UFC Fight Night 267: Main Card Predictions
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UFC Fight Night 267 doesn’t come with the bright lights of a pay-per-view, but make no mistake — there are real stakes attached to this card.
From rising contenders trying to crack the rankings to veterans fighting to protect their place in the division, the main card is filled with pivotal matchups. Some fights feel like clear building blocks for the UFC’s next wave of stars, while others carry a quiet sense of urgency for names who can’t afford another setback.
There may not be a title on the line, but momentum is everything in this sport. And on a card where several divisions are searching for fresh energy, statement performances matter.
Check out our UFC Fight Night main card predictions:
Middleweight Bout
Sean Strickland (3) vs. Anthony Hernandez (4)
Joey: I might genuinely be pissed if Anthony Hernandez doesn’t get it done here. He’s built real momentum, riding an eight-fight win streak, and the middleweight division desperately needs fresh faces at the top. Especially someone as action-oriented and aggressive as “Fluffy.”
That said, Sean Strickland is a nightmare to deal with. He has a way of turning fights into high-level sparring matches, controlling range, tempo, and rhythm better than almost anyone in the division. If Hernandez wants to win, he has to disrupt that flow early and refuse to fight at Strickland’s pace.
Statistically, Hernandez is the more accurate striker, but Strickland makes up for it with relentless volume and pressure. He drowns opponents in output and forces them into uncomfortable exchanges over five rounds. If this turns into a technical kickboxing match at range, that likely favors Sean.
There’s no deep analytical angle here, I’m rooting for Hernandez. The division needs his energy near the top, and stylistically he’s just more fun in big fights. I’d love to see him make a statement with a brutal finish.
That said, heart and betting slips don’t always align.
Official Prediction: Anthony Hernandez via Split Decision
Evan: In terms of rooting interests, I’m in complete alignment with Joey here. I really hope Hernandez absolutely bludgeons Strickland. Especially after Sean spewed his usual bigoted rhetoric during fight week. With that being said, from a technical aspect this fight is as close as it gets. The two things I feel will be the most decisive factors in this one will be, who can control the real estate of the cage and how well can Strickland nullify or defend Fluffy’s takedowns.
Sean talks a big game, but his entire skill set is built around his defensive tools. He has a style that is a death by a thousand cuts, where he can get his opponents to sort of get stuck in the mud if you will. The layers of his defense are very tricky to decipher and get through. So if he’s able to consistently back Hernandez up and shut down his wrestling attack, there’s a very real chance the former UFC middleweight champ will come out victorious.
However, I believe Fluffy’s relentless pace and offensive doggedness is going to take over at some point. I think the way he will constantly crash into Strickland, push him to the cage, weaponize his pace, and constantly take Sean down will really drain him. Even if he’s able to get up from the takedowns too, the sheer volume and onslaught Hernandez is going to throw at Strickland is going to be hellacious to deal with. I could see a late finish, but I’ll also roll with Fluffy to get the job done on the scorecards.
Official Prediction: Anthony Hernandez via Unanimous Decision
Welterweight Bout
Geoff Neal (12) vs. Uroš Medić
Joey: This one feels like a somewhat lackluster co-main event. The UFC hasn’t done the best job building the next wave of stars, and it’s pretty clear who they’re trying to elevate here.
That said, Geoff Neal looks in great shape heading into this matchup with Uroš Medić. Medić enters on serious momentum, coming off two first-round finishes and carrying the hype of a flashy Contender Series standout. He’s a highlight-reel fighter who thrives in chaos and isn’t afraid to stand and trade.
Neal, meanwhile, brings experience against the division’s elite. His 87% takedown defense could play a role, though it may not even be necessary if this stays on the feet; which is likely, considering Medić’s willingness to stand and bang. If it does turn into a striking battle, Medić’s 60% striking accuracy becomes a key factor.
With Neal coming off a brutal knockout loss to Carlos Prates last year, durability is a fair question. Because of that, I’m leaning toward another finish here. Medić’s momentum, power, and confidence feel like they could carry him to a statement win and potentially push him into the Top 15.
Still, don’t count Neal out completely. His only recent losses have come against top-tier competition, and he’s more than capable of turning this into a gritty, veteran performance.
Official Prediction: Uroš Medić via 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Evan: So I definitely understand the pushback of this being an underwhelming co-main event. But I do feel it will at least be an action-packed fight for as long as it lasts. Medić is a dangerous striker and Neal has been on a skid as of late.
I just don’t really buy though that the Serbian slugger is on the level of the fighters who have beaten Geoff like Carlos Prates, Ian Garry, and Shavkat Rakhmonov. If this turns into an inside of the pocket brawl, I expect Neal’s superior firepower and gameness to out gun Uroš in this one.
Official Prediction: Geoff Neal via 1st-Round KO/TKO
Featherweight Bout
Dan Ige (14) vs. Melquizael Costa
Joey: This one should be a fun scrap. You can always count on Dan Ige to make things gritty. He never turns down a challenge and consistently shows up ready for a dogfight.
Melquizael Costa deserves respect as well. He’s crazy enough to want to step in on short notice at heavyweight. So that just shows the kind of mentality he brings, he’s one of those rare fighters who will say yes first and figure it out later. That kind of mindset matters.
On paper, their stats are nearly identical, which makes this matchup even more intriguing. Costa is riding a win streak, and that momentum could be the slight edge he needs. Still, Ige’s experience and grit are hard to ignore. He’s been in there with top competition and has proven he can handle chaotic, high-pressure fights.
This will be a coin flip for me. But when I’m unsure, I lean toward the battle-tested veteran.
Official Prediction: Dan Ige via Unanimous Decision
Evan: This could very well be the best matchup on the card outside of the main event. Costa has been on an absolute terror as of late, winning his last five fights to complete a 5-0 year in 2025. Whereas Ige is struggling, going 2-4 in his last six octagon appearances. But, he has only lost to elite opposition like Diego Lopes, Lerone Murphy, and Patricio Pitbull during that stretch. So both fighters are on different ends of the spectrum heading into this one.
Melqui is without question extremely dangerous, given his versatility as a finisher. He’s got dynamic striking and is a quality submission threat as well. However, I think given that his back is against the wall, Dan is going to be in top form here. I believe his power and overall skills slightly edge out the Brazilian contender. This should be an absolute barnburner though, regardless of the outcome.
Official Prediction: Dan Ige via Split Decision
Heavyweight Bout
Serghei Spivac (7) vs. Ante Delija (9)
Joey: The heavyweight division is clearly lacking star power right now, and this matchup kind of reflects that. It’s not one I’m overly excited about, so I’ll keep it straight to the point.
Both fighters are coming in off losses; and notably, both of those defeats came against Waldo Cortes-Acosta. That tells you everything you need to know about where they currently stand. This is a must-win for both men because the division is already moving forward without them.
I was originally leaning toward the former PFL Heavyweight Champion to grind this one out with experience and composure. But the more I think about it, this feels like a spot to go against the gut instinct.
The Moldovan has the physicality and urgency that could make the difference here, especially in a fight where both guys are fighting to stay relevant.
It may not be pretty, and it may not shift the landscape of the division. But, someone’s getting a lifeline.
Official Prediction: Serghei Spivac via Unanimous Decision
Evan: As Joey mentioned, the UFC’s heavyweight division is currently in shambles. Both of these fighters being ranked in the top ten speaks volumes to how dire it has become. The fight itself though is fine, and pretty much a striker versus grappler matchup.
If Ante Delija is able to keep this standing, he’s probably going to knock Serghei Spivac out. On the other hand, if Serghei is able to get Ante to the mat, he more than likely will finish him there. I’ll side with the Croatian veteran to get the stoppage on the feet, but I’m not overly confident either way.
Official Prediction: Ante Delija via 1st or 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Welterweight Bout
Jacobe Smith vs. Josiah Harrell
Joey: This is actually a great matchup. We have two undefeated prospects, both 11-0. The only downside? Josiah Harrell is taking the fight on short notice.
Jacobe Smith is one of those silent-killer prospects who lets his skills do the talking. He’s a specimen. Wrestlers don’t always transition seamlessly to MMA, but the former Oklahoma State Cowboy has done exactly that. We’ve seen him blend his elite wrestling with sharp, evolving striking. He even picked up a submission win in his last outing, showing just how well-rounded he’s becoming. Add in his 100% takedown defense and 90% takedown accuracy, and you’re looking at a serious problem for anyone in the division.
On the other side, Josiah Harrell is riding a 17-fight win streak and has overcome real adversity, including recovering from brain surgery. That alone speaks volumes about his resilience and mindset. He also owns an impressive résumé, having faced experienced competition and consistently found ways to win.
Still, counting out Jacobe’s wrestling would be a mistake. His ability to dictate where the fight takes place should ultimately be the deciding factor. That said, this won’t be an easy night for either man. It’s arguably one of the best matchups on the card, even if neither name has fully broken into the mainstream just yet.
Official Prediction: Jacobe Smith via Unanimous Decision
Evan: I’m with Joey that this is such an incredible showcase bout between two very talented undefeated prospects. Harrell has one of the best stories in the entire sport and it’s hard not to root for him to pull off the upset here. I also think he can actually do it and is one of the liveliest dogs on the card. However, I feel he is running into a bit of a buzzsaw in Jacobe.
While Smith did show some serious flaws in his last fight against Niko Price, primarily with his gas tank, he still has a ton of tools at his disposal. Between his athleticism, power, submission ability, and wrestling pedigree, Josiah is going to have his hands full. It won’t be easy, but I do expect Jacob to ultimately get his hand raised when it’s all said and done.
Official Prediction: Jacobe Smith via Unanimous Decision
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