Fight Night Burns vs Malott Predictions

Sportz Nation Staff
7 days ago
7 min read

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 4/15/2026

Photo Credits to @UFCCanada on Instagram

In our UFC 327 Predictions which you can find here,

Zak went 2-5 in picks with 1 method for 3 points.

Matt went 5-2 in picks with 3 methods for 8 points.

Points To Date:

Zak: 66 (45-24)

Matt: 61 (42-27))

*All odds courtesy of Caesar's Sportsbook on 4/15

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11Gilbert Burns vs

Mike Malott

(Malott -320)

Zak Drapeau -

In an interesting main event that the UFC is hoping will carry this otherwise weak card, we will see Gilbert Burns make what could be his final appearance in the UFC's top 15 after being ranked since late 2019. Opposite the former BJJ world champion is Mike Malott, the hometown Canadian whose only loss in 8 UFC fights came against Neil Magny in a fight he was winning.

Evident by the odds, the UFC and the world are expecting Malott to get the win and continue the UFC's recent wave of youth in their rankings. Malott won't be able to lean on his grappling when losing as he has from time to time, but his boxing may finish the fight before he needs to.

Prediction: Malott by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

This should be an interesting fight between two older fighters looking to either save their career or solidify themselves in the rankings. With Mike Malott being one of the oldest prospects the UFC has and Gilbert Burns in the twilight of his career, a lot is at stake in the UFC Canada's main event.

In terms of advantages, Burns' experience should serve him well. He is a former title challenger with solid hands and good grappling. We have not seen the dangerous version of Burns since 2023, but it is hard to count anyone with his kind of experience out.

As for Malott, he is considered a prospect, but he is in his mid-thirties. With that said, Burns is on his way out and holds a disadvantage on the feet, which should benefit Malott a ton in this fight. With the home crowd behind him, Malott likely will be the better fighter everywhere the fight goes.

I don't see this fight lasting very long. Malott and Burns, though around the same age, are at different career points, which I think shows on Saturday night.

Prediction: Malott by TKO/KO

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Kyler Phillips vs

Charles Jourdain

(Jourdain -150)

Zak Drapeau -

A co-main event that just sort of feels wrong, with all due respect to Jourdain and Phillips. Having only been at 135 for a year and a half, Charles Jourdain is hoping for his third straight win while Kyler Phillips is hoping not to lose for the third time in a row.

Phillips seemingly should have a wrestling advantage in this one that I believe could really make a difference. That is if Jourdain doesn't lock in his elite guillotine choke, which we should see at least once in this one. That's what it'll come down to, either a submission from Jourdain or what I'm going to go with, a wrestle-fest decision win by Kyler Phillips.

Prediction: Phillips by Decision

Matt Hylen -

This is a fun co-main event that should be a barnburner the entire way through. However long it lasts, both Kyler Phillips and Charles Jourdain will be doing their best to find a finish.

In terms of where Phillips holds an advantage, Jourdain has never beaten a ranked fighter before. Phillips is also a better volume striker, which should give Jourdain problems when trying to find his shot. Phillips could use Jourdain's lack of defense to his advantage when pressuring him, which could result in a nightmare of a time for Jourdain.

As for Jourdain, he has looked nasty on the feet since moving to 135. Though Phillips likes to pressure opponents, Jourdain could use that to his advantage considering he is a counter striker. Phillips also just lost to two lesser strikers than Jourdain, which should give Jourdain confidence. You also cannot forget the submission game of Jourdain, which often can get lost due to his finishing ability on the feet.

I think this will be an extremely interesting fight that won't see the final bell. Simply put, whoever comes in with the better game plan will win this fight.

Prediction: Jourdain by Submission

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7Jasmine Jasudavicius vs

9Karine Silva

(Jasudavicius -320)

Zak Drapeau -

Jasudavicius' run to the top of the Flyweights was halted by Manon Fiorot in a quick knockout, but I really believe this woman could be a future title challenger at the very least. After being embarrassed, her next fight will see a sharp decline in the rankings when fighting Karine Silva, who to me is more of a Top-10 gatekeeper.

Silva is very good, and on paper should be a great matchup for Jasmine in grappling, but one that I believe Jasudavicius should overcome even if she can't cinch in one of her many elite chokes.

Prediction: Jasudavicius by Decision

Matt Hylen -

Another interesting fight that could see the winner with a top-5 fight next. For Jasmine Jasudavicius, she's an excellent wrestler who definitely holds an advantage over Karine Silva on the ground. Her striking is also a bit more advanced than Silva's, which she could use to set up takedowns throughout the fight. On the other hand, Silva does hold an advantage if she can make this a BJJ style of fight. Yet, with that said, this should be Jasudavicius' dominance all day long.

Prediction: Jasudavicius by Decision

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Thiago Moises vs

Gauge Young

(Young -150)

Zak Drapeau -

This bout may not be very appealing to most, but it can go to show how much a prospect making an impact in the UFC could be the highlight we didn't know we needed. Gauge Young is a 25-year-old kickboxer who had a less than stellar start to his UFC career but is about to be on a whole different trajectory.

Thiago Moises is a good fighter and, at 31 years old, has already had a long and pretty good career, but I'm calling him to get knocked the F out here. It may just be how weak this card seems to be, but I have this fight circled as the one that wakes the crowd up as Gauge Young lands either a backfist or a thundering straight and Moises goes limp.

Prediction: Young by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

I am with Zak in terms of appeal of this fight, but it does involve a young prospect in Gauge Young who could make a statement with a win over a veteran like Thiago Moises. For Young, he of course is the younger guy, but also will benefit from the decline in form from Moises. He holds the advantage on the feet, with fast hands that can knock you out quickly.

For Moises, he may be on the decline but he still has the complete advantage on the ground. He is a seasoned veteran who has faced many elite-level talents, but also can use his experience to overwhelm Young if he gets the fight to the clinch or the ground.

I do not think this fight will be the most entertaining, but one I will be tuned into. He is unproven, but I want to see what Young can do against a guy like Moises.

Prediction: Moises by Decision

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Melissa Croden vs

Darya Zhelezniakova

(Croden -140)

Zak Drapeau -

This fight may be the most important of the three women's fights on this card due to its implications in the white-hot Bantamweight division. Zhelezniakova is the Russian phenom who was set to quickly ascend the division before a quick arm triangle in 2024 stopped her in her tracks. After a dominant win in 2025, Darya is again on the hunt for a number. On the other side, Melissa Croden has just about as much potential as her opponent but has been overlooked after a dominant and wrestle-filled win by Luana Santos in December.

This fight should be an all-out war of strikes between two warriors. I'm going to have to go with Zhelezniakova for this one as I believe her strikes are more powerful, and if Croden gets too comfortable, she'll get caught.

Prediction: Zhelezniakova by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

The fights on this card may not make for the most appealing card, but the UFC did hit on all the women's fights on the card. This matchup is no different. With Melissa Croden finishing every opponent she's beaten and Darya Zhelezniakova only having lost to a top-5 fighter in the division, we could see a barnburner that will create a new contender.

If she can make this fight dirty, I think Croden has the advantage. She is must-see TV every time she enters the octagon with her crazy style and violent nature. Her ground game is better than Zhelezniakova's on average as well, which will serve her nicely when trying to find her spots.

As for Zhelezniakova, she has looked good in the UFC, but I do not really see any huge advantage for her anywhere the fight goes. Her resume is pretty good, with her only loss again coming to Ailin Perez, but nothing stands out to me as something that could overwhelm Croden.

Prediction: Croden by Decision

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14J.J. Aldrich vs

Jamie Lyn-Horth

(Lyn-Horth -150)

Zak Drapeau -

In another ranked Women's Flyweight bout on this abysmal card, J.J. Aldrich will put her number on the line against Jamie Lyn-Horth. Horth has a slight advantage in grappling in my eyes, but neither of these two are clear favorites to me in what I thought would be a pick 'em in Vegas.

I'm going to take Horth here, not only because of the grappling but also due to her activity, winning 2 fights in a row since the last time we've seen Aldrich fight.

Prediction: Lyn-Horth by Decision

Matt Hylen -

Another fun ranked fight that I think will be one to watch on the Prelims. Jamie Lyn-Horth is an absolute brawler who has put on some crazy fights in the past. Her ability to stand-and-bang on the feet with anybody will likely give her an advantage over JJ Aldrich. As for Aldrich, she is coming off a win, but she does not excel at any one thing. She is decent on the ground and on the feet, but does not pose a serious threat with the way she fights. This one is relatively easy for me; Lyn-Horth will dominate this one.

Prediction: Lyn-Horth by TKO/KO

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