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Jul 11, 2023

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Font odds, Nashville predictions, time: MMA expert unveils fight card picks

The UFC returns to Nashville on Saturday for the first time in more than four years to host a UFC Fight Night card highlighted by a main event between ranked bantamweight contenders Cory Sandhagen and

The UFC returns to Nashville on Saturday for the first time in more than four years to host a UFC Fight Night card highlighted by a main event between ranked bantamweight contenders Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font. Their scheduled five-round fight tops the main UFC fight card starting at 9 p.m. ET from Bridgestone Arena. The winner between the No. 4-ranked Sandhagen and No. 7-ranked Font will likely become the frontrunner for the division's next title shot. Sandhagen is almost assured of the title bid with an impressive victory, while Font will join the short list of title contenders should he pull his second straight upset. The last UFC Fight Night card held in Nashville came in March 2019, with Anthony Pettis notching an upset knockout of Stephen Thompson in the welterweight main event.

Sandhagen is a -315 favorite (risk $315 to win $100), while Font comes back at +230 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Font odds. In the co-main event, women's strawweight contenders take the spotlight as Tatiana Suarez (-425) meets Jessica Andrade (+300). Before settling any UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Font 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 for UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his ledger included advising SportsLine members to support Jamahal Hill (-125) against Glover Teixeira (+105) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.

Now, with UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Fonrt in sight, Vithlani has scoured the UFC fight card from top to bottom and released his top MMA picks. Vithlani's UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine.

Sandhagen (16-4) has long been hailed as a future champion by countless MMA observers, following a 5-0 start to his UFC career that included three finishes. Sandhagen soared up the rankings but has struggled against elite competition, losing his first three fights against top-five ranked opponents.

The 31-year-old Colorado native finally broke that streak with the decision win over Vera, against whom he had a major height and reach advantage. Sandhagen uses a kickboxing base to unleash a high volume of strikes that put his opponents in a defensive posture and limits their ability to counter.

What's more, his length and high guard make it difficult for his opponents to close the distance and land damage. Sandhagen appears to have another favorable matchup against Font, although Font has proven he's too dangerous to be overlooked.

Font (20-6) has spent most of his nine-year UFC career in the top-15 rankings, reaching No. 3 at one point behind a four-fight winning streak before suffering back-to-back losses. He is known as a high-level boxer and nonstop brawler who uses pace and durability to wear down opponents.

The 36-year-old Font was a sizable underdog to the rising prospect Yanez, but took control from the opening bell and notched a knockout at the 2:57 mark. The Boston native will likely return to the top-five rankings and title-shot consideration with another upset Saturday. You can only see who to pick at UFC Fight Night here.

We'll share one of Vithlani's UFC Fight Night predictions here: He is siding with Diego Lopes (-160) to get past Gavin Tucker (+135) in a battle of featherweight prospects on the main card.

Lopes (21-6) is a versatile prospect who has 11 submissions and eight knockouts to his credit. The 28-year-old Brazilian joined the UFC following strong runs through the Fury Fighting Championship and LUX Fight League promotions. He dropped a tight decision to rising prospect Movsar Evloev in his UFC debut in May.

Tucker (13-2) is a grappling specialist who also has a formidable stand-up game. The 37-year-old Canadian saw a three-fight win streak snapped when he was stopped by veteran contender Dan Ige in the first round.

"Tucker is a skilled fighter, but he succeeds mostly with his grappling. That seems like a dangerous prospect against the Jiu-Jitsu black belt Lopes," Vithlani told SportsLine. See who else to back here.

Vithlani also has strong picks for Sandhagen vs. Font and other bouts on the UFC Fight Night card. He's backing a fighter who "is a monster grappler and dangerous contender" to emerge with a dominant victory. See Vithlani's picks and analysis at SportsLine.

Who wins UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Font, and how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Font, all from the MMA expert who profited more than $6,200 in 2022, and find out.

See full UFC Fight Night picks, predictions, best bets here.

Cory Sandhagen (-315) vs. Rob Font (+230)Jessica Andrade (+300) vs. Tatiana Suarez (-425)Dustin Jacoby (+130) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (-155)Diego Lopes (-160) vs. Gavin Tucker (+135)Tanner Boser (-160) vs. Aleksa Camur (+135)Ignacio Bahamondes (-205) vs. Ludovit Klein (+170)Billy Quarantillo (-175) vs. Damon Jackson (+145)Kyler Phillips (-185) vs. Raoni Barcelos (+155)Jeremiah Wells (-130) vs. Carlston Harris (+110)Cody Durden (+165) Vs. Jake Hadley (-195)