UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Blachowicz: Predictions & Analysis
UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Blachowicz lands on Saturday, February 15, 2020 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA with 13 bouts on the card. Below is our fight-by-fight breakdown, combining Elo ratings, rolling statistical trends, style matchup data, and betting market context into a pick for every bout.
Quick Picks
| Matchup | Pick | Confidence | Prob |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Blachowicz vs Corey AndersonLight Heavyweight | Corey Anderson | Confident | 70% |
| Diego Sanchez vs Michel PereiraWelterweight | Michel Pereira | Toss-up | 52% |
| Montana De La Rosa vs Mara Romero BorellaWomen's Flyweight | Montana De La Rosa | Confident | 71% |
| Brok Weaver vs Kazula VargasLightweight | Kazula Vargas | Toss-up | 53% |
| Ray Borg vs Rogerio BontorinFlyweight | Ray Borg | Toss-up | 53% |
| Lando Vannata vs Yancy MedeirosLightweight | Lando Vannata | Confident | 66% |
| Daniel Rodriguez vs Tim MeansWelterweight | Tim Means | Strong | 78% |
| John Dodson vs Nathaniel WoodBantamweight | Nathaniel Wood | Lean | 56% |
| Scott Holtzman vs Jim MillerLightweight | Jim Miller | Toss-up | 54% |
| Devin Clark vs Dequan TownsendLight Heavyweight | Devin Clark | Strong | 88% |
| Merab Dvalishvili vs Casey KenneyBantamweight | Merab Dvalishvili | Lean | 56% |
| Macy Chiasson vs Shanna YoungWomen's Bantamweight | Macy Chiasson | Strong | 90% |
| Raulian Paiva vs Mark De La RosaFlyweight | Raulian Paiva | Lean | 59% |
Like these picks? Bet on DraftKings
Place your bets on the fights above at DraftKings Sportsbook
Bet Now on DraftKingsFight-by-Fight Breakdown
Jan Blachowicz vs Corey Anderson
The Light Heavyweight matchup features Jan Blachowicz (12-8-2) taking on Corey Anderson (10-5).
Blachowicz is rated at 1703 — 201 points above Anderson's 1502. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents. Anderson has won 4 straight.
Stylistically this is Blachowicz's all-rounder game against Anderson's striker approach. Blachowicz is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear, while Anderson brings a versatile approach. Historically these archetypes are dead-even when they collide.
A few statistical edges stand out. Blachowicz throws significantly more leather — a 0.0 sig. strike per minute gap. Anderson is far more active with takedowns, averaging 5.7 more per 15 minutes. Anderson has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Corey Anderson over Jan Blachowicz. We're leaning Anderson here at 70%, a solid but not overwhelming edge. The market and our model are aligned — the line looks fair.
Diego Sanchez vs Michel Pereira
The Welterweight matchup features Diego Sanchez (19-13) taking on Michel Pereira (10-5). There's a 3-inch height gap favoring Pereira.
Pereira carries a modest Elo edge (1257 to 1216), the kind of gap that reflects a slightly better run of form rather than a talent chasm.
The style clash matters here: Sanchez brings a versatile approach, while Pereira is patient on the feet, timing counters and loading up when he sees openings. In our database, knockout artists own a 56% win rate against strikers, giving Pereira the stylistic edge.
A few statistical edges stand out. Sanchez throws significantly more leather — a 0.5 sig. strike per minute gap. Sanchez is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.9 more per 15 minutes. Pereira has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Michel Pereira over Diego Sanchez. This is essentially a pick'em. The model nudges toward Pereira at 52%, but there's almost nothing separating these two. Notably, the betting market has Sanchez at 41% implied while our model sees 48% — a 7-point disagreement that could signal value.
Montana De La Rosa vs Mara Romero Borella
The Women's Flyweight matchup features Montana De La Rosa (6-5-1) taking on Mara Romero Borella (2-5).
Rosa is rated at 1064 — 342 points above Borella's 722. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
Both fighters land in our "Wrestler" archetype — fighters who win by dictating where the fight takes place, grinding out control time and wearing opponents down. When mirror matchups like this happen, the edge usually goes to whoever can impose their preferred pace and range.
A few statistical edges stand out. Borella throws significantly more leather — a 0.5 sig. strike per minute gap. Rosa is far more active with takedowns, averaging 1.0 more per 15 minutes. Borella has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Montana De La Rosa over Mara Romero Borella. We're leaning Rosa here at 71%, a solid but not overwhelming edge. Notably, the betting market has Rosa at 62% implied while our model sees 71% — a 9-point disagreement that could signal value.
Brok Weaver vs Kazula Vargas
The Lightweight matchup features Brok Weaver (1-2) taking on Kazula Vargas (1-3). Weaver is the bigger frame at 6'0" with a 2-inch reach advantage.
Vargas carries a modest Elo edge (924 to 878), the kind of gap that reflects a slightly better run of form rather than a talent chasm.
A few statistical edges stand out. Vargas throws significantly more leather — a 1.3 sig. strike per minute gap. Vargas is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.0 more per 15 minutes. Weaver has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Kazula Vargas over Brok Weaver. This is essentially a pick'em. The model nudges toward Vargas at 53%, but there's almost nothing separating these two.
Ray Borg vs Rogerio Bontorin
The Flyweight matchup features Ray Borg (7-5) taking on Rogerio Bontorin (2-3). Bontorin will look to use a 4-inch reach edge to control distance.
Borg is rated at 1255 — 423 points above Bontorin's 832. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
A few statistical edges stand out. Bontorin throws significantly more leather — a 1.4 sig. strike per minute gap. Borg is far more active with takedowns, averaging 1.1 more per 15 minutes. Bontorin has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Ray Borg over Rogerio Bontorin. This is essentially a pick'em. The model nudges toward Borg at 53%, but there's almost nothing separating these two. The market implies 58% for Borg, but our model sees only 53%. That 5-point gap favoring Bontorin is worth watching.
Lando Vannata vs Yancy Medeiros
The Lightweight matchup features Lando Vannata (4-8-2) taking on Yancy Medeiros (6-8). Medeiros will look to use a 4-inch reach edge to control distance.
Medeiros is rated at 1170 — 313 points above Vannata's 857. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
Stylistically this is Vannata's all-rounder game against Medeiros's knockout artist approach. Vannata is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear, while Medeiros is patient on the feet, timing counters and loading up when he sees openings. Historically these archetypes are dead-even when they collide.
A few statistical edges stand out. Vannata throws significantly more leather — a 0.3 sig. strike per minute gap. Vannata is far more active with takedowns, averaging 1.2 more per 15 minutes. Vannata has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Lando Vannata over Yancy Medeiros. We're leaning Vannata here at 66%, a solid but not overwhelming edge. Notably, the betting market has Vannata at 52% implied while our model sees 66% — a 14-point disagreement that could signal value.
Daniel Rodriguez vs Tim Means
The Welterweight matchup features Daniel Rodriguez (10-4) taking on Tim Means (15-14).
Rodriguez is rated at 1511 — 469 points above Means's 1042. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
Both fighters land in our "All-Rounder" archetype — fighters comfortable everywhere, able to strike or grapple depending on what the opponent gives them. When mirror matchups like this happen, the edge usually goes to whoever can impose their preferred pace and range.
A few statistical edges stand out. Means throws significantly more leather — a 7.6 sig. strike per minute gap. Means is far more active with takedowns, averaging 1.2 more per 15 minutes. Rodriguez has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Tim Means over Daniel Rodriguez. The model is firm on this one: Means at 78%. The market implies 26% for Rodriguez, but our model sees only 22%. That 4-point gap favoring Means is worth watching.
John Dodson vs Nathaniel Wood
The Bantamweight matchup features John Dodson (10-7) taking on Nathaniel Wood (11-3). Wood is the bigger frame at 5'6" with a 3-inch reach advantage.
Wood carries a modest Elo edge (1435 to 1376), the kind of gap that reflects a slightly better run of form rather than a talent chasm. Wood has won 3 straight.
Stylistically this is Dodson's striker game against Wood's all-rounder approach. Dodson brings a versatile approach, while Wood is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear. Historically these archetypes are dead-even when they collide.
A few statistical edges stand out. Wood throws significantly more leather — a 1.1 sig. strike per minute gap. Wood is far more active with takedowns, averaging 1.3 more per 15 minutes. Dodson has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Nathaniel Wood over John Dodson. The model gives Wood a slight nod at 56% — this could easily go either way. The market and our model are aligned — the line looks fair.
Scott Holtzman vs Jim Miller
The Lightweight matchup features Scott Holtzman (7-6) taking on Jim Miller (27-18).
Miller is rated at 1295 — 195 points above Holtzman's 1099. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
The style clash matters here: Holtzman is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear, while Miller is most dangerous on the ground, constantly threatening chokes and joint locks. In our database, submission artists own a 55% win rate against all-rounders, giving Miller the stylistic edge.
A few statistical edges stand out. Holtzman throws significantly more leather — a 0.9 sig. strike per minute gap. Miller is far more active with takedowns, averaging 4.3 more per 15 minutes. Miller has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Jim Miller over Scott Holtzman. This is essentially a pick'em. The model nudges toward Miller at 54%, but there's almost nothing separating these two. The market implies 56% for Holtzman, but our model sees only 46%. That 10-point gap favoring Miller is worth watching.
Devin Clark vs Dequan Townsend
The Light Heavyweight matchup features Devin Clark (8-9) taking on Dequan Townsend (0-4). Townsend is the bigger frame at 6'3" with a 4-inch reach advantage.
Clark is rated at 1073 — 446 points above Townsend's 627. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
A few statistical edges stand out. Clark throws significantly more leather — a 1.3 sig. strike per minute gap. Clark is far more active with takedowns, averaging 3.4 more per 15 minutes. Townsend has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Devin Clark over Dequan Townsend. The model is firm on this one: Clark at 88%. Notably, the betting market has Clark at 77% implied while our model sees 88% — a 10-point disagreement that could signal value.
Merab Dvalishvili vs Casey Kenney
The Bantamweight matchup features Merab Dvalishvili (14-3) taking on Casey Kenney (5-3).
Dvalishvili is rated at 1939 — 608 points above Kenney's 1331. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents. Dvalishvili rides a 14-fight win streak into this one.
The style clash matters here: Dvalishvili looks to close distance and put the fight on the mat, while Kenney is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear. In our database, wrestlers own a 58% win rate against all-rounders, giving Dvalishvili the stylistic edge.
A few statistical edges stand out. Dvalishvili throws significantly more leather — a 1.3 sig. strike per minute gap. Dvalishvili is far more active with takedowns, averaging 4.8 more per 15 minutes. Dvalishvili has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Merab Dvalishvili over Casey Kenney. The model gives Dvalishvili a slight nod at 56% — this could easily go either way. The market implies 61% for Dvalishvili, but our model sees only 56%. That 5-point gap favoring Kenney is worth watching.
Macy Chiasson vs Shanna Young
The Women's Bantamweight matchup features Macy Chiasson (8-6) taking on Shanna Young (1-3). Chiasson is the bigger frame at 5'11" with a 7-inch reach advantage.
Chiasson is rated at 1200 — 331 points above Young's 869. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
A few statistical edges stand out. Chiasson throws significantly more leather — a 3.8 sig. strike per minute gap. Young is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.0 more per 15 minutes. Young has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Macy Chiasson over Shanna Young. The model is firm on this one: Chiasson at 90%. Notably, the betting market has Chiasson at 86% implied while our model sees 90% — a 4-point disagreement that could signal value.
Raulian Paiva vs Mark De La Rosa
The Flyweight matchup features Raulian Paiva (3-4) taking on Mark De La Rosa (2-5). Paiva is the bigger frame at 5'8" with a 4-inch reach advantage.
Paiva is rated at 1087 — 352 points above Rosa's 735. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
Stylistically this is Paiva's striker game against Rosa's all-rounder approach. Paiva brings a versatile approach, while Rosa is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear. Historically these archetypes are dead-even when they collide.
A few statistical edges stand out. Paiva throws significantly more leather — a 0.8 sig. strike per minute gap. Rosa is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.8 more per 15 minutes. Paiva has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Raulian Paiva over Mark De La Rosa. The model gives Paiva a slight nod at 59% — this could easily go either way.
Methodology
Predictions are generated by our ensemble model combining LightGBM (65%) and CatBoost (35%), trained on every UFC fight since 1994. The model uses 23 features including Elo ratings, rolling 5-fight statistical averages, style matchup history, physical attributes, and market odds when available.
On our held-out test set (402 fights from January-September 2023), the model achieves 63.4% accuracy with a log-loss of 0.626. High-confidence picks (>75% probability) hit at 82.7%. For full model transparency, visit our Model page.