After a week off, the UFC returns to its home at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night for a featherweight bout in the main event with title implications in the 125-pound division. Alexa Grasso (-225) is the favorite on SI Sportsbook as she squares off against Viviane Araujo (+190). The winner of this fight puts themselves in position for a shot at Valentina Shevchenko‘s belt. Grasso is undefeated since moving into this division, while her opponent in Araujo is coming off a big win in August against Andrea Lee.

UFC Fight Night 212

Location: UFC Apex | Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 | 4 p.m. ET

Prelims (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

• Mike Jackson (+500) vs. Pete Rodriguez (-700)
• Tatsuro Taira (-250) vs. C.J. Vergara (+205)
• Piera Rodriguez (-170) vs. Sam Hughes (+140)
• Joanderson Brito (-400) vs. Lucas Alexander (+310)
• Nick Maximov (-135) vs. Jacob Malkoun (+110)
• Mana Martinez (-155) vs. Brandon Davis (+130)

Main card (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

• Misha Cirkunov (+175) vs. Alonzo Menifield (-215)
• Raphael Assuncao (+310) vs. Victor Henry (-400)
• Jordan Wright (+175) vs. Duško Todorovic (-215)
• Cub Swanson (+175) vs. Jonathan Martinez (-215)
• Alexa Grasso (-225) vs. Viviane Araújo (+190)

SI MMA writer Justin Barrasso:

It has been a long time coming for Alexa Grasso. Seven years ago, she looked like the next big thing when she put on a masterful striking performance against Mizuki Inoue, but she has not generated enough momentum. Perhaps that will change on Saturday. If Grasso is victorious against Viviane Araujo, especially in a convincing manner, she should be next in line for reigning champ Valentina Shevchenko. 

BET: Grasso via decision +120

SI Producer Doug Vazquez:

The main event of this card has “Fight of the Night potential,” in my opinion. This is a very interesting clash of styles, with Grasso known for her striking, while the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in Araujo is known as the better grappler. Grasso is not necessarily known for her takedown defense, so I am sure she focused heavily in this camp on that aspect of her game. If she can keep this fight in the middle of the octagon, I think her boxing is just too much for Araujo to contend with. I do, however, see the potential that this fight goes to the judges and Grasso comes away with the decision.

BET: Grasso via decision +120

SI Video’s Julian Pinto:

I am interested in the Tatsuro Tairo-C.J. Vergara match, as Tairo looks to get his second win in the UFC. Both men do not normally leave it up to the judges, and I expect Tairo to get the finish. Tairo’s striking is very clean, and he uses it to complement his ground game well. Vergara has won a good portion of his matches from finishes, and I believe Tairo’s striking and distance management will force a then-frustrated Vergara to abandon his gameplan and sell out, which will leave a wide opening for Tairo. I think Tairo gets the knockdown and finishes Vergara by submission.

BET: Tairo via submission +350

This story first published at SI.com/MMA.