UFC 248 Predictions

The UFC return to Las Vegas with an absolutely stellar event filled with potentially explosive fights. UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, will want to maintain his undefeated steak and and his title, but faces a difficult task in feared 185lber, Yoel Romero.

Adesanya has risen up the middleweight ranks in no time, proving that when it comes to striking, he's light years ahead of everyone else in his weight class. His knockout victory over Robert Whittaker for the title at UFC 243 last October was sensational and something his opponent, Yoel Romero, was unable able to do in two fights.

However, counting out the Cuban wrestler would be a mistake, as he's proven time and time again that he can defeat any opponent on his best day. All he needs to do is land one shot and it could be lights out for anyone standing across the Octagon from him.

Also, newly-crowned UFC strawweight champ, Zhang Weili, will have her first title defense against former long-time 115lb champ, Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The two have traded plenty of verbal barbs online and when you add that to their aggressive fight styles, anything can happen.

As always, we've gone through the main card and predicted who will come out on top on Saturday night. First, let's have a look at the under card...

While the preliminary card for UFC 247 felt a little bit lackluster, UFC 248 has an abundance of entertaining under card battles that you should keep an eye on. Headlining the prelims is the bantamweight division's favourite stoner, Sean O'Malley, who takes on well-rounded 135lber, Jose Alberto Quinonez.

Although O'Malley was tipped for greatness early on in his career, the supremely talented bantamweight was struck with an extremely controversial USADA ban that has seen him miss two years of competition. However, he now makes his return to the Octagon to take on a truly solid opponent in Quinonez.

While El Teco won his last fight inside the Octagon, a unanimous decision over Carlos Huachin at UFC Fight Night 159, his battle aagainst Nathaniel Wood proved that he might not be able to hang with the top tier at 135lb. Will Suga Sean prove that he's on the level as the other elite 135lbers or will Quinonez spoil his welcome back party?

We'll also get to see two relatively green mixed martial artists, yet top grapplers, hope to build their name against some solid opposition. Danish Greco-Roman Olympian, Mark O Madsen faces Austin Hubbard while former World and ADCC champion, Rodolfo Vieira, will fight Russian knockout artist, Saparbek Safarov in what should be an interesting battle of styles.

This is one under card that you'll want to keep your eyes on as it has the potential to have some breakout stars in it.