UFC Fight Night 74 Predictions

UFC Fight Night 74 takes place this evening in Canada and we’ve got our predictions for all the fights below.

Main Card:

Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira

I predict entertainment! These are two of the most fun-to-watch fighters around so it should be a good one.

Oliveira is exciting as he’s always in relentless pursuit of a finish whether on the feet or the mat, but striking wise I think Holloway can tame him by using his superior boxing to find the holes in his opponent’s defense while outmaneouvering him at range with his footwork.

If Oliveira can get the fight to the mat he has a very good chance to finish by submission as he’s very crafty and creative in that regard, but I think he’ll struggle to get Holloway down and that’ll cost him as Holloway wears him down with strikes for a fourth round TKO finish.

Max Holloway to win by TKO in Rd4.

Neil Magny vs. Erick Silva

Magny comes in on short notice after recently having his long unbeaten run broken by Demian Maia and he finds himself in another tough fight here against Silva who’s looking to build a significant winning streak of his own.

Like Oliveira in the main event, Silva has a predatory instinct for finishing fights and is even more reckless in his pursuit of the stoppage as quickly as humanly possible which can cost him dearly at times.

Magny is more of a solid, dependable all-rounder who takes far less risks and that could work for him if he can get this fight to the later rounds when Silva’s all-action style tends to deplete his gas tank. However, I think Silva’s fast and furious approach pays off for him this time as he overwhelms Magny early and clocks up another submission finish.

Erick Silva to win by submission in Rd1.

Josh Burkman vs. Patrick Cote

Despite a solid run in WSOF, Burkman hasn’t looked too good in his second UFC stint so far, while Cote is 4-1 in his last five fights, but it’s a record that flatters to deceive a bit as he’s generally looked like a fighter who’s past his best.

It feels like there’s a bit more spark about Burkman’s output at this stage of their respective careers and he’s the more well-rounded of the two with his wrestling in particular being a plus point here and I think he’ll do enough over the course of three rounds to earn a decision victory.

Josh Burkman to win by decision.

Chad Laprise vs. Francisco Trinaldo

This feels like one of those fights where Laprise just generally edges out Trinaldo skill-wise wherever the fight goes and with the home crowd behind him I’d expect the Canadian to emerge with his hand raised.

Chad Laprise to win by decision.

Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Tony Sims

Sims is a powerful striker, but he’s coming in here as a short notice replacement and I’d expect Aubin-Mercier to avoid mixing it up with him on the feet too much and instead look to outgrapple him where has a significant advantage before sinking in a submission finish.

Olivier Aubin-Mercier to win by submission in Rd2.



Valerie Letourneau vs. Maryna Moroz

Moroz looked good in her debut against Joanne Calderwood, though the fight didn’t last long. she has the advantage on the mat, but I’d give Letourneau the edge on the feet and overall she’s more known quantity who’s performed solidly against a higher level of opposition in her career, so I’m picking her to avoid the armbar threat and win on the scorecards.

Valerie Letourneau to win by decision.

Prelims: (Predicted winners in bold)

Frankie Perez vs. Sam Stout
Felipe Arantes vs. Yves Jabouin
Nikita Krylov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Chris Beal vs. Chris Kelades
Shane Campbell vs. Elias Silverio
Misha Cirkunov vs. Daniel Jolly

Ross launched MMA Insight (previously FightOfTheNight.com) in 2009 as a way to channel his passion for the sport of mixed martial arts. He's since penned countless news stories and live fight reports along with dozens of feature articles as the lead writer for the site, reaching millions of fans in the process.