UFC Fight Night: Riddell vs. Fiziev MMA Odds and Picks

Before two bantamweight legends face off in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday, a pair of lightweights in Brad Riddell and Rafael Fiziev go at it in the co-main event. Let’s take a closer look in our Riddell-Fiziev picks.

Both Riddell and Fiziev come into this fight trying to crack the top 10 for the first time, as neither fighter has lost since 2019.

A six-fight win streak is on the line for Riddell, and four of those victories have come in the UFC. He has yet to lose in the promotion.

In a clash that’s as close as it gets on paper, both fighters will enter hoping to put the stacked lightweight division on notice.

Here are my Riddell-Fiziev picks and predictions for Saturday’s bantamweight UFC Fight Night co-main event (odds via Fanduel Sportsbook, and pick confidence is based on a one-to-five star scale).

Riddell vs. Fiziev Fight Info

Date/Time: Saturday, December 4, 10 p.m. ET (main card)TV: ESPN+Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, NV

Riddell vs. Fiziev Odds Analysis

This fight opened with Fiziev the slight favorite, and the odds have since shifted further in his favor. Fiziev has moved to -115 on DraftKings, the best odds favoring him. For those interested in Riddell, William Hill currently lists him at +110.

The Over has been heavily shaded with juice for this three-round fight. It sits at -220 to go Over 2.5 rounds at DraftKings.

Brad Riddell Betting Profile

Each of Riddell's four UFC fights has gone the distance. But the bouts weren't lacking in action, as he earned Fight of the Night bonuses in two of those matchups. Riddell boasts elite kickboxing and Muay Thai skills, and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

While the 30-year-old's striking is slightly below his opponent's talent in this one, Riddell does possess superior grappling. His two takedowns per 15 minutes are nearly four times higher than Fiziev, and he’ll need to use that advantage.

Rafael Fiziev Betting Profile

Fiziev has recorded just one loss over six UFC fights since April 2019. In a difficult lightweight division, he's picked up four straight wins after that defeat, along with three consecutive bonuses.

The 28-year-old makes up for what he lacks in grappling — though he's a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu — with his striking ability through his own Muay Thai pedigree. Fiziev holds the edge in strikes landed per minute prior to Saturday at 5.34 (Riddell sits at 4.75).

Riddell vs. Fiziev Betting Picks

Brad Riddell to Win (-104) ????Brad Riddell by Points (+190) ??

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Riddell vs. Fiziev Betting Predictions

Riddell to Win (-104)

Ride with Riddell, even though Fiziev is the slight favorite. I’m big on past/common opponents, and Riddell notched a victory recently that I can’t look away from.

In a three-round war in June, Riddell took out Drew Dober via decision while winning Fight of the Night honors. Dober is an elite fighter too, and his only UFC losses since 2016 have come against two of the very best in Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev, who are also among the top four in the promotion.

That experience will carry over against Fiziev, whose resume is light.

Riddell by Points (+190)

If you're taking either of these fighters, it's wise to sprinkle some "by points" money too. Over Riddell and Fiziev's last 10 combined fights, eight have gone to the judge’s scorecards, and this one will too.

With a spot in the coveted top 10 on the line, a conservative approach should translate to plenty of wasted time early during a clash slated for three rounds.

SEE ALSO: All picks and odds. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

Riddell-Fiziev picks made on 12/2/2021 at 7:59 a.m. ET.