• What: UFC Fight Night
  • Who: Israel Adesanya vs Joe Pyfer, middleweight bout; Alexa Grasso vs Maycee Barber, women's flyweight bout
  • Where: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
  • When: Saturday, March 28, 8:00 p.m. EDT
  • Watch: Paramount+

Two former champions will tangle with up-and-coming challengers in the key bouts for UFC Fight Night 271 on March 28. In the main event, two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is set to clash with Joe Pyfer.

Oddsmakers are at odds as to who to go with in this bout. Both fighters are assigned UFC betting odds of -110.

Let's look at the latest betting lines. Odds are subject to change.

UFC Fight Night 271 OddsThe PickBovadaBetOnlineBetUS
Israel Adesanya vs Joe PyferPyfer-110-105-110
Alexa Grasso vs Maycee BarberBarber-142-145-142

The co-main event is a women's flyweight bout between top contenders Alexa Grasso and Maycee Barber. The UFC betting lines are showing Barber as the -142 chalk to take this bout.

In this article, OSB will be analyzing the fighters in each of these main-event bouts. A predicted winner in both matchups will be offered. There will also be some additional notes and information regarding the UFC Fight Night picks. UFC betting tips will also be provided.

UFC Fight Night Overview: Israel Adesanya vs Joe Pyfer

Nigerian-born New Zealand resident Adesanya reigned twice as UFC middleweight champion. He's currently ranked No. 4 in the weight class. Pyfer is the No. 14 contender among UFC middleweights.

Fighter Spotlight: Israel Adesanya

The Last Stylebender, as he's known, Adesanya (24-5) won the UFC middleweight title belt in 2019 and successfully defended it six times.

He lost the title to Alex Pereira in 2022, only to reclaim the belt in a rematch. In his next fight, Adesanya again lost the title to Sean Strickland.

Fighter Spotlight: Joe Pyfer

American Pyfer (15-2) is riding a three-fight win streak. Two of those bouts earned him performance of the night recognition. He's received that award four times since joining the UFC.

Seven of Pyfer's last eight wins have come via knockout, TKO, or submission.

Prediction: The question that must be asked is whether Adesanya, at the age of 36, has anything left in the tank? He's lost his last three bouts. Granted, two of them were title fight defeats, against Strickland and Dricus du Plessis.

Joe Pyfer To defeat Israel Adesanya
Bovada
-110
Bet Now!

Suffering consecutive losses by stoppage doesn't bode well for Adesanya as he faces a hungry Pyfer, who possesses one-punch finishing power in both hands. Take Pyfer to stop the legend and win in the UFC Fight Night picks.

UFC Fight Night Overview: Alexa Grasso vs Maycee Barber

This fight is a rematch. In 2021, Grasso got the unanimous decision over then 22-year-old Barber at UFC 358. As they meet for the second time, Grasso is UFC's No. 3-ranked flyweight, while Barber is the No. 5 contender in the division.

Fighter Spotlight: Alexa Grasso

Veteran Grasso (16-5-1) captured the UFC flyweight title via submission over champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 385. Grasso was the first Mexican woman to win a UFC title.

A rematch between the two fighters ended in a draw. The rubber match at UFC 306 ended with Shevchenko reclaiming the title with a unanimous decision victory.

Following her loss to Shevchenko, Grasso lost a unanimous decision to Natalia Silva at UFC 315. It's the first time in her career that Grasso has lost consecutive fights. She's now winless (0-2-1) through her past three bouts.

Fighter Spotlight: Maycee Barber

Barber (15-2) has won seven fights in a row since her 2021 loss to Grasso. She'd lost two in a row before this hot streak, Barber's only losses as a pro. Six of her wins during Barber's current streak came via decision.

Barber overcame a near-death experience in 2024. She spent nine days in the hospital battling pneumonia, strep throat, and a staph infection.

Her nine wins and three knockouts are tied for second in the UFC women's flyweight division.

Prediction: How will this matchup turn out the second time around? Grasso holds the edge in experience and grappling acumen. She also has that win over Barber in her back pocket. Might that be a confidence booster?

Maycee Barber To defeat Alexa Grasso
BetOnline
-145
Bet Now!

Barber's nickname is "The Future," and it's easy to make a case that for her, the future is now. She's a much more experienced fighter now than when Barber faced Grasso in 2021. Her ground-and-pound work is much improved. Still, if Grasso is to win, she'll want to take the fight to the mat. But it will be Barber who utilizes her pressure and striking power to control the fight and take the decision over Grasso in the UFC picks.

Boost Your UFC Picks

Before getting your wagers down on UFC Fight Night, don't forget to check out the best UFC betting odds to ensure you are getting the best bets available. You can also use sportsbook reviews 2026 to find a betting site to service your needs in UFC betting picks. And if you're new to the world of online sports betting, don't fret about being in over your head. There are plenty of how-to tips that you can peruse in our handy sports betting guide.