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Expert picks, best bets on a jam-packed fight weekend across PFL, Bellator and UFC

Robert Whittaker will face Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Fight fans will get a triple-serving of action, as UFC, Bellator and PFL put their acts on the road this weekend.

The PFL goes first as their regular season is in full swing with the lightweights and light heavyweights on the marquee at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday (8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, with prelims at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN+).

On Saturday, Bellator MMA takes the baton as their Champions Series heads to 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland (Noon ET on Max). The main event will feature Jason Jackson defending his welterweight title against Ramazan Kuramagomedov.

Also on Saturday, the UFC touches down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with an 11-fight card featuring a former champion and multiple title contenders (3 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+, with prelims at 12 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN+). The main event will pit former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker against Ikram Aliskerov, who is stepping in on short notice for Khamzat Chimaev who was forced out due to illness.

Andreas Hale spoke to MMA coach and ESPN MMA analyst Din Thomas to get his perspective on the Bellator title fight and UFC main event in Riyadh this weekend. ESPN betting expert Ian Parker adds his insights and analysis on the two marquee fights and other intriguing bets he likes throughout the weekend.

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


UFC Saudi Arabia main event: Middleweight: Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov