The UFC travels to New Orleans this weekend, and I’m back to assist with all your betting needs, backed by top-rated sportsbooks, for a Louisiana pay-per-view card stacked with MMA talent from top to bottom.
The UFC odds are live, my analysis is complete, so let’s dive right into the most noteworthy betting picks and predictions for the UFC 318 preliminary card bouts.
The Picks
- Islam Dulatov by KO/TKO (-150)
- Vinicius Oliveira ML (-155)
*All odds from Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov
UFC 318 Welterweight Preliminary Bout
Saturday, July 19, 2025 – 06:00 PM EDT at Smoothie King Center
Adam Fugitt
Four fights deep with a 2-2 record, Adam Fugitt just hasn’t lived up to the UFC level of competition, and this weekend might not do him any favors as he prepares to take on a promotional newcomer that’s renowned for making quick work of his opponents.
- Fugitt Pro Record: 10-4
- Fugitt KO/TKO Wins: 5
- Fugitt Submission Wins: 3
Islam Dulatov
In step, Islam Dulatov, a Russian-born German representative who cashed his ticket into the UFC with a brutal set of elbow strikes. He might be a former Versace model, but this man has gone from the catwalk to an absolute dog in the MMA cage!
- Dulatov Pro Record: 11-1
- Dulatov KO/TKO Wins: 6
- Dulatov Submission Wins: 5
Fugitt vs. Dulatov: Fight Tape Analysis
Here’s the thing, outside of wrestling and control, Fugitt will be limited versus such an explosive striker as Dulatov. Not to mention, the Russians’ ground game is underrated, so I wouldn’t expect Fugitt to hold complete domination in the grappling realm anyway.
You only have to watch Dulatov brutalize Vanilto Antunes on DWCS to see the star potential of this man, and yes, he once modeled. Still, there’s nothing pretty about the punishment he’s delivered on his opponents to date behind an 11-1 record and 11 finishes overall!
UFC 318 Preliminary Card Odds & Prediction
Fugitt will need to wrestle aggressively and drain the gas tank of Dulatov to stand a chance of winning this bout, as cardio might be his only advantage. Unfortunately for him, he’ll have to go through an onslaught of offense coming his way, as the high-output, balls-to-the-wall striking offense of Dulatov will arrive quickly and fast, per usual.
The UFC odds make Dulatov the biggest favorite on the card, and honestly, based on his aggression alone, I’m not surprised. I do expect him to get a fraud check if the UFC rushes his career up the rankings, but for now, at this low level, he should make quick work of Fugitt in the first or second round, most likely via strikes.
Dulatov by KO/TKO: Supporting Facts
- Dulatov has won all 11 of his pro-MMA bouts inside the distance
- 90% of Dulatov’s career wins were in round 1
- 3 of Fugitt’s 4 career defeats were by KO/TKO or submission
UFC Pick: Dulatov by KO/TKO (-150) [1.5u returns 1u profit] at Bet365
Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira
UFC 318 Bantamweight Preliminary Bout
Saturday, July 19, 2025 – 06:00 PM EDT at Smoothie King Center
Kyler Phillips
He is such an excellent talent, and his wins over Yadong Song and Raoni Barcelos have aged extremely well. It’s just a damn shame that he can’t perform in rounds two and three as he does in the first. In fact, if cardio didn’t plague him, his UFC would likely stand at 8-0 instead of 6-2 right now, but longevity beyond the first five minutes isn’t something he’s corrected to date.
- Phillips Pro Record: 12-3
- Phillips KO/TKO Wins: 5
- Phillips Submission Wins: 2
Vinicius Oliveira
As a fellow prospect, Vinicius Oliveira has done what Phillips couldn’t, and that’s remain undefeated under the UFC banner. Taking dubs over Ricky Simon and Said Nurmagomedov impressed us all, and if he’s addressing noteworthy wrestlers as he has done, he could be a serious problem moving forward.
- Oliveira Pro Record: 22-3-0
- Oliveira KO/TKO Wins: 16
- Oliveira Submission Wins: 2
Phillips vs. Oliveira: Fight Tape Analysis
Phillips is well-rounded, holds some flashy striking offense, and has a background in wrestling. The latter, however, is probably his best path to victory versus such a vicious striker in Oliveira. Unfortunately, and as previously mentioned, the Brazilian has been a problem for those with grappling game plans, and as Phillips’ output just isn’t good enough beyond the first, he might struggle to match the numbers and win rounds here.
And here’s the thing, if Phillips has studied Oliveira whatsoever, he’ll know that a wrestling game plan could become a sticky situation, especially with those question marks over his cardio. So, in a straight-up kickboxing battle, Oliveira will have the size and more damaging shots to secure yet another victory inside the octagon.
UFC 318 Prelim Card Odds & Prediction
The UFC pricing makes Oliveira a betting favorite, and given his track record to date, these UFC lines are accurate. However, -155 isn’t showing much juice because Phillips is also a top talent, and although I wouldn’t be shocked to see this end in a split decision, I do believe the heavier hitter in Oliveira is more likely to receive the nod.
UFC Pick: Vinicius Oliveira ML (-155) [1.55u returns 1u profit] at Bet365
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
