The welterweight battle between Nikolay Veretennikov and Khaos Williams goes down on Saturday inside the Meta APEX in Las Vegas as part of the UFC Vegas 117 card.
Although he’s coming off a bounce-back win in his previous match, Veretennikov is going to be the betting underdog with +100 UFC odds, while Williams, who’s on a two-fight losing skid, will be the -120 betting favorite.
UFC Vegas 117: Nikolay Veretennikov vs. Khaos Williams Fight Odds
- Nikolay Veretennikov: +100
- Khaos Williams: -120
UFC Vegas 117: Nikolay Veretennikov vs. Khaos Williams: Tale of the Tape
| Nikolay Veretennikov | Khaos Williams | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 36 | 32 |
| Height | 6’1” | 6’0” |
| Reach | 74 inches | 77 inches |
| Leg Reach | 44 inches | 41 inches |
| Record | 14-7 | 15-5 |
| Fighting Style | Sambo | MMA |
| Finishing Rate | 79% | 60% |
UFC Vegas 117: Nikolay Veretennikov vs. Khaos Williams: Prediction
The elite-level grappling of Veretennikov is the reason why I predict a decision win for him over Williams. Both fighters are stepping in on late notice, and the stylistic matchup favors the Kazakh fighter because he can neutralize the striking and power of Williams.
Veretennikov is a vicious fighter in the clinch, and once he gets a hold of his opponents, he doesn’t let go. He either takes the fight on the ground and utilizes his Sambo background or throws powerful knee strikes.
With the power and one-punch capability of Williams, I believe Veretennikov will employ a grappling-heavy approach and control him for most of the fight. This fight plan is going to ensure he’s out of danger from Williams’ punches and inflict damage of his own.
Nikolay Veretennikov’s Recent Fight Results
Veretennikov was the former United Fight League champion when he was signed by the UFC in 2024. Since then, he has competed in five bouts, recording two wins (Francisco Prado and Niko Price) and three losses (Danny Barlow, Austin Vanderford, and Punahele Soriano).
Khaos Williams’ Recent Fight Results
Williams has been with the UFC since 2020. In his last five bouts inside the octagon, he racked up two victories against Rolando Bedoya and Carlston Harris, and absorbed defeats from Randy Brown, Gabriel Bonfim, and Andreas Gustafsson.
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