Fight Night: Adesanya v Pyfer Predictions

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 3/27/2026

Photo by Mat Hayward/ Getty Images

In our Fight Night Evloev v Murphy Predictions where you can find here,

Zak went 4-2 in picks with 2 correct methods for a total of 6 points.

Matt also went 3-3 in picks with 0 correct methods for a total of 3 points.

Points to Date:

Zak: 54 (36-14)

Matt: 47 (32-18)

*All odds are courtesy of Caesar's Sportsbook on 3/27

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4Israel Adesanya vs

14Joe Pyfer

(Adesanya -150)

Zak Drapeau -

Whether you're a fan of Joe Pyfer or not, everyone should be rooting for Izzy in this one as one of the greatest middleweights of all time walks to the Octagon, possibly for the last time.

Izzy is also favored in this one and is by far the toughest opponent Pyfer has ever fought. His 29-year old challenger is on a 3-fight streak and has won 6 of his 7 UFC bouts. Pyfer is a kickboxer at heart but has the ability to grapple when needed, but I don't believe it will come to that. The 5-round distinction favors Izzy very much, especially in the championship rounds where I believe we'll see the former champ finish strong and take the decision.

Prediction: Adesanya by Decision

Matt Hylen -

I think this fight will finally be the entertaining main event people have been waiting for in 2026. With Israel Adesanya fighting for his career and Joe Pyfer fighting for his status, both have so much to gain and to lose heading into it.

For Adesanya, we all know him to be one of the best technical kickboxers in UFC history. When he is on, he can pick just about anyone apart on the feet and wear his opponent down. With that said, his chin is complete glass now with his reflexes declining as he ages.

As for Pyfer, believe it or not, he is a wrestler-first fighter that just happens to have insane KO power. He is not the most technical in the world, but one punch from Pyfer and you are out cold. His biggest weapon is his feinting ability, which combined with his power sets up many takedown opportunities.

I think this fight has a possibility to be bloody, exhausting, and back-and-forth the whole way through. If this fight ends before the bell, it'll likely be Pyfer who wins, but do not count out Izzy just yet.

Prediction: Adesanya by Decision

4Alexa Grasso vs

5Maycee Barber

(Barber -190)

Zak Drapeau -

The only other Flyweight champion in the last 7 years, Alexa Grasso returns to the Octagon to fight Maycee Barber in a crucial fight atop their division. While the top of the 125-division is crowded with multiple women deserving of a title shot, this fight should set up the winner for the next round of title eliminators.

Barber has been on a roll and won 7 in a row heading into this one, whereas Grasso has lost her last 2, albeit to the top 2 of the division. Grasso is a technical boxer who has had trouble with wrestlers in the past and unfortunately will stare down one of the best this Saturday. The 27-year-old Barber seems destined for a title shot and, I believe, will control this fight and coast her way one step closer to one.

Prediction: Barber by Decision

Matt Hylen -

In what could set the winner up for a title eliminator next, I really like this matchup as the co-main event.

Starting with Maycee Barber, I am a huge fan of her game. She is one of the most balanced fighters in all of women's MMA; she is a swarming grappler but will stand and bang with anyone in her way. She is relentless on the ground and the feet, with an inability to stop until she finishes her opponent or the horn sounds.

As for Alexa Grasso, I am also a fan of what she brings to the octagon. She is a former champion who has shown her elite BJJ grappling and finds the back of her opponent. She has very decent offensive boxing but can be prone to gassing out because of it. She has heart as well, but ever since she lost her title she has looked far too timid.

I think this could be a dominant win for Barber. It won't be easy, but I just believe Barber is better anywhere the fight goes. Her kicks are nasty, her grappling is improved to an elite level, and her ability to find finishes is overwhelming.

Prediction: Barber by Submission

Ignacio Bahamondes vs

Tofiq Musayev

(Bahamondes -300)

Zak Drapeau -

Tofiq Musayev was a star in the Japanese promotion Rizin and has gone 1-2 since coming to America, with his only UFC fight being a loss to Orolbai at a 165-catchweight fight. Now back at Lightweight, Musayev will have to fight Bahamondes in a HUGE size discrepancy, commonly seen in Bahamondes' fights. This fight should be fireworks still, as Musayev is game to swing and has real knockout power. I'm still gonna take Bahamondes, but I think it's a brutal few minutes where both men get hurt and realistically can see Musayev getting the upset too.

Prediction: Bahamondes by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

This is a fight I absolutely think deserves to be on the main card. Ignacio Bahamondes is a flashy kickboxer with insanely effective kicks. He is a very explosive striker, but his timidness can be his downfall at times. On the other hand, Tofiq Musayev is also a complete striker with fast hands and KO ability. He may be past his prime, but his non-UFC resume is very good.

I have this being a layup for Bahamondes. If he can break out of his shell in the octagon, there is no stopping what he can do on the feet.

Prediction: Bahamondes by Decision

9Marcin Tybura vs

Tyrell Fortune

(Fortune -140)

Zak Drapeau -

Marcin Tybura has been a fixture in the UFC's Heavyweight rankings for a while and deserves praise but is almost 40 and on his way out. In comes the ultra-traveled Tyrell Fortune in his long-awaited UFC debut on a 3-fight knockout streak, and it seems the writing is on the wall. Can Tybura use his experience to stay on the outside and pick Fortune apart? Seems unlikely, but I guess it's possible.

Prediction: Fortune by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

This fight I think could go either way. Marcin Tybura is, in my mind, Heavyweight's biggest gatekeeper. He is a jack of all trades, master of none style fighter; he wants to smudge you against the cage and hope to find a win somehow. As for Tyrell Fortune, this is a big get for the UFC. It is unknown if he's UFC level just yet, but he is very heavy-handed, which we have seen during his run at Bellator. Formerly an elite prospect, Fortune has a great opportunity to bring new blood to a division that desperately is in need of new top talent.

With all that said, this fight will end quickly in my eyes. Neither are equipped to go the distance, so someone's gas tank is going to be their downfall.

Prediction: Fortune by TKO/KO

12Casey O'Neil vs

14Gabriella Fernandes 

(Pick 'em -110)

Zak Drapeau -

A true pick 'em between two ladies game to stand and bang with each other, I can see more of a chess match in this fight than a brawl. Of any fight on the card, this would be the one I'd bet the deed on to go the distance, and I'm also pretty comfortable with taking O'Neil's side too. She's longer, younger, and more experienced in slugfests. Fernandes is a good fighter on a 3-fight streak, but I believe she will be bested at range by O'Neil and not have much of a backup plan.

Prediction: O'Neil by Decision

Matt Hylen -

As a potential scrap among the prelims, Casey O'Neil and Gabriella Fernandes is your typical evenly-matched fight. O'Neil used to be one of Women's MMA's best prospects, but since her injury has never been the same. She is still decent everywhere the fight goes, but has yet to break through to the elite level. As for Fernandes, she will attempt to get the fight to the ground at all costs. She is a submission specialist who also happens to be very durable. I do not expect too much action in this fight honestly, but it could be a dominant grappling exchange from Fernandes.

Prediction: Fernandes by Decision

Navajo Stirling vs

Bruno Lopes

(Stirling -650)

Zak Drapeau -

Navajo Stirling is one of the best up-and-coming strikers in his division and is coming for the LHW rankings. I will say, however, that the +460 line for Bruno Lopes is a bit disrespectful because of the grappling discrepancy in this one. Stirling has gotten better at getting up after being taken down over his past two fights, but Lopes will still have a distinct advantage. The real question is who will have the better cardio to keep their game plan going into the 2nd and 3rd rounds. If Lopes can maintain control and not let Stirling get in a groove, he'll take a decision. However, if he gets tired, which I think he will, I can see him getting caught and giving Stirling his first UFC knockout and a number next to his name next week.

Prediction: Stirling by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

Now this is a fight I personally am very excited for. Navajo Stirling is a sick kickboxer. His striking is very good when he pulls the trigger, but he is prone to timidness when on the backfoot. As for Bruno Lopes, he dominated everyone he faced on the regional scene but started off his UFC career flat. He is a solid BJJ grappler with good KO power, but needs to throw more controlled strikes if he wants to find finishes. With both guys having something to prove, I feel this could be an exciting fight.

Prediction: Lopes by TKO/KO

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-Z.D. (@DrapeauZak)

-Matt Hylen (@matthylen_)