<p>Welcome to the first UFC Card of 2025! We’re back at APEX for a UFC Fight Night, with this one being headlined by the rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas.</p> <p>While Dern vs Ribas 2 will grab most of the headlines and rightfully so, the supporting cast on this card are an interesting mix of contenders and multiple promising recent Dana White’s Contender Series alumni looking to make their mark on debut at the top level of the promotion.</p> <p>Will Dern vs Ribas 2 go the distance? Who will come out on top? And will any of the fighters on debut leave their mark? Let’s find out!</p> <p>For the latest UFC Fight Night analysis, odds and betting tips, check out our preview and predictions below!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Mackenzie Dern vs Amanda Ribas Prediction</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Two top 10 Strawweights headline the UFC APEX card this weekend in what should be a tantalising rematch.</p> <p>Mackenzie Dern, currently sitting at 6th in the Strawweight standings, comes into this fight off a competitive, hard fought win over Loopy Godinez last August.</p> <p>Her opponent Amanda Ribas on the other hand, returns to the 115-pound division after losing her only bout of last year to Rose Namujunas.</p> <p>That was all the way back in March, meaning there could be some rust about. - also However, Ribas is ranked in two divisions currently and is one of only two women fighters who can boast this.</p> <p>If you take a walk down memory lane, you’ll see that Ribas took a unanimous decision victory the last time these two fought. That was nearly 5 years ago, however, and both have improved significantly since then.</p> <p>That’s why we expect Dern to be able to enforce her elite grappling pedigree, mixing it with her new and improved striking for a competitive, but decisive UD victory.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Mackenzie Dern.</p> <p><strong>Method of victory betting tip: </strong>Unanimous decision.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Carlston Harris Prediction</h2>

<p>The co-main for this Fight Night is a clash of two true welterweight veterans, as Santiago Ponzinibbio and Carlston go toe-to-toe.</p> <p>First up we have Ponzinibbio who will be looking to snap a two-fight losing streak, being 2-5 in his last seven fights.</p> <p>Harris on the other hand, was boasting a clean 4-1 fight record for his first five runs in the octagon, with his sole loss coming to Shavkat Rakhmonov, the next title challenger in this division.</p> <p>This was before he took another loss, this time to Khaos Williams last May.</p> <p>That means both fighters will be set on snapping their respective form slumps. For us, Ponzinibbio is the slightly more well-rounded fighter on paper</p> <p>His experience is also of slightly higher pedigree than his counterpart and we expect that to shine through when push comes to shove, or in this case, when kick comes to punch.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Santiago Ponzinibbio.</p> <p><strong>Method of victory betting tip:</strong> 3rd round TKO/KO.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cesar Almeida vs Abdul Razak Alhassan Prediction</h2>

<p>Moving further down the card we find this absolute gift for fight fans. Cesar Almeida vs Abdul Razak promises to be a faceoff between two flashy, surging middleweights.</p> <p>Almedia, a highly credentialed kickboxer comes into this fight boasting a 6-1 record. With his only loss coming in the form of a split decision to Roman Kopylov</p> <p>His opponent Alhassan has maintained a 100% finish rate over his 12 MMA victories, however, will be looking to bounce back into the win column for the first time since early 2023, after a no contest against Cody Brundage last year</p> <p>In terms of the result, we expect Almeida to get it done here. He should be able to mix his polished, diverse striking with his much-improved grappling game to negotiate a path to victory.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Cesar Almeida.</p> <p><strong>Method of victory betting tip: </strong>Unanimous decision.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Chris Curtis vs Roman Kopylov Prediction</h2>

<p>Rounding out our predictions is this notable middleweight bout, between the rising Roman Kopylov and the veteran Chris Curtis</p> <p>Curtis is coming into this fight off a decisive victory over Marc-Andre Barriault early last year, followed by a tough decision loss against the highly ranked Brendan Allen.</p> <p>Kopylov, on the other hand, is riding a four-fight win streak, with a record of 5-1 in his last six bouts.</p> <p>We’re backing Kopylov to edge a hard-fought decision here. Yes, Curtis is super patient, durable and hard to hit clean, however, Kopylov has the more diverse striking repertoire and that should be the difference here.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Roman Kopylov.</p> <p><strong>Method of victory betting tip:</strong> Unanimous decision.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>How to Watch UFC Fight Night: Dern vs Ribas 2 in Australia</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>In Australia, UFC streams on the UFC Fight Pass. This subscription allows fight fans Down under to soak up all the action.,</p> <p>Pay-per-view UFC events as well as other UFC events are also available on streaming service Kayo Sports.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>UFC Fight Night: Dern vs Ribas 2 Date and Time Australia</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Sunday, January 12, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Start time: </strong>10:00am AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada.</p> <p><strong>Where to watch: </strong>Kayo Sports and UFC Fight Pass.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Not available in SA.</em></p>