Betting tips from AI for Nico Horta vs Nidal Bchiri, 13 December 2025.

Nico Horta arrives in Arnhem with clear momentum: Tom Sanderson is backing a quick finish and coach Maik Polanen has praised Horta’s heavier, more explosive striking after the December Thailand camp. Horta’s own words — expecting a “short night” — and the GelreDome crowd that rewards forward pressure make him the stylistic favorite to close this early. Odds reflect that confidence: 1.10.

Nidal Bchiri is no joke — the underdog has targeted distance control and low-kick timing to blunt Horta’s charge, and social buzz sees him as a live counter-punching dark horse. That said, the booking controversy and Horta’s sharpened camp tilt probability heavily to the favorite.

Betting angle: I pick Nico Horta to win. With the tiny payoff at 1.10, a smarter bankroll play is a finish/round prop or looking for better value elsewhere rather than a straight $1 on the moneyline; Bchiri’s 5.70 is tempting only if you believe in a sizeable upset edge.

Nico Horta enters this bout as an overwhelming favorite, with bookmakers listing him at 1.10. The news surrounding his preparation certainly justifies this. Journalist Tom Sanderson, known for his accurate insights, anticipates Horta will finish Nidal Bchiri early, citing Horta’s December camp as “the sharpest” he’s witnessed, predicting a knockout inside two rounds. Veteran coach Maik Polanen echoes this, noting Horta's conditioning after his Thailand camp makes him look heavier and more explosive than in their initial encounter. Horta himself has stated his intention for a “short night,” aiming to close the fight early to sharpen for an upcoming heavyweight tournament.

While Nidal Bchiri is a dangerous underdog at 5.70 and has reportedly focused on distance control and low-kick timing, the sheer momentum and preparation of Horta appear insurmountable. The loud Dutch crowd at GelreDome is expected to further fuel Horta’s aggressive style. Despite some social media hype for Bchiri as a potential counter-puncher, the consensus points to Horta's dominance.

The rematch between Horta and Bchiri heavily favors the former, as reflected in the lopsided 1.10 odds. Tom Sanderson's observation about Horta's December camp being "the sharpest" he's seen suggests peak preparation, while coach Maik Polanen's comments about improved conditioning after his Thailand camp indicate Horta is even better than in their previous encounter.

While Bchiri at 5.70 offers tempting underdog value, the tactical matchup doesn't favor him. He's reportedly worked on distance control and low-kick timing, but Horta's aggressive style and the partisan Dutch crowd at GelreDome create significant headwinds.

Horta's own prediction of a "short night" aligns with expert analysis. His motivation to stay sharp for the heavyweight tournament suggests he'll push for an early finish rather than coast to a decision. The combination of superior skills, physical improvements, and home advantage makes Horta the smart money despite the minimal return on investment.

In the world of MMA, rematches often bring redemption arcs, but this clash between Nico Horta and Nidal Bchiri screams dominance for the favorite. Horta, riding a wave of hype from his Thailand camp, looks primed to explode. Veteran coach Maik Polanen raves about his conditioning, noting Horta's heavier frame and sharper explosiveness since their last encounter. Journalist Tom Sanderson echoes this, predicting a knockout inside two rounds, crediting Horta's December prep as his sharpest yet.

Bchiri enters as the +470 underdog, armed with distance control and low-kick tweaks to counter Horta's pressure. Social buzz hails him as a dark-horse puncher, but the risks feel outsized against Horta's aggression, especially with the GelreDome's roaring Dutch crowd fueling his starts. Critics question the booking's timing post-Horta's Last Man Standing bout, but Horta himself dismisses it, eyeing a 'short night' to stay tournament-sharp.

At 1.10 odds, Horta's a lock for bettors chasing steady gains. His forward momentum should overwhelm Bchiri early, making this a prime pick for a quick finish and profitable lay.

Nico Horta is a massive favorite at 1.10, and the news supports this dominance. Journalist Tom Sanderson predicts a knockout inside two rounds from Horta's 'sharpest' camp, while coach Maik Polanen praises his heavier, more explosive conditioning after Thailand training.

Nidal Bchiri, at 5.70, has worked on distance control and low-kick timing to disrupt Horta's pressure. However, social-media buzz is split on his upset potential, and the booking controversy suggests protective matchmaking for Horta's tournament run.

With Horta aiming for a 'short night' and the GelreDome crowd fueling his aggressive style, his improved power and conditioning should overwhelm Bchiri's counter-punching adjustments.

Nico Horta enters this bout as a heavy favorite with odds of 1.10, and for good reason. Journalist Tom Sanderson’s prediction of an early finish seems plausible given Horta’s reported sharpness after his Thailand camp. Conditioning has been highlighted by veteran coach Maik Polanen, who noted Horta looks more explosive than ever. This could spell trouble for Nidal Bchiri, who will need to weather an aggressive storm in front of a raucous Dutch crowd at GelreDome.
Bchiri, however, is not without tools to disrupt Horta’s rhythm. Reports suggest he’s worked extensively on distance control and low-kick timing, which could slow Horta’s forward pressure if executed well. But while Bchiri’s odds of 5.70 make him tempting for bettors chasing underdog payouts, the narrative leans heavily toward Horta dominating. His insistence on a “short night” aligns with Sanderson’s forecast of a knockout inside two rounds.
The social-media split hints at Bchiri’s potential danger as a counter-puncher, but such talk often inflates underdog hopes rather than reflecting reality. With Horta’s focus on staying active ahead of the heavyweight tournament, it’s unlikely he’ll take unnecessary risks that extend the fight or jeopardize his momentum.
Considering all factors—Horta’s physical improvements, Bchiri’s uphill battle against overwhelming odds, and the electric home-crowd advantage—a confident bet on Horta seems justified.