Cody Durden vs. Bruno Silva prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC on ESPN 60

Cody Durden and Bruno Silva meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 60 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 4-1-1
UFC main cards, 2024: 58-52-3

Cody Durden vs. Bruno Silva UFC on ESPN 60 preview

Durden (16-5-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) competes for the first time in 2024, looking to bounce back from a submission loss to Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC 296 in December. The result ended a four-fight winning streak over JP Buys, Carlos Mota, Charles Johnson and Jake Hadley. … Silva (13-5-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) will also step into the octagon for the first time this year as he looks to make it four in a row. On his run of three-straight stoppages, he defeated Buys, Victor Rodriguez and Tyson Nam.

Cody Durden vs. Bruno Silva UFC on ESPN 60 expert pick, prediction

Filling out the main card is a flyweight showdown between Durden and Silva.

Even though I initially came into this matchup leaning toward Silva, I came away feeling differently after watching the tape.

I still believe shots like the front kick will serve Silva well in this contest, but I don’t know if he has the wrestling dictation or the submission skills to reliably tax Durden’s approach.

I also believe the smaller octagon will help Durden much more than it does Silva if said submission threats aren’t present.

I’m sure Silva accepted this fight with his former training partner because he believes he can beat him, but fights don’t necessarily play out the same way as they do in training.

It’s a reluctant pick, but I’ll take Durden to grind out a unanimous decision win.

Cody Durden vs. Bruno Silva UFC on ESPN 60 odds

Despite the oddsmakers technically opening the American as the favorite, public money has come in on the Brazilian and pushed this fight to a near pick’em, listing Durden -105 and Silva -115 via FanDuel.

Cody Durden vs. Bruno Silva UFC on ESPN 60 start time, how to watch

As the third fight on the main card, Durden and Silva are expected to make their walks to the cage at approximately 9:05 p.m. ET (6:05 p.m. local time in Las Vegas). The fight airs on ESPN and streams live on ESPN+.