Cooper Albers details his best bet for Joanderson Brito vs. Isaac Thomson at UFC Vegas 112.
Featherweights collide on Saturday night, as Joanderson Brito meets Isaac Thomson on the prelims of UFC Vegas 112 at the Apex.
Brito (17–5–1), a veteran mixed martial artist, aims to rebound from a pair of narrow decision losses that stifled his momentum from an otherwise strong UFC run. Thomson (9–2), an emerging striker, carries a three-fight winning streak into his Octagon debut.
Brito enters as a -238 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Thomson sits as a +195 underdog. The total is set at 1.5 rounds.
Joanderson Brito vs. Isaac Thomson Preview
Brito, 30, earned a UFC contract in 2021 after he defeated current championship contender Diego Lopes in Dana White’s Contender Series. The Brazilian strung together five-straight wins — all by finish — before landing on the wrong side of the judges’ scorecards in a pair of razor-close decision losses to William Gomis in Sept. 2024 and Pat Sabatini in April.
Still, “Tubarao” — Portuguese for “Shark” — remains a formidable power-grappler who thrives in chaotic exchanges and hunts for early finishes. He suffocates opponents with relentless pressure, willing to walk through punches to close the distance and initiate grappling exchanges. Standing 5-foot-8 with a 72-inch reach, he has recorded 15 finishes in 17 wins, including eight knockouts and seven submissions.
Thomson makes his first trip to the Octagon at just 23 years old, and on only four days’ notice after Melsik Baghdasaryan withdrew on fight week. The young striker has put together an impressive resume across regional promotions, headlined by a 5–1 run in LFA and capped by a split-decision victory over Akbarjon Islomboev in October.
The 5-foot-10 Australian with a 72-inch reach is a surgical striker with sprightly athleticism. But perhaps the most impressive element of his game is his vast fight IQ at such a young age. Thomson offers a unique combination of discipline, patience, and composure that could prove beneficial in his promotional debut — and against an opponent who thrives in chaos.
Five of Thomson’s nine wins have come by finish, including four KOs and a submission, but he’s comfortable staying the course and edging a decision.
Joanderson Brito vs. Isaac Thomson Pick, Best Bet
Thomson seemingly has all the tools to make a statement in his UFC debut. Yes, he’s making his first walk to the Octagon at 23 years old, on less than a week’s notice, and against an experienced veteran who can suffocate those not adjusted to his frantic pace. But Thomson’s calm, cool, and calculated demeanor should help him withstand the initial barrage from Brito, who will likely do everything he can to avoid another decision — and was preparing for a different opponent until a few days ago.
While the UFC is undoubtedly a brighter stage than the regional promotions Thomson is used to, the Apex isn’t exactly Madison Square Garden. Count on Thomson to control the distance behind his clean, disciplined striking and to announce his UFC arrival with an upset victory.
Best Bet: Isaac Thomson Moneyline (+195)
