Latest news with #Malott
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Low-head dams can be 'drowning machines.' Awareness and safety urged for summer outings
Amanda Malott's son Andre "AJ" Edwards Jr. was 14 when he went down to play near the Silver Creek dam with some friends last year. A large billboard loomed over the creek where the boys were headed, encouraging southern Indiana locals to 'Check out New Albany's Silver Creek Landing.' It depicted several people standing above a small dam, and one figure dangling their legs over the edge. The waterway empties into the Ohio River just less than a mile from Silver Creek Landing and was one of AJ's favorite spots to play outside, Malott said. Less than an hour after AJ left home, two police officers were knocking on Malott's door. They told her AJ hadn't resurfaced after jumping off the low-head dam into Silver Creek, which divides New Albany and Clarksville. First responders and volunteers found AJ's body after a lengthy search into the night. AJ's story is part of a growing number of tragic incidents involving low-head dams across Indiana and the United States. Around 170 low-head dams in various states of disrepair sit in Indiana's rivers and creeks, and many have deadly currents that can trap even the strongest swimmers. At least 28 people in the state drowned in these underwater currents since 2010. Victims included a conservation officer with nearly three decades of experience who died in 1998 during a practice-rescue operation on the White River. AJ's tragedy pushed Malott to file a lawsuit, adding to the growing legal debate over low-head dam safety in Indiana. In March, the family of two kayakers who drowned at the Emrichsville Dam last year sued Indianapolis, alleging city officials knew about the 'lethal danger' of the dam but failed to place proper warning signage. Malott hopes her suit will help provide accountability and raise awareness around low-head dams, which Ken Smith, DNR's assistant director of the Division of Water, called 'drowning machines' in a 2016 PBS documentary. AJ's sister has set up a GoFundMe to support the family. Thousands of low-head dams were built across the U.S. in the 19th and 20th centuries. They typically aren't higher than 15 feet, yet they're capable of altering habitats and raising water levels. By creating slower pools of water upstream, low-head dams allowed industrial, municipal and agricultural entities to easily divert water. But many of these structures have outlived their purpose. They sit abandoned in streams and rivers because they're tricky and expensive to remove — sometimes costing nearly a million dollars — and ownership is not always clear. These outdated dams are still posing a risk for Hoosiers today. From the water, they can look small and unassuming, but they've continually proven to be deadly to swimmers and kayakers. As water flows over the crest of the dam, it can form deadly hydraulic currents. This phenomenon can trap swimmers in a sort of sideways vortex that experts say is almost impossible to escape. 'It's basically a cyclone or a whirlpool turned on its side,' said Scott Salmon, the former executive director of Friends of the White River. 'Once you get stuck in there, whether you're a person or you're a tree or you're a boat, the chances of you getting out of that … is very, very low.' Low-head dam safety boils down to three points: Wear a life jacket for the entirety of your trip on the water, don't go paddling when the water level is abnormally high, and figure out in advance where you will low-head dams and other potential threats. Hoosiers should always wear life jackets while recreating in a body of water, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The jackets should be in working condition, fit properly, and United States Coast Guard approved. Wearing a life jacket isn't a guarantee of safety in the face of low-head dams, but 'it won't hurt,' Salmon said. Capt. Jet Quillen, with DNR's Law Enforcement Division, advised boaters to 'always avoid elevated water levels and fast-moving water' in an email to IndyStar. Boaters can check the National Water Dashboard for safety information about Indiana waterways. And lastly, creating a float plan can mitigate danger. Prior to departure, Quillen recommended noting any nearby hazards, like low-head dams, and planning for where you will put in and take out. There are low-head dams across the state without proper signage, so the Indiana Low-Head Dams map is one of the most comprehensive resources for finding existing dams that might intersect your float. The dam on Silver Creek was embroiled in disputes and lawsuits even before AJ's death. One of the ongoing fights started in 2021 after DNR issued a permit to Ecosystems Connections Institute to remove the dam. New Albany pushed back. In a legal filing, the city said destroying the dam 'constitutes an unlawful and unconstitutional taking of property.' A judge let the removal permit move forward, and New Albany filed an appeal. The city has since claimed, in a 109-page document Director of City Operations Michael Hall shared with IndyStar, that no one knows who owns the dam and "DNR refused any ownership or responsibility." The document also claimed removing the dam would 'severely impact the recreation opportunities available in the creek, such as fishing and wading." After AJ's death, New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan declared a State of Emergency and the city attempted to make the dam safer by adding stones on the downstream slope to eliminate the hydraulic current. The action resulted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ordering the removal of the rock because the city did not acquire a permit. The DNR filed a separate legal proceeding over the lack of a similar permit. Neither case has been resolved. The dangers of low-head dams — and their deadly currents specifically — have been known for years, according to Malott's lawsuit, which cites evidence from the dam removal case. Mallott accuses officials of New Albany, Clarksville, Clark and Floyd counties and the DNR of negligence for failing to post warning signs about the danger posed by the dam. 'How can you have something that the Indiana government acknowledges as a perfect drowning machine available for the public, small children, to recreate around?' said Jon Noyes, the attorney representing Malott. New Albany denied all counts in Malott's suit including that it owned, operated or controlled the dam, according to documents filed with the Marion Superior Court on June 5. Clarksville and Floyd County did not respond to IndyStar requests for comment, while Clark County and DNR said they do not discuss pending litigation. Malott's suit claims New Albany officials were notified in 2021 the dam is "dangerous to humans," and urged the city to "see the human safety value of removing this structure ..." The same year, Clarksville officials passed a resolution stating the dam was an "acknowledged 'attractive nuisance'" during high-water flows. Despite those concerns, the suit alleges the public was encouraged to recreate at the dam. The lawsuit said the Silver Creek Landing billboard was in place on May 27, 2024, when AJ and some friends went to the landing to explore and play. There were no signs warning them of the danger of what the boys called a waterfall, just the billboard. "As A.J. and his friends were jumping off the 'waterfall,'" the lawsuit says, "A.J. slipped and landed in deadly hydraulic currents, which took his life." Low-head dam removal provides safety for Hoosiers spending time outdoors and also bolsters wildlife habitat along Indiana waterways, especially for fish, according to Jerry Sweeten, a stream ecologist at the Ecosystems Connections Institute. Silver Creek feeds into the Ohio River, which allows fish to swim upstream from the larger water body — until they reach the dam. 'We know that 85 percent plus species of fish in Indiana need to move upstream and downstream as a part of their life history. That's just biology,' Sweeten said. 'Low-head dams can have a severe effect on that movement.' Sweeten's research found 15 fish species downstream of the dam, but only four species directly upstream. Throughout his career, he has noticed more invasive carp in the pools above low head dams and fewer smallmouth bass, which are a prized species for many local anglers. 'The science of all of this strongly suggests that the best thing you can do for the stream is to get that concrete out,' he said. Advocates of the dam say the structure creates more opportunities for recreation but Sweeten said that dam removal is almost always the best option. It can improve fishing, vitalize ecosystems, and most importantly, eradicate danger for Hoosiers outdoors. 'One of the saddest things I've ever heard in my entire career is listening to a mom or a sibling of a young person who needlessly lost their life at one of these dams. Why they're there is bewildering to me,' said Sweeten. 'How someone can justify leaving something that would cause someone else to get hurt like that is, it's just bewildering. It's hard to understand.' The Silver Creek area was AJ's favorite place to hang out with friends. He didn't know it was dangerous, Mallot said. AJ would never spend a sunny day inside, even during the winter, his mom said. He would go outside and meet up with friends every chance he could. The 14-year-old was a ball of light making friends wherever he went, Malott said. He wasn't just her son, he was her best friend, too. A few summers ago, Malott remembers AJ would take six or seven water bottles with him when he went outside to play with his friends. It turns out he was taking those bottles to some of the homeless community who lived out in the woods, she said. 'That kid would give you the shirt off his back and had a smile that lit up a room,' Malott said. A year later, Malott said her son's death at the dam still doesn't feel real. 'I'm still waiting," she said, "for him to come through the door.' IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at Follow him on BlueSky @ Sophie Hartley is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach her at or on X at @sophienhartley. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana's low-head dams pose summer dangers for Hoosiers
Indianapolis Star
12-06-2025
- Indianapolis Star
Low-head dams can be 'drowning machines.' Awareness and safety urged for summer outings
Amanda Malott's son Andre "AJ" Edwards Jr. was 14 when he went down to play near the Silver Creek dam with some friends last year. A large billboard loomed over the creek where the boys were headed, encouraging southern Indiana locals to 'Check out New Albany's Silver Creek Landing.' It depicted several people standing above a small dam, and one figure dangling their legs over the edge. The waterway empties into the Ohio River just less than a mile from Silver Creek Landing and was one of AJ's favorite spots to play outside, Malott said. Less than an hour after AJ left home, two police officers were knocking on Malott's door. They told her AJ hadn't resurfaced after jumping off the low-head dam into Silver Creek, which divides New Albany and Clarksville. First responders and volunteers found AJ's body after a lengthy search into the night. AJ's story is part of a growing number of tragic incidents involving low-head dams across Indiana and the United States. Around 170 low-head dams in various states of disrepair sit in Indiana's rivers and creeks, and many have deadly currents that can trap even the strongest swimmers. At least 28 people in the state drowned in these underwater currents since 2010. Victims included a conservation officer with nearly three decades of experience who died in 1998 during a practice-rescue operation on the White River. AJ's tragedy pushed Malott to file a lawsuit, adding to the growing legal debate over low-head dam safety in Indiana. In March, the family of two kayakers who drowned at the Emrichsville Dam last year sued Indianapolis, alleging city officials knew about the 'lethal danger' of the dam but failed to place proper warning signage. Malott hopes her suit will help provide accountability and raise awareness around low-head dams, which Ken Smith, DNR's assistant director of the Division of Water, called 'drowning machines' in a 2016 PBS documentary. AJ's sister has set up a GoFundMe to support the family. Thousands of low-head dams were built across the U.S. in the 19th and 20th centuries. They typically aren't higher than 15 feet, yet they're capable of altering habitats and raising water levels. By creating slower pools of water upstream, low-head dams allowed industrial, municipal and agricultural entities to easily divert water. But many of these structures have outlived their purpose. They sit abandoned in streams and rivers because they're tricky and expensive to remove — sometimes costing nearly a million dollars — and ownership is not always clear. These outdated dams are still posing a risk for Hoosiers today. From the water, they can look small and unassuming, but they've continually proven to be deadly to swimmers and kayakers. As water flows over the crest of the dam, it can form deadly hydraulic currents. This phenomenon can trap swimmers in a sort of sideways vortex that experts say is almost impossible to escape. 'It's basically a cyclone or a whirlpool turned on its side,' said Scott Salmon, the former executive director of Friends of the White River. 'Once you get stuck in there, whether you're a person or you're a tree or you're a boat, the chances of you getting out of that … is very, very low.' Low-head dam safety boils down to three points: Wear a life jacket for the entirety of your trip on the water, don't go paddling when the water level is abnormally high, and figure out in advance where you will low-head dams and other potential threats. Hoosiers should always wear life jackets while recreating in a body of water, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The jackets should be in working condition, fit properly, and United States Coast Guard approved. Wearing a life jacket isn't a guarantee of safety in the face of low-head dams, but 'it won't hurt,' Salmon said. Capt. Jet Quillen, with DNR's Law Enforcement Division, advised boaters to 'always avoid elevated water levels and fast-moving water' in an email to IndyStar. Boaters can check the National Water Dashboard for safety information about Indiana waterways. And lastly, creating a float plan can mitigate danger. Prior to departure, Quillen recommended noting any nearby hazards, like low-head dams, and planning for where you will put in and take out. There are low-head dams across the state without proper signage, so the Indiana Low-Head Dams map is one of the most comprehensive resources for finding existing dams that might intersect your float. The dam on Silver Creek was embroiled in disputes and lawsuits even before AJ's death. One of the ongoing fights started in 2021 after DNR issued a permit to Ecosystems Connections Institute to remove the dam. New Albany pushed back. In a legal filing, the city said destroying the dam 'constitutes an unlawful and unconstitutional taking of property.' A judge let the removal permit move forward, and New Albany filed an appeal. The city has since claimed, in a 109-page document Director of City Operations Michael Hall shared with IndyStar, that no one knows who owns the dam and "DNR refused any ownership or responsibility." The document also claimed removing the dam would 'severely impact the recreation opportunities available in the creek, such as fishing and wading." After AJ's death, New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan declared a State of Emergency and the city attempted to make the dam safer by adding stones on the downstream slope to eliminate the hydraulic current. The action resulted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ordering the removal of the rock because the city did not acquire a permit. The DNR filed a separate legal proceeding over the lack of a similar permit. Neither case has been resolved. The dangers of low-head dams — and their deadly currents specifically — have been known for years, according to Malott's lawsuit, which cites evidence from the dam removal case. Mallott accuses officials of New Albany, Clarksville, Clark and Floyd counties and the DNR of negligence for failing to post warning signs about the danger posed by the dam. 'How can you have something that the Indiana government acknowledges as a perfect drowning machine available for the public, small children, to recreate around?' said Jon Noyes, the attorney representing Malott. New Albany denied all counts in Malott's suit including that it owned, operated or controlled the dam, according to documents filed with the Marion Superior Court on June 5. Clarksville and Floyd County did not respond to IndyStar requests for comment, while Clark County and DNR said they do not discuss pending litigation. Malott's suit claims New Albany officials were notified in 2021 the dam is "dangerous to humans," and urged the city to "see the human safety value of removing this structure ..." The same year, Clarksville officials passed a resolution stating the dam was an "acknowledged 'attractive nuisance'" during high-water flows. Despite those concerns, the suit alleges the public was encouraged to recreate at the dam. The lawsuit said the Silver Creek Landing billboard was in place on May 27, 2024, when AJ and some friends went to the landing to explore and play. There were no signs warning them of the danger of what the boys called a waterfall, just the billboard. "As A.J. and his friends were jumping off the 'waterfall,'" the lawsuit says, "A.J. slipped and landed in deadly hydraulic currents, which took his life." Low-head dam removal provides safety for Hoosiers spending time outdoors and also bolsters wildlife habitat along Indiana waterways, especially for fish, according to Jerry Sweeten, a stream ecologist at the Ecosystems Connections Institute. Silver Creek feeds into the Ohio River, which allows fish to swim upstream from the larger water body — until they reach the dam. 'We know that 85 percent plus species of fish in Indiana need to move upstream and downstream as a part of their life history. That's just biology,' Sweeten said. 'Low-head dams can have a severe effect on that movement.' Sweeten's research found 15 fish species downstream of the dam, but only four species directly upstream. Throughout his career, he has noticed more invasive carp in the pools above low head dams and fewer smallmouth bass, which are a prized species for many local anglers. 'The science of all of this strongly suggests that the best thing you can do for the stream is to get that concrete out,' he said. Advocates of the dam say the structure creates more opportunities for recreation but Sweeten said that dam removal is almost always the best option. It can improve fishing, vitalize ecosystems, and most importantly, eradicate danger for Hoosiers outdoors. 'One of the saddest things I've ever heard in my entire career is listening to a mom or a sibling of a young person who needlessly lost their life at one of these dams. Why they're there is bewildering to me,' said Sweeten. 'How someone can justify leaving something that would cause someone else to get hurt like that is, it's just bewildering. It's hard to understand.' The Silver Creek area was AJ's favorite place to hang out with friends. He didn't know it was dangerous, Mallot said. AJ would never spend a sunny day inside, even during the winter, his mom said. He would go outside and meet up with friends every chance he could. The 14-year-old was a ball of light making friends wherever he went, Malott said. He wasn't just her son, he was her best friend, too. A few summers ago, Malott remembers AJ would take six or seven water bottles with him when he went outside to play with his friends. It turns out he was taking those bottles to some of the homeless community who lived out in the woods, she said. 'That kid would give you the shirt off his back and had a smile that lit up a room,' Malott said. A year later, Malott said her son's death at the dam still doesn't feel real. 'I'm still waiting," she said, "for him to come through the door.' IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at Follow him on BlueSky @
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
U.S. Welterweight Bashes Canada, Then Guess What Happens vs. Canadian In UFC Bout
U.S. welterweight Charles Radtke talked smack about Canada, then got smacked silly by Canadian Mike Malott in their UFC bout in Montreal on Saturday. (Watch the videos below.) Malott (12-2-1) floored Radtke (10-5) with a left hook in the second round and rained punches on the American as he lay on his back before the referee stopped the bout. MIKE MALOTT GETS IT DONE IN ROUND 2 🇨🇦 # — ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 11, 2025 With tensions between the U.S. and Canada at perhaps an all-time high due to President Donald Trump's tariffs and talk of annexing Canada, Radtke ratcheted up the adversarial hype during a prefight press conference. He referenced Canadian hockey fans who booed the 'Star-Spangled Banner' before the Americans played in the same arena during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. 'I don't give a shit about hockey,' Radtke said. 'That's not my gig. But what I do hold dear is I grew up on a bison ranch with my grandfather, who's a sergeant major in the Marine Corps, and when you all booed the national anthem, somebody's going to have to pay for that.' "When y'all boo the [U.S.] national anthem, someone's going to have to pay for that."Charles Radtke doesn't plan to hold back against Canadian Mike Malott at UFC — OutKick (@Outkick) May 9, 2025 The American also refused to shake Malott's hand at one point. Huge ovation for Canada's own Mike Malott after Charles Radtke refuses to shake his hand 🇨🇦 # — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2025 But the victor took the high road when boos erupted for his opponent in the post-fight interview. (Fans repeatedly chanted 'fuck you, Radtke' during the bout.) 'Hey, no, don't boo him,' Malott said. 'We're celebrating now. That's done. We're cheering. This is our time. No negativity, just positivity, baby. And when it comes to defending this country in the octagon, know one thing, Canada: I stand on guard for thee.' Malott's tailoring of a line from 'O Canada' was a knockout. Boxer Dry Humps Opponent On Tyson-Paul Undercard. Fans Aghast. Mike Tyson's Naked Butt Makes Surprising Pre-Fight Appearance Jake Paul Wins Decision Over Mike Tyson
USA Today
11-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 315 video: Mike Malott floors Charles Radtke with a \
UFC 315 video: Mike Malott floors Charles Radtke with a "Proper" left hook "Proper" Mike Malott gave the Canadian crowd plenty to cheer about at UFC 315. In the feature preliminary bout, Malott (12-2-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) faced Charles Radtke in a welterweight tilt at Bell Centre in Montreal. After a competitive opening round, Malott finished Radtke (10-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) just 26 seconds into Round 2. A "Proper" left hook spelled the beginning of the end for Radtke, who wasn't a popular figure with the Montreal crowd due to some pre-fight comments he made about Canada. In fact, the crowd chanted "F*ck you, Radtke" repeatedly during the opening round, a rarity for respectful attendees in the country. Malott found the chin early in Round 2 with the cracking shot, leading to the finish seconds later after hard, accurate follow-up punches. Referee Marc Goddard rushed in to stop the fight, sending Montreal into celebration mode. Check out video of the finish below (via X): "When it comes to defending this country in the octagon, know one thing Canada: I stand on guard for thee," Malott said during his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. Malott was also aware of Radtke's pre-fight comments, but didn't want the crowd to boo him anymore after the fight because it was time to celebrate the victory instead. With the win, Malott makes it back-to-back victories, following a unanimous decision win over Trevin Giles in November. Meanwhile, Radtke failed to stay in the win column as he entered this fight after a first-round finish of Matthew Semelsberger, which also took place in November. Up-to-the-minute UFC 315 results
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC 315 Fight Card: Prelims Odds, Picks And Predictions
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 01: Jasmine Jasudavicius of Canada reacts after a victory against ... More Mayra Bueno Silva of Brazil in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at anb Arena on February 01, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) The UFC 315 pay-per-view card takes place this weekend in Montreal, Canada. While the top of the card features two UFC title fights, fight fans, especially Canadian fight fans, will want to tune in for the prelims and early prelims of the event, as more than half of the non-PPV bouts feature Canadian competitors. We look at the betting odds, line movement, predictions and picks for the prelims of UFC 315, which feature two Canadian fighters. The main event of the ESPN+ streaming PPV card finds UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad making his first defense of his title. Muhammad faces the No. 5 ranked Jack Della Maddalena in that contest. Meanwhile, in the UFC 315 co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko looks to start her second run as the women's flyweight champion with a victory over the No. 2 ranked contender, Manon Fiorot. The main card of UFC 315 streams on ESPN+ PPV following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+. Mike Malott vs. Charles Radtke Jéssica Andrade vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius Modestas Bukauskas vs. Ion Cutelaba Navajo Stirling vs. Ivan Erslan EDMONTON, ALBERTA - NOVEMBER 02: Mike Malott react after a victory against Trevin Giles in a ... More welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Rogers Place on November 02, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) When the betting odds for the welterweight contest for Mike Malott vs. Charles Radtke were first published, Malott was the -225 betting favorite over the +185 Radtke. Today, Malott is -220, while Radtke is the +185 betting underdog. Malott opened his UFC career with three stoppage wins, but that run ended abruptly when he more or less quit in a TKO loss to Neil Magny at UFC 297. He bounced back from that rough performance with a decision win over Trevin Giles in November 2024. Radtke is 3-1 in the UFC and coming off a "Performance of the Night" bonus-winning knockout win over Matthew Semelsberger in November. Malott is the better fighter in this contest, and if we go by his win over Giles, he's at least attempted to address the shortcomings we saw in the Magny bout. So, the betting pick is Malott, who is fighting in his home country to win via decision, but that pick is made with some apprehension, and there could be value in Radtke getting the upset if one doesn't feel confident in Malott. RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 01: Jasmine Jasudavicius of Canada reacts after a victory against ... More Mayra Bueno Silva of Brazil in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at anb Arena on February 01, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) We have ranked women's flyweight fighters in this one in the No. 7 Jessica Andrade against the No. 9 Jasmine Jasudavicius. The opening odds saw Jasudavicius as the -400 favorite over the +330 Andrade. The betting line has moved a fair amount for this matchup. Today, Jasudavicius is listed at -265, while Andrade is +225. Andrade, a former UFC strawweight champ, moved back to 125 after a 2-2 run at 115. In her first fight back at flyweight, Andrade dropped a decision to Natalia Silva, who is fighting on the PPV portion of this card. As for Jasudavicius, she is on a four-fight winning streak, with three of those bouts coming at 125 pounds and the other at 135. Jasudavicius has a significant advantage in height and reach in this bout, and that could come into play if the fight goes to the ground, which is where Jasudavicius will try to force the action. She has picked up 10 takedowns in her past three fights and picked up more than 20 minutes of control time in those outings, all of which were three-round contests. Andrade needs to keep the fight standing, but that will be hard for her to accomplish against her opponent's wrestling. The betting pick is for Jasudavicius to grind out a decision. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 22: Modestas Bukauskas of Lithuania reacts after a victory against ... More Rafael Cerqueira of Brazil in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Climate Pledge Arena on February 22, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) We have two light heavyweight bouts opening the UFC 315 prelims. This 205-pound scrap found Modestas Bukauskas opening at -115 against Ion Cutelaba who was listed at -125. The fight remains a pick 'em, with Bukauskas at -119 and Cutelaba at -101. Bukauskas, a former two-time Cage Warriors light heavyweight champ, is in his second stint with the UFC. In his first run with the promotion, Bukauskas went 1-3. He rejoined the UFC in 2023 and is 4-1 in his current run, with back-to-back victories, most recently knocking out Raffael Cerqueira in February. Cutelaba has been with the UFC since 2016. He had not won two fights in a row with the promotion until he put together back-to-back wins in his two most recent outings. His most recent win came in February when he submitted İbo Aslan. This should be a fun bout, and it would not be a surprise to see it end with a knockout. I'm going with the more technical fighter, Bukauskas, to get things done. TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 14: Navajo Stirling of New Zealand reacts after a unanimous-decision ... More victory against Tuco Tokkos of England in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Amalie Arena on December 14, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Navajo Stirling opened as a -275 betting favorite over Ivan Erslan, who was listed at +185. Those betting odds for the first prelim on the UFC 315 fight card currently have Stirling at -265 and Erslan at +225. Stirling made a statement on the DWCS series, earning a contract with a KO win. In his first UFC fight, he picked up a decision win over Tuco Tokkos. As for Erslan, his first UFC came against Ion Cutelaba, a bout that Cutelaba won via split decsion. Stirling is rather green to MMA with a 6-0 pro record, but he has kickboxing experience. As shown in his most recent fight, he lacks ground skills. Erslan is also a striker, and that makes Stirling the pick via decision. However, if Erslan does have grappling skills and starts to pick up takedowns in the early going of this one, it might serve bettors well to find some live betting options and switch that pick. *Betting odds and betting line movement via BetOnline Saturday, May 10, 2025 Early Prelims: 6:00 p.m. ET Prelims: 8:00 p.m. ET Main Card: 10:00 p.m ET Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada We will have more on UFC 315 as fight night approaches, including main card picks and predictions. Also, look for UFC 315 results and reactions on fight night.
