Predicting UFC 332

Sportz Nation Staff

11 minutes ago

8 min read

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 10/2/2026

In our UFC 331 Predictions, which you can find here,

Zak went 4-2 in picks with 2 methods for 6 points.

Matt went 2-4 in picks with 0 methos for 3 points.

Points To Date:

Zak: 194 (128-74)

Matt: 169 (113-83)

*All odds courtesy of Caesar's Sportsbook on 10/2

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Graphic Credits to UFC via bloodyelbow.com

1Natalia Silva vs

8Wang Cong

Woman's Flyweight

Championship

(Silva -210)

Zak Drapeau -

In the WORST PPV Main Event since UFC 250, we may actually see a good fight for the recently-vacated Flyweight title. Natalia Silva has long been due for a shot at the gold but Wang Cong was thrusted into this opportunity. The fight was scheduled before Shevchenko got injured as a title eliminator and moved up for the championship, (making Wang Cong the 5th fighter in UFC history to challenge for a title as the #8 contender or higher.)

Silva is an expected favorite in this fight and is undefeated in her 9 fights in the UFC. Silva is a taekwondo fighter who rarely fights on the ground and uses expert defense to out strike everyone she's fought. That might be a challenge against Cong though who is maybe the best boxer in the division. Both fighters are the same size and ready for a straight up kickboxing fight, and even though it won't be the most exciting bout it should at least be competitive.

Prediction: Silva by Decision

Matt Hylen -

Sure, this probably isn’t the most exciting main event in the world for a numbered card, but I’m personally very excited for this matchup. If you’ve read our previous UFC articles, I have been high on Natalia Silva for quite some time. As for Wang Cong, it’s an interesting matchup, but one I think is a nightmare for her.

The entirely of Cong’s style relies on her closing the distance to her opponent so she can land big shots. She has nice kicks, especially to the legs, but she struggled with landing her strikes from a distance. Now, who is possibly the best fighter in Women’s MMA at keeping distance? You guessed it, Natalia Silva.

Silva may not have the tallest or have the longest reach, but the way she mixes up her strikes and kicks is otherworldly and a nightmare for any opponent. Her body kicks are absolutely devastating, but it’s the variety of delivery in which she throws it that makes it so challenging to defend. Cong definitely has the power advantage, but I think Silva has a great opportunity to just pick Cong apart on the feet, as she has so many of her opponents. We saw what Silva did against Alexa Grasso; Cong should be no different.

Prediction: Silva by Decision

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9Deiveson Figueiredo vs

12Payton Talbott

(Talbott -750)

Zak Drapeau -

Here's the thing, this fight shouldn't be as favored by Talbott as the odds indicate. Sure he's 10 years younger, has a slight reach advantage and Figgy has lost 4 of his last 5 but there's something at play here we're not talking about. Talbott hasn't faced anyone...

Figueiredo has lost to Yan, Yadong, Umar and Sandhagen over the last 2 years and Talbott's only loss came to Raoni Barcelos who wasn't even ranked at the time. Talbott has the youth, he has an unbelievable tenacity as a kickboxer and he has momentum but Figueiredo has toughness, experience and a deeper bag especially in grappling. I think Talbott outlands Figueiredo to a decision but it stays interesting through the 3rd round with Figgy getting takedowns and control time.

Prediction: Talbott by Decision

Matt Hylen -

Payton Talbott is another fighter I have really believed in over the years. I think he is one of the best prospects in the UFC and will absolutely show it against Deiveson Figueiredo.

I envision this fight going a very similar way to how Talbott’s fight with Henry Cejudo went. Talbott will slowly pick Figueiredo apart on the feet, and who knows, maybe he’ll try and get a takedown on Figgy. Figueiredo is way too far past his prime to stand with any opponent anymore, so takedowns will need to be the priority. However, Talbott showed in his last fight how improved his takedown defense has gotten. I expect Talbott to shine again and get a quicker finish this go around.

Prediction: Talbott by TKO/KO

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King Green vs

Esteban Ribovics

(Ribovics -230)

Zak Drapeau -

Well, we are finally here for King Green's ranked fight eliminator. Not only is this fight actually huge for the division but it should end in a knockout and be a war until we get there. Both fighters hype up the crowd, both get performance bonuses almost every other fight and both will be looking for the knockout.

When it comes down to it, I'm not sure why the odds are 2-1 in favor of Ribovics because this really should be a Pick 'Em. Green is 40-years old sure but he's got a size advantage, experience advantage and a 4-fight win streak to his name including 3 stoppages and looking great while he's done it. Give me my upset of the week here.

Prediction: Green by TKO

Matt Hylen -

This should be fight of the night in my opinion. We all know the showman King Green is, but I truly think people are underrating Esteban Ribovics. Ribovics poses a serious threat to a guy like Green, who has gotten knocked out plenty of times before, so I expect this one to be pretty close.

The key to getting to King Green is to throw something he can’t see coming. Otherwise, Green will just pick you apart and showboat while doing it. Ribovics has the arsenal to get that done, but on the other hand he really hasn’t beaten anybody that is on Green’s level. Green has been on an absolute tear, which is making it hard to see a world where Ribovics, who plateaus against high level opponents, can win this fight.

Prediction: Green by Decision

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Ateba Gautier vs

Roman Kopylov

(Gautier -260)

Zak Drapeau -

Gautier is a MONSTER. This fight could easily propel him into the rankings over a guy like Shara who's currently at #15. Finishing 4 of his 5 UFC wins by knockout as well as being an overall physical freak in both size and stature. Roman Kopylov is a very good fighter who even at 34 has a lot of good fights left in him but he's about to fight the boogeyman.

There is a world where Kopylov uses his wrestling to keep Gautier on his back foot and makes the fight a close decision but Gautier is younger, more powerful and has a 6" reach advantage. This one ends in fireworks and gives Gautier the Top-10 fight next that he honestly already deserves.

Prediction: Gautier by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

This is another fight I think could be very fun to watch. Ateba Gautier very well could be the best prospect in the UFC, but Roman Kopylov is a massive step up in competition in both skill and experience.

Looking at his resume, there isn’t a single highly touted fighter that Gautier has fought. He has been dominating, but hasn’t really done it against any sort of game competition. So, facing a guy like Kopylov, who has been ranked in the past and has fought very good opponents, is a massive jump for Gautier. With that said, Gautier has showed improvement in every fight he’s had in the UFC, while Kopylov is not the level of fighter he used to be.

I think Gautier can keep the hype train rolling. Kopylov will not go down easy and likely have his moments throughout the fight, but Gautier seems like the real deal.

Prediction: Gautier by TKO/KO

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15Marcus McGhee vs

Anthony Romero

(McGhee -500)

Zak Drapeau -

McGhee is one of the better secrets in the UFC's 135-division. He's a bit in limbo right now at #15 and having not beaten any quality fighters but having been to a division with Petr Yan. This fight with Anthony Romero comes after his original opponent Bernardo Sopaj had to drop out just 3 days before the fight, and will be Romero's debut in the UFC after having a good run in the California-based UNF promotion.

Romero is 29, with a 7-2 record and very intense and pressure-based fight style. The comparison with Petr Yan is WILDLY out stretched but they do both have similar sizes and boxing backgrounds. That being said, McGhee shouldn't run into too much trouble especially against a man with 3 days notice, even against the unknown striker. Still though... I might bet on the +380 dog just out of curiosity and the sense that Romero could get a knockout early.

Prediction: McGhee by Decision

Matt Hylen -

I am not exactly sure how, in his UFC debut, Anthony Romero got this fight against Marcus McGhee after losing two fights in a row, but here we are. Sure, Romero is under 30 and still has some potential, but McGhee seems like a huge step up in competition with McGhee’s experience alone.

Considering McGhee’s only loss since 2022 has been to the champion himself Petr Yan, it’s hard not to side with McGhee here. The short notice is a factor, but McGhee’s experience and style should be able to carry him through to a nice win here.

Prediction: McGhee by Decision

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13Johnny Walker vs

Mick Parkin

(Walker -120)

Zak Drapeau -

I'm not sure if this is a hot take or not but I might be most looking forward to this fight on the 332 card. We finally get to see Johnny Walker make his long-awaited debut at Heavyweight and he's taking on a more than capable Mick Parkin with heavy hands and will be coming for a knockout.

Walker should be VERY cautious of his exchanges in this fight. His best work comes from a distance and when utilizing his long legs to chop his opponent. Walker was susseptible to getting his bell rung at 205, so now that he's making the jump he really needs to protect his chin. The only way he wins this is if Parkin gasses out in the 1st or 2nd and I have a feeling that won't be the case.

Prediction: Parkin by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

Contrary to Zak’s take, I think this fight should be very straight forward. Johnny Walker and Mick Parkin are not the same level fighter in my eyes. Parkin definitely has power in his hands, but Walker is a much more complex striker with a much bigger repertoire of ways to knock you out.

I think this move to Heavyweight is very smart from Walker. He already was pretty big for the Light Heavyweight division, so this camp probably was a lot easier for him. Of course, when guys move up a division the question mark is always cardio, but that shouldn’t matter in this fight. Parkin’s defense on the feet is awful; plus, he has only beaten low level opponents. When you’re losing to Marcin Tybura in 2025, it raises some major red flags for me.

So, while his chin is made of glass, I like Walker to dominate this fight and end it rather early. One flurry might be all Walker needs to get Parkin backed up to the cage and exposed to a hook or a knee.

Prediction: Walker by TKO/KO

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