UFC 326 Prelims Predictions & Picks – Best Bets Include Cody Garbrandt vs Xiao Long

• Saturday’s UFC 326 Prelims feature seven fights including Cody Garbrandt vs Xiao Long
• Long is 1-2 and largely untested in UFC bouts, while Garbrandt has faced some of the best bantamweights
• See my UFC 326 Prelims predictions, picks and best bets, including Garbrandt vs Long

UFC 326 goes down Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, NV, with a stacked card of fights. The headliner is the rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, but before that bout and the rest of the main card fights take center stage, the prelims will serve as a tasty appetizer.

I see plenty of value in the prelim bouts, and have narrowed down my favorite UFC 326 prelims best bets to three wagers below.

The UFC 326 prelims are set to get underway at 2:45 pm PT, 5:45 pm ET on Paramount+, with the Main Card fights starting at 6:15 pm PT, 9:15 pm ET also on Paramount+.

Here are my UFC 326 prelims predictions, picks and best bets, including Cody Garbrandt vs Xiao Long.

UFC 326 Prelims Predictions and Picks: Cody Garbrandt Moneyline

I’m starting my card with Cody Garbrandt to upset Xiao Long in the bantamweight division. Long backed his way into the promotion, when his Road to UFC Tournament fight in the finals got moved to a UFC event. He wound up losing that fight, and is just 1-1 since, and hasn’t done enough to warrant being such a lofty favorite.

Don’t be fooled by his 27 career wins, as nearly all those were racked up along the regional circuit versus competition that is nowhere close to what he’ll face on Saturday.

Long wants to apply relentless pressure by charging forward and striking in tight, but he does so at the expense of his defense. He’s proven to be very hittable in his early UFC tenure, and while his chin has held up so far, don’t be surprised if Garbrandt drops him.

Garbrandt vs Long Tale of the Tape

The UFC veteran has battled with the majority of the contenders and champions to come through his division, beating the lesser talents and holding his own against the top of the class. He still possesses razor sharp quickness and strong counter punching ability, and I’m confident his superior technical striking will carry him past an overrated opponent.

• UFC 326 Prelims Best Bet: Cody Garbrandt Moneyline (+130 at Bet365)

Check out the best UFC betting apps for UFC 326 on Saturday.

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UFC 326 Prelims Predictions and Picks: Alberto Montes Method of Victory

For my next selection, I’m predicting Alberto Montes will submit Ricky Turcios in their featherweight tilt. Montes is earning a reputation as an elite finisher, ending seven of his 10 professional wins inside the distance. His last four wins have come via submission, and Turcios is a fighter we should all be fading.

The 146-pounder is just 2-3 in five UFC bouts, with both wins coming by split decision. All three losses were by unanimous decision or finish, while his 52% defense and 40% striking accuracy aren’t exactly the numbers of a fighter you want to put your money on.

• UFC 326 Prelims Best Bet: Alberto Montes to Win by Submission (+280 at Bet365)

UFC 326 Prelims Predictions and Picks: Luke Fernandez vs Rodolfo Bellato Exact Method of Victory

I’ll round out my UFC 326 prelims card by predicting the Luke Fernandez vs Rodolfo Bellato light heavyweight bout will end by KO/TKO or DQ. Oddsmakers make this fight -380 to end inside the distance, and given the strong grappling defense of both men, I’m expecting them to decide the fight on their feet.

That should suit Fernandez just fine, as he’s won five of his six professional fights by knockout. He loves to throw big right hands, and stopped his last opponent just :15 into the opening round. He’s yet to be truly tested in the Octagon, so we have no idea how durable his chin in.

Bellato has been inconsistent in his UFC tenure to say the least, but he too has plenty of knockout power. He’s the more potent striker of the two, but he also boasts a suspect chin. Either he’s going down or Fernandez is, but this fight isn’t lasting until the final bell.

• UFC 326 Prelims Best Bet: Luke Fernandez vs Rodolfo Bellato Exact Method of Victory KO/TKO/DQ (-185 at DraftKings)