UFC Edmonton: Buckley vs. Malott continues on the prelims with a fight between Katlyn Cerminara and Mackenzie Stiller in the women's flyweight division. Check out our UFC Edmonton odds series for our Cerminara-Stiller prediction and pick.
Katlyn Cerminara (18-6) returns to the Octagon after a long hiatius looking to snap a two-fight skid following tough unanimous decision losses to top contenders Maycee Barber and Manon Fiorot, the veteran striker previously secured a split decision over Amanda Ribas, as she comes into her fight this weekend against Mackenzie Stiller.
Mackenzie Stiller (6-1) steps into the Octagon on short notice for her UFC debut after her stint on The Ultimate Fighter. Riding a three-fight submission streak under the LFA banner, the highly touted prospect most recently secured impressive consecutive first-round tapouts over Kendra McIntyre and Cristina Brador, as she comes into her fight this weekend against Katlyn Cerminara.
UFC Edmonton Odds, courtesy of DraftKings:
UFC Edmonton Odds: Katlyn Cerminara-Mackenzie Stiller Odds
Katlyn Cerminara: -258
Mackenzie Stiller: +210
Over 2.5 Rounds: -345
Under 2.5 Rounds: +250
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Katlyn Cerminara Will Win
Katlyn Cerminara holds a massive experience and strength of schedule advantage as she welcomes Mackenzie Stiller to the Octagon at UFC Edmonton. Having spent years trading blows with the absolute elite of the flyweight division, the former title challenger will not be fazed by Stiller’s aggressive grappling approach.
While Stiller possesses a dangerous judo background and a knack for early submissions, she has never faced a point-fighting tactician with Cerminara’s elite distance management. Cerminara excels at utilizing her distinct height and reach advantages to keep opponents at the end of her crisp jab and front kicks.
Once Stiller inevitably attempts to close the distance and initiate the clinch, she will encounter Cerminara’s vastly underrated defensive wrestling and physical strength. Even if the young prospect secures a takedown, Cerminara’s own Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt ensures she can safely navigate the chaotic scrambles and swiftly return to her feet.
On the outside, the veteran’s superior striking volume and constant lateral movement will slowly begin to frustrate the UFC newcomer. As Stiller expends massive amounts of energy chasing the fight, Cerminara will systematically pick her apart with precise, frustrating counter-striking combinations.
Ultimately, the sheer gap in high-level Octagon experience and striking technique is simply too vast for Stiller to overcome in her promotional debut. Expect Cerminara to comfortably dictate the pace, stuff the desperate takedowns, and coast to a vintage unanimous decision victory.
Why Mackenzie Stiller Will Win
Mackenzie Stiller brings a relentless submission grappling pedigree and opportunistic finishing ability that can thoroughly disrupt Katlyn Cerminara at UFC Edmonton. While Cerminara thrives when allowed to point-fight from long range, Stiller’s aggressive forward pressure is designed to collapse the pocket immediately.
The surging prospect excels at closing the distance behind heavy forward rushes before latching onto dominant body locks along the fence. Once Stiller initiates the clinch, her high-level judo background and explosive hip tosses will allow her to drag the former title challenger to the canvas.
On the mat, Stiller operates with a ferocious attacking urgency that leaves zero room for defensive complacency. Cerminara has spent years relying on defensive posturing to survive grappling exchanges, but Stiller's rapid transitions directly target vulnerable limbs and exposed necks.
Furthermore, Stiller’s youthful hunger and unblemished momentum give her a significant psychological edge over a veteran enduring a difficult career skid. As Cerminara faces constant pressure on the ground, the cumulative physical fatigue will severely restrict her ability to stand back up.
Article Continues BelowUltimately, Stiller possesses the exact specialized grappling blueprint required to expose a stationary kickboxer. Expect the newcomer to make an emphatic promotional statement by grounding Cerminara early and locking in a decisive submission finish.
Final Katlyn Cerminara-Mackenzie Stiller Prediction & Pick
This Saturday at UFC Edmonton, former title challenger Katlyn Cerminara takes on highly touted prospect Mackenzie Stiller in a classic veteran-versus-newcomer showdown. The entire dynamic of this flyweight bout hinges on whether Stiller can successfully bypass Cerminara's elite range management and force the fight to the canvas.
While Stiller possesses lethal judo tosses and a ferocious submission game, she has never faced a point-fighting tactician with such high-level Octagon experience. Cerminara will lean heavily on her significant reach advantage, utilizing crisp jabs and front kicks to keep the aggressive newcomer at bay.
If Stiller manages to close the distance early, her relentless top pressure could definitely secure a shocking promotional debut victory. However, Cerminara's vastly underrated defensive wrestling and battle-tested composure should allow her to survive any initial scares on the mat.
As the fight progresses, expect the frustrated Stiller to fade while absorbing continuous counter-strikes on the feet. Ultimately, Cerminara will comfortably dictate the pace from the outside to secure a clear unanimous decision win.
Final Katlyn Cerminara-Mackenzie Stiller Prediction & Pick: Katlyn Cerminara (-258), OVER 2.5 Rounds (-345)