Ricky Simón vs. Mario Bautista: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Two in-form fighters in the ultra-competitive bantamweight division clash on the main card of the UFC Fight Night 234 this weekend as ranked American Ricky Simón takes on streaking compatriot Mario Bautista. Ranked as number thirteen in the 135-pound class, Ricky Simón saw a five-fight streak ended last time against Song Yadong. Simón is the clear favorite of the bookmakers in this weekend’s clash at the UFC Apex.

MMA: UFC Bantamweight 

Venue: UFC Apex, Las Vegas

Where to watch: ESPN+

Date: 14.01.2024. 05.30

The former LFA bantamweight champion Ricky Simón headlined UFC on ESPN against Song Yadong last April. He took the top-ten-ranked Yadong to the fifth round before being stopped by a flurry of punches. That loss ended Ricky Simón’s five-fight winning streak. The 31-year-old former High School wrestler debuted in the UFC with a win over Merab Dvalishvili in 2018. A Dana White Contender Series alum, Ricky Simón has an 8-3 record in the UFC. Simón is a natural wrestler who loves to hunt down his opponents for takedowns, constantly making them work hard to stay in the fight.

• Age: 31
• Height: 5’ 6”
• Reach: 69”
• Weight: 136 Ibs
• Record: 20-4

The MMA Lab team member has amassed an impressive record of 7-2 in the UFC in one of the toughest divisions in the promotion. Mario Bautista is on a five-fight winning streak with three submissions and two decisions. Bautista’s last fight was an August 2023 decision over Da’Mon Blackshear, who had competed the previous week too. Noted as one of the fighters on the rise by the UFC, Bautista’s wins have gone under the radar even as the 30-year-old quietly improves his stats and his resume. Handed a tough debut against Cory Sandhagen in 2019, Bautista’s subsequent first-round loss wasn’t unexpected, but the Nevada-born bantamweight used the steep learning curve as a platform for improvement.

• Age: 30
• Height: 5’ 9”
• Reach: 72”
• Weight: 135 Ibs
• Record: 13-2

Ricky Simon is a 1.57 favorite on Bet365. The underdog is priced at 2.416 odds on Betwinner. No to the start of round three is available at 2.75 on 1XBET.