Chris Curtis vs Myktybek Orolbai Prediction: Which Fighter Starts Their 2026 With a Win?
Updated 09 Jul, 2026
This Saturday, fight fans will see an intriguing welterweight matchup at UFC Vegas 114 as Chris Curtis takes on Myktybek Orolbai in the prelims at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Curtis comes in as the underdog while Orolbai is heavily favored going into fight night. Curtis’s gritty veteran presence may offer disruption to Orolbai’s momentum, but as we discuss in this fight preview, Orolbai is fighting at a high level entering Saturday night.
Attribute | Chris Curtis | Myktybek Orolbai |
|---|---|---|
Age | 38 | 28 |
Reach | 75.5" | 74" |
Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
Record | 32–12 | 15–2–1 |
Chris Curtis enters this welterweight scrap as the experienced veteran with a long career in the UFC. He has competed against a variety of top contenders and shown resilience in tough fights, including a win in his last fight against Max Griffin. Curtis will combine striking and tactical movement that has allowed him to hang with a diverse range of foes over his career, as he looks for a second win in a row here.
Myktybek Orolbai has impressed since joining the UFC, amassing a strong record and grabbing attention with decisive wins. Orolbai’s blend of submissions and striking has made him a difficult opponent for those unprepared for his varied attack. At 15–2–1, Orolbai brings momentum and a youth advantage into this matchup, and his recent fights reflect a fighter on the upswing, as he has won four of his five fights since joining UFC.
The question going into this fight will be whether Curtis' high-volume striking will able to take Orolbai out of what he wants to do. Curtis averages nearly twice as many significant strikes per minute landed in his career. But Orolbai is a very good takedown artist, something Curtis doesn't bother much with. The fighter who can dictate where this fight takes place will likely end up taking the victory.
This fight will be a battle between Orolbai’s capability to control the pace and potentially secure a finish against Curtis’s tendency to extend fights and weather early offense. After considering recent performances and styles, Orolbai’s youth and finishing ability should move this fight in his direction. Curtis is durable and experienced, which could keep him competitive, but Orolbai’s varied offense and momentum throughout his career give him multiple paths to victory.
Orolbai’s sustained pressure, physical advantages, and finishing instinct make him a solid pick to come out on top in this preliminary bout. Curtis’s veteran savvy and toughness mean he should not be counted out, and if the fight goes into deep waters, his experience could pay dividends. However, the younger fighter’s momentum and broad skillset are likely to shine through, especially if he can mix striking with grappling transitions effectively. For bettors, Orolbai on the moneyline is my pick, as he should improve to an impressive 5-1 in UFC.
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