The UFC is back in action this weekend after having a week off with a stacked fight card live at the UFC Apex.

(Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

In the main event, we have a fantastic matchup between two surging contenders in the welterweight division Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady which should have fight fans on the edge of their seats throughout the fight.

Kicking off the main card is a barnburner between Trevor Peek and Yanal Ashmouz in the lightweight division.

These lightweights will be looking to kick things off on this main card with a statement performance as they climb the rankings.

UFC Vegas 97: Trevor Peek Betting Predictions September 7th

Trevor Peek (9-2)?became a fan favorite ever since his win on the Contender Series in 2022 where he finished Malik Lewis in the second round via TKO.

Peek is now 2-2 in his UFC career but he has alternated wins and losses in his last three fights, most recently losing a unanimous decision to Charlie Campbell in his last fight.

• Trevor Peek is 9-2 in his professional career with 8 of those 9 wins coming by KO/TKO.
• Peek has only lost by decision in his career showing his toughness and durability.

Trevor Peek may not be the most technical striker there is but he makes up for it with his aggression and his power. He will never stop coming forward looking to land the fight-ending knockout and his durability allows him to always be in the fight until the very end.

He will be going toe-to-toe with Yanal Ashmouz who's also a striker that loves to get into brawls with his opponents. However, Ashmouz has yet to face the type of pressure that Peek will put on him in this fight.

If Peek can make Ashmouz fight off his back foot and keep pressing for 15 minutes there's a good chance Peek can get back on track in a big way with another highlight reel knockout on his resume.

UFC Vegas 97: Yanal Ashmouz Betting Predictions September 7th

Yanal Ashmouz (7-1)?kick-started his UFC career with an emphatic knockout of Sam Patterson which lasted just 1:15 in the first round.

However, Ashmouz suffered his first professional loss against Chris Duncan after breaking his arm in the beginning of the fight but still fought to a decision.

• Yanal Ashmouz is now 7-1 in his professional career with 6 of his 7 wins coming by finish which are split between 4 KO/TKO and 2 submissions.

Ashmouz will be fighting for the first time in 14 months after suffering that broken arm but it looks like that time off has helped him get into the best shape of his life.

He is going to come in and look to take Peek's head off much like Peek will look to do the same to him. However, while Peek may be the taller fighter they both pack immense power in their punches.

It's going to come down to the striking of the two and Ashmouz is by far the more technical striker who utilizes head movement a lot more than Peek.

If Ashmouz can avoid the unorthodox power strikes from Peek and land his counters off those missed punches he can crack the chin of Peek and be the first to put him away and get his second win inside the Octagon.

UFC Vegas 97: TREVOR PEEK vs YANAL ASHMOUZ FANDUEL ODDS FOR SEPTEMBER 7TH

MONEY LINE

• TREVOR PEEK: -128
• YANAL ASHMOUZ: +104

PROPS

• TREVOR PEEK BY POINTS: +220
• TREVOR PEEK BY SUBMISSION: +2700
• TREVOR PEEK BY KNOCKOUT/TKO: +290
• YANAL ASHMOUZ BY POINTS: +290
• YANAL ASHMOUZ BY KNOCKOUT/TKO: +400
• YANAL ASHMOUZ BY SUBMISSION: +1200

OVER/UNDER (ROUNDS TOTAL)

• OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-152)
• UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (+120)

BEST UFC VEGAS 97 ODDS FOR TREVOR PEEK vs YANAL ASHMOUZ

• Yanal Ashmouz comes back after a 14-month hiatus as the betting underdog in this matchup. BetRivers Sportsbook has the best odds for Ashmouz at (+108)
• Trevor Peek looks to get himself back into the win column in this matchup as the betting favorite in this matchup. DraftKings Sportsbook comes in with the best odds at (-120)
• DraftKings Sportsbook has the best odds when it comes to the over/under on the total rounds, which is set at 2.5 Rounds (-145) for the over, and (+114) for the under

FINAL PEEK-ASHMOUZ PICK & PREDICTION

This should be an absolute barnburner for however long it lasts. Expect these two to meet in the middle of the Octagon like a car crash and just go after one another.

While Peek is exceptionally dangerous and is getting better fight by fight, Ashmouz is the far more technical striker who utilizes some head movement. Ashmouz should be able to land the kill shot at some point in this fight getting the knockout and back into the win column.

FINAL PEEK-ASHMOUZ PICK & PREDICTION: YANAL ASHMOUZ (+104)