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A stylistic contrast will be part of the backdrop Saturday when top-ranked and former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane takes on third-ranked contender Tai Tuivasa in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa. Their showdown, which holds title-shot implications, will anchor the main UFC fight card (3 p.m. ET) from Accor Arena in Paris, France. Gane is the ultimate technician who uses his command of multiple disciplines and sleek athleticism to wear down his opponents. Conversely, Tuivasa is an old-school brawler who is more than willing to take a shot to land one of his own. He has won five consecutive fights by knockout inside of two rounds. 

Gane is a -600 favorite (risk $600 to win $100), while Tuivasa is offered at +450 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (-215), who is now ranked No. 1 in the division, meets resilient second-ranked contender Marvin Vettori (+185). Before locking in any UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa picks, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Andrew Gombas.  

Gombas is a former NCAA wrestler who taps into his experience on the mat to help understand and dissect the X's and O's of MMA matchups in a manner that sets him apart from other MMA analysts. He started the MMA handicapping service MMA Knockout Bets in 2018 and has shown a profit every year since.

With more than 1,400 selections tracked by the third-party monitoring service Bet MMA, he has shown a 6% return on investment for his followers. Over the past two years, his followers have netted a profit of more than $10,000. 

At UFC 275 in June, Gombas swept his main-card selections and the 5-0 record included telling SportsLine members to back Jake Matthews (+125) against Andre Fialho (-145) in a matchup of welterweight prospects. Matthews dominated and scored a second-round stoppage to give Gombas' backers another easy winner. Anyone who has followed Gombas already has seen massive returns. 

Now, with UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa in sight, Gombas has studied the card from every angle and released his top MMA picks. Gombas' UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine.  

UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa preview

This matchup features perhaps the two most popular and talented fighters among a young crop of heavyweights to ascend the UFC rankings in recent years, and the winner will likely fight for an interim title at worst.

The mild-mannered Gane (10-1) gained acclaim because of his slick athleticism and a well-rounded skill set rarely seen at heavyweight. He was fast-tracked to a title shot but saw the unified belt elude his grasp when the hulking Ngannou used his rarely seen grappling to secure a decision. It was the first defeat of the 32-year-old fighter's MMA career. 

Tuivasa (14-3) is an extrovert who first became noted for guzzling beer out of a worn shoe following his fights. But the 29-year-old Australian cemented his position as a fan favorite by continually making fast work of other notable prospects with his devastating power and durability. His second-round stoppage of Lewis in February vaulted him into the top-five rankings.  

The title picture remains unclear because Ngannou is recovering from knee surgery while also at an impasse with UFC brass regarding his contract status. A much-anticipated matchup with former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones appears to be shelved indefinitely. Ngannou seems more likely to face the winner of Saturday's main event in his next fight, or the winner could be declared the interim champion if Ngannou and the UFC part ways. You can only see who to pick at UFC Fight Night here.

UFC Fight Night predictions 

We'll share one of Gombas UFC Fight Night selections here: He is siding with Nasrat Haqparast (-220) to get his hand raised against John Makdessi (+190) in a matchup of lightweight contenders on the main card.

Haqparast (13-5) is a dangerous power puncher who was ascending the rankings before suffering back-to-back losses to veteran contenders Dan Hooker and Bobby Green. The 27-year-old German has nine knockouts on his record but hasn't stopped an opponent since August 2019.

John Makdessi (18-7) is a 12-year UFC veteran who has spent some time in the top-15 rankings while sharing the cage with numerous notable opponents such as Donald Cerrone and Francisco Trinaldo. The 37-year-old Canadian logged a decision win against prospect Ignacio Bahamondes in April of last year.

"This should primarily play out on the feet. We haven't seen Makdessi compete in nearly 18 months and he could be past his prime at age 37. I believe Haqparast will be a tough matchup for him. I expect Haqparast to out-work him for a decision," Gombas told SportsLine. See who else to pick here.

How to make UFC Fight Night picks 

Gombas has strong picks for Gane vs. Tuivasa and other fights on the UFC Fight Night card. He's also backing a fighter who "is faster and the better technical striker" to emerge with a dominant victory. Those UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine.

Who wins Gane vs. Tuivasa? And what other picks do you need to see? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed top picks on UFC Fight Night, all from the insider who's up more than $10,000 on MMA picks the past two years, and find out. 

UFC Fight Night odds, fight card

See full UFC Fight Night picks, predictions, best bets at SportsLine.
Ciryl Gane (-600) vs. Tai Tuivasa (+450)
Robert Whittaker (-215) vs. Marvin Vettori (+185)
Stephanie Egger (-325) vs. Ailin Perez (+265)
Alessio Di Chirico (-110) vs. Roman Kopylov (-110)
Khalid Taha (-135) vs. Christian Quinonez (+115)
Benoit Saint-Denis (-240) vs. Gabriel Miranda (+200)
Nasrat Haqparast (-220) vs. John Makdessi (+190)
Charles Jourdain (-140) vs. Nathaniel Wood (+120)
Michal Figlak (-190) vs. Fares Ziam (+170)
William Gomis (-210) vs. Jarno Errens (+180)
Abusupiyan Magomedov (-260) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (+220)
Nassourdine Imavov (-260) vs. Joaquin Buckley (+220)