UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Stephens: Predictions & Analysis
UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Stephens lands on Saturday, February 24, 2018 in Orlando, Florida, USA with 12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Stephens vs Josh EmmettFeatherweight | Josh Emmett | Toss-up | 53% |
| Jessica Andrade vs Tecia PenningtonWomen's Strawweight | Jessica Andrade | Confident | 68% |
| Ilir Latifi vs Ovince Saint PreuxLight Heavyweight | Ilir Latifi | Lean | 60% |
| Max Griffin vs Mike PerryWelterweight | Mike Perry | Confident | 71% |
| Brian Kelleher vs Renan BaraoBantamweight | Renan Barao | Toss-up | 54% |
| Marion Reneau vs Sara McMannWomen's Bantamweight | Sara McMann | Toss-up | 53% |
| Angela Hill vs Maryna MorozWomen's Strawweight | Maryna Moroz | Lean | 61% |
| Alan Jouban vs Ben SaundersWelterweight | Alan Jouban | Confident | 74% |
| Sam Alvey vs Marcin PrachnioLight Heavyweight | Marcin Prachnio | Lean | 61% |
| Rani Yahya vs Russell DoaneBantamweight | Rani Yahya | Confident | 73% |
| Alex Perez vs Eric SheltonFlyweight | Alex Perez | Lean | 59% |
| Manny Bermudez vs Albert MoralesBantamweight | Manny Bermudez | Confident | 67% |
Fight-by-Fight Breakdown
Jeremy Stephens vs Josh Emmett
The Featherweight matchup features Jeremy Stephens (15-18) taking on Josh Emmett (10-5). There's a 3-inch height gap favoring Stephens.
Emmett is rated at 1356 — 415 points above Stephens's 941. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
Stylistically this is Stephens's knockout artist game against Emmett's all-rounder approach. Stephens is patient on the feet, timing counters and loading up when he sees openings, while Emmett 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. Stephens throws significantly more leather — a 0.3 sig. strike per minute gap. Emmett is far more active with takedowns, averaging 2.1 more per 15 minutes. Emmett has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Josh Emmett over Jeremy Stephens. This is essentially a pick'em. The model nudges toward Emmett at 53%, but there's almost nothing separating these two. The market implies 56% for Stephens, but our model sees only 47%. That 8-point gap favoring Emmett is worth watching.
Jessica Andrade vs Tecia Pennington
The Women's Strawweight matchup features Jessica Andrade (17-12) taking on Tecia Pennington (11-7).
There's a real Elo separation here: Pennington at 1206 versus Andrade at 1115. That 90-point gap typically reflects a meaningful difference in recent quality of competition and results.
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. Andrade throws significantly more leather — a 2.3 sig. strike per minute gap. Andrade is far more active with takedowns, averaging 1.8 more per 15 minutes. Pennington has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Jessica Andrade over Tecia Pennington. We're leaning Andrade here at 68%, a solid but not overwhelming edge. The market and our model are aligned — the line looks fair.
Ilir Latifi vs Ovince Saint Preux
The Light Heavyweight matchup features Ilir Latifi (9-6) taking on Ovince Saint Preux (15-12). Preux is the bigger frame at 6'3" with a 7-inch reach advantage.
Latifi is rated at 1195 — 279 points above Preux's 917. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
The style clash matters here: Latifi is most dangerous on the ground, constantly threatening chokes and joint locks, while Preux is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear. In our database, submission artists own a 56% win rate against all-rounders, giving Latifi the stylistic edge.
A few statistical edges stand out. Preux throws significantly more leather — a 0.7 sig. strike per minute gap. Latifi is far more active with takedowns, averaging 1.7 more per 15 minutes. Latifi has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Ilir Latifi over Ovince Saint Preux. The model gives Latifi a slight nod at 60% — this could easily go either way.
Max Griffin vs Mike Perry
The Welterweight matchup features Max Griffin (8-9) taking on Mike Perry (7-7). Griffin will look to use a 5-inch reach edge to control distance.
There's a real Elo separation here: Griffin at 1152 versus Perry at 1066. That 86-point gap typically reflects a meaningful difference in recent quality of competition and results.
Both fighters land in our "Striker" archetype — fighters with a well-rounded skill set. 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. Perry throws significantly more leather — a 1.3 sig. strike per minute gap. Perry is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.3 more per 15 minutes. Perry has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Mike Perry over Max Griffin. We're leaning Perry here at 71%, a solid but not overwhelming edge. Notably, the betting market has Griffin at 22% implied while our model sees 29% — a 7-point disagreement that could signal value.
Brian Kelleher vs Renan Barao
The Bantamweight matchup features Brian Kelleher (8-8) taking on Renan Barao (9-7). Barao will look to use a 4-inch reach edge to control distance.
Barao carries a modest Elo edge (821 to 766), the kind of gap that reflects a slightly better run of form rather than a talent chasm.
The style clash matters here: Kelleher looks to close distance and put the fight on the mat, while Barao is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear. In our database, wrestlers own a 59% win rate against all-rounders, giving Kelleher the stylistic edge.
A few statistical edges stand out. Kelleher throws significantly more leather — a 1.8 sig. strike per minute gap. Barao is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.1 more per 15 minutes. Kelleher has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Renan Barao over Brian Kelleher. This is essentially a pick'em. The model nudges toward Barao at 54%, but there's almost nothing separating these two. Notably, the betting market has Kelleher at 39% implied while our model sees 46% — a 8-point disagreement that could signal value.
Marion Reneau vs Sara McMann
The Women's Bantamweight matchup features Marion Reneau (5-6-1) taking on Sara McMann (6-6).
McMann is rated at 1158 — 281 points above Reneau's 878. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
Stylistically this is Reneau's knockout artist game against McMann's wrestler approach. Reneau is patient on the feet, timing counters and loading up when he sees openings, while McMann looks to close distance and put the fight on the mat. Historically these archetypes are dead-even when they collide.
A few statistical edges stand out. Reneau throws significantly more leather — a 1.5 sig. strike per minute gap. McMann is far more active with takedowns, averaging 2.5 more per 15 minutes. Reneau has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Sara McMann over Marion Reneau. This is essentially a pick'em. The model nudges toward McMann at 53%, but there's almost nothing separating these two. Notably, the betting market has Reneau at 36% implied while our model sees 47% — a 11-point disagreement that could signal value.
Angela Hill vs Maryna Moroz
The Women's Strawweight matchup features Angela Hill (13-15) taking on Maryna Moroz (6-5). Moroz is the bigger frame at 5'7" with a 3-inch reach advantage.
There's a real Elo separation here: Hill at 1074 versus Moroz at 952. That 122-point gap typically reflects a meaningful difference in recent quality of competition and results.
Stylistically this is Hill's striker game against Moroz's wrestler approach. Hill brings a versatile approach, while Moroz looks to close distance and put the fight on the mat. Historically these archetypes are dead-even when they collide.
A few statistical edges stand out. Hill throws significantly more leather — a 1.9 sig. strike per minute gap. Moroz is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.0 more per 15 minutes. Moroz has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Maryna Moroz over Angela Hill. The model gives Moroz a slight nod at 61% — this could easily go either way. The market implies 57% for Hill, but our model sees only 39%. That 18-point gap favoring Moroz is worth watching.
Alan Jouban vs Ben Saunders
The Welterweight matchup features Alan Jouban (7-5) taking on Ben Saunders (9-9). Saunders is the bigger frame at 6'2" with a 4-inch reach advantage.
Jouban is rated at 1168 — 356 points above Saunders's 812. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
The style clash matters here: Jouban brings a versatile approach, while Saunders is patient on the feet, timing counters and loading up when he sees openings. In our database, knockout artists own a 54% win rate against strikers, giving Saunders the stylistic edge.
A few statistical edges stand out. Jouban throws significantly more leather — a 1.2 sig. strike per minute gap. Jouban is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.4 more per 15 minutes. Jouban has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Alan Jouban over Ben Saunders. We're leaning Jouban here at 74%, a solid but not overwhelming edge. Notably, the betting market has Jouban at 70% implied while our model sees 74% — a 4-point disagreement that could signal value.
Sam Alvey vs Marcin Prachnio
The Light Heavyweight matchup features Sam Alvey (10-12-1) taking on Marcin Prachnio (4-6).
There's a real Elo separation here: Prachnio at 818 versus Alvey at 734. That 84-point gap typically reflects a meaningful difference in recent quality of competition and results.
Stylistically this is Alvey's all-rounder game against Prachnio's striker approach. Alvey is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear, while Prachnio brings a versatile approach. Historically these archetypes are dead-even when they collide.
A few statistical edges stand out. Alvey throws significantly more leather — a 2.6 sig. strike per minute gap. Prachnio is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.0 more per 15 minutes. Prachnio has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Marcin Prachnio over Sam Alvey. The model gives Prachnio a slight nod at 61% — this could easily go either way. Notably, the betting market has Alvey at 32% implied while our model sees 39% — a 7-point disagreement that could signal value.
Rani Yahya vs Russell Doane
The Bantamweight matchup features Rani Yahya (13-5-1) taking on Russell Doane (3-4). Doane will look to use a 3-inch reach edge to control distance.
Yahya carries a modest Elo edge (1030 to 952), the kind of gap that reflects a slightly better run of form rather than a talent chasm.
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. Yahya throws significantly more leather — a 0.6 sig. strike per minute gap. Yahya is far more active with takedowns, averaging 1.3 more per 15 minutes. Yahya has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Rani Yahya over Russell Doane. We're leaning Yahya here at 73%, a solid but not overwhelming edge. Notably, the betting market has Yahya at 68% implied while our model sees 73% — a 5-point disagreement that could signal value.
Alex Perez vs Eric Shelton
The Flyweight matchup features Alex Perez (7-6) taking on Eric Shelton (2-3). Shelton will look to use a 3-inch reach edge to control distance.
Perez is rated at 1293 — 372 points above Shelton's 921. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
The style clash matters here: Perez is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear, while Shelton looks to close distance and put the fight on the mat. In our database, wrestlers own a 59% win rate against all-rounders, giving Shelton the stylistic edge.
A few statistical edges stand out. Perez throws significantly more leather — a 0.2 sig. strike per minute gap. Perez is far more active with takedowns, averaging 1.0 more per 15 minutes. Perez has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Alex Perez over Eric Shelton. The model gives Perez a slight nod at 59% — this could easily go either way. Notably, the betting market has Perez at 48% implied while our model sees 59% — a 10-point disagreement that could signal value.
Manny Bermudez vs Albert Morales
The Bantamweight matchup features Manny Bermudez (3-1) taking on Albert Morales (1-3-1).
Bermudez is rated at 959 — 155 points above Morales's 804. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.
A few statistical edges stand out. Morales throws significantly more leather — a 3.9 sig. strike per minute gap. Morales is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.5 more per 15 minutes. Bermudez has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.
The Pick: Manny Bermudez over Albert Morales. We're leaning Bermudez here at 67%, a solid but not overwhelming edge. Notably, the betting market has Bermudez at 61% implied while our model sees 67% — a 6-point disagreement that could signal value.
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.