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Expert prediction

UFC Vegas 78 Preview: Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Chris Daukaus Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Aug 12)

  • Annie Adkins
  • Aug 7, 2023 at 5:56 AM EDT

Pick rationale

Analysis & key factors

  • Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Chris Daukaus will serve as the co-main event of UFC Vegas 78.
  • Chris Daukaus is making his UFC Light Heavyweight debut on Saturday, August 12.
  • Khalil Rountree Jr. is hoping to inflict a fourth straight KO/TKO loss to Daukaus.

After losing three straight fights by KO/TKO in the heavyweight division, Chris Daukaus has decided to move down to the UFC Light Heavyweight division. Unfortunately for him, bookies think his debut in the 205lb weight class is not going to be successful. They see Khalil Rountree Jr. as a -200 favorite to win the UFC Vegas 78 co-main event.

How to Watch

  • When: Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 9:00 p.m ET
  • Where: UFC Apex, Enterprise (Vegas), Nevada
  • How to Watch: ESPN

Odds

FighterOdds
Khalil Rountree Jr.
Chris Daukaus

Fight Preview

Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Chris Daukaus was supposed to take place in June, but it was postponed after Daukaus suffered an injury. Two months later, he’s making his light heavyweight debut. The decision to move down to the 205lb division came after he suffered three losses by KO/TKO in a row in the heavyweight division.

Each of those happened to knockout experts – Derrick Lewis, Curtis Blaydes, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik – all of whom are way more powerful than his next opponent.

READ ALSO: UFC Vegas 78 Preview: Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Aug 12)

Still, despite being a small light heavyweight, who used to fight in the middleweight division in the past, Khalil Rountree Jr. mustn’t be underestimated. After all, this guy has a knockout-to-win ratio of 63.63%.


Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Chris Daukaus Prediction

Chris Daukaus is seen as the underdog in this fight, but we think he’s got what it takes to stage an upset. First of all, he’s got the motivation to win, after suffering three nasty KO/TKO losses in a row. Secondly, he’s bigger and more powerful than his opponent at UFC Vegas 78.

On top of everything, his striking skills seem to be superior to those of Khalil Rountree Jr. He lands 6.41 significant strikes per minute, while his opponent’s average is 3.67.

Free Pick:

MMA

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