UFC Vegas 94: Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba continues on the prelims with a fight in the bantamweight division between Brian Kelleher and Cody Gibson. Kelleher has now lost three in a row for the first time in his UFC career meanwhile, Gibson is still searching for a win in his second stint with the UFC. With that said, check out our UFC odds series for our Kelleher-Gibson prediction and pick.

Brian Kelleher (24-15) is on the worst losing streak of his career as he’s not only lost in three straight fights but he’s finished in all three. With his back against the wall, Kelleher will be looking to right the ship and get back on track against former TUF finalist Cody Gibson this weekend at UFC Vegas 94.

Cody Gibson (19-10) has now lost back-to-back fights as he most recently lost to both Miles Johns and Brad Katona in each of his last two fights. Much like Kelleher, Gibson will be fighting for his UFC career when he steps inside the Octagon this weekend at the UFC Apex this weekend when he takes on Brian Kelleher.

Here are the UFC Vegas 94 Odds, courtesy of BetOnline. 

UFC Vegas 94 Odds: Brian Kelleher-Cody Gibson Odds

Brian Kelleher: +165

Cody Gibson: -190

Over 1.5 rounds: -205

Under 1.5 rounds: +165

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Why Brian Kelleher Will Win

Brian Kelleher has been looking like he’s on his last legs with three consecutive defeats that have seen him get both submitted and knocked out in all three fights. He most recently was knocked out by the former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt in his last fight. With three losses in a row, Kelleher will be drastically needing a win when he steps inside the Octagon this weekend to take on Cody Gibson.

Kelleher is now two years removed from his last victory against Kevin Croom. He is normally at his best when he’s able to come forward and put the pace and the pressure on his opponent which seems to be the recipe for success against Gibson. We saw Miles Johns put Gibson on his backfoot for the entire fight which threw Gibson off his game getting flustered. With how Kelleher is as tough as they come and loves to fight that will work in his favor in this fight.

It will be up to Kelleher to keep this fight on the feet and if he’s able to do that he has a great chance of getting back on track and saving his UFC career.

Why Cody Gibson Will Win

Cody Gibson came up short in his bid to become The Ultimate Fighter as he last to a now two-time TUF champion Brad Katona. That fight was an all-out war where Katona just did a little bit more to get his hand raised in the end. His second fight in the UFC wasn’t nearly as close as his TUF finale fight. Johns was able to dominate where the fight took place, keeping the fight on the feet, and outstruck Gibson with relative ease. Gibson could essentially be fighting for his UFC career when he takes on Brian Kelleher this weekend in Las Vegas.

Gibson is at his best when he’s able to utilize his grappling to his advantage. While he is a high-volume striker, it will be in his best interest to take Kelleher down where he should be able to dominate the fight. Gibson has some great jiu-jitsu one that could stifle any type of offense that Kelleher will be able to throw his way. He will have to avoid getting put on his back foot and be the aggressor in this fight, if he’s able to do that and dictate where this fight takes place he could mix in the takedowns and eventually get his back and sink in the rear naked choke to get back into the win column.

Final Brian Kelleher-Cody Gibson Prediction & Pick

This should be a great scrap between these two fighters who have their backs against the wall coming into this fight. This is going to be a classic grappler vs. striker matchup where Gibson will want to take this fight to the mat whereas Kelleher’s best interest would be to keep this fight standing at all costs. Ultimately, Kelleher will look good early on landing some shots but it’ll be Gibson’s grappling that will be the difference maker as he takes him down eventually sinking in the submission midway through the fight to get back into the win column.

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Final Brian Kelleher-Cody Gibson Prediction & Pick: Cody Gibson (-190), Over 1.5 Rounds (-205)