UFC Fight Night 256 Hits Vegas: Let the Octagon Madness Begin!
Vegas, baby! The UFC is coming back home, and it’s bringing an explosive card with it. UFC Fight Night 256 is live this Saturday from the UFC Apex, and the stage is set for a banger of a night. Whether you're tuning in for the undefeated prodigies or the seasoned vets looking to steal the show, this one's packing serious firepower.
So, what’s on tap for the night? Featherweights, light heavyweights, welterweights—you name it, they’re going to war. Let’s dive into all the buzz, drama, and predictions from MMA Junkie’s experts to get you hyped for every punch, choke, and takedown!
🔥 Main Event Spotlight: Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales
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Burns: 22-8 (MMA), 15-8 (UFC)
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Morales: 17-0 (MMA), 5-0 (UFC)
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Division: Welterweight
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Rankings: Burns (#9), Morales (#15)
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Odds: Burns +410, Morales -550
This is the headline grabber, folks! Gilbert Burns, one of the UFC’s most battle-tested warriors, faces the undefeated Ecuadorian beast, Michael Morales. While Burns has had a few stumbles recently (2-3 in his last five), you can never count out "Durinho" when he’s locked in.
But man, Morales is just on another level right now. 17-0? The guy is a problem. And the odds? Well, they’re pretty lopsided for a reason. Nine of MMA Junkie’s experts are backing Morales, with just two betting on the underdog Burns.
👀 Can Burns pull off a legendary upset? Or will Morales keep that shiny 0 on his record?
💥 Light Heavyweight Rumble: Rodolfo Bellato vs. Paul Craig
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Bellato: 12-2-1 (MMA), 1-0 (UFC)
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Craig: 17-9-1 (MMA), 9-9-1 (UFC)
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Odds: Bellato -425, Craig +330
Here’s a classic youth vs. experience matchup. Bellato is young, hungry, and coming in hot after an impressive UFC debut. Craig, on the other hand, is a grappling wizard but has struggled with consistency (1-4 in his last five).
🔑 Key Factor: Bellato’s aggression vs. Craig’s BJJ—who controls the pace?
Bellato’s got the fanfare (and the 9 expert picks backing him), but don’t sleep on Craig if he drags this into deep waters.
✊ Featherweight Thriller: Melquizael Costa vs. Julian Erosa
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Costa: 23-7 (MMA), 4-2 (UFC)
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Erosa: 31-11 (MMA), 9-7 (UFC)
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Odds: Costa -180, Erosa +150
This is one of those fights that could quietly steal the night. Costa is 4-1 in his last five, and Erosa is always game with his unorthodox, high-volume style.
And the split among the MMA Junkie crew? TIGHT. Six are backing Costa, but five are rolling with Erosa. This one’s got “Fight of the Night” written all over it.
💡 Watch for: Wild exchanges and late-round chaos. Don't blink.
🧨 Middleweight Clash: Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
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Ruziboev: 35-9-2 (MMA), 3-1 (UFC)
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Stoltzfus: 16-6 (MMA), 3-5 (UFC)
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Odds: Ruziboev -245, Stoltzfus +200
If dominance was a person, it might be named Nursulton. This dude’s been on a tear, and he’s getting massive love from the MMA Junkie staff—all 11 experts picked him. Not one for Stoltzfus. Oof.
🎯 Stat Check: Ruziboev is 4-1 in his last five, while Stoltzfus is 3-2. Not bad, but the momentum heavily leans toward the Uzbek warrior.
⚡ Santos vs. Yusuff: Lightweight Showdown
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Mairon Santos: 15-1 (MMA), 2-0 (UFC)
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Sodiq Yusuff: 13-4 (MMA), 6-3 (UFC)
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Odds: Santos -140, Yusuff +120
The rising Brazilian star Santos is looking to stretch his UFC streak to 3-0, and most experts think he gets it done. Still, Yusuff is a savvy striker who could easily flip the script.
🧠 Interesting Note: Despite Santos being the favorite, only 9 staffers picked him. Two are rolling with Yusuff—and those two might just be onto something.
💬 What the Experts Say: Staff Picks Breakdown
Let’s peek at how some of the biggest MMA insiders are calling the main card:
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Mike Bohn, Nolan King, Farah Hannoun, and more are stacking their picks with favorites like Morales, Bellato, and Santos.
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George Garcia and Brian Garcia are betting on upsets, with picks for Burns and Craig—clearly looking to shake up the leaderboard.
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The overall fan vibe? Morales (74%) and Bellato (78%) are getting most of the reader love.
🥊 Prelim Picks You Shouldn’t Sleep On
Sure, they don’t count in the official staff standings, but the prelims are LOADED with potential chaos. Check out some quick-hitters:
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Matheus Camilo vs. Gabe Green: A clean sweep for Camilo (11-0). He’s got the whole squad behind him.
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Connor Matthews vs. Yadier del Valle: Another landslide—10 picks for del Valle.
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Denise Gomes vs. Elise Reed: Unanimous love for Gomes.
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Carlos Hernandez vs. HyunSung Park: Park got the nod from all 11 staffers.
🔥 Wildcard Fights:
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Tecia Pennington vs. Luana Pinheiro: Pennington holds a solid 10-1 edge, but Pinheiro’s got heavy hands.
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Tainara Lisboa vs. Luana Santos: Close call—Lisboa edges it out 6-5.
These prelims might not get the same spotlight, but if you love hidden gems and underdog drama, you better tune in early!
🧠 Final Takeaways & Fights to Watch
This card has a little bit of everything—from veterans fighting for relevancy to future title contenders making serious statements. Here's what you should circle on your watchlist:
✅ Fight of the Night Candidate: Costa vs. Erosa
✅ Biggest Favorite: Morales over Burns (-550)
✅ Staff Unanimous Picks: Ruziboev, Gomes, Park
✅ Most Likely to Surprise: Paul Craig—because chaos is his middle name
So grab your snacks, put your phone on silent, and buckle in—UFC Fight Night 256 is gonna bring the heat. From the Apex in Las Vegas straight to your screen, it’s another night of action that could shake up the rankings and create new stars.
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