mackenzie-dern-getty-images-ufc.jpg
Getty Images

Angela Hill says she believes she doesn't get the respect she deserves. The veteran strawweight contender hopes that will change Saturday after she faces rising contender Mackenzie Dern in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill. The five-round battle of ranked contenders that carries title-shot implications will anchor the main card (7 p.m.) from the Apex facility in Las Vegas. The No. 14-ranked Hill told the media this week she feels slighted by what she perceives as too low of a ranking, and also said she believes the UFC brass sees her as nothing more than a gatekeeper for rising prospects. She can silence critics with a win over the No. 8-ranked Dern, who is seeking a breakthrough victory following losses in two of her past three.

Dern is a -170 favorite (risk $170 to win $100), while Hill comes back at +145 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, middleweight prospects square off as Anthony Hernandez (-240) meets Edmen Shabazyan (+200). Before locking in any UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill picks, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine combat expert Daniel Vithlani.

Vithlani is a highly analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.

From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances. 

In his SportsLine debut for UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his picks included advising SportsLine members to back Jamahal Hill (-125) over Glover Teixeira (+105) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns. 

Now, with UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill in sight, Vithlani has scoured the fight card from top to bottom and released his top MMA picks. Vithlani's UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine

UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill preview 

The winner of Saturday's main event has a chance to make great strides toward a potential title shot. Although both are ranked outside the top five, numerous contenders ranked ahead of them already have competed for the belt and the division would benefit from new title contenders. Current champion Zhang Weili is set to face No. 4-ranked Amanda Lemos at UFC 291 in August. It is possible that either Dern or Hill could get the next title shot, or a title eliminator at worst. 

Both combatants are among the most popular women in the sport. Dern (12-3) is a multiple-time world grappling champion whose transition to MMA was anticipated and followed by countless fight fans. 

Dern, who has seven career submissions, made her UFC debut in March 2018 and won six of her first seven fights before struggling against accomplished strikers in recent outings. She is coming off a narrow loss by majority decision to Yan Xiaonan in October. 

Hill (15-12) is known for her gregarious demeanor and support of numerous social causes. In the cage, she is noted for her all-action approach, consistent improvement and never turning down fight proposals. 

Hill's ascent into contention has been slowed by four split-decision losses in the UFC. But the 38-year-old Maryland native has dominated her past two fights and a signature victory over Dern would catapult her into the top-10 rankings. You can only see who to pick at UFC Fight Night here

Top UFC Fight Night predictions

We'll reveal one of Vithlani's UFC Fight Night predictions here: He is siding with Joaquin Buckley (-215) to get his hand raised against Andre Fialho (+185) in a matchup of welterweight prospects on the main card.

Buckley (15-6) came to the UFC in 2020 as a coveted prospect following strong runs in promotions such as Bellator and the Legacy Fighting Alliance. But the explosive 29-year-old St. Louis native had mixed results at middleweight, at times showing off his power with spectacular knockouts. He also appeared undersized for the division and is now dropping down to welterweight following consecutive losses.

Fialho (16-6) has a similar profile as he went 4-1 in Bellator and joined the UFC following a run through the UAE Warriors promotion in which he won all three fights by first-round stoppage. But the 29-year-old power puncher has struggled to find his footing in the UFC, going 2-3 in five appearances.

"I see clear advantages for Buckley. He has much better footwork and movement, throws more volume, and can employ kicks at range to mix up his striking attack," Vithlani told SportsLine. See who else to back here.

How to make UFC Fight Night picks

Vithlani also has strong picks for Dern vs. Hill and other bouts on the UFC Fight Night card. He's backing a fighter who "looks to be improving rapidly" to emerge with a dominant victory. Vithlani's picks and MMA analysis are only available at SportsLine.  

Who wins UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill, and how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC Fight Night, all from the MMA expert who profited more than $6,200 in 2022, and find out. 

UFC Fight Night odds, fight card

See full UFC Fight Night picks, predictions, best bets here.
Mackenzie Dern (-170) vs. Angela Hill (+145)
Anthony Hernandez (-240) vs. Edmen Shabazyan (+200)
Andre Fialho (+185) vs. Joaquin Buckley (-215)
Lupita Godinez (-155) vs. Emily Ducote (+135)
Hayisaer Maheshate (+140) vs. Viacheslav Borschev (-165)
Anthony Hernandez (-240) vs. Edmen Shabazyan (+200)
Karolina Kowalkiewicz (-135) vs. Vanessa Demopoulos (+115)
Orion Cosce (-125) Vs. Gilbert Urbina (+105)
Ilir Latifi (+165) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (-195)
Chase Hooper (+110) vs. Nick Fiore (-130)
Natalia Silva (-800) vs. Victoria Leonardo (+600)