UFC Fight Night Boston Predictions, Odds For Every Fight On Card

The wait is over.

UFC has returned to Boston with an excellent card including two main events, one of which could be the best bantamweight title fight in the sport’s history.

That bout is between reigning champion TJ Dillashaw and former champion Dominick Cruz. The trash talk between them has been intense, with Dillashaw going as far to say he’s going to retire Cruz with a victory.

The other main event is a lightweight bout between Anthony Pettis and Eddie Alvarez. A win for Pettis could set up a title fight for him later in 2016.

Here are my last-minute predictions for Sunday’s fights. All betting lines are provided by Odds Shark. The Mehdi Baghdad-Chris Wade fight currently doesn’t have odds.

Preliminary Card Fights
Daron Cruickshank (+225) vs. Paul Felder (-245)
Prediction: Felder by KO in Round 1

Ilir Latifi (-255) vs. Sean O’Connell (+235)
Prediction: Latifi by TKO in Round 4

Kyle Bochniak (+230) vs. Charles Rosa (-250)
Prediction: Rosa by submission in Round 2

Rob Font (-210) vs. Joey Gomez (+190)
Prediction: Font by TKO in Round 1

Francimar Barroso (+150) vs. Elvis Mutapcic (-160)
Prediction: Mutapcic by unanimous decision

Patrick Cote (+110) vs. Ben Saunders (-120)
Prediction: Cote by unanimous decision

Tim Boetsch (-215) vs. Ed Herman (+195)
Prediction: Boetsch by TKO in Round 3

Mehdi Baghdad vs. Chris Wade 
Prediction: Wade by TKO in Round 2

Maximo Blanco (-115) vs. Luke Sanders (+105)
Prediction: Blanco by TKO in Round 4

Main Card (*denotes co-main event)
Ross Pearson (-144) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (+135)
Prediction: Trinaldo by unanimous decision

Trinaldo has won five straight fights, including an impressive Round 1 TKO of Chad Laprise in August. Pearson hasn’t won back-to-back fights in more than two years, and he’s a less successful striker and grappler than Trinaldo. Trinaldo will outlast Pearson in what could be a long, exciting fight that tests both of their stamina.

Travis Browne (-145) vs. Matt Mitrione (+135)
Prediction: Mitrione by TKO in Round 4

Browne will be slow to adjust to Mitrione’s southpaw style, and the underdog will use his impressive power to earn a knockout win when his opponent begins to tire.

Eddie Alvarez (+295) vs. Anthony Pettis (-325)*
Prediction: Pettis by TKO in Round 1

Pettis is a former lightweight champion and the No. 1 contender to Rafael dos Anjos’ title. He’s an excellent striker, an improved wrestler and was humbled in his last fight in 2015 when he lost the belt to dos Anjos. Pettis will overwhelm Alvarez for a quick victory.

TJ Dillashaw (-145) vs. Dominick Cruz (+125)*
Prediction: Cruz by TKO in Round 2

Cruz is a better fighter. It’s that simple. His knees are fully healthy, and he’s ready to take back the title he lost because of multiple injuries and not a defeat in the Octagon. This probably is Cruz’s last chance to be bantamweight champion, and he will seize the moment with an impressive knockout, similar to his previous fight against Takeya Mizugaki.

Thumbnail photo via Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports Images