A potential title shot in the women's flyweight division could be at stake Saturday when former champion Jessica Andrade meets surging prospect Erin Blanchfield in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield. Their five-round battle headlines the main UFC fight card (7 p.m. ET) from the promotion's Apex facility in Las Vegas, with the prelims coming at 4 p.m. ET. The No. 3-ranked Andrade, who is a former champion, took the fight on short notice because doing so provides a potential route to her fifth career title shot. She has won three straight and could fight again for the belt if she gets past the No. 10-ranked Blanchfield, who has emerged as the division's strongest prospect behind four consecutive victories.
Andrade is a -160 favorite (risk $160 to win $100), while Blanchfield comes back at +140 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, light heavyweight prospects take the spotlight as Zac Pauga (-270) faces Jordan Wright (+230). Before finalizing any UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield picks, make sure you see the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani.
Vithlani is a highly-analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances.
In his SportsLine debut at UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his winners included advising SportsLine members to back Jamahal Hill (-125) over Glover Teixeira for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield looming, Vithlani has studied the card from top to bottom and revealed his top picks and predictions. Vithlani's UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield preview
Andrade (24-9) is widely regarded as one of the top women's mixed martial artists in UFC history. The 31-year-old sinister Brazilian is known for her power punching, durability and nonstop pace.
Between the strawweight and flyweight division, Andrade has appeared in four total UFC title fights, winning one of them. She became the strawweight champion with a knockout of Rose Namajunas at UFC 237 in May 2019, but lost in her first defense three months later against Zhang Weili.
Andrade has won three straight since her title-fight loss in April 2021 against Valentina Shevchenko, who has now made seven consecutive successful defenses at flyweight. Andrade would be a logical choice for another shot should she notch an impressive victory Saturday.
But the matchup also serves as a potential fast-track opportunity for Blanchfield (10-1), who will be making her headlining debut. The 23-year-old New Jersey native has been celebrated as one of the most promising flyweight prospects in recent memory, and she could be seen as an appealing opponent for Shevchenko.
Blanchfield joined the UFC following a 4-1 mark in the Invicta FC promotion and immediately made an impression with her diverse skill set, anchored by world-class grappling. She has submitted her last two opponents, including fellow prospect Molly McCann at UFC 281 in November. You can only see who to pick at UFC Fight Night at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night predictions
We'll share one of Vithlani's UFC Fight Night selections here: He is backing Jim Miller (+190) to pull the upset of Alexander Hernandez (-230) in a clash of lightweight sluggers to kick off the main card.
The venerable Miller (25-16-1) is widely considered an active legend in the sport. He has no shortage of accolades to support this notion, including the most wins (24) and appearances (40) in the history of the promotion. The 39-year-old shows no signs of slowing down and has looked sharp in winning his past three fights.
Hernandez made a memorable UFC debut in March 2018 when he was called up from the regional circuit on short notice and landed a highlight-reel knockout of veteran Beneil Dariush, who is now the No. 4-ranked contender in the division. But the 30-year-old St. Louis native has struggled to build on that signature victory, posting a 5-5 mark in 10 UFC appearances.
"Hernandez is a powerful striker and is as dangerous as anybody in the first round. If Miller is smart, he'll look to grapple and drain Hernandez's cardio, which has been a question mark throughout his career. I'll take the underdog," Vithlani told SportsLine. See who else to back here.
How to make UFC Fight Night picks
Marley has strong picks for Andrade vs. Blanchfield and every other bout on the UFC Fight Night card. He's also backing a fighter who "has a ton of power and solid cardio" to emerge with a dominant victory. Vithlani's picks and MMA analysis are only available at SportsLine.
Who wins UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield? And how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC Fight Night, all from the expert who swept the UFC 283 main card last month, and find out.
UFC Fight Night odds, fight card
See full UFC Fight Night picks, predictions, best bets here.
Jessica Andrade (-160) vs. Erin Blanchfield (+140)
Zac Pauga (-270) vs. Jordan Wright (+230)
William Knight (-115) vs. Marcin Prachnio (-105)
Alexander Hernandez (-230) vs. Jim Miller (+190)
Mayra Bueno Silva (-400) vs. Lina Lansberg (+320)
Phillipe Lins (-225) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (+190)
Nazym Sadykhov (-160) vs. Evan Elder (+140)
AJ Fletcher (-260) Vs. Themba Gorimbo (+220)
Clayton Carpenter (-270) vs. Juan Camillo Ronderos (+230)
Khusein Askhabov (-120) vs. Jamall Emmers (+110)
