MMA Match Preview: Jackson McVey (6-1-0) vs. Robert Valentin (11-6-0, 1 NC)

Venue & Event Details

Event: UFC Vegas 111 – Bonfim vs. Brown

Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Start Time: Preliminary card begins 2:00 PM PT (5:00 PM ET); McVey vs. Valentin expected on prelims

Injury Report

Jackson McVey: No reported injuries; enters camp healthy after July 2025 loss.

Robert Valentin: Cleared to fight; no significant training camp issues reported.

Fighter Matchups

Jackson McVey (USA, 26 years old)

Record: 6-1-0

Height/Reach: 6’4”, 77” reach

Stance: Southpaw

Style: Grappling-heavy, BJJ base, 6 first-round finishes

Strikes Landed: 1.12 per min, 26% accuracy

Strikes Absorbed: 1.95 per min, 22% defense

Takedowns: 0.0 per 15 min, 15% accuracy, 15% defense

Robert Valentin (Switzerland, 30 years old)

Record: 11-6-0 (1 NC)

Height/Reach: 6’2”, 77” reach

Stance: Orthodox

Style: Submission specialist, 7 career subs, 7 first-round finishes

Strikes Landed: 1.13 per min, 56% accuracy

Strikes Absorbed: 2.83 per min, 32% defense

Takedowns: 0.3 per 15 min, 15% accuracy, 55% defense

Recent Form

McVey: Lost to Brunno Ferreira (Rd 1 armbar, July 2025). Prior to that, 6 straight wins, all by finish.

Valentin: Lost to Ateba Gautier (Rd 1 KO, July 2025). On a 3-fight UFC skid, but dangerous early with submissions.

Fight History & Context

McVey is a prospect with size and grappling upside, but his defensive gaps were exposed in his UFC debut.

Valentin is more experienced, with 18 pro fights, but has struggled against higher-level strikers and has defensive lapses.

Both fighters are desperate for a win to secure their UFC roster spot.

Betting Trends

McVey: 6 of 7 career fights ended in Round 1.

Valentin: 13 of 18 career fights ended inside the distance.

Both fighters have low striking volume but high finishing rates.

Underdogs have cashed in 3 of last 5 UFC middleweight prelims at Apex cards.

Bottom Line: Expect a volatile, high-risk fight. McVey has the size and raw power, but Valentin’s experience and submission game make him the rightful favorite. The safest angle is betting the fight to end inside the distance, with a lean toward Valentin by early submission.

FIGHT ODDS

Jackson McVey                  + 245

Robert Valentin                – 305

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 7, 2025