Thompson vs Holland Predictions: Holland Will Have a Six-Inch Reach Advantage

• Wonderboy” fights for the first time in a year
• Kevin Holland rescinds retirement claim to main event
• Tuivasa looks to end Pavlovich’s KO streak

UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs Holland

The odds for this match are provided by the DraftKings Sportsbook. Click on the odds below to head to DraftKings to place a bet.

UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs Holland - Picks & Predictions

Stephen Thompson vs Kevin Holland - Welterweight division

Stephen Thompson (+120) 

Bryan Barberena vs Rafael dos Anjos - Welterweight division

Bryan Barberena (+420) 

Matheus Nicolau vs Matt Schnell - Flyweight division

Matheus Nicolau (-365) 

Tai Tuivasa vs Sergei Pavlovich - Heavyweight division

Sergei Pavlovich (-195)

Eryk Anders vs Kyle Daukaus - Middleweight division

Kyle Daukaus (-200)

Stephen Thompson vs Kevin Holland - Welterweight Division

Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson steps into the octagon for the first time since December 2021 to take on the now un-retired Kevin Holland in this Saturday’s main event.

A former two-time welterweight title challenger, Thompson is just 2-4 in his last six fights and has lost his last two in a row at the hands of Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad (both by decision).

After fighting Khamzat Chimaev on one day’s notice and losing via first-round submission at UFC 279, Kevin Holland announced his retirement. That lasted about a month before accepting terms to fight Thompson this Saturday.

Prior to the Chimaev loss, Holland had defeated Alex Oliveira and Time Means - both by second-round finishes.

Holland will stand three inches taller than “Wonderboy” and will have a six-inch reach advantage. He enters the contest this Saturday as a -140 favorite.

To find out how to place your bets for this welterweight main event, check out our ultimate UFC betting guide to get started.

Bryan Barberena vs Rafael dos Anjos - Welterweight Division

Once again returning to the welterweight division, former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos sits as the biggest betting favorite on the main card (-540)

Dos Anjos returned to lightweight in 2020 and defeated Paul Felder and Renato Moicano before suffering a knockout loss in his July bout against Rafael Fiziev.

Bryan Barberena is riding a three-fight winning streak with the back-to-back fight of the night honors. He most recently defeated former welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler, via second-round TKO at UFC 276.

Barberena will be the taller man in this fight and will also have a two-inch reach advantage over dos Anjos.

Matheus Nicolau vs Matt Schnell - Flyweight Division

Listed at -365, flyweight Matheus Nicolau is the second-largest betting favorite on the main card.

Nicolau has now won five straight, with his most recent win coming in the form of a unanimous decision over David Dvorak this past March.

Matt Schnell is 1-1 with 1 no-contest in his past three fights. He is coming off of a second-round submission win over Su Mudaerji which was awarded fight of the night honors.

Despite being the underdog, Schnell will stand two inches taller and have a 6.5-inch reach advantage over his opponent.

Tai Tuivasa vs Sergei Pavlovich - Heavyweight Division

After winning five fights in a row, Tai Tuivasa had his winning streak snapped at the hands of former interim heavyweight champion Cyril Gane this past September. Tuivasa suffered a third-round knockout loss.

Sergei Pavlovich defeated two-time title challenger Derrick Lewis in his last outing in July, earning a first-minute TKO over the “Black Beast”.

Pavlovich has only one professional loss on his record and has won his last four in a row.

Listed as a -195 favorite, Pavlovich will stand one inch taller than his opponent and enjoy a significant nine-inch reach advantage.

Eryk Anders vs Kyle Daukaus - Middleweight Division

With both fighters coming off of losses, both Eryk Anders and Kyle Daukaus look to get back in the win column this Saturday.

Anders has lost two straight, with his most recent loss coming against Jun Yong Park via split decision in May.

Bauhaus last fought Roman Dolidze in June. Dolidze knocked out Daukaus in the first round.

Kyle Daukaus will stand two inches taller than Anders and will have a one-inch reach advantage. Listed at -200, he is the favorite to win.

How to Watch UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs Holland

• LOCATION: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
• WHEN: Saturday, December 3
• TIME: 8 PM EST
• HOW: ESPN, ESPN+, TSN5