UFC 272 expert picks and best bets: Breaking down Covington-Masvidal, RDA-Moicano and more

A lot has been written and said about the animosity and history between UFC 272 main event opponents Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. The former teammates and roommates have never been at a loss for words, but as they prepare to step into the Octagon against each other, the fight itself will be a different matter entirely.

Masvidal's only losses since 2017 happened in a pair of UFC welterweight title shots against Usman. Covington's only two losses since 2015 happened in his two championship fights against Usman. Each of them want to fight their way back to the top again, and while it's unclear how close a win in this fight will get them, a loss will undoubtedly serve as a major step backward.

So who will have the edge once the Octagon door slams closed Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas? Brett Okamoto spoke to James Krause for a coach's perspective.

But that's not the only fight on the UFC 272 card Saturday (10 p.m. on ESPN+ PPV). With Rafael Fiziev pulling out of the co-main event due to COVID-19, Renato Moicano stepped in with less than a week's notice to fight Rafael dos Anjos in a 160-pound catchweight fight. Marc Raimondi broke down the fight with Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture MMA.

Additionally, Reed Kuhn and Ian Parker added their betting insights for everything from the main event, to the new co-main, to the rest of the UFC 272 card.

James Krause, Glory MMA

How Masvidal wins: If Masvidal wins, it will probably be by knockout, because I don't see him winning a decision. He can do it. We've seen how dangerous he is at this weight, with knockouts of Darren Till and Ben Askren. I don't know if he just came into his own skin or what, but there's a danger factor now that wasn't there earlier in his