UFC Fight Night: Best Bets and Top Underdog Slips for December 13

The UFC closes out 2025 with a compelling Fight Night card headlined by a very important flyweight matchup between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape. While the main event holds divisional title implications, the undercard is jam packed with plenty of spots to find value to end the year right!

Steven Asplund vs Sean Sharaf Breakdown

Steven Asplund makes his UFC debut following one of the most impressive performances in recent Contender Series history. Back in September Asplund earned his UFC contract with a 16-second knockout, the third-fastest finish in the show’s history. Asplund has recorded five knockouts in seven professional fights, coming into this fight on a three fight KO/TKO Streak.

Sean Sharaf returns for his second UFC appearance after losing by second-round knockout loss to Junior Tafa. Though it was on less than a week’s notice, that is still a very poor showing. Junior Tafa had lost two straight going into that fight and was then submitted in his fight after his win over Sharaf.

Sharaf is unlikely to pursue grappling exchanges with the size difference in this fight. If Asplund can get on top, he could finish it with a flurry. With Shraaf likely to engage in a striking-heavy contest, Asplund should be able to find his finish. In Asplund's three previous fights, he found a finish in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd rounds, displaying an ability to finish in any round.

Best Bet: Steven Asplund by KO/TKO (-110, FanDuel)

Underdog Slip No. 1 – 2.59x Payout

• Steven Asplund Higher Than 0.5 Finishes

• Kennedy Nzechukwu Higher Than 0.5 Finishes

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Marcus Buchecha

Kennedy Nzechukwu continues his transition to heavyweight after an encouraging start that included back-to-back knockout wins over Lukasz Brzeski and Chris Barnett. His momentum was stopped by none other than the famous first-round heel hook submission loss to Valter Walker. After losing to a submission specialist, I like him to stay on his P’s and Q’s vs a potentially dangerous grappler.

Marcus Buchecha returns following a disappointing UFC debut loss to Martin Buday. Perhaps this is a spot to back Buchecha after getting his debut out from under him, but this is step up vs a much more experienced MMA fighter.

While Buchecha is a decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, if he can’t get there, he can’t win this fight. I expect Kennedy to use his length, use his low kicks to chop the legs of Buchecha and while carrying some legitimate power, I think he finds a finish over an exhausted Buchecha.

Underdog Slip No. 2 – 2.37x Payout

• Morgan Charriere Higher Than 1.5 Takedowns

• Kevin Vallejos Higher Than 56.5 Significant Strikes

Melquizael Costa vs Morgan Charriere

Melquizael Costa enters this bout riding a four-fight win streak and continues to establish himself as a legitimate featherweight in the rankings. Since losing his debut to Thiago Moises, Costa has shown steady improvement, earning two wins by submission and two by decision. He likes to force the pressure, and when the opportunity presents itself, he is able to find a finish.

Morgan Charriere brings an aggressive and well-rounded skill set into this contest. Charriere likes to be a dog; he is physical and strong and can impose where the fight goes against most opponents. Despite more losses on paper, Charriere’s losses have come against high-level opposition, including Nathaniel Wood and Chepe Mariscal. While I can argue that the four-fight win streak for Costa has not been that impressive

This matchup is expected to be competitive throughout. Bookmakers have this basically pick’em odds, and I agree, though I do tend to lean towards Charriere, as I do believe he has the physicality to win this fight. Charriere has 2+ takedowns in three of his last four fights, while Costa has allowed his last two opponents to have 6 and 3 takedowns, even in victories. Three of Costa's last four opponents have 3+ takedowns on him.

Co-Main Event: Giga Chikadze vs Kevin Vallejos

Giga Chikadze returns to the Octagon looking to stop a two-fight losing streak against a very dangerous opponent. When operating at range, Chikadze remains one of the division’s most dangerous kickboxers. He uses body kicks and counterstriking very well, which can catch his opponents off guard. But is it just Father Time facing a dangerous young opponent with power in his hands? Perhaps.

Kevin Vallejos enters this matchup as one of the division’s fastest-rising prospects. He has been eyeing a rematch with Jean Silva, and to get there, he needs to keep climbing the ranks. The 24-year-old Argentinian has sharp boxing fundamentals, efficient footwork, and dangerous power. His recent performances have demonstrated both durability and composure, traits that are critical against an experienced striker like Chikadze.

While it's always hard to predict a finish, especially against a skilled striker who has never been knocked out, Chikadze could be entering the “Washed” stage of his career. I respect Chikadze to last until rounds two or three, where Vallejos' volume and power could take over.