Max Griffin vs. Chris Curtis prediction, odds, pick for UFC Nashville

The UFC Nashville Prelims are coming to an in depth as we bring you a betting prediction and pick for the Featured Prelim within the Welterweight (170) Division on Saturday. California’s Max Griffin will tackle Xtreme Couture’s Chris Curtis in what’s shaping as much as be an exciting scrap. Check UFC odds for our Griffin-Curtis prediction and pick.

Max Griffin (20-11) comes into this bout with an 8-9 UFC record since 2016. He’s alternated wins and losses over his last six fights, most recently dropping to Michael Chiesa eight months ago. He’ll look to return to winning form because the moderate betting underdog on this matchup. Griffin stands 5-foot-11 with a 76-inch reach.

Chris Curtis (31-12) is available in with a 5-4-0-1 record within the UFC dating back to 2021. He’s gone a disappointing 1-3-0-1 over his last five fights and most recently got knocked out by Roman Kopylov via head kick. He’ll also look to bounce back from a loss because the betting favorite here. Curtis stands 5-foot-10 with a 75.5-inch reach.

Listed here are the UFC Nashville Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC Nashville odds: Max Griffin-Chris Curtis odds

Max Griffin: +250

Chris Curtis: -310

Over 2.5 rounds: -280

Under 2.5 rounds: +210

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Why Max Griffin will win

• Last Fight: (L) Michael Chiesa – SUB (rear naked choke, R3)
• Last 5: 2-3
• Finishes: 9 KO/TKO, 2 SUB

Max Griffin put forth a valiant effort against Michael Chiesa during his last bout, but his aggression ultimately got the perfect of him as he got caught on the bottom and gave up his back.

Griffin is trying to find consistency as he’s been missing a few of it over his last fights, but knowing he can come into this bout and swing for the fences must have him confident in landing a knockout punch.

Griffin’s striking defense could use some work at 58%, but Chris Curtis has been known to offer up several strikes while attempting to land his own mixtures.

Nonetheless, Griffin can have to match a frantic pace as Curtis averages over six strikes landed per minute. We have seen Griffin display a solid chin up to now, but he’ll need to remain diligent and avoid falling behind on the striking totals.

Max Griffin will find success on this fight if he manages to effective counter-punch each time Curtis over extends himself. Curtis can whiff hard on a few of his looping punches, so Griffin should remain able to counter with short uppercuts and shots excessive. Search for him to attempt to use Curtis’ aggression against him for a change on this fight.

Why Chris Curtis will win

• Last Fight: (L) Roman Kopylov – KO (head kick, R3)
• Last 5: 1-3-0-1
• Finishes: 15 KO/TKO, 3 SUB

Chris Curtis didn’t bring his A-game against Roman Kopylov and his tendency to decelerate towards the tip of the fight cost him greatly with a knockout loss. Curtis has also had a problem together with his consistency over the previous couple of fights.

At times, he looks like certainly one of the slickest boxers within the division and could be very tough to catch clean. At other times, he’s very hesitant to open up his striking and works an excessive amount of of his Philly-shell technique without really engaging.

With the recent skid he’s on, Curtis must have a way of urgency prior to what needs to be a reasonably winnable fight for him at this point. He’s the higher athlete and has significantly better boxing hands, nevertheless it’ll all be a matter of whether he shows up able to fight and is willing to open things up.

Apart from that, Curtis’ striking defense might be his biggest tool throughout this fight as he tries to shut the gap and work from in close. He’s very effective at landing strikes from the clinch and it might be a solid path for him if Griffin tries tying up along the fence. Search for Curtis to display a few of his seriously underrated wrestling during this fight as well.

Final Max Griffin-Chris Curtis prediction & pick

The betting odds are skewed towards Chris Curtis on this fight and for good reason, nevertheless it’ll all be a matter of which version of Chris Curtis decides to point out up for this fight. Max Griffin is more likely to press the motion and move forward more on this fight. Chris Curtis has the higher movement and does an excellent job of re-establishing himself back into his mixtures.

Still, Curtis can have to be more consistent than he’s been and never draw back from the heated exchanges. He showed great heart throughout the Kopylov loss and if he’s in a position to hone that very same aggression, it should end in a win for him here.

Final Max Griffin-Chris Curtis Prediction & Pick: Chris Curtis (-310); OVER 2.5 Rounds (-280)