UFC on ESPN 73: Ricky Simon vs. Raoni Barcelos Prediction for Saturday, 11/08/25

The second fight on the Main Card at UFC on ESPN 73 will see Ricky Simon take on Raoni Barcelos. This will be a fight in the UFC Bantamweight division. Simon enters this fight with an MMA record of 22-6 and 11-5 in the UFC. He averages 2.93 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 44%. Simon absorbs 3.72 strikes and has a striking defense of 61%. His grappling has been elite in the UFC, averaging 5.01 takedowns every 15 minutes. Simon has a takedown accuracy of 43% and a takedown defense of 75%.

Barcelos enters this fight with an MMA record of 20-5 and 9-4 in the UFC. He is averaging 4.87 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 52%. Barcelos absorbs 4.40 strikes and has a striking defense of 60%. His grappling has been solid as well, averaging 2.33 takedowns every 15 minutes. He has a takedown accuracy of 33% and a takedown defense of 85%.

Simon is the clear favorite in this fight, but still looks to be the best betting option. He has the clear advantage in grappling and is 5-3 in his last 8 UFC fights, compared to Barcelos, who is 4-4 over the same stretch. Therefore, given the form of both fighters, backing Simon to win will be our play.