UFC Fans we are back for another PPV event this weekend and we have quite a few interesting fights on this card. The most active fighter on the entire roster, and the most active champion, Alex Poatan Pereira steps into the octagon for his 4th fight this year.
I believe we are going to see some epic battles, and hopefully a few exciting finishes! Let's get into it!
Sunday, March 9 at 1:00 AM | |
Magomed Ankalaev | -105 |
Alex Pereira | -112 |
Alex Pereira may have his toughest fight yet this weekend, in my opinion, but he still has the striking skills, and defensive IQ to find his way through this fight. No question Rountree is a formidable opponent. He is a successful kickboxer himself, and he is very durable.
If Pereira cannot find another finish, he needs to avoid Rountree’s power, which I think he does and he can win this by damage and points. Pereira is excellent at finding his range and timing. I doubt we see much wrestling in this fight so I will side with the most skilled fighter on the feet.
Tecia Pennington has the skills on the feet and on the ground to handle Carla Esparza, who is making her return to the ring. Carla has not fought since losing her belt by submission in November of 2022. I always try to fade fighters coming back from this much of a layoff, and in Carla’s world, this is her last fight.
Pennington looked pretty good in her return to the ring when she lost to a respectable Tabitha Ricci by split decision, and now she had that to build off of during her camp. She can force pressure on the feet with her striking and if needed she can grapple on the feet. Her volume and takedown defense are going to help her in this one!
Listen, I respect Stephen Thompson and what he has brought to the MMA game, but I think he is on the wrong side of 41, facing an up and coming 30 year old killer. Buckley is riding a 4 fight win streak and in 19 professional fights, he has 13 finishes by KO.
I don’t think he finds the KO here, but I do think he wrestles Wonderboy, which would be a fantastic way to victory. Avoiding Wonderboy’s striking should be in the game plan for Buckley.
He should also use that 1.69 takedown average to his advantage and get Wonderboy on the ground to get some work in.I think Buckleys explosiveness with ability to work on the ground will find him a decision win most likely.
Fading another 41 year old in OSP is something I am willing to back my money on, even on a fighter in Ryan Spann who is coming in on a 3 fight losing streak. Spann is the more dangerous fighter at this point in his career. Spann can win on the feet, or find a ground and pound position in which OSP would be in some trouble.
Some people may just stay away from this fight but, Spann will bring his power to this fight and I believe he finds the shots he needs on OSP to get the damage to win this fight. I trust his cardio in this spot better and he will be the much more active fighter, forcing the action.
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Top Flight Wagers has several years of experience in the sports betting industry and currently operates their own handicapping business. They're successful in all sports but specializes in UFC and Golf for EatWatchBet. Find them on X @TopFlightWagers