UFC Vegas 25 Odds, Picks and Betting Preview – Reyes vs Prochazka

• The UFC returns to Las Vegas for UFC Vegas 25 on Saturday, May 1st, 2021
• A pivotal light heavyweight bout headlines the card
• See the odds, picks, and betting preview for the full UFC Vegas 25 main card, below

After having a sold-out crowd in Jacksonville, Florida for UFC 261 on Saturday, the UFC returns to the UFC Apex for a fanless event that goes down on Saturday, May 1, 2021. In the main event, two-time light heavyweight challenger Dominick Reyes looks to snap his losing skid against Jiri Prochazka.

The co-main event sees perennial featherweight contender Cub Swanson battle Giga Chikadze in a very intriguing bout. UFC Vegas 25 main card airs live on ESPN2 and ESPN+ at 10 PM EST. The table below shows odds for the main card at DraftKings followed by best bets.

UFC Vegas 25 Odds

All odds as of April 26

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Does Reyes Return to the Win Column?

Dominick Reyes was a hyped-up prospect who turned into a legit light heavyweight contender and fought for the belt twice but came up short. Now, this is a crossroads fight for Reyes as he takes on KO artist Jiri Prochazka in a very intriguing light heavyweight bout.

Reyes & Prochazka Recent Fights

Reyes went from nearly beating Jones, where many people believed he won, to then overlooking Blachowicz and getting knocked out for the vacant belt in September. Although he’s on a two-fight losing skid, he has lost to the best. Jiri Prochazka, meanwhile, hasn’t fought the highest level of competition in RIZIN but had a successful UFC debut as he KO’d Volkan Oezdemir.

Reyes & Prochazka Stats

This is really good matchmaking, and although I’ve never been high on Dominick Reyes, as I bet against him in his last fight when he was a big favorite against Blachowicz, I actually like this style matchup for him. Although Prochazka has legit one-punch KO power, he gets hit a lot which is a worry for him.

In his UFC debut against Oezdemir, he absorbed 7.05 significant strikes per minute, Reyes, meanwhile, lands 4.53. Prochazka does throw a lot as he landed 5.67 significant strikes in his debut, but Reyes is much better defensively than Oezdemir. I expect Reyes to use his jab and leg kicks and possibly even mix in the wrestling to have success. The first two rounds will be interesting if Reyes survives, I like his chances to win the fight.

Ultimately, I expect Reyes to be more sound defensively, and as the fight goes on, he will start to take over. He will likely get a stoppage win as he can take Prochazka down as he starts to grow tired and ground and pound him out.

Pick: Dominick Reyes (+110)

Does Chikadze’s Rise Continue?

Giga Chikadze had a breakout year in 2020 and gets the toughest test of his career as he faces Cub Swanson.

Swanson & Chikadze Recent Fights

Chikadze has not fought the highest level of completion, but ever since the close fight with Emmers, he has been dominating his opponent. His karate style is hard to fight against as he’s an excellent counter striker. He lands solid punches and kicks when his opponents try and close the distance.

Cub Swanson, however, has turned his career around after losing four in a row. Although Chikadze isn’t that big of a name, this is a tough style matchup for him, and if he’s going to win, he will have to try and wrestle. However, Chikadze’s takedown defense has gotten so much better that he should be able to stuff the takedowns and outpoint Swanson to win a decision. Look for a Chikadze win by decision line when it becomes available in the UFC Vegas 25 odds.

Pick: Giga Chikadze (-200)

Other UFC Vegas 25 Picks:

1. Dustin Jacoby (+114): If Jacoby can survive the first he wins. Cutelaba has five minutes of cardio, and I like Jacoby to survive and eventually get a second or third-round TKO.
2. Sean Strickland (-250): Strickland has looked phenomenal since returning from a motorcycle accident that almost ended his career. I expect him to land some big and TKO Jotko.
3. Cody Stamann (+175): I don’t understand these odds. Merab has some hype behind him, but I believe Stamann is the better wrestler and will be able to keep it standing and pick Merab apart to win a decision.

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