UFC 266 predictions — Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega: Fight card, odds, expert picks, prelims

A loaded UFC 266 fight card is set to go down in Las Vegas on Saturday night. In the night’s main event, Alexander Volkanovski will defend the UFC featherweight championship against former title contender Brian Ortega. There’s one other championship bout set for the card with Valentina Shevchenko putting the women’s flyweight title on the line against top contender Lauren Murphy.

There are plenty of other huge fights on the card, including Nick Diaz returning to the Octagon for the first time in more than five years when he battles Robbie Lawler in a rematch of a 2004 clash. Also, heavyweight finishers clash when Curtis Blaydes battles Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

Can’t get enough boxing and MMA? Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the best analysis and in-depth news, including a complete preview of UFC 266 below.

With so much happening on Saturday night, let’s take a closer look at the full fight card with the latest odds from Caesars Sportsbook before we get to our staff predictions and picks for the PPV portion of the festivities.

UFC 266 fight card, odds

• Alexander Volkanovski (c) -175 vs. Brian Ortega +150, featherweight championship
• Valentina Shevchenko (c) -1500 vs. Lauren Murphy +850, women’s flyweight championship
• Robbie Lawler -135 vs. Nick Diaz +115, middleweights
• Curtis Blaydes -310 vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik +250, heavyweights
  
  
• Jessica Andrade -270 vs. Cynthia Calvillo +220, women’s flyweights
• Merab Dvalishvili -260 vs. Marlon Moraes +210, bantamweights
• Dan Hooker -150 vs. Nasrat Haqparast +125, lightweights
• Chris Daukaus -195 vs. Shamil Abdurakimov +165, heavyweights
• Talia Santos -410 vs. Roxanne Modafferi +320, women’s flyweights
• Uros Medic -125 vs. Jalin Turner +105, lightweights
• Manon Fiorot -270 vs. Mayra Bueno Silva +220, women’s flyweights
• Nick Maximov vs. Cody Brundage, middleweights
  
  
• Matthew Semelsberger -490 vs. Martin Sano +370, welterweights
• Omar Morales -150 vs. Jonathan Pearce +125, lightweights

With such a massive main event on tap, the crew at CBS Sports went ahead with predictions and picks for the main card. Here are your pick makers: Brent Brookhouse (Combat sports writer), Brian Campbell (Combat sports writer, co-host of “Morning Kombat”), Matthew Coca (producer), Jack Crosby (editor), Michael Mormile (producer) and Brandon Wise (senior editor).

UFC 266 picks, predictions

Campbell on why Ortega will win: Finding the perfect balance between the relentless brawler he was in his 2018 title loss to Max Holloway and the striking technician he became against Chan Sung Jung upon his return from a two-year injury layoff will be key for Ortega in order to solve the mystery of Volkanovski. The defending champion is typically two steps ahead of his opponents by setting traps and relying on footwork to always retain control of the fight’s terms. The good news for Ortega is that he has the size, skill and finishing ability to potentially offset that. Although Volkanovski has publicly criticized Ortega’s fight IQ after the two got to know each other well as coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter,” Ortega proved against “The Korean Zombie” that we still haven’t seen the very best of him yet. The more Ortega can remain unpredictable, the more effective his striking can potentially be. Holloway came as close as a fighter can to solving that riddle. Ortega has become enough of a student of the game that one final leveling up could be enough to gain the judges’ approval in a close decision. 

Brookhouse on why Volkanovski will win: Questionable judging in the rematch with Max Holloway has unfairly rewritten who Volkanovski is as a fighter for many. Holloway is an exceptional fighter, as everyone knows, and Volkanovski landed more significant strikes in both of his fights with Holloway, not just the first clash. Volkanovski is a legit talent on the feet beyond what many are giving him credit for, plus he has the ability to mix in wrestling. Ortega looked improved in his one fight since returning but that was against Chan Sung Jung, who isn’t exactly a difficult puzzle to figure out. Even that improved version of Ortega isn’t on the level of Volkanovski and it’s going to make for a long night for the challenger.

Who will win Volkanovski vs. Ortega? And how exactly does each UFC 266 fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks from Kyle Marley, who’s up over $14,000 on MMA picks in the past 31 months, and find out.