UFC Vegas 48 takes place this Saturday, Feb. 19, from inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nev.
The event is headlined by a battle of top-15 light heavyweights in Johnny Walker and Jamahal Hill. The tenth-ranked Walker (18-6) and twelfth-ranked Hill (9-1) are two of the youngest ranked fighters in the rankings and a victory here could decide which fighter truly has what it takes to be a contender at 205-pounds, and which man is just an elite-level pretender.
The card also features fan-favorite Octagon stalwarts in the ageless Jim Miller (33-16) and Jessica-Rose Clark. As well as power punching finishers Joaquin Buckley (13-4) and Abdul Razak Alhassan (11-4).
How to watch UFC Vegas 48 on Feb. 19
- UFC Vegas 48 goes down on Feb. 19 inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nev.
- The ESPN+ exclusive event kicks off at 4 pm ET with preliminary action and is then followed by the main card at 7 pm ET
- You can purchase “VIP Experience” tickets to UFC APEX events directly from the promotion here
UFC Vegas 48 fight card
Johnny Walker (+200) vs. Jamahal Hill (-250)
Kyle Daukaus (-250) vs. Jamie Pickett (+200)
Parker Porter (-250) vs. Alan Baudot (+200)
Jim Miller (+155) vs. Nikolas Motta (-180)
Joaquin Buckley (-145) vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan (+125)
Jessica-Rose Clark (-190) vs. Stephanie Egger (+160)
Chas Skelly (-220) vs. Mark Striegl (+180)
Diana Belbiţă (-110) vs. Gloria de Paula (-110)
Jonathan Pearce (-335) vs. Christian Rodriguez (+260)
Jesse Strader vs. Chad Anheliger
Gabriel Benítez vs. David Onama
betting odds via draftkings
UFC Vegas 48 appointment television fights
Johnny Walker (18-6) vs. Jamahal Hill (9-1)
Walker enters this fight having lost three of his last four and really needing to recapture what he had a few years ago when he won three straight following his contract-winning performance on Dana White’s Contender Series. Hill quickly righted the ship with a win in Dec. after a difficult submission loss — where he dislocated his elbow — against Paul Craig in June. Hill seems to have the confidence behind him heading in his first UFC main event, and that could be trouble for Walker.
Prediction: Hill by TKO, round 3
Joaquin Buckley (13-4) vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan (11-4)
Both Buckley and Alhassan bring heavy artillery to their fights. This booking is built to not go the distance with both winning 77% or more of their bouts by knockout. And in this case of “Judo Thunder,” it’s a 100% KO finish rate. The question is, can these two live up to the hopes of the matchmaking and deliver fireworks, or will they be too respectful of each other’s talents to avoid being on the wrong end of a highlight?
Prediction: Buckley by unanimous decision
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