The UFC is back at the UFC Apex for not only an exciting fight night event, it's also The Ultimate Fighter Season 32 finale as the middleweight and featherweight finalists battle it out to see who will become the next Ultimate Fighter.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 20: Robert Valentin enters the Octagon prior to his middleweight fight against Giannis Bachar during the filming of The Ultimate Fighter at UFC APEX on March 20, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

On the main card history will be made as the 32nd season of The Ultimate Fighter will commence and we will crown two more Ultimate Fighters with one middleweight and one featherweight securing their spot on the UFC roster.

There will be a fight between two middleweight prospects who are going to leave it all on the line as Ryan Loder and Robert Valentin get locked inside the Octagon for the biggest opportunity of their lives.

Loder put on a great showing winning both of his fights on the show with one win by submission and the other via unanimous decision meanwhile, Valentin absolutely dominated the opposition with two finishes showing his well-rounded skillset as he comes into the finale this weekend.

These two middleweights will be looking to secure their spot in the UFC and become the next TUF champion this weekend and with that said, let's take a look at the matchup and our Loder-Valentin prediction and pick.

UFC Vegas 96: Ryan Loder Betting Predictions August 24th

Ryan Loder (6-1)?came into his MMA career as a decorated Division 1 All-American wrestler for the University of Northern Iowa who finished his college career with a 114-27 record while never being pinned by any opposition.

1. He brought that some wrestle-heavy approach into his fighting style amassing wins in 6 of 7 professional bouts.
2. Of those 6 wins, 4 of them have come by KO/TKO.

Loder has been training primarily with MMA Gold with the likes of fellow UFC middleweight Anthony Hernandez and UFC welterweight Max Griffin. He has also been getting work with Team Alpha Male, which has given him two great teams and helped him gear up for the toughest fight of his career.

In this matchup, Valentin is dangerous no matter where this fight takes place but he is a lot less dangerous off his back and that is where Loder will have the biggest advantage in this fight.

However, Loder will need to do a better job at maintaining his gas tank than he did in his final fight on TUF but if he's able to fight at his pace and dominate in the grappling he should have no problem coming away with the victory and be etched in Ultimate Fighter history as the season 32 winner.

UFC Vegas 96: Robert Valentin Betting Predictions August 24th

Robert Valentin (10-3)?was signed to fight on The Ultimate Fighter after three straight finishes while not suffering a loss since March 2022. He kept that finishing streak going during his time on the show where he finished both of his fights in the first-round.

1. Valentin has 10 wins as a pro with 9 of those wins coming inside the distance which is split between 3 KO/TKO and 6 submissions making him a very well-rounded fighter.
2. He had one of the most vicious knockouts on the show which lasted less than 30 seconds and was his first victory on the show which put his name on the map and the favorite to win this season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Valentin may not have the accolades that Loder has in his wrestling but he has sure shown that he competes in the grappling and on the feet with the best in the middleweight division.

He throws a ton of different various attacks which will help keep Loder at bay. Loder will need to be careful just coming within range looking to shoot for a takedown or he will be looking face up at the bright lights on the canvas after getting knocked out.

Valentin is undoubtedly the more dangerous fighter in this matchup being able to finish fights on the canvas as well as on the feet. However, it will be up to Valentin to ensure that he doesn't get stuck on his back and pushes Loder on the feet which he will eventually put him away to become the next Ultimate Fighter.

UFC Vegas 96: RYAN LODER vs ROBERT VALENTIN FANDUEL ODDS FOR AUGUST 24

MONEY LINE

• RYAN LODER: +140
• ROBERT VALENTIN: -172

PROPS

• RYAN LODER BY POINTS: +480
• RYAN LODER BY SUBMISSION: +700
• RYAN LODER BY KNOCKOUT/TKO: +500
• ROBERT VALENTIN BY POINTS: +300
• ROBERT VALENTIN BY KNOCKOUT/TKO: +310
• ROBERT VALENTIN BY SUBMISSION: +440

OVER/UNDER (ROUNDS TOTAL)

• OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (+112)
• UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-142)

BEST UFC VEGAS 96 ODDS FOR RYAN LODER vs ROBERT VALENTIN

• Ryan Loder comes into his TUF Finale matchup as the betting underdog. Bet365 Sportsbook has the best odds for Loder at (+140)
• Robert Valentin one of the most experienced fighters on TUF comes into the finale as the betting favorite. Bet365 Sportsbook comes in with the best odds at (-163)
• FanDuel Sportsbook has the best odds when it comes to the over/under on the total rounds, which is set at 2.5 Rounds (-142) for the over, and (+112) for the under

FINAL LODER-VALENTIN PICK & PREDICTION

This should be a barnburner of a fight between these two middleweights as they look to become the next Ultimate Fighter. Ultimately, Loder is going to look to wrestle early in this fight and will find some success but as the fight progresses Valentin will start to take over until he lands something flush on Loder or catches him in a transition and gets the finish to become the next Ultimate Fighter.

FINAL LODER-VALENTIN PICK & PREDICTION: ROBERT VALENTIN (-172)