For the first time in over a decade, the UFC travels to Emerald City this weekend, and we’re covering all your betting needs for a Seattle fight night card stacked with top-tier talent from the main card to the prelims.
Let’s waste no more time and dive right into the most noteworthy betting picks and predictions for the UFC Seattle preliminary card bouts.
Picks Summary
- Nursulton Ruziboev by KO or Submission (-180)
- Ion Cutelaba ML (+150)
*All odds from Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Eric McConico
UFC Seattle Middleweight Preliminary Bout
Saturday, February 22, 2025 – 06:00 PM ET at the Climate Pledge Arena
Nursulton Ruziboev
Following much criticism around a pro record padded with a very low level of competition, Nursultan Ruziboev entered the UFC and steamrolled his first two opponents inside the first round.
While he somewhat silenced the doubters, Ruziboev’s most recent bout with Joaquin Buckley didn’t go to plan. However, there’s no shame in losing to one of the rising welterweight contenders, and with a drop back down in competition, this weekend could be the perfect path to returning to the win column.
- Ruziboev Pro Record: 34-9-2
- Ruziboev KO/TKO Wins: 12
- Ruziboev Submission Wins: 20
Eric McConico
On the topic of padded records, Eric McConico makes his UFC debut this weekend on the back of a very questionable regional scene record. His most recent opponent held a 28-20 record, and just three fights ago, he was competing against a 5-7-1 fighter.
More concerningly, McConico’s two career losses came by knockout, and those opponents held a 5-3 and 10-7-2 record, respectively. There’s a huge chance that experience will go against him here, and at age 34, I’m struggling to see him as anything other than a way for the UFC to boost Ruziboev’s stock.
- McConico Pro Record: 9-2-1
- McConico KO/TKO Wins: 4
- McConico Submission Wins: 3
Ruziboev vs. McConico: Fight Tape Analysis
Ruziboev is all about that aggression, and with the majority of his career success coming with the first seven minutes, he’s always a live wager for the round one prop. The question is, can McConico survive the onslaught, and what does he bring to the table?
In all honesty, I don’t see what a 34-year-old in McConico brings to the UFC long-term. With questionable durability on the regional scene, I don’t believe we can trust him versus an incredibly large and violent opponent in Ruziboev.
If McConico is going to win this fight, he needs to push a pace and take this fight into the later rounds behind his most favorable asset: wrestling! I don’t believe he can achieve this against Ruziboev, whose large frame and nasty striking game will either end this fight on the feet or present a club and sub situation early in the bout.
UFC Seattle Preliminary Card Odds & Prediction
The UFC odds make Ruziboev a heavy favorite. Therefore, we must approach the prop market to find value.
Fortunately, we’re backing a fighter who’s made a name on finishing low-level opponents quickly, either by knockout or submission. McConico’s past troubles on the regional scene, notably versus weak opposition, have been his chin, and that’s not a red flag you want to be waving versus the likes of Ruziboev!
UFC Pick: Ruziboev by KO or Submission (-180) [1.8u returns 1u profit] at Bet365
Ion Cutelaba vs. Ibo Aslan
UFC Seattle Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout
Saturday, February 22, 2025 – 06:00 PM ET at Climate Pledge Arena
Ion Cutelaba
‘The Hulk’ is back. We’re all waiting for Ion Cutelaba to paint his body green at the UFC Seattle weigh-ins. Although recent times have presented him with some difficult losses, his most recent outing versus Ivan Erslan proved to us that he can adapt from the norm to deliver a smart game plan when necessary.
- Cutelaba Pro Record: 18-10-1
- Cutelaba KO/TKO Wins: 13
- Cutelaba Submission Wins: 2
Ibo Aslan
And a smart game plan is exactly what ‘The Hulk’ will need this weekend. Why? Because Ibo Aslan, with 15 career fights, has won 14 of those contests by knockout, and he will look to decapitate all incomers once the cage door closes.
While Aslan, with a six-fight win streak and six knockouts, is a serious knockout threat, he’s very limited in his skillset, thus making him a concern for bettors as he climbs further up the light heavyweight rankings.
- Aslan Pro Record: 14-1
- Aslan KO/TKO Wins: 14
- Aslan Submission Wins: 0
Cutelaba vs. Aslan: Fight Tape Analysis
By no means am I suggesting Cutelaba is some trustworthy fighter, but styles make fights, and if we know anything about The Hulk, it’s that he isn’t a one-dimensional martial artist like his weekend foe.
For all of his faults, and there are many, Cutelaba’s durability inside the first round has rarely been one of those. More interestingly, after a career filled with high-tempo, non-stop action from the first round, he paced himself en route to a decision victory, which could be key versus the round one artist in Aslan.
Cutelaba isn’t an amazing wrestler, but compared to Aslan, he could certainly look like one. There isn’t an ounce of grappling intelligence in the Turkish man’s skill set, and this will be a very clear path to victory for the underdog, who can avoid the chaos on the feet should he opt for such a game plan.
UFC Seattle Preliminary Card Odds & Prediction
The UFC pricing with OddsTrader’s top sportsbooks has seen much public money drive Aslan’s price to a ridiculous number when all things are considered.
Aslan has no grappling game, questionable cardio, zero wrestling defense, and suspect experience. Funnily enough, Aslan’s best win and only career loss came against Anton Turkalj in two appearances, a fighter who could trade strikes and make him look average at best.
With 14 wins stemming from the same method, Aslan is a fade. Give me the underdog here, who can at least present multiple paths to victory.
UFC Pick: Cutelaba ML (+150) [1u returns 1.5u profit] at Bet365
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