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UFC Vegas 117: Arnold Allen vs. Melquizael Costa continues on the prelims with a fight between Timmy Cuamba and Bernardo Sopaj within the bantamweight division on Saturday. Try our UFC odds series for our Cuamba-Ochoa prediction and pick.
Timmy Cuamba (10-3) enters UFC Vegas 117 riding a two-fight winning streak, recently scoring a second-round TKO finish over Roberto Romero in April 2025, then delivered a gutsy comeback unanimous decision win over ChangHo Lee in November 2025, overcoming a brutal first round by landing a spinning elbow and sealing the fight with relentless pressure. Now brimming with confidence and momentum after turning his UFC profession completely around, Cuamba comes into his fight this weekend against Bernardo Sopaj.
Bernardo Sopaj (12-3) has shown flashes of real UFC-caliber talent. He bounced back from a brutal ‘Knockout of the 12 months’ flying knee loss to Vinicius Oliveira in March 2024 by gutting out a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Ricky Turcios at UFC 311 in January 2025 — proving his toughness and championship-level heart. Now trying to string together back-to-back UFC wins for the primary time in his profession, “The Lion King” comes into his fight this weekend against Timmy Cuamba.
UFC Vegas 117 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC Vegas 117 Odds: Timmy Cuamba-Bernardo Sopaj Odds
Timmy Cuamba: +130
Bernardo Sopaj: -155
Over 2.5 rounds: -238
Under 2.5 rounds: +180
Why Timmy Cuamba Will Win
Timmy “Twilight” Cuamba enters UFC Vegas 117 because the more complete and well-rounded fighter, riding a two-fight winning streak that has showcased each his ending ability and his mental toughness. His comeback victory over ChangHo Lee proved he can absorb adversity, adapt mid-fight, and find ways to win — a high quality that separates good fighters from great ones.
Cuamba’s striking arsenal is genuinely diverse and unpredictable, highlighted by the spinning elbow he landed against Lee that completely shifted the momentum of that fight. Against a fighter like Sopaj who has shown he might be hurt and finished, Cuamba’s unorthodox and inventive striking gives him multiple paths to a stoppage victory.
Sopaj’s most up-to-date loss was a devastating KO defeat that raised real questions on his chin and talent to get better when hurt on the feet. Cuamba’s power and ending instincts make him precisely the sort of opponent who will test that vulnerability early and sometimes throughout all three rounds.
Cuamba also holds a major output advantage, averaging the form of strike volume that wears opponents down because the fight progresses into the championship rounds. With superior momentum, a more diverse striking game, and a proven ability to complete fights under pressure, “Twilight” Cuamba looks primed to make an announcement and earn his third straight UFC victory this Saturday night.
Why Bernardo Sopaj Will Win
Bernardo “The Lion King” Sopaj is one of the vital physically imposing featherweights on the UFC roster, and his raw athleticism and power give him a legitimate ending threat each time he steps contained in the cage. His ability to soak up pressure and bounce back — as demonstrated by his win over Turcios after a brutal KO loss — speaks volumes about his mental fortitude.
Cuamba’s comeback win over Lee, while impressive, exposed the undeniable fact that he might be badly hurt and rocked within the early rounds — a dangerous vulnerability against a fighter with Sopaj’s ending power. If “The Lion King” can land early and apply consistent pressure, Cuamba’s chin could grow to be the defining think about this matchup.
Sopaj also brings the hunger and desperation of a fighter who knows his UFC roster spot is on the road, which frequently unlocks a level of intensity that statistics simply cannot measure. A motivated, physically dominant Sopaj who controls the early pace and mixes his striking with takedown attempts has every tool needed at hand Cuamba his first loss in three fights this Saturday night.
Final Timmy Cuamba-Bernardo Sopaj Prediction & Pick
This featherweight bout has all of the ingredients of a fast-paced, action-packed fight that might end at any moment. Each men carry legitimate ending power, and neither is the sort of fighter who’s content to grind out a boring decision.
Expect Cuamba to return out sharp and unpredictable early, mixing in his unorthodox striking combos to maintain Sopaj guessing and off-balance. Sopaj will look to shut the space, use his physical strength advantage, and either drag Cuamba to the mat or land the massive shot that puts him away.
The pivotal moment will are available in Round 2, where Cuamba’s conditioning and inventive striking edge should begin to take over if the fight hasn’t already been finished. Sopaj’s chin has proven to be an issue mark, and a fighter as dangerous and diverse as Cuamba will find that focus on repeatedly.
Ultimately, Cuamba’s momentum, ending instincts, and striking creativity prove to be the difference in an exhilarating, back-and-forth fight.
Final Timmy Cuamba-Bernardo Sopaj Prediction & Pick: Timmy Cuamba (+130), Over 2.5 Rounds (-238)
UFC Vegas 117: Arnold Allen vs. Melquizael Costa continues on the prelims with a fight between Timmy Cuamba and Bernardo Sopaj within the bantamweight division on Saturday. Try our UFC odds series for our Cuamba-Ochoa prediction and pick.