UFC Fight Night Jessica Andrade vs. Erin Blanchfield: Expert picks and best bets

UFC women's flyweight contenders Jessica Andrade and Erin Blanchfield will go head to head in the UFC Fight Night main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday (7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with prelims at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+).

Andrade, ranked No. 2 in ESPN's divisional rankings, has won three fights in a row between two divisions (two wins at flyweight, one at strawweight). With a win over Blanchfield, Andrade could be next in line for a shot at the title. Blanchfield, unranked by ESPN, would improve to 5-0 inside the Octagon with a win on Saturday.

Jeff Wagenheim spoke to Xtreme Couture MMA coach Eric Nicksick to get his perspective on the matchup. ESPN betting experts Ian Parker and Reed Kuhn add their insights and analysis for the main event and other intriguing bets they like.

Editor's note: Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.

How Andrade wins: Because Erin is going to be so predicated on getting this fight to the floor, I think Jessica needs to lean on attacks to the body. Aiming punches to the chest will be a deterrent when Blanchfield tries to change levels. And Andrade's body work is nasty. It makes it really, really tough for a wrestler to get on the inside against her. Look at how Andrade cracked Lauren Murphy to the body a few weeks ago. Lauren is so tough, but when Jessica was attacking her body, it had a big impact. For a fighter who's small in stature for the division, like Andrade, body work really comes in handy.

How Blanchfield wins: Erin's stand-up offense is predicated on her lead side — her jabs, her hooks — and she has to start breaking her rhythm. One way to do that is with what we call firsts and thirds: Throw one punch, see what counter comes back, while getting out of the way of the