The UFC returns for its third card in 7 days with the vacant Flyweight title on the line. We’ll take a look at the Main Event and see if we can find any winners on the remainder of the card for those having a bet.
Deiveson Figueiredo ($1.45) vs Joseph Benavidez ($2.75)
This is a rematch from a vacant title fight from March of this year where Figueiredo was able to stop Benavidez during the second round via TKO. The Brazilian was unable to take the belt home due to the fact that he missed weight by 3 pounds at weigh-ins.
On the night, DF looked far more powerful in the hands than Benavidez, despite being out-landed and outscored on all three judges scorecards in opening round.
It’s the events that have taken part in the time between these two fights that make it all the more interesting.
Since returning to Brazil, DF contracted Covid and overcame it to complete a full training camp. When he set off to depart for Yas Island from Brazil he returned another positive test and missed his charter flight. Hours later he tested negative but this has meant that he will be quarantined in his hotel until the day of weigh-ins which is hardly ideal.
His camp have recently shed light on the horrific weight cut he had leading into the last fight which is interesting. When he landed last time out he weighed 145 pounds, which left him with 20 pounds to lose during the week leading in order to make the Flyweight limit.
This time he has landed at 134 pounds and has only 9 to drop, which will leave him in much better physical condition on the day of the fight. We’re expecting Figueiredo to finish this one. Benavidez’s ability to scramble his way out of trouble on the mat leaves KO or TKO the likely result.
Tip: Figueiredo to win by KO or TKO @$2.35 3 units
Kelvin Gastelum ($1.91) vs Jack Hermansson ($1.91)
An interesting match-up in the co-mainer with two top class Middleweights looking to get back into the win column and the top 5 of the rankings.
Gastelum is coming off a decision loss to English fan favourite Darren Till and before that he lost to Israel Adesanya in an interim Middleweight title bout. A third consecutive loss would force him to seriously consider his diet issues which force him to fight larger framed men.
Hermansson is a well-rounded fighter that has strong wrestling and could also possibly use his range to avoid Kelvin’s strong left hand.
Punters are struggling to separate these two in the head-to-head betting but with recent decisions on both fighters cards, this may be the way to look to bet on this one.
