UFC Fight Night: Chris Curtis vs Max Griffin Prediction, July 12, 2025
- Lm Tipster
- Jul 8, 2025, 4:30:57 AM
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira - Prelim Pick: Chris "Action-Man" Curtis vs. Max "Pain" Griffin
Another compelling welterweight clash awaits on the prelims of UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira on July 12, 2025, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. Veteran slugger Chris "Action-Man" Curtis is set to take on the ever-tough Max "Pain" Griffin.
Fighter Backgrounds
Chris Curtis
Chris "Action-Man" Curtis (31-12-0, 1 NC) is a seasoned veteran fighting out of Xtreme Couture. Primarily known for his middleweight exploits in the UFC, Curtis is making a return to the welterweight division for this bout. He is a dangerous, pressure-style striker with heavy hands and excellent boxing fundamentals, boasting 17 TKO/KO victories. Despite a recent TKO loss to Roman Kopylov in January 2025 (a fight in which he earned Fight of the Night honors), Curtis remains a formidable opponent, especially with his durability and relentless forward pressure.
Max Griffin
Max "Pain" Griffin (20-11-0) from MMAGold Fight Team is a gritty and durable welterweight who consistently puts on exciting fights. Griffin is known for his boxing-heavy striking, toughness, and ability to push a high pace. He has a knack for engaging in close, split-decision battles. Griffin is coming off a submission loss to Michael Chiesa in December 2024, prior to which he secured a split decision win over Jeremiah Wells in February 2024. At 39, he remains a tough out for anyone in the division.
Fighting Styles and Strengths
Chris Curtis
- Elite Boxing: Curtis has polished striking, especially his hands, and excels in close-range exchanges.
- Durability and Chin: Known for his ability to absorb punishment and keep coming forward.
- Power: Significant knockout power, particularly with his hooks and overhands.
- Aggressive Pressure: Constantly moves forward and looks to dictate the pace of the striking exchanges.
Max Griffin
- Toughness and Resilience: Griffin is incredibly hard to finish and is accustomed to grinding out tough fights.
- Volume Striking: He throws a high volume of strikes and maintains a strong work rate.
- Decision Maker: Many of his fights go the distance, showcasing his cardio.
- Improved Grappling Defense: While he has been submitted, his overall takedown defense is decent.
Recent Performances
Chris Curtis
Curtis has had a mixed bag of results recently, with a 2-3 record in his last five bouts (including a No Contest). His most recent fight was a TKO loss to Roman Kopylov in January 2025, but before that, he secured a split decision win over Marc-Andre Barriault in January 2024. His return to welterweight after a middleweight stint adds an interesting dynamic, as he aims to reignite his career in a division where he previously competed.
Max Griffin
Griffin has alternated wins and losses in his last six fights. His last outing was a submission loss to Michael Chiesa in December 2024. Before that, he earned a split decision win over Jeremiah Wells in February 2024 and lost a unanimous decision to Michael Morales in July 2023. Griffin consistently faces tough competition and often pushes fights to the judges' scorecards.
Odds and Betting Information
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Max Griffin | +250 |
| Chris Curtis | -320 |
Chris Curtis is a significant favorite at -320, reflecting his perceived advantage in power and technical striking. Max Griffin is a considerable underdog at +250.
Keys to Victory
Chris Curtis
- Sharp Boxing: Utilize his superior boxing technique and power to land clean shots and hurt Griffin.
- Body Work: Target Griffin's body early to deplete his gas tank and slow down his output.
- Control the Center: Maintain control of the octagon and push the pace to keep Griffin on the back foot.
- Takedown Defense: Be wary of Griffin potentially trying to mix in takedowns if the striking isn't going his way.
Max Griffin
- Movement and Footwork: Avoid standing in front of Curtis and utilize lateral movement to create angles.
- Volume and Combinations: Outwork Curtis with a higher volume of strikes, even if they aren't as powerful.
- Grappling Entries: Look for opportunities to clinch or take Curtis down to disrupt his rhythm and test his cardio.
- Durability: Rely on his toughness to survive any early barrages from Curtis and drag the fight into later rounds.
Prediction
This fight pits two experienced and tough welterweights against each other. Chris Curtis, "The Action-Man," is a live dog against anyone with his hands, and his return to welterweight is a significant factor. He tends to be a more technical and powerful striker than Max Griffin. Griffin, "Pain," lives up to his nickname by being extremely durable and always bringing the fight, but he often finds himself in close, gritty battles that could go either way on the scorecards.
The concern for Griffin is Curtis's power and precision. While Griffin is tough, Curtis has the ability to hurt opponents, and his pressure could overwhelm Griffin, especially if Griffin tries to stand and trade without significant head movement or defensive adjustments. Curtis's recent return to welterweight suggests he's serious about his career and looking to make a statement.
While Max Griffin is known for his resilience and ability to go the distance, Chris Curtis has a clear advantage in striking technique and power. Expect Curtis to come forward, land significant shots, and eventually break Griffin down. While Griffin will undoubtedly make it a tough fight, Curtis's offensive output and ability to hurt opponents should see him through. The odds of -320 for Curtis are steep, but justified given his skillset and the stylistic matchup.
Prediction: Chris Curtis to win (-320). While the odds are not offering significant value for a straight win, Curtis is the safer pick given his striking prowess and the fact that he's looking to make an impact back at welterweight. He's likely to out-land Griffin and land the more impactful strikes over three rounds.
