UFC Fight Night Eye vs. Calvillo Predictions Odds and Preview

UFC Fight Night: Eye vs. Calvillo emanates live Saturday from the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Coming off recent pay per view success, Dana White offers another twelve fight ESPN televised card featuring first time headliners Jessica Eye and Cynthia Calvillo. The segue to this weekend's five round main event features an anticipated grudge match between middleweights Karl Roberson and Marvin Vettori.

Three additional fights cover UFC Fight Night: Eye vs. Calvillo main card action.

Let's begin by examining the top pairing. Odds courtesy of bestfightodds.com

Jessica Eye (-105) vs. Cynthia Calvillo (-115)

Set for twenty five minutes, Eye vs. Calvillo pits distinct fighters looking to impose conflicting styles upon their opponent.

(1) Jessica Eye (15-7)

Jessica Eye has regained momentum since dropping to her natural flyweight limit. After losing four straight at 135, Eye is 4-1 since relocating divisions. Stronger and more dynamic against recent world class foes Katlyn Chookigan and Viviane Araujo, Eye was overwhelmed last year during her championship bid vs. Shevchenko.

There's certainly no shame, however, in losing against Valentina Shevchenko. Back on the winning path after outpointing Araujo, Eye looks for a statement Saturday.

One of the core UFC female division names, Jessica "Evil" Eye has fought the best and boasts unrivaled experience. That enhanced fight IQ saw the 33-year-old remain composed while dissecting then once-beaten Araujo in December.

Keys to victory: An excellent striker, Eye can easily outpoint Calvillo by circling, avoiding takedowns and using her length to land accurate standup. Eye holds a two inch reach edge against her smaller opponent: Calvillo has fought for years at strawweight. It is also inperative Eye stay off the cage and maintain distance to avoid being placed on her back.

(10) Cynthia Calvillo (8-1-1)

Since defeating Amanda Cooper on short notice, Calvillo has earned top-ten 115 lb billing while 5-1-1 at the highest MMA level. A dedicated grappler, the 32-year-old has submitted three opponents behind constant pressure.

Though, unable to make weight before her recent outing vs. unbeaten Marina Rodriguez, Calvillo appeared flat footed before ekeing a draw. Muay Thai expert Rodriguez gave an excellent template for Eye's wheelhouse last December by punishing Calvillo on the feet. However, the latter gained even scores that night by outwrestling her lankier opponent. Still, when a fighter regularly gives money away on the scales, a division move up is wise.

Calvillo has proven worth at 115 vs. non-elite resistance. It will be interesting to learn if the ten fight veteran can translate her craft against larger and far more experienced world-class competition.

Keys to victory: Takedowns. It's no secret Saurday's main event outcome hinges upon whether Calvillo can plant and mount Eye. If the wrestling ace shines, she can potentially finish this borderline pick em' five rounder. Conversely, if Eye remains upright then Calvillo is in well over her head.

The Outcome: Expect give and take through five rounds between the kickboxer and wrestler. Each will imprint their expertise on the other. However, the larger, more experienced Jessica Eye will do enough to earn split decision victory.

Eye by decision.

With main event action discussed, the remaining four fights pit unranked competition within 25 feet of Octagon.

Marvin Vettori

Look for Vettori (-220) to steal early rounds against Karl Roberson (+180). Fast and technical, Vettori is unbeaten since losing a heated split decision vs. reigning middleweight king Israel Adesanya. The "Italian Dream" beat up Andrew Sanchez recently and is pining for a date with Roberson.

Karl Roberson

After experiencing weight cut issues to cancel a May bout vs. Vettori, Karl Roberson was verbally blasted by his upcoming opponent as a result. With friction rising, Saturday will decide if Roberson can earn a third win following a tactical November sub of favored Roman Kopylov.

The Verdict: Look for Vettori (14-4-1) to set up as the aggressor. Adept on the mat with eight subs, but more comfortable now standing, the Italian can put together combinations against his game opponent. While Roberson (9-2) is decent in every area and faster than Vettori, he wields lesser MMA tools. The underdog will get in his shots, albiet mostly one at a time, as Vettori's combination work and overbearing strength at 185 gain unanimous decision victory.

Vettori by unanimous decision

Merab Dvalishvili (10-4) vs. Ray Borg (13-5)

Dvalishvili (-360) opens sizably favored vs. former 125 lb title challenger Ray Borg (+300). This line may be fading Borg, though at bantamweight the "TazMexican Devil" has seen his losses come from being outwrestled. Enter Dvalishvili. "The Machine" ragdolled D-1 wrestler Casey Kenney in late 2019 while adding 12 takedowns.

The Verdict: Having split his last four since a high stakes loss vs. Demetrius Johnson, Borg isn't on Dvalishvili's physical level. While it's possible Borg can clip Dvalishvili with tight, improving standup, the more likely outcome is a griding unanimous decision win for Merab Dvalishvili.

Dvalishvili by decision

Andre Fili (-225) vs. Charles Jourdain (+185)

Fight four pits 145 pound UFC mainstay Andre Fili (20-7) against relative newcomer Charles Jourdain. Fili has split his last four, losing in January vs. Sodiq Yusuff. Meanwhile, Jourdain followed an unsuccesful short-notice UFC debut by knocking out Doo Ho Choi. And though Choi has taken three straight TKO losses, Jourdain (10-3) has stopped each of his victims -seven by TKO.

The Verdict: Fili has enough experience to withstand Jourdain's pressure for three rounds. Jourdain has enough toughness to withstand Fili's decent knkckout power: Canadian chins are built different. The result will be another decision on a main card of distance fiight matchups. If you want value, taking Jourdain by TKO is an option. Fili has been stopped twice and Jourdain will land against him. That stated, convential wisdom places the veteran ahead in what should be an entertaining scrap.

Fili by Split Decision

Jordan Espinosa (14-7) vs. Mark De La Rosa (11-4)

Briefly, the main card opener for UFC Fight Night Eye vs. Calvillo sees a crossroads bantamweight encounter. Jordan Espinosa (-155) and Mark De La Rosa (+135) have each lost multiple recent bouts. The implied angle here is Saturday's winner will carry on UFC emploment while the less fortunate side will likely be back on the regional circuit.

With those stakes in mind, both fighters are ground specialists. Though Espinosa is lengthier and more athletic than his upcoming opponent, De La Rosa has a bit more urgency.

The Verdict: Take De La Rosa to notch his seventh tapout against a fighter that has been submitted four times in seven defeats.

Check back soon for more UFC Fight Night Eye vs. Calvillo coverage.