Da'Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson prediction, pick, start time for UFC Fight Night 254

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Da'Mon Blackshear and Cody Gibson meet Saturday on the main card of UFC Fight Night 254 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.

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Da'Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson UFC Fight Night 254 preview​

Blackshear (15-7-1 MMA, 3-3-1 UFC) comes in on the heels of a Performance of the Night-earning submission of Cody Stamann in November. The result snapped a two-fight skid, but prior to the setbacks, Blackshear, 30, scored another bonus-winning finish: a first-round twister on Jose Johnson. ... Gibson (21-10 MMA, 3-5 UFC) enters this matchup as a winner of back-to-back fights. In July, Gibson, 37, submitted Brian Kelleher in the first round and then won a unanimous decision over Chad Anheliger in November to go 2-1 in 2024.

Da'Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson UFC Fight Night 254 expert pick, prediction​

Serving as a solid action fight at 135 pounds is a battle between Blackshear and Cody Gibson.

Both fighters a flexible in all areas and can scramble their asses off, so I'm hoping for some serious grappling action inside of the smaller octagon this Saturday.

Gibson is probably the better pocket striker with stronger wrestling fundamentals, but Blackshear is the more creative and dynamic athlete in all areas. Although making things ugly in the clinch typically serves Gibson well, it's hard not to see it open up some opportunistic scrambles and offense for the Blackshear side of things.

I'm not sure either side will produce a finish, so I'll side with Blackshear to bank more positive positions and optics via some back control time.

The pick is Blackshear by decision.

Da'Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson UFC Fight Night 254 odds​

The oddsmakers and the public are heavily favoring the younger fighter, listing Blackshear -450 and Gibson +350 via FanDuel.

Da'Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson UFC Fight Night 254 start time, how to watch​

Blackshear and Gibson are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 8:10 p.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Da'Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson prediction, pick, start time for UFC Fight Night 254

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