Francisco Prado vs Nikolay Veretennikov at UFC 318 | Preview & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Two welterweights head to the Smoothie King Center looking to turn their form around at UFC 318 after suffering recent losses inside the Octagon. But only one of them can leave New Orleans with that priceless W next to their name…
Francisco Prado vs Nikolay Veretennikov facts
What time are Francisco Prado and Nikolay Veretennikov expected to walk out?[timezone field="eventStartDate"]
Where is UFC 318? Smoothie king Center, New Orleans, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 318? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 318
What TV channel is UFC 318 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN
Where can I stream UFC 318? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 318 main card
Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier (Lightweight)
Paulo Costa vs Roman Kopylov (Middleweight)
Kevin Holland vs Daniel Rodriguez (Welterweight)
Dan Ige vs Patrício Pitbull (Featherweight)
Michael Johnson vs Daniel Zellhuber (Lightweight)
UFC 318 prelims
Kyler Phillips vs Vinicius Oliveira (Bantamweight)
Marvin Vettori vs Brendan Allen (Middleweight)
Francisco Prado vs Nikolay Veretennikov (Welterweight)
Ateba Abega Gautier vs Robert Valentin (Middleweight)
Adam Fugitt vs Islam Dulatov (Welterweight)
Jimmy Crute vs Marcin Prachnio (Light Heavyweight)
Ryan Spann vs Lukasz Brzeski (Heavyweight)
Brunno Ferreira vs Jackson McVey (Middleweight)
Carli Judice vs Nicolle Caliari (Women’s Flyweight)
Francisco Prado: Still finding his feet at UFC level
Argentina’s Francisco Prado arrived in the UFC with an unblemished record, a 100 percent finish rate, and a championship reputation having captured belts at 155 and 165 pounds for Argentine promotion Samurai Fight House. But the 23-year-old has found life on the big stage much tougher.
Prado has fought four times in the UFC so far, with his first-round TKO of Ottman Azaitar at the UFC APEX in July 2023 his only UFC win to date. His other three appearances, against Jamie Mullarkey, Daniel Zellhuber and Jake Matthews, each ended in unanimous decision defeats.
His loss to Matthews saw the American Top Team product make the move up from lightweight to welterweight, and he’s staying at 170 pounds this weekend as he takes on Nikolay Veretennikov in a matchup between two men desperate to bounce back to winning ways.
Nikolay Veretennikov: Chasing his maiden UFC victory
Like Prado, Kazakh striker Nikolay Veretennikov has a decorated record that includes a string of finishes and a championship from the regional scene. But, like Prado, he’s struggled to find his form inside the Octagon.
The former United Fight League welterweight champion signed with the UFC in early 2024 and lost a split decision to Danny Barlow on his debut at the UFC APEX last August.
A high-profile bout with former Bellator middleweight title challenger Austin Vanderford followed in February. But in a fight that exposed his lack of takedown defence, Veretennikov was manhandled, then finished, by Vanderford as he went 0-2 in the UFC.
Now matched with an opponent who has faced similar difficulties in the UFC, the 35-year-old wushu sanda striker will look to get back to winning ways, and claim his first UFC victory, at UFC 318.
Francisco Prado vs Nikolay Veretennikov prediction
In a matchup that both men cannot afford to lose, the path to victory for both men looks very clear.
For Veretennikov, he simply must keep the fight standing. He was exposed on the ground by Vanderford last time out, and is much more comfortable on his feet. For Prado, meanwhile, he could happily put his faith in his own striking and stand and trade with his opposite number. But coming from one of the best gyms in MMA, he’ll arrive in New Orleans with a clear gameplan, and it will likely feature one word – wrestle.
Prado has as many submission finishes (6) as he does knockouts, and his ability to put his opponents away on the mat should give him plenty of confidence against Veretennikov.
Expect him to stand and strike with the Kazakh warrior early to get him comfortable, then change levels and take the action to the mat, where the skills gap is at its widest.
If Prado keeps it standing, it becomes a much closer contest, but if he listens to his corner and fights smart, he has the tools to emerge victorious without too much drama.
Prediction: Francisco Prado to win via submission
