UFC 303 goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas. It has been a bumpy highway to get to the annual Worldwide Combat Week card, crammed with confusion, cancellations and UFC matchmakers scrambling to carry the cardboard collectively.
The cardboard was initially set to be headlined by the return of Conor McGregor in a long-awaited bout with Michael Chandler. After canceling an enormous press convention in Eire on the final minute, rumors started to swirl that McGregor was pulling out of the battle. In the end, that proved to be true as McGregor had suffered a damaged pinky toe in coaching camp.
On the similar time, co-main eventer and former gentle heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill pulled out of his battle with Khalil Rountree resulting from his personal harm.
The UFC responded by placing collectively a brand new predominant occasion and co-main occasion on quick discover. The principle occasion now includes a rematch between gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and the person he defeated to win the title, Jiri Prochazka. The co-main occasion sees Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes clashing in featherweight motion.
After going 2-3 with our greatest bets for UFC 302, we’re sitting with a file of 14-16 on the 12 months. That is not a successful file, however we’re on observe to get out of the crimson, hopefully beginning with UFC 303.
Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael Web page
Combat to go the space: Sure (-170)
Web page has turn out to be one thing of a unique beast in recent times. Towards tender competitors, he was fearless in going wide-open for finishes. It isn’t that Web page fights scared now, however in opposition to extra expert opponents, he has discovered to make the most of his size and approach to nullify aggression. If a end presents itself, Web page will take it, however this possible seems loads like Web page’s win over Kevin Holland when it comes to tempo. Garry is the favourite for a purpose, however I feel Web page is a really dwell canine. Watching Garry in opposition to Geoff Neal and Neil Magny, nevertheless, does not make me suppose this battle ends earlier than the ultimate bell. This could possibly be a much more boring battle than it seems on paper.
Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson
Mayra Bueno Silva moneyline (-110)
Chiasson’s lack of constant performances has turn out to be a problem. After successful 5 of her first six fights within the UFC, Chiasson has now alternated between losses and wins for 4 straight. Bueno Silva is not an ideal fighter, however she is a harmful one and harmful fighters are at their greatest in opposition to mistake-prone opposition. Chiasson goes to need to push the tempo relentlessly and by no means permit Silva to settle right into a rhythm. The issue with pushing the tempo is that it additionally creates openings for Bueno Silva to seek out success. For a choose ’em battle, it looks like Silva is in a superb place to get the win.
Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze
Anthony Smith moneyline (+124)
Underneath regular circumstances, this looks like a battle Dolidze needs to be anticipated to win. These aren’t regular circumstances, nevertheless. This battle was initially Khalil Rountree vs. Jamahal Hill, then Rountree vs. Carlos Ulberg after Hill was injured, then Ulberg vs. Smith after Rountree pulled out. Smith has not less than had a bit extra time to organize for the battle, if not preferrred circumstances. Dolidze, nevertheless, is stepping in on even shorter discover. Smith is a man with lots of expertise on the massive stage whereas that is solely Dolidze’s second PPV card. That will not play an enormous half in how a battle goes, however there are only a lot of little issues including as much as Smith being in a superb place to drag off a minor upset.
Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
Combat to go over 1.5 rounds: Sure (-190)
The matchmakers at UFC pulled a rabbit out of their hat with this battle. The place I lean towards the over is that whereas each are thrilling fighters who can produce a end, Ortega’s iron chin shouldn’t be going to make it simple for Lopes to roll over him. Ortega shouldn’t be normally a fast finisher and if he is not looking for the short end, it is going to take some accumulation for Lopes to dent his chin. From there, we simply want 2:30 extra of motion, and for fighters at this stage, that needs to be a practical factor to financial institution on. Issues ought to begin choosing up within the second spherical, particularly with this being a three-round battle, however there aren’t prone to be any simple finishes available.
Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka
Alex Pereira moneyline (-130)
There aren’t many causes to count on this rematch to play out a lot in another way than the primary battle. Prochazka is an exhilarating fighter however even his rebound win over Aleksandar Rakic does not lay out a brand new strategy to going through Pereira. Prochazka principally dared Rakic to hit him and managed to eat these pictures earlier than turning the tables and getting the end. Pereira is not Rakic, although, and any one among his punches can flip the lights out. Perhaps Prochazka is available in purely centered on takedowns and making an attempt to work Pereira over on the bottom however that is not the typical Prochazka strategy, nor do I consider that’s now the “simple” option to beat Pereira. As thrilling because the battle will probably be, Pereira is just too good at ending fighters who’re as wide-open as Prochazka.