bets including Schnell vs Costa, below

The UFC makes its return to the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, NV, for UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim tonight. While the main card features a pivotal Welterweight title eliminator, we’re zeroing in exclusively on the preliminary card—a stacked seven-fight slate that kicks off at 5 PM ET on Paramount+.

For value-seeking sports bettors, the prelims are where the real edges live. Less public attention means softer lines, less sharp money, and more exploitable inefficiencies.

With seven prelim fights on deck, there are plenty of spots to find betting value. Below, you’ll find my favorite UFC Las Vegas prelims predictions, picks and best bets including Matt Schnell vs Alessandro Costa.

UFC Las Vegas Prelims Predictions: Schell vs Costa Under 1.5 Rounds

My best bet for this card is Schnell vs Costa under 1.5 rounds. Schnell (17-10) is stepping into the cage with a distinct physical advantage over Costa (15-5) tonight. Standing 173 cm tall with a 178 cm reach, Schnell will tower over the 163 cm Costa. Despite this, Costa is priced as a massive -535 favorite.

Laying that kind of chalk in a division where one perfectly timed counter-strike can turn the lights out is a terrible bankroll decision. The total on the other hand, presents some value. Costa’s fights have historically been highly volatile, and Schnell has unfortunately developed a reputation for having a compromised chin late in his career. Under 1.5 rounds cashes if Costa blitzes the taller fighter early or if Schnell uses his 8 cm reach advantage to clip Costa coming inside.

UFC Las Vegas Prelims Pick #1: Schnell vs Costa Under 1.5 Rounds (-160 at DraftKings)

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UFC Las Vegas Prelims Predictions: McGhee Method of Victory

My next favorite wager is Marcus “The Maniac” McGhee to knockout John Yannis. McGhee stands 173 cm with a 175 cm reach, while Yannis is slightly shorter at 170 cm but holds a reach advantage at 179 cm. On paper, that reach edge for Yannis looks interesting—but it’s a mirage in this matchup.

McGhee’s ability to control range and close the distance on his terms makes him a nightmare for Yannis, who needs space to operate. Once McGhee gets inside, Yannis doesn’t have the defensive wrestling or clinch game to survive. The finish comes when McGhee traps Yannis on the fence and unloads—this fight shouldn’t see the scorecards.

UFC Las Vegas Prelims Pick #2: Marcus McGhee by KO/TKO (+135 at DraftKings)

UFC Las Vegas Prelims Predictions: Silva Moneyline

Next up, I’m betting Bruno “Bulldog” Silva (15-8-2, 1 NC) as a -145 favorite against Edgar “Puro Chicali” Chairez (13-6, 1 NC). The physical tale of the tape heavily favors Chairez here—standing 170 cm with a massive 183 cm reach compared to Silva’s compact 163 cm frame and 168 cm reach. That’s a 15 cm reach disparity Chairez can exploit from the outside.

However, Silva earned that “Bulldog” nickname for a reason. His entire game is built around closing distance, fighting inside, and making taller opponents uncomfortable in the pocket. Chairez’s reach advantage only matters if he can keep Silva at the end of his punches for 15 minutes—and historically, pressure fighters who crash forward tend to negate that kind of length. Expect Silva to walk through the jab, get to the body, and grind Chairez out in a phone booth.

UFC Las Vegas Prelims Pick #3: Bruno Silva Moneyline (-145 at Bet365)

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UFC Las Vegas Prelims Predictions: Chandler Moneyline

Finall, I’m also targeting Chelsea Chandler to beat Priscila “Zombie Girl” Cachoeira (13-8) as a slight underdog. Chandler stands 174 cm with a 173 cm reach, towering over the 170 cm Cachoeira and her 165 cm reach. That’s an 8 cm reach advantage for Chandler—significant in women’s MMA where power differentials are smaller and range management becomes paramount.

At -105, Chandler’s implied probability is roughly 51.2%, meaning the book sees this as essentially a coin flip. But Chandler’s physical dimensions give her a clear path to victory: stick the jab, control distance, and force Cachoeira to overcommit to close the gap. Cachoeira is durable and experienced with 21 pro fights, but Chandler’s height and length should allow her to pick her spots from the outside and avoid the brawls where Cachoeira thrives.

UFC Las Vegas Prelims Pick #4: Chelsea Chandler Moneyline (-105 at DraftKings)