UFC 278: Lucie Pudilova vs Wu Yanan Picks, Predictions, Odds

Wu Yanan and Lucie Pudilova fight Saturday in UFC 278 at the Vivint Arena. Yanan enters this fight with a 13-5 record and has won 46 percent of her fights by knockout. Pudilova enters this fight with a 13-7 record and has won 69 percent of her fights by decision.

Yanan has lost 4 of her 5 fights and is coming off an April loss to Mayra Bueno Silva. Yanan is averaging 4.42 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 40 percent. Yanan is averaging 0.70 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 30 percent. Yanan is coming off a decision loss at UFC on ESPN 34 where she landed 75 total strikes and produced a takedown. The bout earned fight of the night. Yanan has lost her last 3 fights and looks for her first win since UFC Fight Night 141. Mulan is now 1-4 under the UFC banner, and 4 of her last 5 fights have gone the distance. Yanan is a blue belt in BJJ and has a background in Sanda. Yanan is a volume striker who pushes the pace and looks for the finish. In fact, 11 of Yanan’s 12 victories have been finishes. Yanan throws powerful combinations and will mix in kicks and knees as well. Four of Yanan’s 5 losses have gone the distance. This will be Yanan’s first career fight in Utah.

Pudilova has won 5 of her 6 fights and is coming off an April win over Carol Yariwaki. Pudilova is averaging 4.15 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 36 percent. Pudilova is averaging 0.16 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 12 percent. Pudilova is coming off a decision win at OKTAGON 32, and she fights in the UFC for the first time since UFC Fight Night 166. Pudilova is 2-5 under the UFC banner, and she looks to redeem herself after 4 straight losses. Pudilova is a tough fighter from the Czech Republic who has been finished once in 7 career losses, and she has a background in Muay Thai. Pudilova didn’t do anything special under the UFC, as she wasn’t accurate with her strikes and her takedown defense left a lot to be desired. However, Pudilova is a points fighter who tends to play things safe at times and does just enough to convince the judges. Pudilova has seen 15 of her 20 career fights end in decisions. This will be Pudilova’s first career fight in Utah.

Yanan is probably the more talented fighter, and she has head and shoulders a better finish rate. There’s value with Yanan here because she’s going to push the pace and actually looks to end things. However, Pudilova has been given a second chance, and she simply can’t afford to come up short here. After a disappointing stint, Pudilova got her act together going back home, and that sort of desperation matters in a fight like this. It’s also fair to note that Yanan isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire as of late.

I lean Pudilova, but it’s not my most favorite fight on the card.