We’re back with another betting prediction and pick for UFC Vegas 93 as we turn our attention towards the next Main Card bout in the Featherweight (145) Division. Hometown fighter Timmy Cuamba of Las Vegas will take on Brazil’s Lucas Almeida as both men seek their first signature win in the UFC. Check out our UFC odds series for our Cuamba-Almeida prediction and pick.

Timmy Cuamba (8-2) is 0-1 heading into his second UFC appearance. His lost his debut against Bolaji Oki, but rode a five-fight winning streak leading up to his UFC opportunity. His DWCS win was also further indication of his skills and he’ll be looking to notch that first elusive win as the moderate betting favorite. Cuamba stands 5’9″ with a 71-inch reach.

Lucas Almeida (14-3) has gone 1-2 in the UFC since his arrival in 2022. He appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2021 and while he dropped his fight, he’s getting a second crack at things as the underdog in this one. He’s been finished in his last two fights leading in, but he’s faced the much tougher competition than his opponent. Almeida stands 5’11” with a 71-inch reach.

Here are the UFC Vegas 93 Odds, courtesy of BetOnline. 

UFC Vegas 93 Odds: Timmy Cuamba-Lucas Almeida Odds

Timmy Cuamba: -207

Lucas Almeida: +177

Over 2.5 rounds: +110

Under 2.5 rounds: -140

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Why Timmy Cuamba Will Win

Timmy Cuamba comes into this bout as a very promising talent with his solid grappling and fundamental striking. While he’s not the flashiest fighter, he has very consistent boxing hands and amazing cardio for how relatively inexperienced he is. Cuamba loves to push a striking pace on opponents and pressure them from the opening horn. If he can get his opponent backing up and hitting the cage, Cuamba will unleash with combinations to the body and head. While he doesn’t use his wrestling as much as he should, he’s very athletic and can hold his own through transitions against better grapplers.

Timmy Cuamba is also a very smart fighter and will do the things necessary to drag a fight out and score the points needed to win. If he ends up on the ground, he’s very good about scrambling and getting to his feet or finding top position. His opponent here isn’t much of a grappler himself, so expect Cuamba to keep this fight standing as he looks to showcase his skills on the feet. If he can be the more aggressive fighter and push the action, he should cruise to a decision win here.

Why Lucas Almeida Will Win

Standing in Cuamba’s way will be Lucas Almeida, who tasted UFC victory with a knockout over Michael Trizano in his debut. Since then, however, he’s come up short against the likes of Pat Sabatini and Andre Fili. Both of Almeida’s losses are against very tough and established fighters in the division, so he has the edge knowing he’s faced the better competition. Of his 17 fights, Almeida has seen the distance just once and he’s fully intending to end this fight early with a knockout. While he doesn’t typically initiate the grappling exchanges, he has five wins by submission and can find sneaky chokes when defending takedowns.

Lucas Almeida will be the longer fighter here and given his previous fights, he should be the one pressing the striking action. He isn’t very concerned with getting knocked-out himself and he fights with a fearless attitude. If he’s able to stay defensive and shrug some of Cuamba’s shots, he could find success marching forward and doing whatever it takes to get his own punches off. Don’t be surprised if we see Almeida land some heavy shots and gain the respect of his opponent early.

Final Timmy Cuamba-Lucas Almeida Prediction & Pick

This fight should be a guaranteed banger as both men have a flare for finishing fights early. Lucas Almeida, the underdog, has only seen the judges’ scorecards once and Timmy Cuamba has been ending his bouts early as well. If both men come in aggressive, we should be in for a quick finish and the total under for the rounds.

Timmy Cuamba is the better athlete here and I think his fundamental boxing will help him close this striking distance. Almeida will want to create space while Cuamba will benefit most from closing the gap and bringing his opponent down for some takedowns.

For our prediction, let’s ride with Timmy Cuamba to find the decision-win in this one. Both men are evenly matched, but Cuamba seems like the safer and less volatile option here. Expect both fighter to put on a display of toughness as this fight dips into the later rounds and ends in a decision.

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Final Timmy Cuamba-Lucas Almeida Prediction & Pick: Timmy Cuamba (-207); OVER 2.5 Rounds (+110)