Get ready to place your bets because UFC 301 is about to rock the Octagon this Sunday! BlueBet is here to break down the odds and analyze the key matchups.

Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg

Pantoja’s a total all-rounder in the Octagon. He’s scored eight KOs, wrapped up 10 subs and clinched nine decisions. They call him “The Cannibal” and he’s no joke with his 4.32 significant strikes per minute and a solid 49% accuracy. Plus, he’s no slouch on the ground either, averaging 2.20 takedowns every 15 minutes. In his last four fights alone, he’s nailed 18 takedowns. Pretty impressive and he’ll go into this fight as the warm favourite.

Erceg is all about landing those significant strikes, clocking in at 4.57 per minute with a sweet 48% accuracy rate. He really turned heads with that knockout win against Matt Schnell in his last bout. But let’s keep it real, Erceg hasn’t been through the grinder like Pantoja has. He hasn’t faced the same level of competition or gone the distance in championship rounds. Sure, he’s got some ground game, but he hasn’t tangled with a grappler as slick as Pantoja, one who can really wear him down in those later rounds.

Pantoja is 5-0 in his last 5 UFC fights and I think he’s hard to go past in this matchup.

UFC Record

Pantoja is 27-5 in his UFC career. Erceg has been dominant so far with a 12-1 record.

Best Bet

Alexandre Pantoja WIN = $1.50

Jonathan Martinez vs Jose Aldo

Martinez is on fire with six straight wins under his belt, two of them by knocking dudes out with leg kicks. At 30, he’s got some youth on his side compared to Aldo, even though they’re neck and neck in reach. Aldo’s gonna have that home-crowd energy pumping, but can he still bring the heat after being away for so long? Bagging a win would be sweet for him, but it looks like Martinez is ready to steal the spotlight. If Martinez keeps his cool, doesn’t go charging in like a bull, he’s got a good shot at taking down the UFC legend.

Guess who’s back in the Octagon after a stint in boxing? Yep, it’s Aldo. He’s been away since 2022, but now he’s stepping back into the UFC arena. This Brazilian fighter packs a punch, landing 3.57 significant strikes per minute with a solid 46% accuracy rate. Before his last tango with Merab Dvalishvili, Aldo was on a roll, scoring three wins in a row. He even outstruck Pedro Munhoz and took down Rob Font, who threw a whopping 149 significant strikes his way.

This should be a long fight considering Martinez has won 4 of his last 6 by decision and Aldo’s last 5 have gone the distance. So I like the Over and Martinez to get the win.

UFC Record

Aldo is a vet of the UFC with a 31-8 record. Martinez has a strong 19-4 record.

Best Bet

Jonathan Martinez Over 1.5 Rounds = $1.99

Anthony Smith vs Vitor Petrino

Alright, let’s talk Smith. He’s been in the mix for that light heavyweight title before. Dude’s landing 3.21 significant strikes per minute, but here’s the kicker: he’s taking in 4.47 hits himself. Not the best trade-off, right? Lately, he’s been struggling, with just one win out of his last four bouts against top competition. Smith’s a tough nut though, a real veteran of the game and he’s got some serious skills on his feet. But hey, his defense? Not exactly rock-solid, especially up against the cage.

Let’s break down Petrino’s game. So, he’s clocking in at 2.74 significant strikes per minute, not too shabby. But check this out, in his decision wins against Tyson Pedro and Anton Turalj, he only managed to land 27 and 39 significant strikes respectively. Ouch, not exactly knocking it out of the park there. But hey, here’s where he’s got the upper hand: on the ground. Petrino’s averaging 3.86 takedowns per 15 minutes, which is pretty darn impressive. And in his four fights in the Octagon, he’s nailed 15 takedowns. Looks like he’s gonna be working that ground game to his advantage.

Petrino hasn’t lost in his 11 pro MMA fights, winning both of his UFC Main Card bouts by decision. Meanwhile, Anthony Smith’s last three UFC fights have all gone past Round 2. It’s set to be an intense showdown so I like Petrino to continue his winning form along with the Over 1.5 rounds.

UFC Record

Petrino is undefeated at 11-0. Smith has been around the UFC/MMA for a while with a 37-19 record.

Best Bet

Vitor Petrino Over 1.5 Rounds = $1.85

Matheus Nicolau and Alex Perez are set to headline UFC Fight Night betting this Sunday in the main event. Here’s our UFC betting preview for April 28, 2024.

Matheus Nicolau vs Alex Perez

Nicolau’s been out of the octagon since last April after getting knocked out by No. 1 contender Brandon Royval in the first round. That loss ended his six-fight winning streak. Overall, Nicolau’s MMA record stands at 19 wins and 3 losses, with a pretty decent 7 wins and 2 losses inside the octagon. He’s got some solid skills, you know, but nothing that makes him stand out from the crowd. Still, at 31 years old, he’s got plenty of fight left in him.

Perez has had a bit of a rough patch lately, with three losses in a row. But hey, no shame there because he was up against some top fighters in the division. First off, he went up against Deiveson Figueiredo for the title back in 2020 and got submitted. Then, in 2022, he faced off against the current champ, Alexandre Pantoja, and got stopped in the first round. After taking a break for 20 months, he made a comeback last month, but unfortunately, he lost to Muhammad Mokaev by decision. Now, Perez has some solid wrestling skills both offensively and defensively, but there are a few gaps in his grappling game. On the feet, he’s a pretty slick kickboxer with some speedy hands, but he’s not exactly packing a ton of power.

Nicolau’s last win was a knockout against Matt Schnell, who’s known for being hittable and chinny, whereas Perez boasts superior striking defence and durability, so I anticipate this fight to go the distance and be decided by a decision for Nicolau.

UFC Record

Overall, Nicolau is 19-4-1 and Perez is 24-8 in their UFC careers.

Best Bet

Matheus Nicolau Pereira WIN = $1.53

Ryan Spann vs Bogdan Guskov

Spann has been making some progress, but consistency has been a bit of a struggle for him lately. Since 2020, he’s won 4 fights and lost 4, so it’s been a bit up and down for him. Recently, he hit a rough patch with a couple of losses, one by submission to Nikita Krylov and the other by a disputed decision against Anthony Smith. But hey, when Spann’s on his game, he’s a real force to be reckoned with! He’s got some serious finishing abilities and can really maul his opponents. Now, it’s worth mentioning that those losses came against some tough competition in the division.

Bogdon Guskov is a bit of a raw, unpolished style when he steps into the octagon. So far, he’s had a mixed bag in the UFC. He managed to snag a win against Zac Pauga in his last bout, but he took a pretty tough loss against Volkan Oezdemir before that. Guskov’s still pretty green in the UFC. He’s been doing the regional MMA thing for a while, but he’s still finding his groove on the big stage. At this point, it’s hard to say if he’s ready to take on someone who’s been in the ring with some of the division’s top UFC fighters.

Spann’s got the edge as the more well-rounded fighter, so he shouldn’t have much trouble dealing with Guskov. As long as Spann plays it smart and avoids any big shots early on, he’s pretty much guaranteed the win.

UFC Record

Spann is 21-9 in his UFC career. Guskov has a 1-1 record thus far.

Best Bet

Ryan Spann WIN = $1.49

Ariane Lipski vs Karine Silva

No one’s doubting that Lipski’s been on a roll lately with her revived career and winning streak. But, there’s this feeling in the air that it might not be smooth sailing against Karine Silva, who’s making waves herself. Lipski’s striking game has been on point lately and she’s really tightened up her takedown defence. She’s the kind of fighter who’s always ready to throw down and won’t back down from a scrap. But, if she goes in too hot like she has in the past, she might end up in a tricky spot on the ground. So, while Lipski definitely has the skills to take this one, she’s gotta stay cool and avoid getting caught in any sticky situations.

Since joining the UFC in 2021, Silva’s been like a wrecking ball, tearing through opponents left and right. Now, she’s gearing up for her toughest challenge yet against Lipski, who’s currently on a hot streak herself. Silva’s grappling game is relentless and she’s known for putting on the pressure. Plus, she’s no lightweight when it comes to striking – her punches pack a serious punch. While she might not be a knockout artist, her striking sets up her grappling game, which is where she really shines.

Lipski has won her last 3 fights as an underdog and I’m looking for her to continue the trend on Sunday, but this should be a close fight.

UFC Record

Lipski holds a 17-8 overall record in the UFC. Meanwhile, Silva has also won 17 bouts but only has 4 losses.

Best Bet

Ariane Lipski WIN = $2.25

Get ready to witness a clash of titans as the electrifying atmosphere of the UFC returns with the highly anticipated 2024 UFC Fight Night between Allen vs Curtis 2!

Brendan Allen vs Chris Curtis

Brendan Allen, sitting pretty at No. 6 in the middleweight ranks, was all set to throw down with Marvin Vettori, the No. 5 contender. But hold up, Vettori bailed on March 14, leaving the door wide open for Chris Curtis to step in. And get this, Curtis already knocked out Allen back in 2021. Talk about a grudge match! Now, Allen’s all about that grappling game. Dude’s got some serious skills on the ground and most of his wins come from choking fools out. And at just 28, he’s got youth on his side.

On the flip side, we’ve got Chris Curtis, who’s no slouch in the defence department. He’s a tough nut to crack when it comes to takedowns. But he’s had a bit of trouble with guys who can move around the ring better. Still, with the smaller octagon at the Apex, he’s got a better shot at trapping his opponent. Plus, Allen might wanna keep his distance and stick to kicking, but he’s got this habit of getting into close scrapes. That’s where Curtis shines, with his sharp boxing skills, heavy fists and iron chin. Plus, at 36, Curtis brings some serious experience to the table.

Curtis has gone the full 15 minutes in 4 of his last 6 fights so I’m expecting a long & hard-fought fight between these two on Sunday.

UFC Record

Allen has a consistent 23-5 record thus far. Curtis is a veteran of the UFC with a 31-10 record.

Best Bet

Over 3.5 Rounds = $1.87

Alexander Hernandez vs Damon Jackson

Okay, so Hernandez hasn’t had the best run lately, going 1-3 in his last four fights. The odds are in his favour this time around, but let’s not count our chickens before they hatch. Dude’s got a habit of eating a lot of strikes and he’s all about moving forward – sometimes straight into punches. In his last fight, Algeo just let him walk right into some jabs and kicks and it wasn’t pretty. Plus, Hernandez’s offence is kinda basic and he hasn’t exactly been lighting up the scoreboard lately. At 31, with a UFC record of 14-7, he’s gotta step up his game if he wants to come out on top.

Now, Jackson’s had a rough patch too, dropping two fights in a row. Sure, he had a killer streak of four wins, but lately, things haven’t been going his way. Losing to Ige is one thing, but his loss to Quarantillo was a head-scratcher, especially after Quarantillo’s last lacklustre performance. Watching Jackson’s last couple of fights, he’s looking a bit slower than Hernandez. But hey, he might have some tricks up his sleeve in the clinching game against the fence. At 35, with a record of 22-6-1, he’s got experience on his side, but will it be enough to turn things around?

Tough one to pick with both guys out of form. So I like the chances of the Over

UFC Record

Hernandez is 14-7 in his UFC career. Meanwhile, Jackson holds a 22-6-1 record.

Best Bet

Over 2.5 Rounds = $2.25

Morgan Charriere vs Jose Mariscal

This dude’s 28 and already stacking up a UFC record of 19-9-1. Charriere’s all about quality over quantity – he might not throw a ton of strikes, but when he does, you better believe they count. Plus, he’s been on a KO streak, taking out his last three opponents with some nasty body kicks. His UFC debut? Pure fire. He looked faster, threw more punches and scored a first-round KO win. With UFC camps backing him up, Charriere’s only gonna get better from here. I’m putting my money on him to climb the ranks and break into the top 15 soon. But hey, it’s gonna be a close fight, so I’m not going all in on Charriere just yet.

Now, Mariscal’s a whole different breed. He’s known for his brawling style and tough-as-nails attitude. In his UFC debut against Trevor Peek, he showed why he’s one to watch, scoring a solid win. His next fight against Jack Jenkins was a bit of a rollercoaster. Jenkins had some sharp strikes that gave Mariscal trouble in the first round, but a second-round injury handed Mariscal the W. Now, facing off against Charriere? That’s gonna be a challenge. Mariscal’s got skills, no doubt, but Charriere’s no pushover. At 31, with a UFC record of 15-6, Mariscal’s got the experience, but will it be enough to take down Charriere?

The odds are pretty close but Charriere just looks to be in better form at the moment and should take this one.

UFC Record

Charriere has a 19-9-1 record at the moment. Mariscal holds a 15-6 overall record.

Best Bet

Morgan Charriere WIN = $1.77

Welcome to the electrifying showdown of 2024 UFC Fight Night: Ribas vs. Namajunas! Prepare for an adrenaline-fueled spectacle as two titans of the women’s flyweight division collide in the main event.

Rose Namajunas vs Amanda Ribas

Namajunas has been a solid contender in the strawweight division, holding the title on two separate occasions. This upcoming fight will only be her second appearance in this weight class. However, her recent performances haven’t quite lived up to expectations. In her last two outings, she suffered a narrow split-decision loss to Carla Esparza, during which she managed to land only 37 strikes over the course of 25 minutes. Following that, she faced Manon Fiorot and suffered another setback, failing to display significant offensive output.

Ribas just had a killer moment in her career, pulling off a spinning-wheel-kick knockout against Luana Pinheiro. It was her first-ever UFC knockdown and finish from strikes. In the UFC, Ribas has mainly fought at strawweight, but she’s switched it up a bit, jumping between flyweight – which is where this fight is happening – a few times. She’s been rocking it more consistently at the lighter weight class, boasting a 6-1 record. Her losses at flyweight were against some seriously bigger and stronger fighters like Maycee Barber and Katlyn Cerminara.

Happy to take on the underdog in what should be a close contest. Ribas was impressive against Pinheiro and hopefully she can bring that momentum into this fight.

Head to Head Record

This is the first meeting in the UFC.

Best Bet

Amanda Ribas WIN = $2.70

Karl Williams vs Justin Tafa

Out of his nine professional victories, he’s only been able to secure finishes in three of them. It’s worth noting that none of these finishes occurred within the UFC or Contender Series, indicating that he’s still working on making his mark in those arenas. Additionally, he’s often considered a bit undersized for the heavyweight division, which could pose challenges against larger opponents. Initially, the lineup for this event had Karl Williams scheduled to face off against Junior Tafa.

This 30-year-old Australian fighter packs a serious punch in the heavyweight division. Tafa’s record speaks volumes – he’s secured knockouts in all seven of his professional victories, and impressively, all four of those wins came within the UFC octagon. Despite his aggressive style, he’s only been stopped once, showcasing his resilience and determination inside the cage. With such an impressive track record, Tafa undoubtedly holds a significant edge over his opponents.

Tafa looks undervalued in this one and could spring an upset.

Head to Head Record

This is the first meeting in the UFC.

Best Bet

Justin Tafa WIN = $2.50

Trey Ogden vs Kurt Holobaugh

Trey Ogden’s UFC record might seem a bit tricky at first glance, standing at 1-2-1. It all started with a close split-decision loss to Jordan Leavitt. Then, there’s the no-contest in his latest bout, where things got interesting. Ogden was dominating the fight, leading 20-18 after two rounds. He had a tight submission locked in, and although it seemed like Nikolas Motta was out, the referee jumped in a bit early, ending the match.

Holobaugh is making a comeback to the UFC, joining the ranks of returning veterans for this event. In his previous UFC appearances, he didn’t fare too well, going 0-4. His sole official UFC victory came during the TUF tournament final. Although winning a reality show like TUF once held significant weight, nowadays, the roster mainly consists of fighters who didn’t even get a chance to compete in the Contender Series. This raises doubts about the true value of his win in the tournament.

Hard to back against Ogden in this matchup with Holobaugh returning to the UFC after going 0-4 previously.

Head to Head Record

This is the first meeting in the UFC.

Best Bet

Trey Ogden WIN = $1.65

Get ready for an electrifying showdown at UFC 299 in Miami, USA. Two titans of the Octagon, Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera, are set to collide in a highly anticipated battle.

Sean O’Malley vs Marlon Vera

At 27 years old, O’Malley boasts a UFC record of 9 wins, 1 loss, and 1 No Contest. Emerging as one of the top bantamweights in the sport, the American entered the UFC scene after triumphing in the inaugural season of Dana White’s Contender Series. Renowned for his elite striking abilities and formidable KO power, O’Malley secured the championship title by knocking out Aljamain Sterling in his recent bout. While displaying few vulnerabilities throughout his career, durability remains a concern as he has suffered injuries in multiple fights.

At 31 years old, Vera boasts a UFC record of 15 wins and 7 losses. Originating from Ecuador, he emerged as a remarkable discovery for the UFC following his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America a decade ago. Transitioning from a journeyman to a legitimate title contender, Vera’s arsenal includes impressive striking abilities and formidable submission techniques. Renowned for his durability and exceptional cardio, he faces challenges with being frequently struck and susceptible to takedowns, revealing weaknesses in his game. Nevertheless, armed with an iron chin and dangerous skills, Vera remains a prominent contender in the 135-pound division.

If things go as planned, we’ll see a lot of hard hits. If O’Malley can somehow get the fight to the ground and land some punches, he might win. Same goes if they stay standing, but Vera’s pretty crafty there. He’ll be aiming to hit O’Malley from all directions, even going for his legs. It’s gonna be a quick fight, so I’m betting on the Under.

Head to Head Record

Vera beat O’Malley at UFC 252.

Best Bet

Under 3.5 Rounds = $2.50

Dustin Poirier vs Benoit Saint-Denis

Becoming a star in the MMA world, Dustin Poirier rose to prominence after securing victories against Conor McGregor in consecutive fights in 2021. Known for his reliability as a headline fighter in the UFC, Poirier has established himself as a formidable presence in the octagon. His recent bouts have seen a mix of results, including a notable win against Michael Chandler, as well as losses to Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.

Displaying impressive winning form, French fighter Saint-Denis has showcased his prowess by finishing his last five opponents. Despite this recent success, Saint-Denis encountered defeat in his debut match against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, although it’s worth noting that this bout took place in a higher weight class. Despite his achievements, Saint-Denis has yet to compete against opponents of the caliber of Poirier, presenting a new challenge for the rising fighter.

Betting on this fight going 3 rounds or over looks good value. Saint Denis hasn’t really been pushed in terms of stamina yet, so if he can’t finish Poirier quickly, who knows how he’ll handle a longer match.

Head to Head Record

Yet to face each other in the UFC.

Best Bet

Over 2.5 = $2.05

Petr Yan vs Song Yadong

Former champion Petr Yan finds himself in a challenging position as he prepares for an upcoming fight after nearly a year of inactivity and facing a three-fight losing streak. Despite this, his defeats against opponents like Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley, and Merab Dvalishvili are deemed understandable given their caliber. Despite his previous achievements, Petr Yan is currently considered the underdog in his upcoming bout against Song Yadong, adding an extra layer of pressure as he looks to reclaim his former glory.

Less than 24 months ago, Yadong faced a setback when he was stopped by Cory Sandhagen, a fighter Petr Yan had previously defeated during the same period. While Yadong is acknowledged for his entertaining style and displayed promise in his recent match against Chris Gutierrez, his victories over Ricky Simon and Marlon Moraes are not regarded as particularly impressive. These contrasting performances add an element of unpredictability to Yadong’s upcoming fight.

This matchup is tough since both fighters have ways to win. But overall, the matchup favors Yan to outstrike Song over fifteen minutes, as long as he starts strong and maintains his pace.

Head to Head Record

No fights in UFC just yet.

Best Bet

Fight Result – Peter Yan – $1.79

Prepare for an electrifying rematch as UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 draws near. With high stakes on the line, join me as I explore three of the best fights on the card.

Moreno vs Royval

Mexico will be roaring for it’s former champion in Moreno. A skilled black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a deft boxer with a standard Mexican granite chin, Moreno epitomises resilience and skill in the ring. Despite a dynamically close split decision loss to Pantoja in July, Moreno remains a formidable contender, poised for redemption. The upcoming bout against Royval presents an opportunity for Moreno to secure another shot at the current champion. While conceding height and length to Royval, Moreno’s extensive experience in championship five-round main events and his youthful vigor give him a competitive edge. With Mexico rallying behind him, Moreno enters the ring with a fire fueled by passion and determination.

Coming from training at high elevation in Colorado, Royval enters this main event with determination. Fresh off a five-round unanimous decision loss to current champion Alexandre Pantoja last December, Royval is eager to prove himself once again. As a southpaw, he holds height and reach advantages over Moreno, the division’s former champion. Having conquered all contenders except for the elite talents of Pantoja and Moreno, Royval faces a tough challenge to earn a third shot at the title. With Moreno backed by the fervent Mexican fight crowd, Royval understands the daunting task ahead as he aims to break through and secure another chance at championship glory in the UFC.

I believe this fight has the potential to go the distance so I like the safe bet of it lasting over 3.5 rounds.

Head to Head Record

Moreno beat Royval in 2020.

Best Bet

Over 3.5 Rounds = $1.65

Rodriguez vs Ortega

Since defeating Ortega in July 2022, Rodriguez has competed in two fights. Despite experiencing a loss, it occurred against Volkanovski in round 3, providing him with valuable experience. Some opinions suggest that the fight’s elevation location may pose challenges for Ortega, given Rodriguez’s training in high altitude environments. This scenario could potentially give Rodriguez the advantage in terms of cardio fitness.

Ortega’s prolonged absence from the ring, stemming from his shoulder injury incurred against Rodriguez a year and a half ago, presents a formidable challenge as he prepares to return to competition. The significant break from active fighting raises concerns regarding his readiness and ability to perform at his peak level. Furthermore, with the fight scheduled at an elevated location, the impact of altitude on Ortega’s conditioning and stamina adds another layer of complexity to his preparation. As he navigates through this tough spot, Ortega faces the daunting task of not only overcoming his physical setbacks but also proving his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Hard to go past Rodriguez in this matchup, he won the last fight and Ortega is coming off an injury.

Head to Head Record

Rodriguez defeated Ortega in 2022.

Best Bet

Fight Result – Rodriguez = $1.63

Torres vs Duncan

Torres boasts an impressive 2-0 record in the UFC, having secured two first-round knockouts in his victories. However, some question the caliber of competition he has faced thus far. Notably, Torres has showcased his striking prowess by winning his last eight fights with first-round knockouts, demonstrating his ability to inflict damage with precision and power. His recent knockout of Motta left spectators in awe of his formidable punching power and ruthless intent in the octagon.

Duncan holds a distinct advantage in wrestling, evident from his previous UFC victories where he effectively utilized his grappling skills to dominate opponents and secure wins. However, the first round poses a challenge for Duncan, as he has previously endured being rocked in fights and even suffered a knockout on the Contender Series. Despite this, if he manages to weather the storm, Duncan is expected to showcase superior cardio, allowing him to leverage his wrestling expertise to control Torres and potentially secure a decision victory.

If Duncan can get past the first round, I think he has a good chance of an upset and will take on his value odds.

Head to Head Record

Yet to fight each other.

Best Bet

Fight Result – Duncan = $2.45

Combat Sports descends on the fight capital of the world, UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex and Pacquiao vs Ugas in the T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada highlighting this weekend’s schedule with both events on Sunday 22^nd August.

Jared Cannonier x Kelvin Gastelum

Two middleweights throwing down with high importance, Cannonier at 37, is his window closing? For Gastelum, a win puts him in the upper echelon of the division. Cannonier did lose last time he stepped in the octagon, opposing him was the former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Outpointed most of the fight, Cannonier got caught with a kick from Whittaker that staggered him and not only did he survive, Cannonier put it on Whittaker in the 3^rd.

Gastelum should not be overlooked because of his previous fights, despite winning 1 of 5 in the division, he is always hanging around and fighting highly respectable fighters. One big take away from Gastelum is that he performs to the skill set of his opponents, against Adesanya one could argue he was a couple strikes away from finishing the middleweight champion and against Darren Till a top 10 fighter, he never shifted gears.

Prediction: We need to question how durable Gastelum might be with respect to recent results, did he lose a little bit of himself in the octagon? We know Cannonier can overcome adversity and push forward. This will be an entertaining bout with huge ramifications at stake, I see Cannonier defeating Gastelum via TKO/KO ($2.75).

Clay Guida x Mark Madsen

Mark Madsen enters this co main event with intrigue, the Danish Olympic silver medallist in Greco Roman wrestling is yet to live up to the hype. Madsen 2-0 in the UFC faces Clay Guida who is an established mma veteran with over 50 fights, he will look at Madsen’s inexperience as path to victory.

Prediction: Mark Madsen is the skilled fighter but you can’t look past Guida and his time built up in the octagon. Guida offers constant pressure and it will be up to Madsen on how he deals with the advances of his opponent. Won’t be easy but the skill of Madsen will be enough to get the win over Guida via unanimous decision ($3.80).

Manny Pacquiao x Yordenis Ugas

Manny Pacquaio returns to the ring after his impressive performance vs Keith Thurman, the 8 division world champ surprised the masses by outpointing a high level and much younger Thurman. Manny’s next opponent, Errol Spence Jr succumb to a retinal left eye injury that forced him to withdraw from the marquee event, up steps Cuban Yordenis Ugas, an orthodox counter puncher. Manny will have to shift his approach to the recent change as Spence is an aggressor from a southpaw position.

We must factor in the age of Manny (42 years old) as to whether he can consistently find targets, also Manny’s focus, he is slated to run for presidency in his native Philippines, however he recently suffered a set-back in that fight.

Prediction: I expect Manny to work Ugas, picking his shots carefully from the moment they touch gloves. Ugas is not coming off the couch heading into this fight, he was on the undercard preparing for his bout, therefore fitness should not be an issue for him. Manny ‘The Pacman’ Pacquiao via unanimous decision ($2.20).

UFC 265 PREVIEW

Gold on the line this weekend at UFC 265, home-town star Derrick ‘The Black Beast’ Lewis takes on undefeated Cyril ‘Bon Gamin’ Gane. The heavyweight interim-title bout will take place at the Toyota Center Houston, Texas on Sunday 8^th August.

DERRICK LEWIS ($3.60) v CYRIL GANE ($1.28)

The interim title bout is slated to showcase two different style of fighters, Derrick Lewis, the power puncher up against Cyril Gane, the technical striker. The black beast (Lewis) 25-7, is on a 4 fight win streak heading into this weekend and looking to uncork a vicious right hand to back up his previous two TKO/KO finishes. On the other hand, Cyril Gane 9-0 is yet to taste defeat, both in mma and kickboxing. Gane possesses an all-round game, which is unheard of in the heavyweight division, an athlete with technique, agility and gas-tank for all 5 championship rounds. A crucial bout for both fighters, as a date with the heavyweight champion aligns for the winner, Francis N’Gannou.

Prediction: I only see one-way for Lewis, look no further than his right hand and the ability for that to end any fight. Gane will look for openings as he evades that right hand, followed by countering with strikes that will frustrate Lewis from the outset of the fight. Gane will overwhelm Lewis, in his own words display a ‘beautiful masterclass’, I see this fight going into the late rounds, either a late round finish or decision in the favour of Gane.

JOSE ALDO ($1.80) v PEDRO MUNHOZ ($1.92)

Brazilians square up in this bantamweight matchup as Jose Aldo returns off a win over Marlon Vera, an important win for the UFC legend. Aldo, since he dropped down a weight class is 1-2, albeit against top class opposition. Pedro Munhoz is a tough opponent, he has a win over former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt, showing he can mix it with the best.

Prediction: Two guys that are versatile, standing or on the mat, I see a stand-up fight with Aldo predominantly on the front foot. He will mix in strikes to the head and the body, Aldo via decision.

MICHAEL CHIESA ($1.92) v VICENTE LUQUE ($1.80)

A fight of the night candidate beckons as two welterweights aim to climb the ranks and put their name in the hat for a potential title fight. Chiesa is a perfect 4-0 since he returned to the welterweight division scoring wins over highly decorated mixed martial artists. The same can be said for Luque, not only picking up solid wins but doing it in style.

Prediction: A win would edge them closer to the top of a stacked division. Chiesa likes to take his fights to the mat with heavy grappling as he pursues ground and pound. On the other side, Luque, a highly skilled Muay Thai specialist who can also hang when it goes to the ground. I like Luque here, he will look to keep the fight standing and unleash his striking from the outside. Luque via decision.

TECIA TORRES ($1.68) v ANGELA HILL ($2.15)

The rise of the women’s strawweight division gives the fans an exciting contest between Torres and Hill. Mixed results in the division see the two face off against each other with the emerging fighter staking claim for a future top 5 ranked opponent.

Prediction: Angela Hill will look to pick a part the smaller Tecia Torres, Hill’s advantage in this contest is her 10cm reach advantage and as Torres looks to close the gap, expect Hill to land her strikes. Hill via decision.

SONG YADONG ($2) v CASEY KENNEY ($1.78)

A great fight to open the pay-per-view card as Song Yadong and Casey Kenney aim to deliver fan expectations. Yadong and Kenney are similar in all facets of mixed martial arts and betting markets reflect this. It will be interesting to see how either fighter will find a path to victory, nonetheless a curtain raiser with fight of the night potential.

Prediction: Hard to pin-point who has the edge in this fight, I believe Kenney can outlast Yadong over 3 rounds. Kenney via decision.

Goran’s Best Bet: Hill into Luque into Aldo @ $6.97 with BlueBet

Words & Tips by: Goran Nikolovski

UFC 264 PREVIEW

The UFC juggernaut returns this weekend with the Irish megastar & former two-time UFC champion Conor McGregor taking on Dustin Poirier in a must-see trilogy with both fighters taking out one another in spectacular fashion. UFC 264 will take place in a sold out arena at the T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday 11^th July.

DUSTIN POIRIER X CONOR MCGREGOR III

The Notorious Conor McGregor looks to avenge the TKO loss to Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier in the main event of UFC 264. Before we get into the Trilogy, we must fully understand how we got here in the first place. We go back in the time machine and set it to September 2014, back then Conor McGregor, a fighter on the rise looking for a signature win to get his MMA career moving in the right direction, he had his followers but also his doubters. UFC match making saw Poirier as a perfect opponent with a stepping stone that allowed McGregor to shoot up the ranks. A press conference was scheduled to promote the fight, they were joined by a much anticipated fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, so the platform was there for McGregor to not only showcase his fighting abilities but also his other talent, mental warfare. Throughout fight week McGregor got on the mic and developed the foundation to mentally defeating Poirier even before they stepped foot into the Octagon. McGregor went on to defeat Poirier inside 2 minutes of the contest via TKO, Poirier cited his defeat on McGregor getting in his head throughout fight week thus causing him to not follow his game plan.

The second fight comes 6 years later, In 2020, during the peak of COVID 19, UFC pressed on and continued to make fights throughout the pandemic, this time heading to Fight Island (Abu Dhabi, UAE) with strict protocols in place, essentially a bubble like environment. The rematch saw a different approach by both fighters since the last time they fought, Conor McGregor, a calm figure, not showing his notable brash talking side and Dustin Poirier not willing to bite on any verbal jabs thrown his way. The fight ensues with both looking to find their range as McGregor lands the cleaner strikes, Poirier midway through the 1^st round gets a take down and is unable to keep him down, this now makes way for the pivotal moment of the fight, the Poirier calf kicks. Poirier persistently utilises calf kicks leading to McGregor slowing down, ultimately comprising McGregor in the 1^st and 2^nd round, Poirier walks him down and lands heavy strikes that staggers McGregor, scoring a 2^nd round TKO victory.

The stakes are high and rightfully so, for McGregor, a rebounding win will answer the questions many have put forward, such as ‘Has he checked out of the game?’ and ‘Is he still hungry?’. Poirier asked for the trilogy as soon as he defeated McGregor last year. A win for either fighter puts them as a clear number 1 contender for the newly crowned Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.

Prediction: The fight can go 2 ways, If the fight finishes early McGregor will be victorious, notably McGregor comes out the gates like a greyhound, Poirier, on the other hand, likes to drag his opponents in deep water. McGregor’s Lightweight division record (2-2) shows his lack of octagon time, his record is far inferior to that of Poirier’s (11-2), we know Poirier is tried and tested, leaving it all on the line against high level opposition. The durable Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier will leave Las Vegas the victor.

GILBERT BURNS X STEPHEN THOMPSON

This fight is overlooked by many, mainly due to the main event gaining all the attention, make no mistake, this is a fantastic co main event. Gilbert Burns is coming off a TKO defeat, in the form of Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Burns had early success in the opening round, however come up short in the 2^nd round. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson is looking to make a case for a title shot, a win here is needed as his window is starting to close on a lengthy career, the 38 year old impressed with a unanimous decision win over Vicente Luque.

Prediction: They say styles make fights, Gilbert Burns a 2^nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu against a black belt in the form of Taekwondo & Kick Boxing, the grappler vs striker match-up. I expect Wonderboy (Thompson) to find his range and start to pick a part Burns, Burns will stand with him however, if he is found frustrated, look for him to mix it up and utilise his black belt on the mat. I see Wonderboy (Thompson) picking his shots and Burns struggling to match the output of strikes coming his way. Wonderboy stretching the contest to a 15-minute unanimous masterclass decision victory.

TAI TUIVASA X GREG HARDY

No such thing as a PPV without hard hitting Heavyweights throwing down, West Sydney’s own Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa matches up with former NFL pro bowler Greg ‘The Prince of War’ Hardy. This fight is a crowd pleaser and aims to deliver a knockout for the sold-out crowd in attendance and the millions watching across the globe.

Prediction: Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa is the more skilled fighter in this contest, able to set his strikes up and deliver that calculated knockout blow, Hardy is a raw mixed martial artist, however athleticism is on his side, stemming from his NFL days. I see Bam Bam (Tuivasa) getting the finish in the 2^nd round, a KO stoppage victory.

IRENE ALDANA X YANA KUNITSKAYA

An intriguing women’s bantamweight contest between an improved fighter coming off an upset victory and a fighter that disappointed her last time out. Kunitskaya excelled leaps and bounds in her ground game, thus resulting in an important win over a black belt specialist in Ketlen Vieira. Irene Aldana lost convincingly to Kunitskaya’s training partner Holly Holm, she was picked apart in all 5 rounds of their main event and never showed any sign of finding an opening.

Prediction: I’m willing to give Aldana another chance here, although Kunitskaya impressed in her previous fight, she does not possess the same skillset as her training partner. One way traffic to ensue, Aldana cruising to a decision win.

SEAN O’MALLEY X KRIS MOUTINHO

‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley was slated to fight Louis Smolka, a UFC veteran of 17 fights, however he suffered from an infection deeming him medically unfit to fight. Many threw their name into the hat, UFC had other plans, up steps Kris Moutinho, a fighter on the regional mma circut. With very little known of O’Malley’s opponent, this last minute replacement screams of a demolition job at hand as UFC aims to push fan favourite ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley to super stardom.

Prediction: Tough to analyse this one but one can assume O’Malley will finish Kris Moutinho, UFC are looking to boost the stock of ‘Suga’ with the opening fight on the blockbuster PPV card. I believe the array of striking will end the fight with a dominant KO, ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley with a 2^nd round stoppage.

Prelim fight to watch: Niko Price will fight Michel Pereira in a welterweight bout. This is must-see TV, Niko Price boasting 4 performance of the night bonuses, always looking to end fights in any way he can. Opposing him, Michel Pereira, he displays unorthodox striking from cart wheels to flips, a true wild man. Expect fireworks!

Multi Bet: Poirier, Thompson decision win and O’Malley TKO/KO win 

Words by: Goran Nikolovski

T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

We are just days away from perhaps the most highly anticipated fight of 2016, which sees ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor take on Nate Diaz in a rematch of their bout at UFC 196. Mixed martial arts is always fascinating to watch, with so many avenues for these athletes to win, it is always exciting and highly unpredictable.

Expect the majority of this fight to stay on the feet with both McGregor and Diaz preferring a stand-up style. While Diaz is certainly no slouch on the feet, the striking advantage would have to go to McGregor with his lightning speed and unorthodox movements. However, if the fight were to go to the ground, it would be Diaz with the clear advantage as he boasts a solid background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Conor controlled the opening round of their first encounter before being caught with a one-two combination by Diaz midway through the second round. By this stage, Conor looked to be physically drained and feeling the effects of stepping up not one, but two weight classes. McGregor made the unusual decision to take Diaz to the mat, which ultimately lead to his demise via rear naked choke.

There is no doubt that both fighters will be better prepared this time around, which adds to the intrigue of the bout. I feel as though McGregor is the technically better martial artist but his one-punch knockout power certainly isn’t as effective on guys at 170lb. Diaz is an amazingly tough competitor and has proven on numerous occasions that he has the tank to last the full fight and bring it to a decision. McGregor lasted three rounds with featherweight Max Holloway – with a torn anterior cruciate ligament – back in 2013. But fast forward three years, this will be a five-round fight at a different weight class so there is still an element of uncertainty.

I think if Conor McGregor was to win this fight it would be via points decision, or potentially a very late TKO. But in a 50-50 contest, I feel more confident backing the man with more avenues to victory.

Prediction – Nate Diaz via Submission (4^th Round) – $3.50

Words: Jackson Clark (@JClarke182)