On Saturday, May 10, 2025, UFC 315 in Montreal will feature a bantamweight clash between Canada’s Brad “Superman” Katona and Kazakhstan’s Bekzat “The Turan Warrior” Almakhan. This preliminary bout at the Bell Centre pits a seasoned UFC veteran against a rising international prospect. Here, we preview Brad Katona vs Bekzat Almakhan and make our pick for this early prelim opener.
Brad Katona vs Bekzat Almakhan Preview
Brad Katona (16–4) returns to action following a unanimous decision loss to Jean Matsumoto in October 2024. Known for his technical striking and grappling prowess, Katona is the only fighter to win The Ultimate Fighter twice, capturing titles in both featherweight and bantamweight divisions. Training out of Straight Blast Gym Ireland, he brings a disciplined approach and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the octagon.
Bekzat Almakhan (11–2) enters his second UFC fight after a debut loss to Umar Nurmagomedov in March 2024. Despite the setback, Almakhan showcased resilience and striking power, even scoring a knockdown against Nurmagomedov. With a background in karate and a record featuring nine knockout victories, he represents a formidable challenge with his aggressive style and reach advantage.
Betting Insights
- Brad Katona: 16–4 record, primarily wins by decision, known for technical proficiency and endurance.
- Bekzat Almakhan: 11–2 record, nine wins by knockout, aggressive striker with a 68-inch reach.
At Sportzino, Almakhan is considered a slight favorite going into this fight. He comes in with odds of -172, while Katona is at +140 to get the win on home soil. Bettors should weigh Katona’s experience and technical skills against Almakhan’s knockout power and reach advantage.
Brad Katona vs Bekzat Almakhan Prediction
Brad Katona (+140) over Bekzat Almakhan
220K Gold Coins & 10 FREE Sweeps Coins
- Katona has an experience advantage that could benefit him in this fight.
- With Katona fighting on home soil, we like him to win as an underdog.
Katona’s path to victory lies in utilizing his grappling skills and controlling the pace of the fight. His experience in high-pressure situations and ability to execute game plans could neutralize Almakhan’s striking threats.
Almakhan’s success depends on maintaining distance and leveraging his reach to land significant strikes. If he can keep the fight standing and avoid takedowns, his knockout power could be the deciding factor.
Round 1: Almakhan starts aggressively, attempting to establish dominance with striking. Katona remains composed, looking for openings to initiate grappling exchanges.
Round 2: Katona adjusts his strategy, successfully securing takedowns and controlling the ground game, limiting Almakhan’s striking opportunities.
Round 3: Almakhan attempts to rally with striking combinations, but Katona’s experience and control prevent significant damage.
Prediction: Brad Katona wins by unanimous decision, utilizing his grappling expertise and fight IQ to outmaneuver the less experienced Almakhan.
